By Blessing 
With the NFL Draft just a month away, mock draft season is in full swing. But is diving into these endless predictions a fun exercise, or is it all just a waste of time?
The 2025 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft is currently underway, a reminder that the real NFL Draft is fast approaching. While fans and analysts don’t have a say in what happens on draft day, mock drafts allow us to step into the shoes of general managers and explore different scenarios.
At the end of the day, mock drafts are just a form of fantasy football. But do they have any real value? One could argue that they’re often overhyped. The draft is essentially a chess match between 32 teams, each with its own strategy. Predicting every move is virtually impossible. Additionally, mock drafts can create misleading narratives by inflating or undervaluing certain prospects, often at odds with what actual NFL teams think.
Mock draft simulators add another layer to the debate. While they’re fun to use, they can be manipulated to build an ideal team—something that rarely happens in real life. If a simulator labels a player as a fifth-round prospect, you might assume you can wait to pick them. But real draft dynamics don’t work that way. Take Frank Ragnow as an example: leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, many mock drafts had him as a Day 2 selection. Yet, on draft night, the Detroit Lions took him 20th overall, just before the Cincinnati Bengals—who had to settle for Billy Price instead. This just goes to show how unpredictable draft day can be.
Ultimately, mock drafts are more of a thought experiment than a true reflection of what will happen. As we inch closer to the draft, new mock drafts will keep rolling in, feeding the discussion. But do you enjoy them, or are they just another sign that the NFL offseason drags on too long?
Today’s Question of the Day: Are mock drafts valuable or just a fun distraction?
Personally, I enjoy mock drafts as a way to learn about new prospects.
I’ve never believed that mock drafts accurately predict the NFL Draft. Every year, we see shocking trades and unexpected picks that completely reshape the board. Just look at 2024—who genuinely thought the Atlanta Falcons would take Michael Penix Jr. right after signing Kirk Cousins to a massive contract? Trying to nail down every draft pick is, ultimately, an impossible task.
Where I do find value in mock drafts is as a research tool. That’s why I appreciate Mock Draft Roundups. These articles don’t just list projected picks—they spark discussion. Why are certain players linked to specific teams? Who is rising or falling in draft stock? Mock drafts function like the NFL’s version of the stock market, where trends shift leading up to the big event. Watching these changes unfold is what keeps me engaged.
Most mock drafts only cover the first round, which makes sense—it’s hard enough to predict just those 32 picks. But the later rounds can be just as intriguing, especially when using mock draft simulators. I like using them to discover lesser-known prospects. If I’m looking for a specific position in the fifth round, the available options push me to research players I wouldn’t have otherwise considered. Last year, I kept seeing Sione Vaki pop up in mock drafts, which led me to dive deeper into his potential fit with the Lions.
For me, mock drafts are a gateway to learning more about the draft process. They’re an easy way to digest information, but they can also inspire deeper research. If you’re an NFL Draft enthusiast, they’re a great way to get familiar with prospects and team needs. But at the end of the day, they’re just part of the pre-draft fun.