If a team wants a player and the player wants to play for that team, why can't they just hire him like any other job? Is there any way to get around it besides sitting out a year or something? I can see why the league wants to spread the talent around and give the crappy teams a shot at great players, but it just seems kinda crazy to me and I don't think I've ever heard of any major players getting around it, so it must be seriously enforced.

BTW, I know this sounds like a stupid question...

Not every player needs to enter the draft. They first must apply and make themselves eligible to be drafted, which means they commit to testing, combines, and other requirements. Now after the draft if a player who was not eligible or undrafted, is considered a free agent and can tryout and sign with whom ever they want. But here's the kicker, an undrafted free agent can't sign for more than the league minimum (which is like $295,000 pro-rated by games played).

because the team would like to see some type of tape of the player and who reacts to different types of schemes and how he is judged by his peers.

Well first, Jamarcus Russel NEEDS to enter the draft. In college he wasnt that big. But when he went to some camps, He was awesome.

Yeah, this is strictly illegal. If it were legal than crappy teams would never be able to draft top picks, cuz every potential draft pic would choose to go to a great team that wants them. I'm not exactly sure why it seems crazy to you cuz it is actually very fair for all teams. If there was no draft than teams would waste time searching for a player who they aren't sure wants to play the professional sport. And additionally some team could search the globe for a great player, find one in another country tell them to keep quiet so no other teams knows of them, and all of a sudden show up with that great player. Bad teams get first picks in every sport and that is the fair way.

To answer your question... YES. Every player has to declare that they intend on joining the list of eligible players to be drafted. There will be no secrecy and rules can be followed.

And YES, it is seriously enforced.

If there is a competing league...

Herchel Walker and Jim Kelly went to the USFL. I forget the NFL team that drafted him, but Joe Namath chose the AFL Jets.

I bet Otto Graham had a choice and picked the Browns of the AAFC.

It is the NFL getting an antitrust exemption in return for never competing with the NCAA an High school football. (Ever wonder why the stay off of Saturday until after the NCAA is done?)

No. They do not have to enter the draft and most dont. Not just any player can go to the NFL Draft. It all depends on your skill and time of play.

Players would get a lot more money from the draft. If a team want them, they must be good, so other teams must want them also and they would get good money from the draft. Also, players have shown time and time again that money is one of the most important things in their lives.

Usually by going into the draft a college player will get better money. Many teams do sign undrafted free agents every year so if a guy enters the draft and doesn't get drafted then any team can negotiate with him.

The NFL is set up this way to give teams a chance to become competitive. If players could go wherever they wanted, the good teams would just keep getting better and the worse teams would keep getting worse, and eventually would go bankrupt and fold, which is the last thing that any league would want. Teams may be against each other on the field, but in the business world they are partners.

trade the draft pick i guess...but thats just how it is...you cant hav 1 powerhouse team