Every year, the NFL Draft draws millions of fans eager to see which players their favorite teams will pick.
Behind the scenes, however, it’s not just about choosing players—teams are also busy making fast, high-pressure trades with each other, trying to gain a competitive edge.
These trades can be complicated and rely heavily on quick, clear communication. That’s where blockchain might be able to help.
Researchers Brandon McConnell from NC State University and Lieutenant Colonel Mat Fukuzawa from West Point recently published a paper suggesting that blockchain technology could make the draft process smoother and more efficient.
While they admit the current system isn’t broken, they saw the NFL Draft as a perfect example of a high-stakes event where teams compete and cooperate at the same time—a setup that blockchain was made for.
So how could it work? Blockchain is a special type of technology that records information on a shared system that everyone involved can access.
It’s often used in finance to keep track of transactions in a secure and tamper-proof way. In this case, the researchers are focused on smart contracts, which are digital agreements that can automatically carry out deals once both sides agree to the terms.
Currently, NFL teams make draft-day trades by calling each other or sending emails. These conversations can be rushed and unclear, especially when time is tight.
A smart contract, on the other hand, would let both teams enter their agreement into a secure system, and the contract would automatically execute the trade once both sides sign off. This could reduce confusion, save time, and improve trust between teams.
There are also benefits when it comes to private side deals. Smart contracts could include hidden terms that only the involved teams can see, while still ensuring that the main trade is clear and fair to everyone else. Think of it like a vending machine: once you put in the right amount of money, it gives you the snack—no confusion, no delay.
So, is this ready to be used in the real NFL Draft? Not yet. The researchers say their idea is still in the early stages.
They’ve built a basic demonstration, but haven’t created a full working system. There are also real challenges—blockchain can be costly and slow, and it’s not yet widely used outside of finance. Plus, the NFL Draft is a major event that fans love to watch live, and changing how trades work might take away some of that excitement.
Still, McConnell and Fukuzawa believe the concept is worth exploring. Not only could it make the draft more efficient, but it might also lead to new ways to involve fans and improve the overall experience. They were drawn to this idea because of their background in military and defense planning, where decision-making and trust are also key.
Even if the NFL doesn’t adopt blockchain anytime soon, this research shows how emerging technologies could change the way we handle big, complex decisions—in sports and beyond.
Source: North Carolina State University.
