*My Feelings During the Draft

[Vainknight13]

My Feelings During the Draft

I woke up the morning of draft day with my pulse already racing. This was the day I had been waiting for for so long, I was nervous and excited in unbelieveable amounts. I couldn't focus on even the tiniest and easiest task of my day. I still managed to get a decent workout in although I wouldn't exactly call it productive,performance there was abysmal, but sometimes you just have to remind yourself that even though  your mind is a thousand miles away the work still needs to get done. That's the most important part, no team wants a guy who takes days off because they would rather be doing something else.

I feel bad for everyone who tried to hold a conversation with me, I was definitely distant and scatterbrained. My mind kept going back to the draft and in hindsight I am not fully sure I can explain the full range of emotions that I experienced, all I can tell you for sure is that while my body was present in a lot of places,my mind never left the idea of the draft that was rapidly approaching, despite the feeling that it was taking forever to arrive.

When the draft presentation finally went up my heart was racing. I could feel the blood in my ears making them warm with the anticipation. The delay at the start of the show was probably the hardest part. Supposed to be on eight PM eastern time and didn't begin for about six more minutes after that time had already been reached. When the talking finally started I was nearly screaming at the television. Yelling at the poor commissioner who couldn't hear a word obviously "c'mon do a draft pick!!"

As they worked through what I am sure is  completely necessary and well meaning introduction I could barely hear any of it through the wall of my own anticipation. I'm likely going to have to rewatch that part to even know what was said, although I'm sure it's lovely. The first draft pick came and it was a defensive player which deep down I knew it would be. Historically the league tends to fill defensive holes in their game first, everything I've experienced so far has led me to believe that was going to happen, but as a competitor and a player I'll have to admit, there was a hint of disappointment and jealousy at not being the first off the board.

As they moved down the draft board in round one, more defense which I had tried to mentally prepare myself for, and I think I did a pretty good job, because the feeling of not being taken first had already faded quickly. The fact that the entire first round was defensive players I think did help me out, it's nothing against me and I know that, team needs will always come first. I was beginning to accept the fact that the good defensive players were going off the board before the good offensive players.

Once round two hit, things changed dramatically. An offensive player off the board, a player I had enjoyed interacting with so far in my rookie career, this time I wasn't jealous. I knew this guy was working just as hard or harder than me. I was excited for him. Which made the very next pick even better, me at tenth overall. My jaw nearly hit the floor. Of course I was jealous at not being taken first, but in all my preparation and studying peoples draft predictions, I hadn't actually anticipated going earlier than the third round. I could barely form a coherent thought in my head. Just pure joy going through my mind. I exceeded my own expectations, going way earlier than I expected.

My phone blowing up had to bring me back to reality. So many people expressing that same positivity and support I've grown to love all across the league regardless of locker room. My head still cloudy I tried to respond to as many people as possible, which was a losing battle.

Now that things are winding down and my heads starting to settle from all the craziness, I'm in Minnesota and I've met a lot of my awesome teammates. I don't know what the future holds, but if you want my predictions, this team has everything it needs and the sheer positive energy to compete for an Ultimini right away. You heard it here first kids, this is the Ducks year.

[thevoicelesscreator]

We're thrilled to be able to have picked you! You've impressed everyone on our team since day 1, and we know you're going to do great things!