Cleveland Browns and the origins of the NFL Draft: Part 2
The NFL Draft has its roots in the early days of the league, when teams would sign players without any guidelines. Philadelphia Eagles owner Bert Bell proposed a system where the worst team picks first, leading to the creation of the NFL Draft.
The NFL began in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association. Initially, teams signed players without guidelines, paying them per game. The league's early teams were based in small cities, with only a few large cities involved. Philadelphia Eagles owner Bert Bell proposed a system to achieve competitive balance by allowing the worst team to pick first in the draft. The idea was supported by influential owners like George Halas and Tim Mara, who recognized that competitive games would increase attendance. The first NFL Draft took place in 1936, marking a significant change in how teams built their rosters.
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