Top of the Draft Board

The NFL Draft is tomorrow night as prospects hope to hear their name called, fans anticipate their team's selection of a future Hall of Famer, and GMs finalize their draft boards.

For most franchises, the general manager is the key decision-maker when selecting a draft pick.

Since last year, these GMs have been compiling information about each draft prospect, analyzing game film, and talking with scouts and coaches.

In the end, each team and GM has a draft board listing the players they are targeting, including a draft grade or the round in which each player is most likely to be available.

Ultimately, teams have one player at the top of their draft board: the one they've determined to be the most valuable, the one they desire the most, the one they would select over anyone else, and the one they prioritize over everyone else. They love the player and believe in what he can do and the impact he can make.

I’m reminded of the movie Draft Day (I try to watch it around this time every year!) when fictional Browns general manager Sonny Weaver, played by Kevin Costner, writes “Vontae Mack…no matter what” on a sticky note the morning of the draft.

Mack was the player he knew he wanted more than anyone else. After a wild sequence of events throughout the movie, Weaver's actions showed how much he valued Mack, making him his top priority, and, as a result, he ended up with him.

In this year’s real NFL Draft, every team has its draft board with its top player, but only the Las Vegas Raiders will have the opportunity to get any player they want because they have the first pick in the draft.

All signs point to their top choice being Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana. The Raiders have been focused on him, and their decision will become evident when Commissioner Roger Goodell announces it on Thursday night. 

Of course, being drafted first overall is a big deal, and all eyes will be on the Raiders to see who they make their franchise cornerstone, but every other team will also decide, throughout the night, who they view as the top player each time they're on the clock.

Awaiting the NFL Draft to find out the player each team chooses first reminds me of our daily decision to make Jesus our top priority.

Are we making Him our first thought and our top desire, and do we want Him more than anyone or anything else?

Is “Jesus…no matter what” written on our sticky note, or rather, our heart today?

Are we seeking God and His ways first?

Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 (AMP), “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”

Jesus also tells us in Matthew 6:24 (ESV), “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Ultimately, something or someone is at the top of our “draft board,” so to speak. Is it evident that Jesus is first and most important, that our focus is on Him, and He’s becoming central to every part of our lives?

Is He the One we’ve determined to be the most valuable, the One we desire the most, the One we select over anyone else, the One we are prioritizing over everyone else?

Do we love Him and believe in what He can do and the impact He can make in us and through us?

Jesus reminds us of the greatest commandment in Mark 12:30 (ESV): “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Today, let’s take a look at our “draft board” and make sure Jesus is not only on top, but He’s the cornerstone we’re building our whole life upon. Let Him be our greatest passion, the One we turn to, the One we trust, and the One we select to guide us.

Jesus…no matter what!

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to seek You and Your kingdom first and help me to love You more than anything else. Every day, show me how to make Jesus my top priority and the One I value above all else. You are worthy of my surrender and commitment. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.