The first National Football League (NFL) draft took place in 1936 after team owners unanimously voted to create such an event in 1935. Prior to its existence, players could sign with any team meaning that those with more money or popularity could easily bolster their rosters. Since its inception, the NFL draft has taken many forms, from nine round of selection at the beginning, to twenty rounds at its highest, and back down to seven rounds modernly.
One thing has remained the same, the NFL draft provides teams the opportunity to build their future and give fans hope for the upcoming season. This exhibit aims to explore that feeling fans get during the NFL draft season. From 1959 with the Patriots first ever draft pick Ron Burton to 2024 with its most recent pick Drake Maye we hope to ignite not just the interest in the ins and outs of the NFL draft, but also the passion of Patriots fans as a whole.
Photos to the right (top to bottom): Ron Burton being drafted in 1959 and Drake Maye being drafted in 2024.
This exhibit will be up February 2025 – May 2025

