Since announcing he was gay, Michael Sam has garnered more attention than many of the more prominent names on the NFL draft board.
Just a day after going public with his sexuality, Sam fell from 90 to 160 in the draft rankings published by CBS. While almost no one offered a concrete explanation for the 70-spot drop, CBSSports.com and NFLDraftScout.com writer Rob Rang offered some explanation on Sam’s draft rank tailspin.
“An initial drop to 160 from 90 on Monday morning was part of a comprehensive adjustment in the rankings leading up to next week’s Scouting Combine that generated movement among hundreds of prospects,” Rang wrote.
Rang says that while Sam’s announcement will have an impact on his draft position, there are a number of legitimate questions in regards to football ability that apply to Sam. He’s likely too small to play as a defensive end in the NFL, and didn’t look capable when he tried playing linebacker in the Senior Bowl.
Between these concerns and all the baggage that will come with Sam’s now public sexual orientation, Rang believes that teams will view him as a distraction.
Sports Illustrated’s Peter King even quoted an anonymous NFL general manager who believes Sam will fall out of the draft completely.
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Despite the concern about both his football ability and the distraction factor that Sam might bring to an NFL locker room, it’s hard to see him falling from the draft completely. He boasts a tremendous college resume, headlined by his SEC Defensive Player of the Year award. He earned the honor after leading the conference in sacks and tackles for loss.
The discussion has just started in regards to Sam, but the outcome will very likely set a precedent in a culture and society that extends far beyond the football world.
