The 2025 NFL Draft is over, and 32 teams now believe that their talent development strategy
will lead them to a Super Bowl victory next February.
Ultimately, only one team will hoist the Lombardi trophy like the Philadelphia Eagles did a few months ago. The Eagles' second Super Bowl Championship in seven years is a testament to the players on the field and the front office, which scouts and drafts the players and then coaches them to success.
The difference between a dynasty and a disaster usually starts with one thing: how well you draft and develop your team. In the NFL, and in business, championships aren’t won on game day; they’re won long before, when you pick and grow your talent.
Like millions of other fans, I watched the draft this past weekend. In addition to hoping my team (the Eagles) would have a great draft, I had to think about everything that transpired from a business perspective as well.
What can big business learn from the NFL Draft?
Here are five lessons every organization should think about when it comes to talent strategy:
- Talent Evaluation Never Stops
NFL scouts spend months, even years, watching players before they ever make a pick. Similarly, businesses should constantly evaluate both internal and external talent. Talent strategy isn’t an annual HR exercise; it’s an ongoing, everyday discipline. Every manager should think about their “depth chart” and develop the next person up. - Fit Matters as Much as Raw Talent
In the NFL, a player might have all the skills but fail miserably if the system or culture isn't right. In corporate life, it’s the same. Companies must look beyond résumés and assess whether a candidate fits the organization's mission, values, and operating style. - Development Is as Important as Acquisition
The best NFL teams don’t just draft players, they develop them. Big businesses often focus heavily on recruiting but neglect development. Success comes from structured onboarding, continuous learning, mentoring, and career pathing. Think of how the Philadelphia Eagles drafted and developed the replacement for their all-pro center Jason Kelce three years prior to his retirement. His replacement, Cam Jurgens, also developed into an all-pro and won the Super Bowl. - It Takes a Portfolio Approach
Smart teams don’t put all their draft capital into one position or one style of player. They diversify: high-risk/high-reward players, safe picks, immediate contributors, and long-term projects. Companies should think the same way: mix future stars, steady performers, and role players across the organization to balance risk and ensure depth. - You Win with Strong Core Players
In the NFL, it’s not just the superstar quarterback who wins games. It’s also the dependable offensive lineman, the reliable linebacker, and the solid kicker. Businesses too often over-invest in high potentials and ignore the core performers, the steady contributors who make up the backbone of any successful organization. Development of the core should include fundamentals of business acumen and business.
Summary
Just like the NFL Draft, business success isn’t about one splashy hire. It’s about consistent, thoughtful talent management at every level of the organization. Build your roster wisely; your version of a Super Bowl victory depends on it.
