“The Pick Is In!”
Viewers of the 2025 NFL Draft heard that phrase 224 times over three days. From the #1 Pick to Mr. Irrelevant – the last player picked on Saturday night – the process of selecting the right player is no easy task. While first-round picks have a 99% chance to make the 53-man final roster, picks from the 6th and 7th rounds have a 30-35% chance. The Draft illustrates how critical the process is for hiring, whether for an NFL team or your company.
I give a tip of the hat to our HR Team and Director of People Strategies, Dan Crumpton, for the processes we have in place to help identify the best hire when the opportunity arises.
Where the NFL utilizes the Wonderlic Personnel Test, Strong Automotive utilizes the Culture Index, structured hiring scorecards, and a multi-phase interview process that gives us insights into traits like drive, communication, teamwork, and resilience. These tools help us increase our odds of predicting fit, performance, and cultural alignment.
In our interviews, just like NFL teams, we strive to discern whether a candidate exhibits genuine hunger for growth, ability to work well with others, emotional intelligence, and the grit to succeed under pressure. Conversely, we look out for signs of low energy, poor adaptability, or lack of curiosity – all potential warning signs that could hinder future performance.
Earlier, we mentioned the 30-35% success rate of players picked in later rounds of the draft – there are exceptions. Tom Brady was No. 199 in the 6th round in 2000. And closer to home, Auburn’s Bo Jackson was drafted in the 7th round, and you know Bo is in the NFL Hall of Fame. In the end, it’s not just about picking talent – it’s about trusting the process that helps you get it right.