Since I have started drafting rookie’s in dynasty leagues I have found it necessary to do a little research on team needs and players coming out to the draft. So I began the mock draft database here at NLS during this process I have come across some very interesting and insightful mock drafters. Its been a very good experience for me and figured getting some interviews done with these drafters could be good for many of us. The first interview I landed was with Shawn Zobel of Draftheadquarters.com. I clicked on his mock and enjoyed reading the content and also liked seeing that his predictions are better than Mel Kiper’s. NLS and DH hopefully will work together in the future years as well. So lets start the interview:

Thanks for taking the time to do this for us give us a little background of who Shawn Zobel is:

I’m 20-years old, live in the Twin Cities, and I scout college football players for a living. I’ve contributed to both NFL and college football teams and have provided NFL Draft analysis for ESPN Radio, USA Today, among other national publications. The last three years, my mock drafts have been more accurate than any other major media outlet in the country.

How long have you been doing this for?

This is my fourth year covering the draft with Draft Headquarters, but I’ve been following the draft for awhile.

How did you get started in evaluating NCAA players for the NFL draft?

I’ve been attending the NFL Draft live in New York since 2004 and decided to start my own website in 2007 and see how my projections did. I ended up placing 8th out of 95 in a mock draft contest and from there Draft Headquarters blew up and has turned into a business for me.

Evaluating players must take tons of time, how much time do you spend on one player?

I spend the fall scouting the players during the games, I go to the Senior Bowl and scout them there, and I go to the Combine and scout them there as well. With all of the notes that I gather from that, I then put that into my player profiles in my Draft Preview.

Which mock draft contest was that and how did you get involved in doing something like that?

The site was called The Huddle Report.com. They score all of the mock drafts before the draft. I asked them my first year if I could submit my mock and they said yes. I don’t submit mine anymore because they ask for the mocks too early; for example, the draft was on Saturday afternoon and they wanted the mocks in on Friday night or early Saturday morning. I don’t post my last mock until about an hour before the draft.

What is the ultimate goal for the future?

I’d like to be a head coach or general manager in the NFL. Whatever path it takes me to get there I’m willing to take, I’m just going to work as hard as I can and let my in-depth scouting speak for itself.

Would be pretty cool to be a coach or a gm that’s for sure, are these realistic goals or something you are dreaming of?

Both, I’ve been dreaming about it for awhile, but with the success that I’ve had and the work that I’ve done it’s beginning to become more realistic.

What are the top things a mock draft should cover?

Team needs as well as finding the exact value of each player. There’s a difference between a player that gets taken between 10-20 and between a player in the 20’s. Knowing exactly where each player is going to fall is key. Understanding how each team drafts, what they look for, and what positions they need is also key.

You are coming out with a draft guide before the draft, tell me a little about it please:

Every year before the draft I publish a Draft Preview. The 2009 version was 160 pages and featured 226 player profiles as well as hundreds of other ranked players. I also include players to look for in the future, sleepers, overrated/underrated, team needs, and just about anything that a football fan would need to know for the draft. http://draftheadquarters.com/draft-preview.htm. I’m expecting to have the 2010 version be bigger and better with insight into past drafts and the way that teams think when they get ready for a draft.

Lets get a little less technical for the audience
Your favorite Pro
Football Team: Green Bay Packers
Baseball Team: New York Yankees
Basketball Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Hockey Team: Minnesota Wild

Favorite
Music: Rap/Jazz/Alternative/Country
Food: Pasta or Barbeque

So in 5 words tell the readers why they should check out your site: Most accurate draft site online!

Thanks for taking the time to do this for us I wish you success with this season’s Draft preview and with your site.

Related Posts

  1. Interview with DraftSeason.com