How an alternative 2020 NFL Draft would make NFL more competitive

Trades

Trades within the draft are common, exciting and still would be allowed. However, with position groups limited in certain rounds, brings a whole new strategy for teams to consider with a trade. Each pick, no matter the round will now have more value due to how talent will be distributed.

Contracts

First round contracts are a major factors to teams and players alike. Players would receive a first round contract if their name is called in the first round that their position is available. If their position group is ineligible in a later round, it would not count against the players and their contract for a particular round.

Furthermore, rookie contracts will all include a fifth year option in order for all players to have equal opportunity to sign long term contracts with the team by which they were drafted.

For the rookie contracts to work properly, a separate salary cap may have to be created for rookie contracts specifically, or an increase in cap space altogether.

Advantages

The advantages to limiting to player groups allowed to be selected in certain rounds are evident. It allows for weaker teams to obtain more top talent increasing the likelihood of them being competitive faster than ever before. Rebuilding through the draft is the best way to acquire young talent for a rebuild. This style of draft allows teams that are struggling to rebuild talent faster.

There are advantages to stronger teams as well, the modified snake style draft will allow them to pick ahead of other strong opponents in varying rounds.

The average fan will also be more invested in watching later rounds of the draft because more top talent will be on the board longer. This will increase the marketability for the NFL Draft, ultimately a great decision for the league.