The 2023 NFL draft begins this Thursday night in Kansas City as hundreds of prospects await to hear their names called to start their professional careers. The agonizing wait can be disappointing, rewarding, or fuel to a productive career, as history has taught us that every pick counts.
The NFL is promoting the big weekend, showcasing not only their top selections in history but some of the stars that recently emerged from late-round selections. Kansas City Chiefs starting RB Isiah Pacheco stars alongside San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy, Las Vegas Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby, and Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones in a notable underdog NFL draft commercial.
Pacheco was selected in the seventh round, 251st overall, after spending his college career at Rutgers University. He was written off by many “professional scouts.”
“Outside of his NFL frame, his traits are pretty average,” said Pacheco in the promo, reading scouting reports criticizing his potential, “He lacks fluidity. (He) lacks explosiveness.”
Whether you're drafted number one overall or Mr. Irrelevant… Every. Pick. Counts. pic.twitter.com/F9sxoJejZs
— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2023
Asked what he remembered being notable from his NFL draft experience, Pacheco lamented it. “The process, it was so long,” he told NFL media. “I was very nervous.”
Asked about what being drafted meant to him, Pacheco echoed a familiar sentiment from most players selected in the draft.
“It meant the world to me, I felt wanted,” he told NFL media.
Pacheco emerged as one of the better rookies in the league last season after being named the Chiefs’ starting running back midseason. He finished his rookie campaign with 830 yards rushing and five touchdowns and played a significant role on special teams’ kick returns. The New Jersey native was a key contributor in the Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and scored a touchdown.
