Pro Football and Back Injuries: What Should They Be Testing Before the Draft?

Beginning on April 28th and running through April 30, 2016, the owners of the teams of the National Football League will decide which eligible players they think will help take them to a championship. The NFL Draft has become one of the most-anticipated events of the sport’s off-season with fans quoting arcane statistics like a player’s bench-press best, his “vertical leap” or his 40-yard dash times in justifying the choice of one player over another.

However, these physical and psychological tests and measurements seldom tell the whole story about these young men. The discipline necessary succeed in this highly competitive situation is one of those factors which even the most experienced coaches find hard to quantify. Plus, existing and potential physical weaknesses, which can lead to future injuries, make it difficult to determine which players are likely to make it through the entire, grueling NFL season.

Since back injuries have become a major cause of players missing time on the field, Dr. Shawn Henry, a big pro football fan and spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute, was asked for his ruling on the field of NFL prospects. More on that later.

Which Teams Get the First Shots?

The Tennessee Titans, with the dubious distinction of having the worst record in last year’s campaign had the first pick in this year’s draft. However, all that changed a couple of weeks before the choices were to be made.

According to ESPN, Titans have “traded the No. 1 pick in the draft to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade. Tennesee sent the top selection along with its fourth (No. 113) and sixth-round (No. 177) picks this year to the Rams in exchange for Los Angeles’ first-round pick (No. 15), two second-round selections (Nos. 43 and 45) and a third round pick (No. 76) in 2016. The Titans also will get the Ram’s first- and third-round picks in 2017. “Whew! That is what sportscaster call a blockbuster trade.

With the trade, the sports network notes the Rams now have the ability to draft the quarterback of their choice and make a splash as they settle into Los Angeles after leaving St. Louis this year. Carson Wentz of North Dakota State and Jared Goff of California are considered the top quarterback prospects.

A team source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Rams are leaning toward selection Goff No. 1 overall but will use the time before they pick on April 28 to also consider Wentz.

#2 Cleveland should decide on Carson Wentz, OB, North Dakota State, if he is available

#3 San Diego will pick DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

#4 Dallas has their eye on Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

#5 Jacksonville will likely choose Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

Which of These Players Will Be Around at the Season’s End?

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