Little at the N.F.L. draft is left to chance, other than the teams’ picks, of course.
Producers of the events have even sought to make sure nothing goes wrong with the caps that players put on when their names are called.
New Era brought about 2,500 caps from its headquarters in Buffalo to Las Vegas. The 20 prospects in attendance all had their hat sizes measured earlier this week so they can receive a properly fitted cap featuring the team that selects them in the first round on Thursday.
Once they hug (or dap up) Commissioner Roger Goodell, pose for photos and leave the stage, the cap is taken away so it can be chopped up and its pieces used in collector’s edition football cards.
The players receive a second cap and jersey that they can keep, and their family and friends receive another 15 non-fitted caps.
New Era brought two sets of caps for the teams that have two first-round picks on Thursday night (Jets, Giants, etc.). And the company brought spares for the eight teams (Raiders, Dolphins, etc) that don’t have picks in the first round but that could trade up.
