NIL older – Ravens GM Eric DeCosta says NIL and extra eligibility are keeping some players in college longer—shifting draft boards toward older rookies with less upside.
The NFL’s draft has long been fueled by youth, but Ravens GM Eric DeCosta believes the modern college landscape is changing that equation.
DeCosta’s concern is simple: more players are entering the league at older ages than teams traditionally prefer. and that shift could limit long-term value.. As college football has evolved with name. image and likeness (NIL) opportunities and more flexibility around extra eligibility. players can now earn money and delay leaving school.. DeCosta pointed to the resulting trend of seeing more 24- and 25-year-old prospects. a group he considers especially challenging because they often have less “upside” once they reach the NFL.
NIL has allowed players to monetize their college careers. and the COVID-era eligibility changes have created additional runway for many athletes.. DeCosta’s framing suggests that the market effect of NIL is not just keeping stars around—it’s reshaping timing.. Instead of the classic path of three years in college and then immediately turning pro. more prospects are waiting. either because the financial incentive is meaningful or because the ability to extend eligibility makes staying feel like the safer bet.. For NFL teams. that can mean evaluating players who have already absorbed more collegiate workload than the organization typically wants from a rookie contract.
The Ravens executive also linked the older rookie trend to a more complex risk profile.. In DeCosta’s view. players coming into the draft at an advanced age may be “two-contract players” rather than the type of prospect who can plausibly develop into a long runway starter on a longer arc.. He also raised the injury question: longer college careers can translate into more accumulated wear and tear.. That matters because the NFL is unforgiving with durability, and roster decisions are increasingly built around both performance and availability.
From a roster-building perspective. this isn’t only an evaluation problem—it changes the way teams allocate scouting resources and roster slots.. If draft boards are weighted toward older prospects, the entire decision-making pipeline shifts.. Teams may have to think differently about contract length, development time, and positional depth.. DeCosta suggested that the Ravens are trying to “get a handle on that. ” but the challenge is that the full meaning of the trend is still emerging.
Misryoum readers should understand why this debate is likely to intensify in the coming draft cycles.. When eligibility rules and NIL money alter incentives. NFL franchises don’t just see different player ages—they may also see different production patterns. different leadership profiles. and different paths to readiness.. A player who has been in a system longer can be more polished. but it can also come with a shorter window where teams feel comfortable projecting significant growth.. In a league where every roster spot is expensive. even small shifts in expected development can affect how aggressively teams trade up. trade down. or stick to best-player evaluations.
DeCosta said the Ravens have already measured the change in age distribution on draft boards.. He described an increase in players over 24 and a half years old. explaining that the shift has been visible over the last three years—pointing to 2024. 2025. and 2026 as part of the “changing dynamic” teams are dealing with.. While he didn’t offer a single definitive cause beyond NIL and COVID-driven eligibility adjustments. his key point remains: the trend is moving toward a group of older prospects. and that is not something he sees as beneficial for teams trying to maximize value.
Ultimately, Misryoum takes from DeCosta’s comments that this is as much about strategy as it is about player age.. The Ravens. like many NFL teams. have historically tried to target younger players when possible because younger prospects can offer more years of growth and more stability for long-term roster planning.. But if the college system increasingly funnels older athletes into the draft. NFL organizations may have to recalibrate their models—accepting that the old assumption of “youth equals upside” may no longer hold as consistently.
The larger implication is clear: as college football continues to operate with professional-style incentives. the NFL will keep feeling the ripple effects.. Draft preparation, team-building philosophies, and even how fans interpret prospect timelines may evolve.. DeCosta’s warning suggests the Ravens—and likely the league—are preparing for a new normal where the age of entry is less predictable than it used to be.
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