The Roku Original documentary NFL Draft: The Pick is In Season 2 review contains limited spoilers.
The NFL Draft has always been for diehard football fans, but it has had its graduation since turning into a full-fledged American event. The draft has even been made into a Kevin Costner movie, Draft Day, which I will defend until I die. Draft nerds like myself live for it, and the Roku Original documentary NFL Draft: The Pick Is In tries to capture that sentiment.
I have watched the NFL Draft since I was a kid, when the first round took nearly 24 hours to complete. The first season of NFL Draft: The Pick Is In was a mildly successful attempt by the NFL to appeal to a more general, casual fan base. However, the second season loses what made the first so relatable—the human interest element.
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Roku's NFL Draft: The Pick Is In Season 2 Review & Synopsis
The documentary continues to feature Commissioner Roger Goodell behind the scenes. Also included are your favorite NFL Network anchors and reporters: Rich Eisen, Daniel Jeremiah, Ian Rapoport, and Kaylee Hartung. The NFL Draft takes place in Detroit, so you will catch a glimpse backstage of Eminem and Kid Rock, who also announce picks.
The documentary follows teams such as the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, and Los Angeles Rams. (And once again, my Buffalo Bills, who I can only assume are on the cutting room floor.) Players and executives like Ryan Poles, Les Snead, Sean McVay, and Quarterback Caleb Williams are given plenty of screen time.
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The Second Season of Roku's NFL Draft: The Pick Is In Forgets the Human Element
Last season, I walked away pleasantly surprised as the documentary unveiled the Commissioner and media stars in their unguarded moments. However, the "all access" stamp of approval may as well be stamped as "all access and filtered" because much of it comes across as public relations filler.
An example is allowing a large portion of Goodell's lamenting to be picked up like a rag doll by future star athletes like Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham. These are relatively hollow moments, especially when you consider, though staged, heartfelt storylines like Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones selecting longtime scout Chris Vaughn's son, making even the most cold, cynical heart take a warm beat or two.
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Is Roku's NFL Draft: The Pick Is In Second Season Worth Watching?
Roku's NFL Draft: The Pick Is In sophomore season is only worth watching if you are a true diehard fan. The extraordinary human interest moments from the first season have been replaced by following super agent Drew Rosenhaus, visiting his player's home. This was meant to create heartwarming family moments, but it is nothing more than what you see live.
One of the documentary's attempts to create suspense is when it stages a moment where 'insider' Ian Rapoport supposedly breaks the news that the Atlanta Falcons may select quarterback Michael Penix Jr. However, true draft nerds like myself know that the networks are informed of the picks in advance, which can dampen the surprise element.
Reporters present these moments as "rumors" to work around the rule, which continues to ring hollow and false throughout the documentary, starkly contrasting with NFL Draft: The Pick Is In's freshman season. The Roku Original is nothing more than a condensed 90-minute version of the real thing.
Summary: Roku's NFL Draft: The Pick Is In Season 2 suffers from losing the human element from the first season. Grade: 4/10 |
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You can stream the second season of The NFL Draft: The Pick Is In, which is now on Roku.
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