NFL Mock Draft Virtual Competition

Saturday, April 11, 2026

8 am - 3:30 pm PST

Online Hosted by California Lutheran University

Register your team to be on the clock

Calling all aspiring sport professionals, as the Sports Management undergraduate program is hosting its inaugural NFL mock draft virtual competition for students (i.e., undergraduate and graduate). This unique competition is designed to simulate a front office experience for strategic roster management, where rosters are built through the mix of scouting, trades, and careful player selection. Beyond just mere football fundamentals and a statistical portfolio of a player (i.e., athletic measurables and production), considerations of behavioral (i.e., ethics and leadership capabilities), health, and branding appeal components are applied. Moreover, examination of positional needs, as well as best player available, will also be weighed as part of team strategy. As such, the purpose of the event is to provide students with the opportunity to learn and enhance the integral parts of decision-making towards:

• Player valuations
• Responsibilities of front office communications (i.e., player assessment, trade talks, marketability, among others)
• Removal of biases in discussing the collection of information amongst team members 

Competition Logistics:

Each student team participating is randomly assigned an NFL team and will possess/control their picks in accordance with the real draft positioning (i.e., based on the April 2026 NFL draft). For picks to be official, a team representative must electronically send their selection card to the pick check panel. Once the pick is determined acceptable, it will be uploaded via a shared Google spreadsheet in real time to alert all teams and judges before the pick is formally announced via Zoom. Furthermore, all teams are responsible and required to fill out an associating survey outline detailing the justification behind every pick (this includes, but is not limited to):

• Statistical evaluation of draft eligible players by position
• Plausible impact to existing team dynamics and culture
• Behavioral attributes, as well as branding appeal
• Extent of moves for short and long term objectives

All survey outlines are judged by sport industry professionals and existing players (names to be updated via webpage). 

Please note: Survey outlines will be shared via our virtual orientation that will take place prior to the competition (date to be announced). Date and proposed time will be sent via email to associating teams.

Draft Rounds:

Each team can have 4-6 people.

The competition will be a two round draft (tailored specifically towards the first and second rounds) with an allotted time block of 5 minutes per each pick. 

• 1st round at maximum - expected timeframe of 2 hours and forty minutes
• 2nd round at maximum - expected timeframe of 2 hours and forty minutes

Trade Rules:

Each team, at their discretion, can decide to move up or down (pick order) during the duration of the draft, in addition to obtaining current players on NFL rosters. To clarify, teams are eligible to trade back for additional picks in the third rounds and beyond. However, explanations via the survey outlines are required to provide reasoning and prospecting certain non-selected talent to be sought if such moves are implemented. 

Similar to standard picks, for trades to be official, a team representative must electronically send trade cards to the trade-check panel. Once the trade is determined acceptable (i.e., meets criteria for player value, contractual details [dead cap, clearing space, etc.], and team context), it will be uploaded via a shared Google spreadsheet in real time to alert all teams and judges before the trade is formally announced via Zoom. 

More details on trade rules will be provided at the virtual orientation to explain and answer any questions regarding managing the hard cap per the NFL. 

Draft Day Outline:

• 8 am - Teams gather online (to be provided at virtual orientation). Only California Lutheran University teams will be assigned their own rectangular table with chairs in a prospective room. 
• 8:30 am - The draft officially begins: The commissioner announces: “The ______ are now on the clock.”
• 11:10 am - Round 1 concludes
• Break - 11:10 am - 11:30 pm
• 11:30 pm - Round 2 begins
• 2:10 pm - Round 2 concludes
• 2:20 pm - 3 pm - survey assessments are judged as they are submitted in order
• Winners announced (trophies and additional prizes to be discussed at virtual orientation)

NFL Draft Judges

Mark Orlando

Assistant Professor and Director of Sports Management Program

More about Mark Orlando

Dr. Mark Orlando is a professor, consultant, and coach in sport business and professional development with extensive experience in both academia and the sports industry. At California Lutheran University, he teaches in the School of Management and Communication and advises the sport management program. He also lectures at UCSB, Pepperdine, UCLA, and other institutions, where his teaching has earned multiple awards and recognition.

Mark’s research and consulting focus on hiring criteria in major sports markets, career analytics, branding, and professional networking. Through his own company and career clubs, he has partnered with organizations such as the Los Angeles Rams, LA Kings, Angel City FC, Bleacher Report, NASCAR, and MLB franchises to create mentorship, internship, and job opportunities. His mission is to prepare aspiring sport professionals with the tools, connections, and mindset needed to succeed—making him an ideal judge for a competition simulating the decision-making of an NFL front office.

Artis Twyman

Vice President, Communications at Los Angeles Rams

More about Artis Twyman

Artis Twyman is Vice President of Communications for the Los Angeles Rams, where he leads the franchise’s media relations staff and directs all communication strategies. With more than 20 years of NFL experience, he has built a career shaping public relations at the highest levels of professional football.

Since joining the Rams in 2003, Artis has served in multiple leadership roles, including Senior Director of Communications and Director of Media Relations. His department earned the NFL’s prestigious Pete Rozelle Award from the Pro Football Writers Association in 2018, recognizing excellence in media relations. Beyond the Rams, Artis has represented the NFL at seven Super Bowls, five Pro Bowls, and NFC Championship games, and previously held positions with the Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Tennessee State University.

A respected leader in both sport and education, Artis also serves as Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council at California Lutheran University. He holds a B.S. in Speech Communications from Tennessee State University and an M.S. in Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University.

More Coming Soon!