Increasing risk with young talent in NFL

Even though teams still crazily jump into the free agency frenzy with big money, many teams still prefer the younger, cheaper talent they can get in the NFL Draft.

Aside from what the NFLPA negotiated for them six years ago, some NFL veterans aren’t reaping the benefits of their peers, and the increasing information on head injuries and CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) might start affecting the importance teams place on the April festivities.

Veteran departures like Patrick Willis and Justin Smith were somewhat-predictable, but a couple of younger players’ proclamations began to pave the way for a trend that could change the long-term scope of the NFL.

Chris Borland, a 2014 third-round pick by San Francisco, announced his retirement just one year into his career (a pretty solid one at that), as he feared long-term health issues from concussions he suffered over years of playing football.

After being selected in the third round by New York in the 2015 NFL Draft, the talented outside rusher said he wanted to suddenly step away from football this year.

With more research being done in recent years about football’s effects on head injuries, and other retirees voicing their ailments and concerns about their health as they age, younger players are far more in tune about the risks earlier in their careers.

While scientific advancements and rule changes are aimed towards limiting head injuries, players might make an understandable cash-grab, so to speak, after just a couple of seasons and go on to different endeavors while understandably preserving their long-term health.