Draft Day 2025: Every Business Is on the Clock for Top Talent

Yes, everybody is on the clock when it comes to picking the Right People for your organization. As the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off, all eyes are on focused on how each team will try to find the Right People to build their lineups. But whether it’s wondering if Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders can be franchise saviors, debating how Washington or New England can make the most of their cap space, or seeing which team waits too long to make a move and loses out on the chance to sign a game changer, the challenges of the NFL Draft are no different than the ones businesses face every day in acquiring top talent.

Assessing talent not only for skills but for culture fit. Focusing on high-stakes hires while managing the team you already have in place. Navigating budgets and negotiating deals. Building cohesive teams in a competitive market. The NFL Draft is more than a sports spectacle—it’s a metaphor and master class in crafting great teams, where strategy, culture and adaptability reign supreme. To inspire your own team-building playbook, we flashed back over the past decade and drafted 10 powerful quotes from NFL pros, each packed with wisdom for creating winning organizations in any industry.

“The draft is about making disciplined decisions—knowing when to trade, when to stay put, and always keeping the big picture in mind.” – Ryan Poles, Chicago Bears GM

ECLARO Point After: “Hiring decisions should be disciplined and strategic, weighing immediate needs against long-term goals,” says ECLARO Co-Founder Paul Sheridan. “Decision-makers in the hiring process must know when to act decisively and when to hold firm, always prioritizing the organization’s broader vision.”

“You build a team by finding people who buy into the culture and are willing to do whatever it takes for the group’s success.”– John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers GM

ECLARO Point After: “It’s important to consider cultural fit when hiring,” says ECLARO Co-Founder Tom Sheridan. “It ensures team cohesion, aligning goals among everyone on the team and boosting performance overall. Ideal candidates combine skill with traits like perseverance and passion. When they align with your company’s culture and long-term objectives, there’s a much greater chance for and sustained success.”

“The best ideas will never see the light unless leaders encourage every team member to weigh in.” – Ryan Harris, Former NFL Player and Executive

ECLARO Point After: “Every team has superstars and standouts,” Paul says. “But strong leaders always remember that every single member of the team is essential, and fostering an environment where all team members feel inspired to contribute ideas goes a long way toward driving innovation and strengthening team bonds.”

“Resilience is what defines a team. It’s not about avoiding setbacks; it’s about how you respond.” – Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots Head Coach  

Point After: “Every business, every team, every individual—we all face challenges and setbacks,” Tom says. “Resilient teams learn from failures and stay focused on long-term goals, and those teams are made up of individuals who are resilient themselves.”

“Trust is built by listening and showing you’re engaged with your team’s needs.”– Ryan Harris, Former NFL Player and Executive

ECLARO Point After: “Engage. Evolve. Excel. That’s an ECLARO mantra that can be applied at many levels—anywhere from helping clients build successful offshore teams to the way every individual approaches their own role,” Paul says. “Engaging, active listening, builds trust, ensuring team members feel valued—that helps organizations evolve and excel. You look at any successful NFL team and their leaders, from ownership all the way through a first-year defensive coordinator, stay engaged, prioritize open communication, constantly improve and make that an organizational mindset.”

“A great team is one where every role, no matter how small, is executed with excellence.” – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots Head Coach

ECLARO Point After: “Success hinges on every team member executing their role flawlessly, reinforcing the clear responsibilities and high standards that set winning teams apart,” Tom says. “Attention to detail and established processes at every level underscore the fact that every role in an organization is essential, and that executing at the highest level is important to everyone.”

“Drafting is about finding players who can grow with you, not just fill a role today. You’re betting on their potential to become cornerstones.” – Les Snead, Los Angeles Rams GM

ECLARO Point After: “In the hiring process, consider individuals with growth potential who can evolve into key contributors, rather than just addressing immediate needs without thinking of the future,” Paul says. “Immediate needs are important, of course, but investing in high-potential talent builds a foundation for long-term organizational success.”

“Accountability starts at the top. If you want a team to take ownership, you have to model it.”– Jed York, San Francisco 49ers CEO  

ECLARO Point After: “Leaders set the tone for accountability, inspiring other team members to own their roles and drive results,” Tom says. “When you do it yourself as a leader in a company, and when you hire people who take ownership of their roles and responsibilities, you’re showing everyone in the organization that individual accountability is always a priority.”

“Building a team means investing in relationships, not just talent.” – Brett Veach, Kansas City Chiefs GM  

ECLARO Point After: “Investing in relationships enhances collaboration and resilience, and makes it that much more possible to build long-term success. We’ve seen that proven true in our own business here at ECLARO,” Paul says. “We’ve always invested time and resources in building relationships with clients and everyone we hire—and we have less than 10% attrition among employees globally, and our average relationship with our clients is more than 10 years.”

“It’s not about having the most talent, it’s about having the right talent that works together.”– Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles GM

ECLARO Point After: “We say it all the time—the Right People are the Answer,” Tom says. “Assembling a team isn’t just about top performers but also about selecting individuals whose skills complement one other, fostering synergy and inspiring everyone to work together toward common corporate goals—which the Right People will see as personal goals as well.”