Sports Talk Radio Hosts Offer Questionable NFL Draft Advice

Columnist Barry Tompkins laments the proliferation of self-proclaimed "draft experts" on sports talk radio.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Columnist Barry Tompkins admits to listening to sports talk radio, but finds himself tuning out the constant chatter about the upcoming NFL Draft, which he believes has become an overhyped event. Tompkins notes that the draft has evolved from a low-key affair to a major spectacle, with legions of self-proclaimed "experts" offering dubious advice and trade proposals that he finds more amusing than informative.

Why it matters

The NFL Draft has become a major media event, with sports talk radio hosts and callers offering endless speculation and questionable analysis. This reflects a broader trend of amateur "experts" weighing in on professional sports, often with little actual knowledge or insight.

The details

Tompkins describes the evolution of the NFL Draft from a small, behind-the-scenes event to a major production, with legions of "experts" now offering their opinions. He notes that these self-proclaimed experts, often sitting in their parents' basements, believe they know more than actual NFL front offices and scouts. Tompkins finds the constant chatter about free agency moves and potential draft picks to be more of a distraction than informative.

  • The NFL free agency period begins on March 3, with legal tampering starting on March 9 and free agent signings allowed on March 11.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 23.

The players

Barry Tompkins

A 40-year network television sportscaster and San Francisco native who writes a column for the Marin Independent Journal.

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors, who Tompkins jokingly suggests may need to find a new line of work according to some sports talk radio callers.

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What they’re saying

“If the truth be told, 2,760,000 of them actually do know more than Mel Kiper.”

— Barry Tompkins, Columnist (Marin Independent Journal)

“It's remarkable to me that he could forget how to do his job after so many championship rings. Maybe he's thinking about his dog, too.”

— Barry Tompkins, Columnist (Marin Independent Journal)

The takeaway

The proliferation of amateur "experts" offering dubious analysis on sports talk radio highlights a broader trend of increasing media fragmentation and the rise of unqualified voices weighing in on professional sports. This can distract from genuine insight and analysis provided by knowledgeable commentators.