My team is out of the playoffs. I see the Draft class pop up. Why can't I create my draft board now?

I'm pretty sure the Draft Class is withheld until week 16 to avoid people tanking.

I don’t think the “draft” section of the menu opens until the offseason. The draft class might be available before that for research purposes, but no big board until the draft order is set.

I'm with blacklavender here. I like looking at the upcoming draft class whenever your season is over, but being able to start making your big board right away (and clicking "do not draft" on all the 32 speed WRs) would be a big timesaver when you're also trying to sign free agents in the preseason. I make a post it with draft targets, but it's a pain when you effectively have to review the draft class twice.

I have busy days, weeks of months sometimes....where I forget about the draft all together....I set my team back a few times..The extra time would help me

I didn’t realize the section of the forums I was in when I made that post, considering I literally replied with the actual answer to the question instead of taking it as a wish for something to change. I’m not against the idea of being able to put the scouting big board together during the postseason stretch, but I can see why it’s not structured to be able to do that because the the draft board page is all one screen built generated by the offseason spin determining the draft order.

Another great suggestion has been brought up before, but there shouldn’t even BE 32 speed wr in the draft class. The player generator needs to stop creating skill players that aren’t skilled and other stupid “inverted” out of position problems. Not saying every player should just be great, but 190 pound guy with lineman skills is stupid, meanwhile the 300lb lineman has no power but has great coverage skills? Ya ok…

The fact that the big board is also on the final order draft screen is probably why this can't be done - makes sense. I do wish you could hit the "do not draft" box as soon as the draft pool is available, so you'd only have viable players left to add to your big board the following season. I love when I come across a 9 speed FB or a 25 strength G relatively high up the list because I know there's a chance an unattended or AI team will pick them and I can cherry pick a more talented player.

I wonder what the mechanics are for the player generator - you'd figure if JDB could create it in the first place he'd be able to improve the players that get spit out. I agree there shouldn't still be ten 90 speed lockdown CBs available in the 7th round, but when you're struggling to find quality prospects in the 3rd or 4th round that's a problem.

All I want for christmas is to be able to do my manual draft board when the draft class becomes available at playoff rd 1.
If the draft class is available, then so should be the manual draft board. So should the round one playoffs come to pass, where even the worker shall be rewarded with the opportunity to plan a great harvest.
MFN: The Book of Obvious, chapter 1, v 1.

I shoulda been a ghostwriter. <deep jokes.