What the NFL Draft Can Teach You About Investing

Spoiler alert—both require patience, a plan, and resisting flashy free-agent mistakes.

Build Through the Draft, Not Just Free Agency

Great NFL teams aren’t built overnight, and they don’t just throw money at big-name free agents. The most consistent winners—think Kansas City, San Francisco, and (yes) even the Packers—build through the draft. They scout talent, develop it patiently, and make long-term bets. In the investment world, your “draft picks” are things like mutual funds, ETFs, and disciplined contributions to retirement accounts. The temptation, of course, is to go “free agent shopping”—picking flashy individual stocks, chasing crypto spikes, or following the latest TikTok investing trend. That might get headlines, but it rarely wins championships (or retirement security). Just like a 20-year-old left tackle needs time to grow into an All-Pro, your investments need time to compound.

Don’t Trade Future Success for Today’s Buzz

NFL franchises that give up first-rounders for aging stars often regret it. It’s the classic “win now” mentality… but “win later” is usually how dynasties are built. In investing, that’s the difference between consuming today vs. saving for tomorrow. Proverbs 21:20 puts it this way: “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” Translation? Don’t eat your seed money. Let it grow.

Stick to the Plan—Even When It’s Boring

The best general managers don’t change their entire draft strategy just because the fans boo on Day 1. They trust the board, follow their evaluations, and build a team that can stand the test of time. The same goes for investors. Chasing what’s hot this year (tech! AI! meme stocks!) is rarely a substitute for a diversified, well-allocated strategy. Long-term investing requires faith—faith in the process and in the math.

Know Your Roles: Quarterbacks and Kickers Aren’t the Same

NFL teams need balance. You can’t win with all quarterbacks—or all linemen. Likewise, your portfolio shouldn’t be all growth stocks… or all bonds… or all real estate. You need the right mix to handle different seasons and game plans. This is what diversification is all about. It’s not flashy, but it keeps your financial team on the field even when markets get rough.

Hire a Coach Who Works for the Team—Not the Sponsors

You want someone calling plays who’s loyal to the locker room, not selling tickets or chasing endorsements. Your investment advisor should be the same. Fiduciary, flat-fee, and working for you, not a brokerage commission or asset-based fee. If your financial coach is being compensated by fund companies instead of by you, it’s a bit like a team’s offensive coordinator taking play calls from the league office. Who’s really running your game plan?

Final Thoughts: Build Wisely and Steward Faithfully

Winning teams don’t happen by accident. Neither do strong retirements. They both require:

- A long-term plan

- Smart drafting (diversification and discipline)

- Patience through the rebuilding years

- A coach you can trust

- And a refusal to panic during a losing streak

So as the NFL Draft lights up Green Bay, remember—you’re building your own franchise, too. It’s called your household, and your investment portfolio is one of its most important players. Choose wisely. Build patiently. Steward faithfully. And hey—Go Pack Go. 😉

Want to know if your current financial “roster” is playoff-ready? Let’s connect. We specialize in helping small businesses and households build custom financial plans—without getting sacked by fees.