I am somewhat back to normal now even with my ecommerce businesses going crazy currently. If you haven’t noticed I have a new pattern of posting new articles at night. It’s just the best time for me to focus on providing content.

With all of that, I feel like I should give you a brief rundown on what’s going on with the site:

1. Daily Content… Kinda

I am sticking to posting an article or two every night as stated above. I cannot guarantee you’ll always get something but I am doing my best. For the most part I am happy with the output I have been able to keep up. Every now some of the other writers will contribute but for some reason some people couldn’t log in a few weeks ago. It looks like the bug is worked out so you will see their mock drafts and articles going forward.

2. Content Curation

I’m focused more on content creation these days rather than attempting to chase down stories you’ve already seen on ESPN, BSO, TheBigLead, etc. etc.

The curated content comes from the draft creator community which (A) gives everyone a chance to shine on the main site and (B) helps with original content. Original content these days is a #MAJORKEY in sports media. Basically, if you don’t have any exclusives your site is going to die.

3. Draft Creator

I will be loading in the draft creator for 2017 later this week. For history’s sake make sure you copy your mocks somewhere safe because it will all be gone in a few days. Most of the drafts that had content were featured on the main site so use the search box if you miss anything.

4. Google/SEO

I have a love-hate relationship with SEO. Meaning that I love the site but the search engines hate it. In 2016 we made some strides in SEO but Google still doesn’t rank this site where it should be. It’s rare you’ll see MDHQ on the rankings… even for stories we broke.

The original content surely helps with the long tail stuff and the other search engines but it’s nothing compared to being on that front page. 2016 was a pretty good year but it could have been better.

At the very least the search rankings we did achieve provided a little extra ad revenue to invest going forward and I am appreciative of that.

5. 2017 on the Way

I cannot believe it is a decade since I sat down in my college computer lab and created the NFL Draft Notebook which later became this site.

The 2017 version of the site will be much like you saw in 2016: focused on curated content and you. Featuring more members of the draft community is the focus of the site and I want everyone submitting as many drafts & analysis as possible.

This year I will be working behind the scenes on getting credentialed and a few events we will be looking to cover for sure are the Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl, National Championship, and of course the draft. If you are interested in joining the team and going to cover one of these events NOW is the time to contact me.

6. #ForTheCulture

You see it. I did it for the #Views (from the 6th page in Google.)

For some odd reason these types of posts do extremely well for us and I like traffic so you will continue to see them. Everyone likes the ladies so that’s that.

If you are a IG model and want to be featured #ForTheCulture then contact me.

7. Podcast

This is Ruck & Dwash is our once a month podcast we do on sports and entertainment. When we drop a new episode I usually feature it in a player on this site as well as Youtube.

The pod is just a way for you to get to know us better individually as there is only so much you can get through text or photos.

If you are a sponsor and want your message added to the podcast or on our Youtube clips then contact us.

8. Going Forward

Going foward, that is pretty much it. The site will focus on (A) your mocks from the mydraft draft creator community, (B) #ForTheCulture posts comprised primarily of photos, and (C) the This is Ruck & Dwash podcast.

That’s basically it. I know it sounds simple but it is really a labor of love at times.

I thank everyone for their contributions in the past and hope you’re riding with us for the future. Let’s make 2017 another successful year!

Before I get into this, let me rant a bit.

What is the purpose of tweeting draft spoilers? Does the notoriety of posting a “XYZ will draft ABC” tweet five minutes before it’s aired on television really aid your career that much? I’m pretty sure all it does is p!ss a lot more people off than had the tweet been posted maybe a minute max before the pick. It’s kind of annoying to listen to Berman and the crew go on for five minutes trying to create a compelling TV moment and some “reporter” on twitter has already ruined it.

Rant over!

Now that’s off my chest, I must say that this draft season was one of my favorite in the entire time I’ve been doing this. I probably watched the least amount of games and draft specials this year and just let the information come to me. If someone was getting hype, I checked him out. If not, then I let it go. Fun things like the late emergence of Carson Wentz and the random #1 overall hype train for Jalen Ramsey kept things interesting.

As you can tell, this season I took more of a content curator role with the site. I had to make a tough decision but ultimately allowing others to shine on the platform was the best use of my energy and investment.

A Big Thank You

I want to give a BIG THANKS to everyone who posted mocks in the mydraft draft creator. There are literally too many names to mention but you know who you are. Also BIG THANKS to those who contact me behind the scenes with advice. You know who you are. What’s understood need not be said.

Thank you all for a successful 2016. I already have a lot of innovative content ideas (#fortheculture) that I want to start implementing ASAP. Next year we will start credentialing writers to cover events so if you want to be down with the team NOW IS THE TIME to contact me.

Other than that I am ready to watch my Broncos panic and give up way too many picks to select Paxton Lynch.

Enjoy the draft.

NOW DON’T YOU DARE BE SOUR AND CLICK ON THE NEW MOCK AND FEEEEEEL THE POWERRRRRR!

OR CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON WEB

It has been a long draft season and as you know we go hard until the last pick. Tomorrow YA BOY will be kicked back with a large Pizza, Doritos, and a soda. Come 8pm it’s finally time!

Who’s ready for the Draft? Once again, click here for my mock.

Big thanks to The Huddle Report for Extending the invitation to indlude MDHQ in it’s Trusted Mock Draft Scoring.

NEWS AND NOTES:

If you would like to help with the site, I am looking for someone to help create the database for 2014. As you know, its a TON of data to manage but if you’re up for the task (basically editing a spreadsheet) then contact me.

Also: we are looking to bring back MDHQ Radio and expand the video content. I know, I know, I promised this several times it just never panned out with the cast. I may have to hop on camera for some video reactions and draft talk. We’ll see what happens there but I definitely want to expand the Youtube and bring the Podcast back.

If you’re interested in lending a hand ANY WAY- writing content, providing video content, being a cast member on the Podcast, PLEASE don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Have a great draft weekend!!!!!