To some, it's the single most boring day of the ESPN year.
To Mel Kiper Jr., it's better than Christmas.
But to Lamar Grant, it could be the biggest day of his entire life.
"I'm nervous as hell," the former Duke cornerback said. "I'm a sack of bones over here."
This Saturday, the NFL Draft kicks off the first of seven rounds in a two-day extravaganza that makes or breaks kids' dreams.
This weekend, several former Blue Devils will sit in front of the TV, furiously wringing their hands for the entire 15-minute eternity that resides between each and every pick.
Along with Grant, Pro Football Weekly lists Chris Combs, Scottie Montgomery, Sims Lenhardt, Kevin Lewis and Gannon Shepherd all as possible draft picks.
Some will get picked, some will definitely not.
Grant flies home to New Jersey this Friday and will be glued to the set all day Saturday and Sunday. His whole family will be there,; so will old friends and maybe a former coach or two.
If the wait grows long, they'll pat him on the back after each name is called, trying to console him, knowing they're failing. They'll be nervous, but no one can know what Grant is going through.
This is more than just a draft, certainly more than just a job. It is a lifelong dream that began so long ago. Back then, football and his mother were the only things keeping Lamar on the right path. Soon enough, he'll know what the football gods have in store for him next.
In the meantime, all he can do is pray that the gods' fate comes in the form of a Sunday afternoon phone call from his new boss.
"I'm really anticipating the moment when I get that phone call and find out where I'm going," Grant said. "I'm sure it'll be a very joyous time. It's been long awaited. You've just been thinking about it for years and years and for it to come true, it's just unimaginable."
But there is also that downside.
Grant is anything but a sure pick. PFW lists him as a 50-50 NFL prospect. Grant lists himself as a potential sixth or seventh rounder, but even he knows he may not get drafted at all.
"It wouldn't be that tough for me," he says. "It'd be a letdown somewhat, but my goal is just to get into camp and show teams what I can do. Once you're in camp, it doesn't matter if you're a first-round pick or a free agent-obviously the first-rounder has more money-but you're all on the same playing field."
But there is a difference. If not drafted, Grant will most definitely sign somewhere as a free agent, but if he's not picked this weekend, the odds become much worse that he'll survive past the summer.
A gifted athlete, Grant has all too often seen the backs of opponents' jerseys as he gets burnt for a touchdown. His ability to cover receivers has been questioned during his time at Duke, and the questions only loom larger now that he seeks a ticket to NFL fame.
At the NFL combine, pro football's answer to the staging area of a cattle auction, Grant couldn't break 4.6 in the 40, but the cornerback said that Atlanta, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have still expressed interest. In fact, Falcons scouts have been to Durham twice since the combine in Indianapolis. Still, while Grant is predicting a future job in Atlanta, he can't possibly know what's in store for him.
Neither can any of his former teammates.
Their agents have all received phone calls from different teams expressing interest, several have sent scouts to Durham to get a closer look-poking and prodding, trying to learn everything they can. But there's a big difference between making a phone call and using up a coveted draft pick.
Although Pro Football Weekly listed six Blue Devils as potential picks, the magazine's detailed analysis was less kind. Under strengths, four of the six were called "durable" while "tries hard" was the second most popular strength among Duke seniors. Beyond those two adjectives, praises were tough to come by.
While listing weaknesses, PFW did its best G105 impression, repeating the same few things over and over: lacks size, lacks speed, lacks big playmaking ability.
Combs will likely be the first Blue Devil taken, as he's rated as the 14th best defensive end in the draft. He has a pretty good chance of making an NFL roster even though he's smaller than most defensive linemen.
Combs will be followed by Montgomery, who will surely be the best dressed of the bunch, even if he's not the first taken. Montgomery's speed was great for a Blue Devil, but not great among pros, running the 40 in 4.59 seconds. Still, he should get selected, but after him, there's no sure thing.
Lenhardt's been one of the nation's most consistent kickers the past two seasons, but it's always tough to convince a team to waste a pick on one kid's right foot. Things become more complicated when considering Lenhardt's weak leg, which is especially noticeable on kickoffs.
Then there's Shepherd and Lewis, who if not drafted should both receive an invite to a camp. Shepherd can be a menace on the defensive line if only because of his 6-foot-7 frame and long arms. Lewis, at inside linebacker, is pretty small, but very quick. He could easily land a gig as a special teamer.
But there is little use prognosticating, at least not now.
All will be known by summer, and we'll get our first hints this weekend.
The NFL Draft means different things to different people. But for Grant and several former Blue Devils, it can only mean one thing this weekend: sweaty palms, tapping feet and cracking knuckles.
"I'm nervous as hell."
UPON FURTHER REVIEW is a weekly column written by a Chronicle sports columnist. It appears every Wednesday.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.