Mini-camps are perhaps the most over looked part of the NFL off-season. With so many players in attendance, given the largest permitted roster, many over look the mini-camp and deem it unessential. Truth be told, mini-camps are actually quite important in the making of an NFL roster.

Coaches get the first glimpse of players looking to make a transition from the collegiate level to the national level. The coaches also are able to judge whether the veterans on the team have stayed in shape during the off-season. These two aspects of the mini-camp are reason enough to deem them important. In order for a team to become or remain competitive, the team's scouting department must do tons of research. Mini-camps are a good indicator as how well the scouting department did, and how well the team will likely gel together.

The opinions formed during mini-camps by coaches aid greatly in the decision making process of putting together a roster. If players are out of shape for mini-camp, and ready for training camp, coaches will consider that - a player could be beat out for a spot by someone who stays in shape all season. The opinions of the type of players attending mini-camp, help judge whether the team will be a finesse or power team. This judgment provides coaches with the knowledge of how to tweak the playbook for the most success from the current squad.