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The NFL has taken drastic measures due to the Coronavirus pandemic in changing their upcoming NFL draft format.
2020 NFL Draft Virtual
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his team have come up with a solution to go ahead with the 2020 NFL Draft.
All 32 NFL teams participating in the upcoming draft will go through their first virtual draft experience. The young men who are taking the leap from college to the big league will sit through the first-ever virtual NFL draft. The league has chosen to do this so that all NFL teams will benefit from a health standpoint.
The NBA might be the next league to adopt this format depending on the impact of COVID-19 continues to have the world. Draft prospects will be able to live out their dreams via the internet.
Commissioner Goodell will be announcing the draft picks from the sanction of his home working alongside the teams through video conferences.
NFL teams and draft prospects will communicate via phone and video chat allowing fans around the country to see where the next generation of NFL players head for the 2020-21 season. Reporters and media will also be working from home during this time.
A few nuggets on NFL’s virtual draft
*NFL sent players video kits with lights
*Prospects expected to have interactions with Roger Goodell on air (no bro hugs)
*One GM not worried: ‘Don’t overcomplicate – make the pick, call it in’
*Undrafted free agency could be challenging pic.twitter.com/FIdUSDRTAZ— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 13, 2020
All NFL facilities will remain closed due to no contact policy that’s going on worldwide for safety purposes. ESPN and NFL network will be broadcasting the draft on each of their channels for the three days that it is held to give the fans the full experience. All of the prospects will be in the comfort of their home awaiting their dream call. Fans are also able to listen to the draft through the ESPN radio
The Cincinnati Bengals are set to begin the draft night having the first overall pick. The first round of the draft will begin on Thursday, April 23, at 8 p.m. and end on April 25 tune in to see this year’s NFL 2020 draft class.
