An NFL draft handled remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic is the latest twist to an event that has become as popular as any pro football happening short of the Super Bowl.
Roger Goodell alerted NFL teams in a memo Thursday night that the dates of this year’s draft would remain April 23-25. The eight owners who comprise the NFL Management Council Executive Committee unanimously endorsed moving forward as planned. There has been chatter from some general managers about wanting it pushed back, and Goodell threatened disciplinary action against any teams publicly criticizing the decision.
So next month's draft, originally set for Las Vegas, will have a pretty much unadorned look. And with club facilities shut at least through April 8 and likely for much longer, Goodell told the teams: "All clubs should now be doing the necessary planning to conduct draft operations in a location outside of your facility, with a limited number of people present, and with sufficient technology resources to allow you to communicate internally, with other clubs, and with draft headquarters.