The 2020 NFL draft promises to be much different, much stranger, than what football fans are used to seeing every April because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NBC Sports’s Peter King reported in his weekly column that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will announce first-round picks live from the basement of his home in Westchester County, New York.
The commissioner normally announces all first-round picks, but from center stage at a venue like Radio City Music Hall or in the middle of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas, which was the plan this year before all public events were halted.
Goodell’s announcements won’t be devoid of crowd reaction. King wrote that a “virtual montage of 15 fans” of each team will be projected on a backdrop behind Goodell when that team is on the clock. They have free reign to react to their team’s pick — cheering or booing.
It was later announced Monday that ESPN and NFL Network will produce a broadcast that will air on both networks over all three days.
Draft hosts and a limited number of commentators will be in-studio but will adhere to social distancing guidelines. Other reporters and analysts will report remotely from home.
ABC will air a separate draft broadcast on Thursday and Friday before simulcasting the ESPN/NFL Network feed on Saturday.
The league previously announced that the draft will serve as a “Draft-A-Thon,” which will pay tribute to health care workers and first responders. Funds raised will help support six national nonprofits and their relief efforts.
Not everything is changing, however.
Teams will still have 10 minutes to make their selection in the first round, seven minutes in the second and third rounds and five minutes for the rest of their picks. Some had wondered whether the NFL would grant teams extra time, given they will be drafting remotely and internet issues could arise.
“There was discussion about expanding the time, but it sounds like the league will be less autocratic about the clock if there’s a legitimate reason (blackout, etc.) for a team to be late with a pick,” King said.
Top prospects like Joe Burrow and Chase Young will still be involved as usual, but everyone will be interviewed remotely. A total of 58 prospects are expected to participate:
Fifty-eight prospects are confirmed to participate virtually in the 2020 NFL Draft: pic.twitter.com/qPGsp5uHDH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 10, 2020
This article was based in part on wire service reports.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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