NFL teams have been notified that the draft in Las Vegas will go forward as planned and it won’t be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Adam Schefter tweeted out a memo from the league Thursday night informing teams of the decision. Fans won’t be allowed and the league “will not be bringing prospects and their families to the Draft.” (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
However, the start date of April 23 is officially a full-go and it’ll be televised for fans around the globe. You can read the full statement below.
Commissioner Goodell sent out a memo to NFL teams tonight that the draft will go on April 23-25. pic.twitter.com/tYlHo3fKqC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2020
NFL general managers had been pushing hard to get the draft delayed a little bit, but I said that was unlikely.
The NFL offseason timeline is pretty tight. There’s not a lot of extra space and pushing the draft back would cause major problems.
4.39 (adjusted) for Jonathan Taylor. #USF fans remember him, right?
135 rushing yards, 2 TD on 16 carries.
Also had his first 2 TD receptions of his career.
Remember? 49-0, #Wisconsin.
They were the team with a competent offense. #NFLCombinepic.twitter.com/5WHgy1aREm
— CHRIS TORELLO (@TorelloSports) February 29, 2020
I understand why general managers want more time. It’s hard to really do a deep dive into a prospect if you can’t even meet with them in person.
However, the league has its hands tied right now, and everybody needs to learn to adapt as coronavirus sweeps across America.
High praise for @JalenHurts as he goes through the drills in Indy #OUDNA
???? #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/PxntJKbOq8
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) February 28, 2020
Teams will just have to make the best of a bad situation. Welcome to America in 2020. We’re all making changes and the NFL isn’t exempt.