The Cincinnati Bengals select…
As a sports fan, especially an avid NFL fan, I have been looking forward to the NFL draft for weeks. This is one of the closest events to live sports, and it is very important to the teams of the NFL.
The Draft is where teams get the future of their franchise, and generally happens live at a designated venue. This year, the draft was originally to be held in Las Vegas, live. But as we quickly approach the first round tonight, the draft will be fully virtual, yet another by product of the coronavirus.
How will it Work?
Well, with everything being online even with a virtual off season, this would mean that proper internet connection is available for not only teams, but for players that could get selected. In this article, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said “that each team is allowed to put one IT specialist in the decision-maker’s home.” This is hopefully to ensure a smooth experience.
Even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be announcing the picks from his basement. Look at this article to see what it looks like.
Teams have had to hold virtual meetings and interviews with players about the upcoming draft yet another wrinkle to the draft process. In the past, teams have met face to face in person with players, but now that face to face is through a monitor. This is one other factor to consider in the future outlook of these players.
Reliability of Connection
With the draft going fully virtual, there is a strong concern for any kind of glitches or even the present danger of having someone hack into the league conference call and disrupting the draft. The NFL held a practice virtual draft to simulate tonight’s draft on Monday.
While there were no major issues, the Bengals (who own the 1st pick) reportedly experienced a technical glitch which lasted for over 2 minutes. With other glitches and some sound issues, it was good to have held a practice virtual draft. Everything seems to be on pace for tonight’s draft.
WNBA Virtual Draft
The WNBA recently held a fully virtual draft last Friday, April 17, 2020, a sign that a fully virtual draft can work. This article outlines how the virtual picks still evoked the emotions of being drafted.
Virtual Draft Setups
Teams and owners will now set up shop in their homes for draft night. Desks filled with multiple monitors, computers and screens will be a must in every team’s draft room. Take a look at these teams’ setups for draft night.
Conclusion
Oh, what a time we live in. The NFL Draft has gone virtual for 2020 and will be broadcasted on ESPN at 8pm EST tonight (thankfully). While this is new territory for all the teams, owners and players, this could help the NFL transition more digitally in the future. Have we witnessed our last draft of teams handing a hand-written card to Roger Goodell to announce? More players could choose to stay in their homes with their families and relatives and enjoy the emotions of the draft with close friends, rather than join Goodell on the big stage in future drafts. The coronavirus may have forced a virtual NFL Draft, but perhaps more virtual elements are on its way to the NFL and other major sports.
As Bill Belichick once said, “On to Cincinnati.”
Who will the Bengals select with the first overall pick in the draft? Who do you want your team to draft tonight? Comment below and thanks for reading!
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