One of the unintended consequences of this pandemic is that sports, as we know it, are postponed for the foreseeable future. It's entirely possible that the NBA and NHL are done for the season, and Major League Baseball is toying with the idea of sequestering players, managers, coaches and umpires in a number of secured locations in a last-ditched effort to save its season. But there is one event that as of this moment is still a go: the NFL Draft. It's scheduled to take place from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25.
Some have said that the league should postpone the draft, out of sensitivity to what the country is going through; others feel strongly that holding the draft would offer people some sense of normalcy in an otherwise upside down world. Put me down in the latter camp.
Frankly, I don't understand the blowback the league is getting here. It's gone out of its way to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including the closing all team facilities to avoid the risk of contagion. No players or fans will be exposed. The entire draft will take place the way most business in the country is being done these days: virtually and at home. The G.M.s, coaches, scouts and owners will all be able to communicate with one another via Zoom, and each team can still make their picks on draft day the same way they would in any other year. Indeed, the only risk I can see would be if the internet at one location were to suddenly go down, thus potentially depriving a team of making its selection in the allotted time. Clearly, the league will have to make allowances for such a scenario.
I, for one, would like to see who the Giants take with the fourth overall pick. Do they go with Isaiah Simmons or do they address the offensive line? Will the Dolphins take a chance on Tua Tagovailoa at number five or will they opt for Justin Herbert? And which team or teams will trade up or down in the draft?
Look, we can't go out to dinner or to the movies; the public parks are closed; and God knows when we'll be able to attend a sporting event, or even see one on TV for that matter. The country needs something to distract it from the 24 hour cable news networks, and Netflix and Amazon Prime can only go so far. Holding the NFL Draft hurts no one and gives millions of football fans some badly needed relief. Canceling it would be wrong.
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