The NFL will conduct a mock draft on Monday as a dress rehearsal for the first-ever virtual draft, set for Thursday through Saturday.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the league canceled its original draft plans for Las Vegas, where half a million people were expected for the three days. In its place will be a made-for-television event that will feature Commissioner Roger Goodell announcing the picks from the basement of his Westchester County home and teams communicating via a range of electronic and telephone systems. Monday's dry run will give the league an idea of what to expect for the first-of-its-kind football draft.
"Each team will have their own communication chain, where the GM, coach, owners and player personnel people will have communication using some video conference, phone and otherwise," said Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's executive vice president of club business and league events. "We'll be part of a mock draft, which will be run through everyone in their positions."
