Virtual NFL Draft Kicks off Thursday Night

(AP) — The virtual NFL draft begins Thursday night. And not since the NFL draft became a televised event in 1980 has it been stripped to the basics like this one.

Selectors will work from their homes as a safeguard against the coronavirus. Prospects will be at their homes, too. Commissioner Roger Goodell won’t be sharing hugs with any of the 32 first-rounders as usual. Instead, he will offer his congratulations remotely.

Fifty-eight prospects will take part remotely with video kits supplied by the NFL that will record their reactions to being selected. The kits include two cell phones, two light stands, a pair of tripods, a headset for interviews and a microphone. One of the phone cameras will be on the entire time until the player is selected, while another will be used for interviews with ESPN, the NFL Network and Goodell.

The draft wraps up Saturday.