The coronavirus pandemic has caused the NFL to adjust its normal offseason routine in regards to the draft. To further assist in making sure this year’s event goes smoothly, the league is setting up safeguards to protect against technical issues.
The league will test out its draft system several times before April 23, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
League sources said there will be multiple tests of the system prior to the draft, which begins April 23, and that the NFL is planning to build in several safeguards to cover teams in the event that an internet connection cuts out or some other technological glitch affects a team’s pick.
There are also alternate plans in place in the event a general manager has any technical glitches during the virtual broadcast.
COVID-19 has forced general managers to conduct the draft from their homes instead of team facilities. The draft was originally set to take place in Las Vegas, but with the government mandating that there shouldn’t be groups over 10, the normal draft plans had to be scratched. Now, it will air virtually under a revised format.
Graziano also reported it’s unlikely that more time will be given to teams to make their draft selections. However, teams will be given additional time to make a trade if discussions get interrupted because of technical difficulties.
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