Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien will have a slight difficulty to overcome in his first draft as full-time general manager.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter Monday to all 32 member clubs stating that league facilities will remain closed and the 2020 NFL Draft will be held in a virtual format.
Goodell’s letter stated the NFL would reopen facilities when it is safe according to medical and public health officials.
Given current and expected conditions, and to ensure that we operate responsibly and in full compliance with current regulations, both League and Club facilities will remain closed indefinitely. We will reopen facilities when it is safe to do so based on medical and public health advice, and in compliance with government mandates.
Because of these circumstances, Clubs have been advised to prepare to conduct the 2020 Draft entire outside of their facilities and in a fully virtual format, with club personnel in separate locations and able to communicate with one another and Draft headquarters by phone or internet.
The draft is still on schedule for April 23-25. However, teams will have to operate their draft operations remotely and possibly from their own homes.