With the 2020 NFL Draft being digital and the first of its kind, 2021’s draft will more so resemble the format many have grown to know and love, though precautions will still be taken. There will be free events held for the fans during the process in accordance with officials of Cleveland and a few fully vaccinated fans will be apart of the draft’s “inner circle,” allowing them to watch the draft closer than anyone.
Of course, prospects will be attending the process again, too, which will give allow fans to see their favorite college players walk across the stage. Unfortunately, that won’t include the probable No. 1 overall pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence, who has decided he’ll be watching the event from Clemson with a few family members, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
With Lawrence watching the draft remotely, the league will undoubtedly set up cameras at his location to give fans a look at how the process will unfold for him. Once his name is called, he’ll be the second No. 1 overall pick in a row to celebrate remotely with family, as Joe Burrow also did the same last year for the first digital draft in history.
Lawrence’s decision to watch the draft at Clemson makes a ton of sense after the history he’s made there. After all, he was able to win a national title there as a freshman and ranks third in team history as far as passing yards go with 10,098. While finishing with an overall completion percentage of 65.6% (527-of-804) and 17 interceptions, he’s also second in team history in touchdown passes with 90.
In terms of the specifics of the draft, it will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC as fans have seen in recent history. The first three rounds will be primetime events shown throughout two nights, and the details of the specific times for the draft will emerge soon.