2020 NFL Draft Goes Virtual

Michael Muela, Sports Editor

  One of the most iconic traditions in the NFL is doing something we as sports fans have never seen before. Due to the circumstances revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 NFL Draft will be held virtually. The Draft will last for three days, beginning on Thursday, April 23rd and ending on Saturday, April 25th. 

  Each of the 32 teams’ faculty and staff will be selecting their picks from home, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the selections from his home. After finishing with the worst record in the NFL last season at 2-14, the Cincinnati Bengals currently hold the first overall pick. All projections have the Bengals selecting quarterback Joe Burrow, the Heisman Trophy winner from LSU. Some reports have also said that they may trade the pick. Junior Masen Marcellus claims that the virtual draft is going to flop, “as for the Bengals, it depends on if they want a more dominant defense or offense. But seeing where they stood last year they NEED an offense so they’d be stupid to not pick up Joe Burrow.” Anything can happen on Thursday night. 

  Perhaps the most interesting pick lies in the hands of the Miami Dolphins, who finished 5-11, at number 5. Miami has kept their eyes on two quarterbacks in particular, and there have been countless questions on which one they’ll take. Either Justin Herbert (Oregon) or Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama). “Actually, I think they may take Tua because Tua seems like a better QB then Herbert in my opinion,” says junior Emmanuel Roman. Who will the future of the Miami Dolphins be, Herbert or Tua? We’ll just have to wait until Thursday to find out. 

  Probably the best part of the entire Draft is that it’ll serve as a three day fundraiser to benefit six different charities, including the American Red Cross. While this is a new experience for everyone, things will return to normal before we know it.