10 things to know about the NFL Draft in Las Vegas

Image

NFL

An artist’s rendering of the NFL Draft red carpet stage at the Fountains of Bellagio.

Tue, Jan 21, 2020 (1:35 p.m.)

Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly attended last year’s NFL Draft in Nashville, Tenn. He wanted to see what Nashville did right and make sure when April’s draft is conducted in Las Vegas, it is bigger and better.

“They did a fantastic job, but this is Las Vegas,” Weekly said.

The NFL submitted draft details to the commission today, showing over-the-top plans that will transform the Strip for a three-day football celebration.

There’s a lot of information to digest and plenty more that will be released in the coming weeks. Here are some of the most important details:

1. The draft will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 23 with festivities running until 9 p.m. or the until the final selection of the first round is made. Festivities will pick up again at noon on Friday, April 24 and run until the final selection of the third round is made. On the final day, Saturday, April 25, festivities will begin at 9 a.m. and run until about 6 p.m. or until the final selection of round seven is made.

2. First-round selections for the seven-round draft will take place Thursday evening. Before that happens, however, attending prospects — those expecting to have a chance at being picked in the first round — will be introduced as part of a red carpet showcase on a floating stage at the Fountains of Bellagio beginning at 11:30 a.m. Players will be escorted to the stage by boat. Rounds two and three will be announced Friday; rounds three to seven will be Saturday.

3. The NFL and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority predict the three-day event will draw about 350,000 people per day. Last year’s draft, which took place in Nashville, drew a total of about 600,000 people. The 2019 draft had an economic impact of $224 million, according to Nashville’s visitors bureau. If turnout is as strong as predicted, Las Vegas should top that rather easily.

4. The main stage for the draft will be next to the Caesars Forum conference center. Fans will be able to access the main stage viewing area, which will feature live entertainment, for free. The acts have not yet been announced.

5. Fans will also be able to attend the NFL Draft Experience for free. It will be adjacent to the main stage and feature interactive games, a display of the famed Vince Lombardi Trophy, autograph sessions with NFL players and former players, giveaways and an NFL Shop store.

6. The Raiders, who will play home games at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in the upcoming season, are slated to have seven picks in this year’s draft, including two picks in the first round. As always, that could change if the team decides to trade or add picks before or during the draft.

7. All three days of the draft will be televised at various times by the ESPN family of networks — ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN2 and ABC — and the NFL Network. Last year, more than 47 million viewers tuned in for at least part of the draft.

8. During the draft, Las Vegas Boulevard will be closed in both directions from Flamingo Road to the entrance of Paris Las Vegas. Flamingo Road will be shut down from Koval Lane to Las Vegas Boulevard.

9. Teams will make their selections from an area next to the High Roller observation wheel that will be called Selection Square. The area will feature tables where club executives and representatives will conduct draft business.

10. The Cincinnati Bengals hold the first overall selection this year. While nothing is certain until the draft begins, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, is widely considered to be the favorite for the No. 1 pick.

Back to top

SHARE