Annoyed by the NFL Draft being pushed back to May this year, delaying rookie drafts in dynasty leagues everywhere? Don't be surprised if that May date continues in future years. It's also possible the league will decide that three days just isn't enough time to have the draft in the spotlight. Why not four?
That's what Jeff Darlington of NFL Network said yesterday, after talking with Roger Goodell. The league has done seven rounds in three days (Thursday-Saturday) since 2010, after doing seven rounds in a weekend (Saturday-Sunday) for many years.
Seven rounds in four days could come next. Seven rounds in seven days is a little far-fetched (would anyone seriously be watching the final two or three rounds?), but who knows. The league taking extra steps to capture eyeballs and add more original programming to its network schedule would hardly shock anyone.
As for the draft staying in May or returning to April, there will probably be some debate over that. According to Darlington, Lovie Smith, for one, told Goodell that he liked the extra two weeks of getting to know his roster before the draft. There are surely some coaches who like the extra two weeks of getting to know their rookies before training camp begins, but Smith isn't one of them. (Not surprising, since Smith apparently doesn't even like the young players on his own roster, like quarterback Mike Glennon.)
In any case, don't assume the draft will return to late April next season. Extended pre-draft hype, followed by an extended draft, might be what we get going forward.
--Andy Richardson