The best part about the NFL’s virtual draft? It raised more than $100 million for COVID-19 relief. That’s a lot of help for a lot of people in need.
The second-best part? It was an absolute blast. Wouldn’t it be nice if it could happen that way again and again?
The NFL deserves much credit for pulling off its successful, entertaining draft in horrible circumstances caused by the pandemic. There’s no doubt the league will go back to its old format next April when the festivities will be in Cleveland –- honest, Cleveland! — because it is all about glitz and glamour, pomp and circumstance. But that doesn’t mean the 2020 draft won’t be remembered fondly, maybe as the best draft ever.
It was a mammoth undertaking that, according to ESPN, involved 600 camera feeds in the homes of 85 draft prospects and 32 head coaches and general managers. The hard work paid off with boffo ratings. The league announced the draft reached a record 55 million viewers over the three days. I don’t care if people are quarantined and desperate for any kind of sports entertainment. That’s a lot of eyeballs on the television screen.
It’s hard to imagine many viewers were disappointed.
We saw a less-formal side of the coaches, the drafted players and especially Roger Goodell that we hadn’t seen before. Goodell, hunkered down in his basement man cave, came across more as a normal guy than the $40 million-a-year CEO that so many despise. It was great fun watching him announce the draft picks from an easy chair, snacking on his M&Ms. Who wouldn’t want to be right there with him having a beer?
Bill Belichick also was almost likable — if you can believe that — thanks to his dog, Nike, an Alaskan Klee Kai. Video of the pooch sitting at Belichick’s computer was all over social media, of course with accompanying speculation that the dog was the brains behind the Patriots’ dynasty. Get this: Belichick even smiled when asked about Nike and eagerly provided a scouting report with more intel than he’s offered for any player. “He’s fast, but not as fast the rabbits he’s chasing. But he’s close. He’s not that fast, but he’s fast.”
Belichick’s pup might have been the star of the weekend, but Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury’s house in appropriately named Paradise Valley, Ariz., was a close second. You expect Dallas owner Jerry Jones to put on the dog, so to speak, during the draft from his $250 million yacht. But Kliff Kingsbury? Even the other coaches noticed his war room was a bit ostentatious. “I was killing him about that last night. ... I said, ‘You were trying pretty hard there, bro,’ ” Rams coach Sean McVay told the media.
It was fun seeing the coaches and general managers with their kids, watching dad do his thing. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn high-fived his son, Kyle, after one pick. Lions coach Matt Patricia had his three young children practically climbing over him. Talk about a memory of a lifetime for them — and him.
It wasn’t so much fun watching Houston coach Bill O’Brien throw a tantrum, reportedly after a trade with Detroit fell through. It’s a good thing his yelling didn’t make it into America’s living rooms. If you watched the Texans on “Hard Knocks” in 2015, you know O’Brien curses more than Joe Pesci.
Much was predictable about the players selected. A total of 63 were taken from the Southeastern Conference, including 14 from LSU. Ohio State and Michigan had 10 players picked, Alabama nine. Teams were more comfortable taking known commodities who played against major competition than players from the smaller schools because of a lack of scouting caused by the coronavirus.
But there also were plenty of surprises, most involving quarterbacks. Why did Green Bay trade up to take Utah State quarterback Jordan Love in the first round when the Packers still have Aaron Rodgers going strong and a team that went to the NFC championship last season? It made no sense. Why did Philadelphia take Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round when it has Carson Wentz on a $128 million contract? That also made little sense. And why didn’t Belichick find a way to get a quarterback for the Patriots? Going from Tom Brady to Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer seems like a mighty big fall.
Carolina provided the biggest non-quarterback surprise. The Panthers became the first team to use all of their picks — a total of seven — on defensive players. Who knew Luke Kuechly’s retirement would have such an impact?
Finally, the best laugh of the draft was provided by Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler, who was selected in the second round by Denver. “Im just excited to have my last name on the back of a jersey,” he tweeted memorably. “I’ve never had that before.”
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com and Twitter@RonCookPG. Ron Cook can be heard on the “Cook and Joe” show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
First Published: April 28, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
