The NFL Draft is scheduled to proceed as planned, beginning on April 23.

Despite apprehensions that COVID-19 would postpone the event, the NFL Management Council Executive Committee unanimously decided to proceed with it after their meeting on March 26.

The decision was communicated to the entire league through a memo by Commissioner Roger Goodell. The memo cautioned league officials about potential disciplinary consequences if they publicly disagreed with the NFL’s decision. This warning was issued following previous incidents where various NFL front offices had advocated for a postponement of the draft before it was finally agreed to proceed as planned.

Certain NFL front offices wished to delay the draft.

It’s surprising that the league is still maintaining its position, despite a recommendation from an NFL subcommittee of general managers to delay the draft due to concerns about not having enough time to properly assess prospects.

The preparations for this year’s draft have been complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic for teams. The prohibition of in-person visits and the closure of team facilities have heightened the difficulties. The inability to access these facilities has significantly increased the difficulty of tasks such as player physicals, interviews, and other evaluations.

Despite existing worries, plans are progressing as scheduled. Goodell and the league owners’ top priority is to ensure this accomplishment.

Regardless, modifications to this year’s draft format are necessary. The traditional large gathering in Las Vegas is no longer viable, prompting the NFL to consider alternative methods. One potential change could be transitioning to a studio setting, although the league has not officially decided yet.

Operating a drafting studio could enable clubs to operate from their national team headquarters. This might involve inviting potential prospects to the studio if feasible, or simply shifting to different teams and players remotely once the selections are made.

Should they choose the studio approach, the NFL will have a range of options for operating remotely, regardless of the outcome.

Top NFL Draft Betting Options

This year’s draft includes seven picks for the Indianapolis Colts.

They had initially planned to strengthen the quarterback position in the first round, but this changed when the team signed Philip Rivers.

Following their trade of their first-round pick to San Francisco for DeForest Buckner, the Colts’ first selection has moved from the 13th to the 34th overall.

FanDuel has provided betting odds on the Colts’ choice for their pick, favoring the positions of wide receivers and cornerbacks.

• Tee Higgins: +800
• A.J. Terrell: +850
• Denzel Mims: +850
• Trevon Diggs: +850
• CJ Henderson: +1,000
• Laviska Shanault Jr.: +1,000

Bets specific to the Big Ten draft are also available.

Considering the large number of schools from the conference in Indiana and its surrounding states, these bets could become widely popular across the region.

For instance, BetRivers provides over/under betting on the number of Big Ten players to be picked in the first round. The present figure is pegged at 5.5.

While it seems probable that Joe Burrow will be the Cincinnati Bengals’ first draft pick, the sequence of the top three picks remains unclear.

DraftKings provides various arrangements for the top choices on the board. We’ll examine the odds, arranged sequentially from the first to the third overall pick.

• Tagovailoa, Young, Burrow: +225
• 1. Probability for Hole: +275<br>2. Probability for Junior: +275<br>3. Probability for Okudah: +275
• 1. Burrow Modified 2. Tagovailoa 3. Young: 300+
• 1. There is an increase of 1,100 for Burrow. <br>2. An increase of 1,100 is seen for Tagovailoa. <br>3. Okudah experiences an increase of 1,100.
• Simmons, Young, Burrow: An increase of 1,200.
• 1. Dig out 2. Young Herbert: Augment by 1,400

However, it is anticipated that sportsbooks will soon add more options. Despite the draft being some time away, bettors can continue to monitor their preferred sportsbook until the draft commences on April 23.