The NFL has gone to great lengths to proceed with its draft as scheduled, and the league wants to make sure reporters and other members of the media don’t try to spoil it for the fans.
Boomer Esiason said on his WFAN radio show Thursday morning that his employer, CBS Sports, has instructed him not to tip any picks during the NFL Draft before they are officially announced. Esiason said that is the first time he has ever been told not to give away picks, and the order is even more noteworthy considering the draft is being broadcasted through ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
Boomer Esiason said on FAN that even he was told by CBS Sports exec not to tip picks.
Boomer said it was the first time he ever received that message. I don't think he's ever tipped a pick. NFL is even more serious about no one saying choices before tonight.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) April 23, 2020
The NFL had originally planned a huge event in Las Vegas for the 2020 NFL Draft, but that all had to be canceled. Now, the league is hosting a virtual draft that has the potential to feature some serious technical difficulties. You can understand why officials want things to go as smoothly as possible.
Now that the NFL is asking members of the media not to tip picks, it will be interesting to see if any reporters make a mockery out of the policy the way Adrian Wojnarowski did with the NBA Draft two years ago.
