The NFL Draft is "shaping up to be Chicago's spring version of the Super Bowl," as much of Grant Park is "reserved for two weeks, as well as a key stretch of Congress Parkway between Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue," according to Jared Hopkins of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. City, local tourism officials and the NFL have said that many aspects of the Draft "have yet to be finalized." NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy said that the league "will release its full agenda later this week." Hopkins notes among the attractions surrounding the event will be Draft Town, "a free, 900,000 square-foot interactive fan area, including more than 15 football fields, autographs sessions and a Super Bowl museum." Selection Square "will host teams' draft headquarters, which will provide fans a fly-on-the-wall view." Draft picks "will visit Selection Square for interviews in front of a Grant Park crowd." Incoming prospects during the first round "will walk a red carpet on Michigan Avenue before entering the theater." Rounds four through seven "will be held outside at Selection Square and at various team facilities across the country, where teams will announce their picks." There are also plans "to light up Buckingham Fountain in the colors of the teams as they make their selections." McCarthy: "We've reimagined the entire draft. You don't need to be a football fan to come out." Meanwhile, it "remains unclear how many of the league's requests for complimentary services ... will be honored" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/17).
TOP PICK PLAYING HOOKY? THE MMQB's Peter King reported former Florida State QB Jameis Winston, the "leader in the clubhouse" to be the first overall pick in this year's Draft, "does not intend to attend" the event. Rather, he "plans to spend the draft with his family and friends down south" (MMQB.SI.com, 3/16). In Chicago, Luis Gomez wrote Winston's absence would be "a blow" to the NFL Draft (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 3/16). SPORTING NEWS' Vinnie Iyer wrote the public reasoning for Winston's decision not to attend the event is that he "prefers to be with his family in Alabama, which is admirable." But the "underlying story line is that it's also a chance for Winston to avoid any (further) backlash as he's being introduced as a pro quarterback for the first time." That "shouldn't be acceptable to the league, and it isn't a good idea for Winston, either." The NFL is "trying to sell its biggest non-Super Bowl event in a market outside its biggest one, and not having its most visible rookie-to-be there to participate in the planned events isn't a good start" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 3/16).
