The Chiefs are "so serious" about hosting the NFL Draft that they are "sending representatives to this year’s draft in Philadelphia to get a first-hand look at the logistics of the event," according to Terez Paylor of the K.C. STAR. Chiefs President Mark Donovan said, "We’ll have representatives there to look at how they do it, to make sure the league knows we’re serious and we are serious about learning and making it a great experience. We’ve been open and consistent in our communication with the league that the draft is something we definitely want to pursue, so I think we’re well-positioned there." While hotels may be an issue for hosting the Super Bowl, Donovan said that "given the league’s current draft parameters, Kansas City fits the requirements." Donovan: "We’ve checked every box, we’ve gotten good feedback from the league on our discussions." The league will discuss at the May owners' meeting whether to hold the '18 Draft in Philadelphia or "open up the bid, something that will likely be influenced by how well the city does as the draft’s host this year" (K.C. STAR, 4/2).
PARTY UP NORTH: Packers President Mark Murphy said “it’s probably a long shot” for the franchise to host the '19 NFL Draft. But in Green Bay, Ryan Wood writes Murphy still "believes the city can provide sufficient accommodations." Murphy said the Resch Center would “make the most sense” to host the Draft in Green Bay. As an indoor venue across the street from Lambeau Field, it could "safeguard against the cold in April." Murphy said, "With Titletown being up and running then, it’d be a nice way to showcase some of the things that we’ve done to Lambeau Field and around the stadium." The Packers submitted proposals to host the Draft in '19, '20 or '21. The "most significant obstacle will be securing enough hotel space to accommodate the draft’s turnout, another aspect Murphy has explored." Murphy "believes northeast Wisconsin has enough hotel space to accommodate the draft." Murphy said that he "doesn’t expect to hear about Green Bay’s proposal" for '19 until a year from now (GREEN BAY NEWS-GAZETTE, 4/3).
DRUMMING UP INTEREST: Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio said of multiple cities wanting to host the Draft, "They're helping the NFL by saying 'we want to host the Draft' because it creates the impression that it's some sort of a crown jewel, that it is a big deal, that cities should make the financial sacrifice necessary to bring the Draft to town. It’s amazing it took this long. After 50 years, they realize they can treat the Draft like the Super Bowl and they can create the sense of something magical. Think about what the Draft is. Nothing happens at the Draft itself, all the action is in the team meeting rooms when they decide who they're going to pick. You’ve got 32 tables with the helmet phone on there and you're taking a card up to a podium and the commissioner comes out and says who the pick is. It's meaningless, but it's meaningful if it draws a lot of people to town and they get to showcase the city and it's a big deal as long as they can get players to show up” (“PFT,” NBCSN, 4/3).
