The 2020 NFL Draft will go on as planned in an all-virtual format starting April 23. The league’s decision comes amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic and with teams not able to access their facilities.
Once this was announced, widespread concern about potential hacking became the name of the game around the NFL. Specifically, teams are concerned that Zoom or other telecommuting options could be vulnerable to online hackers.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is expressing specific concern about this.
“It’s a big concern,” the Super Bowl-winning head coach said, via ESPN. “Hopefully we’ll be OK. I really wouldn’t want the opposing coaches to have our playbook or our draft meetings. That would be preferable, if we can stay away from that.”
The logistics relating to doing an all-virtual draft with all 32 teams participating and the show being aired on multiple networks remains difficult. Things could easily spiral out of control, making a mockery of the annual event in the process.
While the NFL has already made its decision, certain teams and general managers are not happy about the draft going on as planned. Commissioner Roger Goodell has warned in the past that public criticism won’t be tolerated and could lead to discipline.
Does that mean Mr. Harbaugh? We’re not too sure.