The NFL is weeks away from hosting the NFL Draft in the city of Philadelphia, and it could be shipping the draft to another NFC East team’s hometown in 2018. According to a report from ESPN, the draft could potentially be held at the brand new state-of-the-art practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys in Frisco, Texas next year.
The Cowboys are just one of the interested parties in hosting the event in 2018. Others in the mix, according to Field Yates of ESPN, are Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Green Bay. New York, which has traditionally hosted the event, is not in contention for the draft, and it remains unknown just how soon the draft could return to The Big Apple. The Cowboys may be emerging as the favorite and Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are looking to make a convincing case to lure the draft to its practice facility.
The Cowboys have already opened the doors of The Star to an outside party. Texas Tech held a spring scrimmage at the Cowboys’ practice location, and it was a sellout. The scrimmage on Saturday sold 12,000 tickets to Red Raiders fans. For Texas Tech, it was a showcase opportunity on a grand stage, even for a practice facility. But this isn’t just another practice facility. This is Jerry Jones’ practice facility, which means it goes all out with the fixings and details. Should the location be chosen to host the NFL Draft, it would likely be another smash hit.
There are some who question the possibility of Dallas hosting the offseason’s marquee event, suggesting the draft should be held in cities that are unlikely to host a Super Bowl.
Why should Dallas hold the 2018 NFL Draft? Let the cities that can't have a Super Bowl host the big event. #onlyfair
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) April 5, 2017
Should the Cowboys be chosen to host the 2018 NFL Draft, it will be the first time the NFL has taken its draft to the state of Texas. Now that the league is pretty comfortable shopping around the draft like it is a Super Bowl, it is only a matter of time before the draft heads toward Dallas, even if it does not happen next year. It’s going to happen, and Jerry Jones will make sure of it. Once the NFL checks Dallas off the list, you have to imagine a trip to Los Angeles will be coming soon once the new football stadium for the Rams and Chargers is constructed. And don’t look now, but we may be just a few more years removed from a draft in Las Vegas.
[ESPN]
