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NFL draft 2020: From Vegas to video calls - how will virtual draft play out?

NFL draft 2020: Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell look ahead to unique occasion

This year's NFL draft was supposed to be held in Las Vegas, on a stage built over water at the Bellagio hotel's fountains.

Instead, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be announcing each pick in his basement.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the second biggest event in the NFL calendar is going virtual.

More than 11 million fans will be watching as, from 23-25 April, 255 college players will realise their dream of reaching the NFL.

It may look different but it will still be life-changing - and concerns over hacking and WiFi connections have added intrigue to what is already an unpredictable event.

So we caught up with BBC pundits Jason Bell and Osi Umenyiora - remotely of course - to discuss how this virtual draft might play out.

Who will be the first draft pick?

That, at least, seems clear. Having had last season's worst record, the Cincinnati Bengals go first and want a new quarterback.

And it just so happens that Joe Burrow, 23, has had arguably the best ever season by a college QB, leading Louisiana State to the national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy (for best college player).

"He's a proven winner," said Umenyiora. "He's a great leader with great charisma, and a great arm with great accuracy. I don't think Andy Dalton was all that bad but Cincinnati need someone to reinvigorate their franchise and he'll suit them just fine."

Yet the guys both feel that Chase Young, 21, a defensive end from Ohio State, is actually the best player in this year's draft.

"I heard all the hype so watched his tape and he's a fantastic player," added Umenyiora. "He's dynamic, has good burst off the line and a good motor so he's constantly hustling, constantly trying to get to the quarterback.

"He's a big, physical, freaky athlete. Over the next 10 years I think this guy's going to be a superstar. He's the only one I can point at and say 'this is a can't-miss prospect'."

Which team could move up the draft board?

Teams can use their picks to trade up or down the order and the Miami Dolphins look most likely to move up (from fifth) after three straight losing seasons.

"What if somebody like Miami, who has a lot of draft capital (three first-round picks), gives Cincinnati a deal they can't refuse to take that first pick">