NFL Draft inside look: Las Vegas hosts one of the league’s main events

LAS VEGAS – The 2022 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Las Vegas, and workers preparing for the event have created a highly themed stage and area that will represent the city well.

The draft was originally scheduled to be held in Las Vegas in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic forced a change and put the entire event on the live video feed instead. After a stop in Cleveland last season, the draft is back to where it was supposed to be two years ago.

Since April 1, workers have been constructing a set of drafts adjacent to Caesars Forum and behind the High Roller outside The Linq. The theater is more than 105 feet wide and more than 220 feet long with a video screen of over 1 million LCD pixels, according to NFL senior director of event operations Eric Finkelstein, who spoke with the media on Tuesday.

He said there were seats for 1,500 paying customers who wanted a unique experience, but fans will be able to watch the NFL Draft Experience for free in the nearby parking lot and can walk through the site for a peek. ‘eye.

“There is certainly a lot to do, and we will work hard in all areas until the commissioner (Roger Goodell) gets on the podium and puts the first team on the clock,” said Finkelstein. “We couldn’t be more excited to be here in Las Vegas. Clark County has welcomed us with open arms. I know it takes many years. We obviously planned to be here in 2020, but we’re thrilled in 2022 that we are finally here to bring this to life. We can’t wait for Thursday night.

NFL events director Heather Nanberg said there will be an enhanced experience for draft prospects, who will enter the stage via Caesars Forum. Prospects attending the draft will be in a comfortable lounge before hearing their names called.

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A number of fans will also be able to watch the draft from the “Inner Circle”. Nanberg said each of the 32 teams can invite 20 of their most passionate fans to sit in this area.

Among the interesting things fans will notice when entering or walking past the theater would be the Las Vegas feeling that the NFL added to its draft this year. There are playing cards on the sides of the theater with team logos. The scene is purple and the zero in 2022 is diamond-shaped.

“I think it’s key for the draft. The amazing thing about this event is – since we took it on the road from Chicago in 2015 – we really want to take the character from where we are,” Finkelstein said. . “It’s not a cookie-cutter event where you can just drop it in any place and it has to be that way, that size, that look, that feel. highlight where we are. So you really get a sense in place.

“There are a few, a few little touches around, even like the circles that are on stage in a Las Vegas welcome sign. It’s kind of a tribute to that. All the lights. Obviously we have a huge cons -high roller field here, which is definitely very Las Vegas. It’s something that we always try to find when we put this together, which makes it really exciting.

Nanberg said the idea is to get fans involved as much as possible, which is why it’s important to have fans crossing the edge of the event.

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“As the draft has evolved, it’s become less and less of a seated event and more like a concert. People sort of come in and out. It’s really more of a celebration and a party than before. Like back in the days when it was more than just sitting in a real theater,” Nanberg said. “We obviously kept that concept, but we’ve really gotten to a place where it’s much broader than that.”

NFL fans can watch their team roll the dice on draft picks starting Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET, when the first round begins. Rounds two and three begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday. Rounds four through seven begin at noon ET on Saturday.

1st round order project

1. jaguars
2. the Lions
3. Texas
4. Jets
5. giants
6. Panthers
7. Giants (bears)
8. Falcons
9. Seahawks (from the Broncos)
10. Jets (from the Seahawks)
11. Commanders
12. vikings
13. Texans (from Browns)
14. crows
15. Eagles (from Dolphins
16. Saints (from Colts via Eagles)
17. Chargers
18. Eagles (of the Saints)
19. Saints (of the Eagles)
20. Steelers
21. patriots
22. Packers (from Raiders)
23. Cardinals
24. Cowboys
25. Invoices
26. Titans
27. Buccaneers
28. Packers
29. Chiefs (from 49ers through Dolphins)
30. Chiefs
31. bengals
32. Leos (of Rams)

Prospects present at the draft

There will only be 21 prospects entering the NFL Draft this year. Read below for a list.

QB Matt Corral (Ole Miss)

OL Charles Cross (Mississippi State)

DL Jordan Davis (Georgia)

LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)

OL Ikem Ekownu (NC State)

CB Gardner Sauce (Cincinnati)

CB Kyler Gordon (Washington)

S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)

DL Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)

OL Zion Johnson (Boston College)

OF Jermaine Johnson (State of Florida)

BY George Karlavtis (Purdue)

LB Devin Lloyd (Utah)

WR Drake London (USC)

OL Evan Neal (Alabama)

WR Chris Olave (Ohio State)

OF Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)

WR Jameson Williams (Alabama)

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QB Malik Willis (Freedom)

WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State

DL Devonte Wyatt (Georgia)