San Francisco 49ers president Al Guido said last week that he was hopeful the NFL might hold a mock draft between all 32 teams before the actual draft next week. The process would allow the league and teams to identify any potential complications ahead of when it really matters.
The draft will be very different from years past amid the coronavirus pandemic, as everyone practices social distancing. Out are massive events filled with countless fans. In are video chats and interviews from the homes of NFL staff and draft prospects.
As with anything new, there is a greater chance for something to go wrong. That's why the 49ers president was campaigning for a rehearsal.
Guido even threw out his idea during the KNBR interview last week of how the mock draft should be held, saying teams should simply use the picks and in-draft trades from last year in the mock to avoid tipping their hands on their intentions or strategies this year.
Guido got his wish. He told Business Insider via its podcast that the league will hold a mock draft on April 20, three days before the start of the actual event, and indeed use last year's draft as a template.
April 19 update: A league source states that the mock draft will indeed take place on April 20, but won't use last year's draft as a template. Something similar, however, is being utilized. The details are currently only known to those taking part.
.@49ers President @AlGuido tells me on @SBRadio that all 32 @NFL teams will conduct a mock draft prior to the @NFLDraft on April 23rd. This will allow teams to work out any tech challenges & have a better sense for this virtual draft. Full interview: https://t.co/oolQyMyGdm #NFL pic.twitter.com/BxGzSkNZo2
— SportsBusinessRadio (@SBRadio) April 14, 2020
The mock draft will be a re-do of the 2019 @NFLDraft. Nobody will be tipping their hand for the 2020 draft. #NFL https://t.co/AwyJEXfCKR
— SportsBusinessRadio (@SBRadio) April 14, 2020
"That's going to happen on the 20th," Guido said, "and we'll work out whatever kinks there are, and get on the phone the next day (to discuss)."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Guido below. In addition to discussing the draft, he talks about the changing sports landscape and what it might mean for the 49ers organization and its fans. The conversation with Guido begins at about the 8:55 mark.
