The NFL Draft exists as a mechanism for teams to add young players to their roster, but it is a three-day spectacle because it has become an avidly watched television show.
That led to complaints in recent years that ESPN and NFL Network spoiled the viewing experience by tipping picks before they were announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Because of those complaints, the two networks agreed last year that their reporters would not reveal picks ahead of time on television or on Twitter and the same edict will be in effect during the first round next week.
Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated reports that the two broadcasters have agreed to keep their reporters from passing on information about picks before they’re announced from the stage. PFT has run polls on the issue the last two years and the results have been strongly in favor of this approach and it definitely makes for a better moment when Goodell is on stage to announce the pick.
Nothing will stop other reporters from reporting what they’ve learned on Twitter, but those who don’t want to know can easily avoid their posts on Thursday night.