NFL Shortens First Round of Draft

PHILADELPHIA--The NFL is shortening the first round of the draft.

As the franchise owners opened a two-day meeting today at a downtown Philadelphia hotel, the league announced that it is shortening the amount of time allowed for first-round selections from 15 minutes to 10 minutes per team. The time allotment for second-round choices also is being reduced, from 10 minutes to seven minutes per club.

The starting time of the draft is being moved three hours later, from noon on Saturday to 3 p.m. The third round now is to take place on Sunday instead of Saturday, and Sunday's starting time becomes 10 a.m. instead of 11 a.m.

"We believe these changes will make for a more streamlined and efficient draft," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a written statement released by the league.

Next year's draft is scheduled for April 26-27.

The moves come after the first round of last year's draft lasted a record 6 hours 8 minutes. Goodell said from the podium as he presided over his first draft as commissioner that it was an undesirable record. Shortening the first round is viewed as a possible precursor to moving it to prime time Friday night sometime in the future.

"We'll just take it one step at a time," Houston Texans owner Robert McNair said. "Trying to make the first round move a little faster, that makes sense."

By Mark Maske |  October 23, 2007; 12:04 PM ET  | Category:  League
Previous: V. Young Returning to Titans' Lineup This Week | Next: Owners Supportive of Bills' Proposal to Play Some Games in Toronto

The comments to this entry are closed.