Last year, the NFL Draft moved to Chicago for the first time. Starting Thursday, Chicago will play host to the 2016 draft as well. But next year, the draft could be on the move once again.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told the Chicago Sun-Times earlier this month that the draft will "very likely" move to another city in 2017. Denver and Atlanta were mentioned as possible candidates at the time, but on Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Philadelphia has emerged as the frontrunner, with Los Angeles also a candidate.
Philadelphia has emerged as leading candidate to host 2017 NFL Draft, per sources. NFL considering Philly, LA - neither has a 1 next year.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 27, 2016
Goodell confirmed to John Clark of CNS Philly that Philadelphia is a candidate.
I asked Roger Goodell about Philly getting draft next yr: "Theyre one of the cities bidding. Were interested in Phila among other cities"
— John Clark CSN (@JClarkCSN) April 27, 2016
As Schefter noted, both cities being considered are home to teams (Eagles, Rams) that do not own a first-round pick in the 2017 draft. Prior to 2015, the draft had been held in New York since 1956.
