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The trend of a declining number of prospects attending the NFL Draft has reversed course this year, despite perhaps the biggest star, Shedeur Sanders, opting not to make his way to Green Bay to find out which franchise he’ll play for.
There are 17 prospects confirmed to attend next week’s draft, the league announced Tuesday night, including prospective No. 1 pick Cam Ward, the former Miami quarterback who most experts believe will be selected by the Titans. That’s up from the 13 eventual draftees who attended last year’s event in Detroit.
Sanders, who is widely projected to be the second quarterback drafted, said at the NFL Scouting Combine that it makes more sense “cost-wise” for him to watch at home in Dallas or Colorado with his family and friends. This week, multiple reports emerged that Sanders would visit the Giants, who hold the third pick, for a private workout on Thursday.
Big-name players who will be in Green Bay include Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, who could both be picked in the top five. One interesting player attending the draft is Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who NFL insiders say is not a lock to go in the first round—which could lead to an interesting green room waiting game for ESPN and NFL Network to cover.
Travel Plans
Since the draft returned to an in-person format after going virtual in 2020, only once has prospect attendance topped 20 players, which used to be commonplace for the NFL’s traveling road show.
- 2025 Green Bay: 17
- 2024 Detroit: 13
- 2023 Kansas City: 17
- 2022 Las Vegas: 21
- 2021 Cleveland: 13
- 2020 virtual: N/A
- 2019 Nashville: 23
- 2018 Dallas: 22
- 2017 Philadelphia: 22
- 2016 Chicago: 25
- 2015 Chicago: 26
In 2014, the last time the draft was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, a record 30 prospects attended the live event.
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