Cleveland Browns: Could the NFL draft move to Canton, Ohio?

The Cleveland Browns just finished their drafting in the 2017 NFL Draft. Could we soon see the annual event relocated to NE Ohio?

The NFL draft is unlike most events during the calendar year for sports. Each draft is unique in its own way. During some years, we will see the same teams attempting to rebuild, while others continue to add to their talented rosters. With a long-term location unknown, could we see the draft being conducted closer towards the Cleveland Browns‘ neck of the woods?

Only three cities have hosted the NFL draft. Those are New York City, New York, Chicago, Illinois, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Next year, Philly should rehost the draft, but Dallas, Texas could instead be selected.

The next draft’s located date that is unknown is for 2020. Since it seems that the NFL is leaning towards keeping the draft in a rotational basis around the country, like the NHL does with its drafts, why not consider Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

The location has been considered in the past and is still under consideration. However, if you look at how the setup is there, it would be very hard for the league to pull off the festivities they have provided in NE Ohio. The area surrounding the Pro Football Hall of Fame includes a highway and houses.

There was talk in the past for a renovation of the HOF to allow a draft and other events to possibly take place. However, should fans even really believe that moving the draft to Canton is possible?

According toThe MMQB‘s Peter King, Canton is under consideration, but does not appear to be the favorite.

"Sentimentally, I’d love to see Canton get the 2020 draft, on the 100th anniversary of the birth year of the league. The Pro Football Hall of Fame city is in the running, but I don’t sense it’s in the driver’s seat."

Crazier things have happened before. King is right. At the moment, the chances don’t appear to favor Canton.

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If the NFL cannot come to terms with a long-term location in just one location, we will continue to see a musical chairs act of cities hosting the draft. The case can be made for such a plan to be made, but that is for a different time.

To make Canton more attractive for the NFL to bring the draft to them, changes will be needed. Since there are already activities going on yearly southeast of Cleveland, why not invest in the area?

Philadelphia was given a lot of credit with how passionate the fans were and how well everything was ran. Just think if the NFL moved the draft to Canton the response fans will provide, being led by Browns fans!

Such talk of expanding the area will need to start picking up progress soon. Yes, the wait for the draft to potentially be in Canton is a few years. However, talk is just that, talk.

If the appropriate people can meet up and create a plan on how Canton, the NFL, and the Cleveland Browns can benefit from hosting the draft, then implementing such a vision ASAP is key. Otherwise, the NFL could consider other locations more carefully, choose a different location altogether, or get sold on one sole location.

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At the end of the day, I am confident Canton will get to host at least one draft. Plenty of work will be needed to be done in the time being, but it will be worth it!

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