For the first time since 1964, the NFL Draft will be held in Chicago and the top two quarterbacks this year have already said they will not be in attendance. Neither Jameis Winston nor Marcus Mariota will be in the Windy City when their names are called, presumably as the first and second picks as some have predicted. Winston said he wants to spend draft night at home with family especially his grandmother who is unable to travel. For Mariota, he believes it is important both culturally and personally to celebrate at home in Hawaii. Attendance is not mandatory for invited players, but it is unusual that not one but both of the top picks are choosing to forgo the festivities of the NFL Draft. Recent years have proven to be a different story though as all top picks have been there in person.
Mariota and Winston are not alone though in choosing not to attend. Maxx Williams widely considered the best tight end in this year’s draft has also decided that he will not be in Chicago on draft weekend. Williams has opted to spend the time with his family instead of flying to Chicago.
The theme continues as the No. 5 overall prospect Amari Cooper has chosen not to attend the draft either. Cooper could be the first wide receiver picked in this year’s draft, but is vying for that spot against West Virginia’s Kevin White who has said he will be in attendance.
White is amid a number of top draft picks that will be in Chicago on draft weekend. He is one of twenty-eight college stars who have accepted the invitation by the NFL to be in attendance. Amongst the players are Melvin Gordon from Wisconsin and Todd Gurley from Georgia, both of which are trying to be the first running back selected in this year’s draft. A running back has not been a first round pick since 2012.
The other prospects confirmed to be attending the draft in Chicago are:
| Name | Position | School |
| Arik Armstead | DL | Oregon
|
| Vic Beasley | DE/LB | Clemson
|
| La’el Collins | OL | LSU
|
| Landon Collins | S | Alabama
|
| Bud Dupree | LB | Kentucky
|
| Cameron Erving | OL | Florida State
|
| Dante Fowler | DE/LB | Florida
|
| Melvin Gordon | RB | Wisconsin
|
| Randy Gregory | DE/LB | Nebraska
|
| Todd Gurley | RB | Georgia |
| D.J. Humphries | OL | Florida
|
| Kevin Johnson | CB | Wake Forest
|
| Byron Jones | CB | Connecticut
|
| Benardrick McKinney | LB | Mississippi State
|
| Cedric Ogbuehi | OT | Texas A&M
|
| DeVante Parker | WR | Louisville
|
| Andrus Peat | OL | Stanford
|
| Breshad Perriman | WR | Central Florida
|
| Shane Ray | DL | Missouri
|
| Brandon Scherff | OL | Iowa
|
| Danny Shelton | DL | Washington
|
| Devin Smith | WR | Ohio State
|
| Donavan Smith | OT | Penn State
|
| Jaelen Strong | WR | Arizona State
|
| Laken Tomlinson | OL | Duke
|
| Trae Waynes | CB | Michigan State
|
| Kevin White | WR | West Virginia
|
| Leonard Williams | DL | USC
|
The NFL Draft is a once in a lifetime event including the official announcement of the player’s name and team by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the handshake, the picture and being presented with your new teams hat to wear. In addition, it is typical for the first round picks to be flown the morning following the draft to their new cities. As mentioned before, the decision to attend is left up to the player though.
Mariota, Gordon, Winston, Cooper and Gurley may not all be attending the draft, but they have something in common besides being star players, they all signed with Nike. This could be considered a risky move by the powerhouse company since there is no guarantee how well the five players will do, but the move was made on athletes who will be given the opportunity to show their skills.
One thing is for certain, no matter which players choose to attend or not attend the draft, the NFL will be gaining some big name stars.
The 2015 NFL Draft will be held April 30- May 2 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago.
