The NFL is close to pushing the draft back to May and moving the start of the league year to before the scouting combine, according to Adam Schefter. The NFLPA is expected to sign off on moving the draft from its traditional April date into May for at least the next three years. While Roger Goodell does not need permission to move the date of the draft, he would like to come to an agreement with the union.
NFL close to offseason schedule changes for Draft, league year
The NFL Draft is moving back while the official start of the league year is moving up.
USA TODAY Sports
In addition to moving the draft back to May, the league is likely moving the start of the league year up to take place before the scouting combine. The 2013 combine took place from Feb. 20-26 and the league year started on March 12. If the year started prior to the combine that would virtually remove any of the NFL downtime between the Super Bowl and scouting combine.
The NFL had originally proposed a plan to start the league year later, but the NFLPA wanted to move the start up to allow free agents the chance to find a new team sooner in the year.
With the draft moved into May, in addition to adding even more time for NFL Draft buildup and buzz, it could conceivably alter other important dates leading up to the season, such as the June 1 cut designation date.
UPDATE: If the proposal gets the green light, the draft would be moved back for 2014, but the full changes would not go into effect until 2015. Dates for the 2014 Combine have already been set.
Proposed new league year would start before combine in 2015 and 2016. Change of draft to May effective in 2014.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2013
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