Now that three of the next four NFL Draft locations now revealed, the question remains, what about 2022?
With the ’20, ’21, and ’23 drafts to be held in Las Vegas, Cleveland and Kansas City respectively the NFL has opted to leave 2022 up for grabs. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has suggested that this is down to the NFL wanting it to be held that year in a “bigger city,” with Rapoport naming Houston as a potential contender.
Keeping this in mind, which specific locations in Houston could the NFL be looking at as potential hosts for the 2022 draft?
After the success of this year’s draft in Nashville essentially paving the way for future drafts to be held in central locations that allow for the setup to be spread out across multiple streets, it would have to be somewhere among the hotels and restaurants, but that has enough land to hold the stage, green room, media and seemingly endless overpriced pop-up bars.
There are three areas that jump straight to mind.
Discovery Green
First of all, we have Discovery Green in downtown Houston, which was the heart of the festivities for Super Bowl LI back in 2017. Discovery Green is a large park in the heart of the city with plenty of hotels within walking distance, not to mention the George R. Convention Center next door which could be used by the media.
Museum District
Secondly, they may look to consider the Museum District. If they were to close a few of the intertwining streets, there is a large collection of parks and museums that would help paint the city as a tourist destination as well as cater for the draft.
NRG Park
And finally, my personal favorite, NRG Park. Yes, it is not overly close to downtown and hotels and proximity to other amenities may be an issue, but think about what it would offer. Firstly, it would help promote the Texans, and for a still young franchise the more promotion the better.
Then there is the fact that with a convention center and two stadiums on site, there is plenty of space, but then we have my favorite reason. The Astrodome. That’s right, the concrete behemoth that has, in many people’s eyes, been an eyesore and burden in the area for the last decade is in my mind a hidden gem.
Once known as the eighth wonder of the world, the former home to the Houston Oilers and Astros has had its fair share of memorable sporting moments over the years, and Houston would do well to celebrate them.
Building work has been approved to convert the building into an event space with underground parking, which would be ideal for the draft. While getting this accomplished by 2022 may well be ambitious, at the moment nothing has started, and knowing how all other plans have gone thus far it may well be that by the time the 2022 draft is upon us nothing has changed, meaning the former playing surface itself could be used for the stage instead. That is if the building can be made safe enough in the meantime.
If not, they could host the draft outside on a stage in between the NRG Stadium and Astrodome. They could offer tours of both venues, helping link the old and new teams in Houston’s history, while also provide a very fitting backdrop for the event.
Either way, Houston should throw its name in the hat.
Texas is a football state. Many would argue it is the football state. Houston has a relatively long history of professional football, but with the Texans still one of the leagues fresh faces, it would make sense for the city to take advantage of this event which is watched worldwide to promote not just the city to tourists, but it’s team to potential fans.
