This year, 13 players will attend the draft. How many declined, you ask?
We did. Per a source with knowledge of the process, three specifically declined. Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, and Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy opted to stay with their families for draft night.
Some have suggested this is just another example of the cash-flush NFL opting to pinch pennies. Apparently, there also will be a reduced remote footprint at the homes of other players.
The other point is that the league wants to be sure the players who are picked will go in round one and not linger into the second round, which means coming back (or not) for the second night.