This year, the NFL has invited a total of 13 players to attend the draft. However, two of these players, Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, have declined the invitation in order to spend time with their families on draft night. The maximum number of invites extended was 15, with Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy receiving an invitation as well. Unfortunately, McCarthy did not respond, leading the league to move on from him.
There have been suggestions that the NFL is opting to cut costs by reducing the number of players attending the draft in person. In addition, there will be a smaller remote presence at the homes of the other players who do participate. The league’s focus seems to be on ensuring that the players selected in the first round are present, rather than risking having them potentially waiting to be drafted on the second night of the draft.