2017 NFL Draft: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation Regarding Potential Venues

Philadelphia and Los Angeles have reportedly emerged as the most likely choices to host the 2017 NFL draft next spring.

Continue for updates.

---

Philly, LA Lead Large Group of Interested Cities

Wednesday, April 27

Adam Schefter of ESPN passed along word of the top candidates, but he also noted neither the Eagles nor the Rams, the home teams in those cities, currently own a first-round pick next year.  

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell previously stated the draft was "very likely" to leave Chicago after the city finished hosting the 2016 event, per Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times. He also said the next stop for the draft is expected to be announced in July.

Chicago welcomed the league and its top incoming prospects each of the past two years. The switch came after five straight decades of the marquee offseason showcase being held in New York City.

Goodell confirmed Philly's interest, but wouldn't tip his hand, according to John Clark of NBC Philadelphia: "They're one of the cities bidding. We're interested in Philadelphia, among other cities."

Moving the event, which has become so popular that even the NFL Scouting Combine receives hours of television coverage, around the country allows the league to engage more fans.

Chase Goodbread of NFL.com noted Denver and Hall of Fame home Canton, Ohio, are among other interested cities. Emily Kaplan of The MMQB added that more than half the league's hometowns have expressed some level of interest in hosting.

The fact Philadelphia and Los Angeles don't have first-round picks next year due to trades isn't ideal because the atmosphere is always the best when the home team is picking. Going the entire first day without that energy will take some of the emotion away.

That said, it's unlikely that's going to have a significant impact on the league's final decision, which is why those cities are still viewed as top contenders. Of course, it's always possible the Eagles or Rams trade back into Round 1 between now and next year, too.

Regardless of which city gets chosen for 2017, both Los Angeles and Philadelphia figure to play the role of draft host in the near future as the league spotlights its return to LA and one of the nation's top sports towns in Philly.