NFL Draft 2015: Latest Details, Plans and Comments Surrounding Chicago Event

The NFL draft won't just be in a brand-new location in 2015. The three-day event will feature a completely different experience for both teams and fans as well.     

ESPN.com's Darren Rovell passed along the news from NFL senior vice president of events Peter O'Reilly, who announced that many of the newest features of this year's draft—which will move away from New York City for the first time in 50 years and be held at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago—will take place outdoors. 

The general logistics will remain the same. ESPN and NFL Network will still have sets inside the Auditorium, where the picks will be announced. But for fans in attendance, there will be a variety of attractions across the street at Grant Park. 

Amanda Hall/Robert Harding/Associated Press

That's where the 32 team tables will be set up and where teams relay their picks from during the first two nights. There will be seating (1,000 tickets will be distributed for free) as well as an area called "Draft Town," featuring 32 small houses each tailored for a different fanbase.

O'Reilly talked about what the latter involves: 

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We'll have screens inside those areas that reflect what is going on specifically with that team, including the social media conversation. Not only will a legend from each team give the pick, as they typically do in the second round, but they'll also make an appearance at the team chalet.

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On Saturday, when the draft's final five rounds take place, teams will be able to make their selections from remote locations, marking the first time that has even been possible. 

Many of these changes are mostly just for show—Buckingham Fountain inside Grant Park will light up in the colors of the team currently making its pick, for example—but there's no denying that the draft continues to soar in popularity. 

As that happens, the league is continuing to look for new ways to make it an interactive event where fans from all teams can participate and immerse themselves in the action.     

The league is making sure one of the most important offseason events continues to evolve and grow.