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2020 NFL Draft: Teams, Coaches Show off Virtual War Rooms Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Tim Daniels@TimDanielsBRFeatured ColumnistApril 23, 2020

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26:  The Dallas Cowboys war room is seen on a video board during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The 2020 NFL draft kicks off Thursday night in a virtual format because of the coronavirus pandemic, which means team executives will be drafting from their own homes. 

"It looks like I can set off a spaceship at this thing," Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters Tuesday about his draft setup.

Other key decision-makers, like Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock, are approaching the event with a more old-school approach.

"As far as this draft is concerned, I kind of laugh because everyone is talking about this virtual draft and how high tech it is, if you could see my living room right now it's the ultimate in low tech," Mayock said Tuesday. "I have five huge whiteboards, I probably have 1,000 magnets with names on them, all over the place. I feel like I'm still sitting in the middle of a 1976 draft room, it's kind of like Back to the Future."

Here's a look at some videos and photos from teams' virtual war rooms:

Ron Rivera @RiverboatRonHC

You lead from the front and by example – lessons learned from my father’s experience in the @USArmy. It has guided me through life and to my job as new HC of the @redskins. Thanks to @USAA for sharing our behind-the-scenes look @ #NFLDraft prep #SaluteToService #HTTR #USAAPartner https://t.co/KW4f4gkLeB

mark meany @markmeany

This is VERY cool. @Eagles GM Howie Roseman was just on ESPN and gave an inside look at his #NFLDraft setup in his living room. Howie is dialed in and ready for round one tomorrow. Take a look: https://t.co/4mMCCXGl50

San Francisco 49ers @49ers

From guest room to draft war room. @JohnLynch49ers takes us through his at-home setup ahead of the #NFLDraft 🖥 https://t.co/uswfQyZbXz

San Francisco 49ers @49ers

Coach's crib, #49ersDraft style! Kyle Shanahan takes us for a tour of his home office set up ahead of the #NFLDraft. https://t.co/Yv5YAzRjZK #StayHomeStayStrong https://t.co/bTRZcptNZN

Denver Broncos @Broncos

24 hours. Who's next? 📞 #BroncosDraft https://t.co/GqWxrKAcTL

The Checkdown @thecheckdown

https://t.co/k4wqKDeNeg

Buffalo Bills @BuffaloBills

Welcome to Brandon Beane’s Home Draft Room. 💯 #NFLDraft | #GoBills https://t.co/JnCYdgHsa2

Tennessee Titans @Titans

First Look 👀: GM Jon Robinson's at-home, NFL Draft war room Shout out to our IT department. #TitansDraft https://t.co/7hPmfDfz59

Carolina Panthers @Panthers

Matt Rhule is virtual Draft ready 💻 https://t.co/rt4fScIhHG

Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons

How have we prepared for the first 'virtual draft'? We take an inside look. 📝 - https://t.co/oImtdSc6Mi https://t.co/vrhVd7vjAS

Chicago Bears @ChicagoBears

NFL Clubs IT departments 🤝 Virtual #NFLDraft https://t.co/YyUiOBGVLR

Rich Eisen Show @RichEisenShow

.@richeisen got even more GM "virtual" #NFLDraft home setups, this time from @Saints @SeanPayton, @Broncos @JohnElway and @RAIDERS @MikeMayock, whose has to be seen to be believed: https://t.co/HJLe6VlbWv

The 2020 NFL draft takes place over the next three days. Round 1 will be completed Thursday followed by Rounds 2-3 on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday. It will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network.