The 2020 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, which makes for an exciting time for the Las Vegas Raiders organization.
Last year, the Raiders came out of the draft with a war chest of young talent including Josh Jacobs, Maxx Crosby, Clelin Ferrell, Trayvon Mullen, Foster Moreau and Hunter Renfrow, who all proved they were the real deal in their rookie seasons.
In 2020, the Raiders are hoping to duplicate that process, although it will be in a different way. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the NFL Draft will be done remotely so coaches and general managers will call in picks, which will be announced virtually by the league.
With the coronavirus affecting more than just sports, Raiders general manager Mike Mayock has decided to do what he can to help. He announced during his pre-draft conference call that he and his family will make donations for each Raiders draft pick:
GM Mike Mayock and his family announced they will donate $1,000 in the name of each 2020 Raiders draft pick to a local program delivering food to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 14, 2020
As of now, the Raiders will have seven picks spread across the first five rounds thanks to a number of trades. Mayock could decide to trade up or down and gain or lose a pick, but the Raiders are likely happy with their number of high draft picks.
Although the Raiders did not list which institutions the Mayocks will be donating to, his wife Amanda tweeted that the couple is happily partnering with Delivering with Dignity:
Mike and I are so thrilled to support Delivering with Dignity who provides fresh, high-quality meals to the doorstep of the most vulnerable. We love Las Vegas and are so excited to be a part of the community.
— Amanda Mayock (@amanda_mayock) April 14, 2020
With a potential $7,000 supporting the Delivering with Dignity organization, the Las Vegas Area should hopefully have some relief from the effects of the coronavirus. Of course, the Las Vegas community was rocked significantly by the pandemic’s effect on the NFL. With the draft and all related events in the Vegas area being cancelled, the city missed out on what likely would have been a large economic stimulus.
The 2020 NFL Draft is set to kick off Thursday, April 23 and will be a three-day event, as usual.
