Patriots coach Bill Belichick talks about the new pre-draft process

The entire sports world has shifted over the last several weeks with growing concern globally over the coronavirus. It has forced the NFL to operate in a precautionary method to avoid any further issues with the virus. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has voiced that this has changed the pre-draft process where he has spoken to many more players than in years past because of the current situation, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

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“It’s a little bit different than the way we’ve done it in the past with the 30 visits and the Pro Days and so forth, but all the teams are working with the same constraints,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick told reporters on Monday. “So, in fact, we probably talk to as many if not more players than we have in the past when you’re not traveling, and you’re just sitting at a desk or sitting in a room, wherever we are. It’s easier to make a lot of phone calls and get in contact with people rather than sometimes visit a place and just see the people that are there, even though those visits are valuable, and you’re able to get into more of an in-depth conversation and evaluation there.”

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The reason for all of this increased dialogue is how easy it is to access the players. The communication level is down to the use of technology through the means of phone calls, text messages, and video conference calls.

That has allowed players to speak with more teams without the need to travel. It could be a trend that continues well beyond this current situation involving the coronavirus.

Nonetheless, it has increased the dialogue around the league through the use of technology.