NFL draft heads to Dallas

PHILADELPHIA » The Eagles lost the 2018 NFL draft to the Cowboys — and the $94 million in economic impact it brought with it last year.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the move to Arlington, Texas, during the owners meetings Wednesday in New York.

“Philadelphia raised the bar by taking the draft to another level,” Goodell said. “And this new opportunity in Dallas will enable us to continue the event’s evolution and grow it even further.”

The NFL reported the draft in Philly last spring drew a record three-day crowd of 250,000. It also was the first draft held outside.

The 2018 lottery will be at glitzy AT&T Stadium in Arlington. It will be the first draft held at an NFL stadium. Round 1 is Thursday, April 26, rounds 2 and 3 April 27 and rounds 4-7 conclude that Saturday.

The draft in Philadelphia, according to NFL figures, generated more than $94 million in economic impact for the city.

The first round was the mostwatched cable program of the week and the most-watched sports event of the week on broadcast and cable networks.

••• Goodell said the owners spent considerable time during the meetings talking about the player demonstrations during the national anthem.

The league is adamant that “everyone should stand for the national anthem.

“That is an important part of

RICHARD DREW — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Former NFL football player Anquan Boldin, left, Eagles’ Malcolm Jenkins, second left, Miami Dolphins’ Kenny Stills, third left, and San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Reid, leave NFL headquarters after meetings, in New York, Tuesday.