NFL draft drew 160,000; TV ratings solid

Given that the nation remains in a pandemic, the NFL is more than satisfied with being able to attract 160,000 fans to the draft in Cleveland last week.

Although those numbers pale in comparison to what the threeday draft drew in previous years, they also reflect the necessary health and safety protocols the league observed.

“It’s a testament to Browns fans and Cleveland overall,” Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business and league events, said Tuesday.

It was popular on television, too. NFL draft ratings were flat compared to 2019, but it was still enough to make it the thirdmostwatched draft on record.

The NFL used an iconic locale within the city, building a stage and fan complex along the shore of Lake Erie and next to the Browns’ stadium and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The views provided on television gave this draft the feel of a big event, something Americans covet as the coronavirus threat remains. There was a large presence of vaccinated fans on hand — a requirement near the stage — and mandatory mask wearing elsewhere across what O’Reilly called “the broader campus.”

The threeday draft averaged 6.1 million viewers on television and digital sources, according to the NFL and Nielsen. Last year’s virtual draft remains the most watched, averaging 8.3 million. ⏩ Baltimore signed twotime Pro Bowl tackle Alejandro Villanueva to a twoyear deal. Villanueva was not resigned by Pittsburgh . ... Las Vegas signed freeagent cornerback Casey Hayward to a oneyear deal. He was released by the Chargers in March . ... Cleveland signed longtime Chargers defensive tackle Damion Square.

⏩ Denver right tackle Ja’Wuan James reportedly sustained a torn Achilles tendon while working out away from the