CLEVELAND — In just two days time, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be "on the clock," officially kicking off the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland.
It will be a special time not just for the league, but for all of Northeast Ohio. That's why the Browns are asking fans and visitors from all over the country to help them "Rock the Clock" this weekend.
The team released its draft hype video Tuesday afternoon, featuring highlights from their special 2020 season along with sights from "one of the country's greatest football cities." Both Kevin Stefanski and Myles Garrett appear to welcome fans to "The Land," with the head coach in particular encouraging them to "Rock the Clock" by taking in all the great things the area has to offer.
Even during a pandemic, both the Browns and local tourist organizations are expecting huge numbers of spectators to descend on Cleveland this week. Local hotels are already seeing a major uptick in reservations, and bars and restaurants are looking to hire more people to deal with the influx of customers.
Businesses got another small boost Tuesday, when the CDC relaxed some of its safety recommendations for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The new guidelines give such people the go-ahead for things like attending large events or eating indoors at restaurants (masks may still be required), both of which will be happening aplenty this week on the lakefront.
The Browns are set to pick 26th in this year's draft, their lowest first-round selection since 1995. Locked On's Jeff Lloyd currently has them taking cornerback Eric Stokes out of Georgia, while 3News' Ben Axelrod has them grabbing Northwestern's Greg Newsome II.