Fans came out in droves to support the NFL draft in Philadelphia, as the league knew they would (its proximity to so many other NFL cities was a major factor).
Last summer, when Philadelphia was announced as the host city for the 2017 draft, the Eagles did not have a first-round pick. While there still would have been considerable interest in the event, the fact the Eagles acquired a first rounder a week later created more buzz. The ripple effect of Teddy Bridgewater’s injury extended to the business of the NFL: a reported 250,000 fans attended the draft, which had more hometown energy because the Eagles recouped a first-round pick when they shipped Sam Bradford to Minnesota.