Fans descend on Detroit for NFL Draft

Jacob Sloboda of Gaylord poses for a portrait wearing his hand-painted Egyptian-style Detroit Lions mask while walking towards the NFL Draft Experience with friends on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in downtown Detroit.

Football fans trek down Woodward Avenue towards the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in downtown Detroit.

Jayden Roberts of Marysville, 18, sits on the shoulders of Ian Corbat of Port Huron, 19, in an attempt to get a better vantage point of the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in downtown Detroit.

NFL fans walk south on Woodward Ave. as they prepare to enter a vendor area north of Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024.

NFL fans walk south on Woodward Ave. as they prepare to enter a vendor area north of Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Willie "Big Dog Willie" Lawson of Cleveland, left, and Derrick "Sir Lavender I Got Chuuu" Deanes of Cleveland, right, pose for a portrait in Greektown as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Greg Malaric of Westland holds his son, Edsel Malaric, 4, on his shoulders as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans wait in downtown Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft to begin on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

David Urlaub of Midland stands on a stack of sandbags in an attempt to get a better vantage point of the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in downtown Detroit.

Sam Longstreth of New Boston, center, cheers with friends as they spot Bill Belichick and Pat McAfee as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

From left, Chris Coleman of Southfield, Eric Jackson of Southfield and Thomas Kiah of St. Clair Shores walk arm-in-arm through Greektown as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Isaiah Powell of Riverview shows off his airbrush tattoo as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Crowds explore Greektown as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans wait in downtown Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft to begin on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Brothers Tyler Kipp, left, 28, and Mike Kipp, 30, both of Battle Creek, pose for a photo with the belt that Tyler gave to Mike for Christmas.

Terrell Autrey of Detroit poses for a portrait dressed as a character he calls "Captain Fan Man" as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Carlos Brown, Detroit, poses with a Minnesota Vikings super fan at the NFL Draft Experience in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

From left, Chris Wasilk of Clarkston, Wendy Joseph of Clarkston, Joni Kowalski of Plymouth and Kim Wasilk of Clarkston chat in Greektown as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Detroit Lions fans pose for a photo at the Monument to Joe Louis at the NFL Draft Experience in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Richard Hutchins III of Detroit, 3, rides his bicycle through Greektown alongside his dad as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Zeethia Crump, left, and Charles Crump, right, pose for a portrait in Greektown as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit for the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

From left, Lions fans Tammy Manzo, 53, of St. Clair Shores, Tracey Benoit, 52, of Warren and Anthony Manzo, 51, of St. Clair Shores pose for a photo with “Mascot Troy”, Steelers fan Mike Dapcevich of Pittsburgh, near Cadillac Square on day one of the NFL Draft in Detroit.

Thousands of football fans wait in downtown Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft to begin on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Seattle Seahawks fans Nancy and Jimbo Sabado of Seattle walk among Lions fans on day one of the NFL Draft in Detroit.

A young Lions fan walks down Lafayette Blvd and towards the NFL Draft Experience in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Fans head in to Lafayette Coney Island for lunch during the NFL Draft Experience in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Fans head stream down Griswold Street to the NFL Draft Experience in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Thousands of football fans wait in downtown Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft to begin on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Fans head stream down Griswold Street to the NFL Draft Experience in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Fans stream past tulips in full bloom in Campus Martius at the NFL Draft Experience in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Chicago Bears fan Kelly Ruiz and her husband Frank, Beech Park, Illinois, check out this sights at the NFL Draft Experience in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Football fans approach a security checkpoint to enter the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in downtown Detroit.

Detroit police officers patrol at the NFL Draft Experience in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

A video image of Lions quarterback Jared Goff appears to be waving to the early-arriving football fans who were already crowding the barricade to the NFL Draft stage area before noon on Thursday, April 25, 2024, to experience the NFL Draft in Campus Martius Park. The first round of the draft begins at 8 p.m. Thursday evening and continues Friday and Saturday.

Arizona Cardinals fan Jayden Daniels, 20, adjusts his chain as he waits for the NFL Draft to open, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The Buffalo, NY native was one of the first in line. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Football fans compete in a 40-yard dash while exploring the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in downtown Detroit.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Charlie McNabb, right, and Angie McNabb, left, of Capac, pose for a photo as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

People begin waiting in line early at Entry 2 for the NFL Draft to open, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

A group of Detroit LIons fans, along with a lone Chicago Bears fan, walk past the famous American Coney Island restaurant in downtown Detroit as they make their way to the NFL Draft stage area before noon on Thursday, April 25, 2024, to experience the NFL Draft in Campus Martius Park, which begins at 8 p.m. Thursday evening and continues through Saturday.

Robert Charlies of Florida carries a sign supporting the Miami Dolphins as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Slippery Rock University freshmen Caden Kline, left, and Joey Priano, right, chat with Lions fan and Detroit resident Jake Wolok as they wait for the NFL Draft to open, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The three were the first in line at Entry 2. Kline and Priano left Pittsburgh at 2:30 in the morning to get there and Wolok arrived at 6 a.m. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

NFL fans cross Griswold near W. Lafayette Blvd. behind street barriers as they wait for the NFL Draft to open, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Sgt. Adam Borkowski sports a Lions hat as he gives directions at the intersection of Griswold and Congress as fans mill about while waiting for the NFL Draft to open, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Arizona Cardinals fan Jayden Daniels, 20, adjusts his chain as he waits for the NFL Draft to open, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The Buffalo, NY native was one of the first in line. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Chantel Hicks, Operations Director at Detroit Phoenix Center, left, and Ariael Surls, right, an apprentice at the center, set up a shop at Capitol Park for the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

NFL fans walk past portraits of Detroit Lions players at the corner of State and Griswold as they wait for the NFL Draft to open, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

A Detroit Lions fans walks between portraits of Lions quarterback Jared Goff at the corner of State and Griswold before the opening of the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Dale Welper, Lake Orion, checks out a map on Griswold Street near W. Larned Street, as he waits for the NFL Draft to open, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Steve Mansour of Ink Detroit sets up a shop at Capitol Park for the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Chantel Hicks, Operations Director at Detroit Phoenix Center, sets up a shop at Capitol Park for the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

From left, Joe Walker, 43, of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Rich Aston, 52, of San Antonio, Texas; and David Johnson, 43, of Chicago, hang out on draft day in Detroit on Thursday.

Many downtown Detroit parking lots, like this surface lot charging $100, have raised their rates to cash in on the influx of fans coming down for the NFL Draft.

Lions fans cross Griswold near W. Lafayette Blvd. behind street barriers as they wait for the NFL Draft to open, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Andy Morrison, The Detroit News

Marcus Ellis, 47, of Washington DC, just arrived at Detroit Metro Airport to support his Washington Commanders in the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Clarence Tabb Jr., The Detroit News

Liam Powell, 10, Rosemount, MN, with his mom Jolina Pettice, 41, (r), of Minneapolis, MN and his aunt Jacinda Miller, left of Minneapolis, MN, are here to support the Chicago Bears in the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Clarence Tabb Jr., The Detroit News

Jared Soriano, 9, Farmington, MN and his sister Emma Melendez, 22, Rosemount, MN, just arrived at Detroit Metro Airport to support their team, the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Clarence Tabb Jr., The Detroit News

Detroit Police maintain a security presence downtown, watching fans as they make their way to the NFL Draft stage area before noon on Thursday, April 25, 2024, to experience the NFL Draft in Campus Martius Park, which begins at 8 p.m. Thursday evening and continues through Saturday.

A group of Detroit LIons fans, along with a Chicago Bears fan, walk across a downtown Detroit street as they make their way to the NFL Draft stage area before noon on Thursday.

A Detroit LIons fan and a Cincinnati Bengals fan walk past the famous Detroit eateries, Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island in downtown Detroit as they make their way to the NFL Draft stage area before noon on Thursday.

Donyé Pratt of Lakeview, 18, competes in a 40-yard dash while exploring the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in downtown Detroit.

Nevaeh Bradford of Harper Woods, 13, competes in a throwing game hosted by Little Caesars as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Brandon Calvin of Hadley sits for an airbrush tattoo as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Yaz Bishop, right, and Mayra Chavarria, left, of Warren, sit together as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Football fans walk through a security checkpoint as thousands descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Customers dine outdoors at the Greenwich Time Pub as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Nika Hans, an employee at Greenwich Time Pub, sells shots to passersby as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Passersby purchase shots at Greenwich Time Pub as thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Fans watch other fans walk by while hanging out at The Well on day one of the NFL Draft in Detroit.

From left, Volunteer Sandy Jurek of Grosse Pointe Woods helps with directions for Cincinatti Bengals fan Aaron Phillips, 39, of Chillicothe, Ohio, near Entry 3 on day one of the NFL Draft in Detroit.

Philadelphia Eagles fans, from left, Jim McAllister and Dominic Aguero, both of Philadelphia, walk on Cadillac Square on day one of the NFL Draft in Detroit. Attending the NFL Draft is a first for both of them.

A Cleveland Browns fan gets a fist bump entering the event area on day one of the NFL Draft in Detroit.

From left, Genesis Bowers, 21, of Grand Rapids, Riley Morehouse, 18, and Colin Morehouse, 22, both of Kalamazoo and in Colin’s arms, Olivia Bowers, 1, walk near the event area on day one of the NFL Draft in Detroit.

People enter and walk around near Cadillac Square on day one of the NFL Draft in Detroit.

Thousands of football fans descend upon downtown Detroit to explore the NFL Draft Experience on Thursday, April 25, 2024.