What happens if there's a lockout, regarding the 2012 draft?

[Forward_Lateral]

Say the Bills get the 1st pick in 2011, then there's a lockout, and no football played for the entire 2011 season. Would they get the first pick in the 2012 draft too?

Anyone know what would happen, would it be a giant draft lottery? Reverse order of 2011? How would it work?

[patmoran2006]

Re: What happens if there's a lockout, regarding the 2012 draft?

yet to be determined, but the thinking is it would be a weighted lottery, not based on the 2010 finish/2011 draft order.

[YardRat]

Re: What happens if there's a lockout, regarding the 2012 draft?

I've seen references to three different possibilities, with actual confirmation for none of them...

1-The draft order would stay the same. Pretty unlikely, IMO.
2-Weighted lottery. Most likely.
3-Outright free agency with no draft.

[Forward_Lateral]

Re: What happens if there's a lockout, regarding the 2012 draft?

#3 option would be out of the question, especially if they invoke some sort of rookie cap.

[Typ0]

Re: What happens if there's a lockout, regarding the 2012 draft?

How could they not have a draft? The players in college are going to be ready to play whether they play a season or not. I think they would need to have a draft both years despite there being no season else the next years draft will be overloaded with talent from two college season outputs.