NFL draft attendees down for 3rd straight year. J.J. McCarthy among those who didn't go to Detroit

A view of the NFL Draft green room is shown, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

DETROIT (AP) — There’s no place Drake Maye would rather be.

When the NFL invited the former North Carolina quarterback to attend the draft in Detroit, he had a quick answer.

A view of the NFL Draft green room is shown, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Yes.

“I think you always dream about coming here and coming to walk across the stage and be with the commissioner,” Maye said. “It’s something I couldn’t turn down. It was a no-brainer for me.”

A view of the NFL Draft green room is shown, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Not everyone feels the same way.

Only 13 players chose to celebrate their big night in the Motor City, representing a decline in NFL draft attendees for the third straight year.

Former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy was among the first-round prospects who chose to stay away Thursday night.

When the draft was in Kansas City last year, 17 players were there. Two years ago in Las Vegas, there were 22 prospects present to hear their name called.

With COVID-19 protocols in place three yeas ago in Cleveland, 12 college stars attended the draft during the pandemic.

The league offers each invited player two first-class and eight coach airline tickets along with transportation to and from a hotel, where five rooms are provided. Players are not given an appearance fee by the league.

A view of the NFL Draft green room is shown, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

In the green room, which is behind the stage in Detroit, players can be joined by up to nine guests on white leather chairs and couches while additional tickets in the theater are also available upon request.

Helmets are displayed in the NFL Draft green room, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

McCarthy simply wanted to celebrate with even more people.

He planned to be surrounded by 100 people — including family members, friends from Illinois, teammates and staffers from the football program — near the airport, which is about halfway between Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the site of the draft.

Workers prepare for the NFL Draft Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

“I didn’t want to go to Detroit because I know it took a village to get me here, and I want to celebrate with them,” McCarthy told WXYZ-TV.

Even though McCarthy wasn’t going to walk the red carpet, he planned to wear a custom, charcoal gray Alo Yoga suit.

“I don’t like being the center of attention,” he said, “but, for one night, I’ll do it.”

Participants in the NFL Football Play Football Prospect Clinic with Special Olympics athletes pose with NFL prospects after their clinic, Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Preparation for the NFL Draft is shown Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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FILE – Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2024. McCarthy is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

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North Caroline quarterback Drake Maye works with young athletes during an NFL Football Play Football Prospect Clinic with Special Olympics athletes, Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)