Jubilation and tears of joy during virtual NFL draft - in pictures

Cincinnati Bengals select quarterback Joe Burrow with first pick of the draft

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow celebrates, in Athens, Ohio, after being chosen first by the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL draft on Thursday. NFL / AP

Cesar Ruiz, center, reacts after being drafted as the 24th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints during the first round of the NFL draft. NFL / USA TODAY

Kenneth Murray, second from left, watches the NFL draft in Missouri City, Texas. NFL / USA TODAY

Jordan Love listens to the NFL draft in Bakersfield, California. NFL / USA TODAY

Matt Kabel, co-founder of New York City Buffalo Bills Backers, participates in the NFL Draft fan inner circle from his garage in Brooklyn. Reuters

Patrick Queen, seated at front centre, reacts after being selected as the 28th pick in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens during the NFL Draft. NFL / USA TODAY

Brandon Aiyuk, second from right, is congratulated after being selected by San Francisco 49ers during the NFL draft. NFL / USA TODAY

Jalen Reagor, centre, during the NFL draft in Waxahachie, Texas, after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. NFL / USA TODAY

Austin Jackson, second from right, after getting selected by Miami Dolphins in the NFL Draft. NFL / USA TODAY

Chase Young, centre, reacts after being selected as the second overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. NFL / USA TODAY

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks from his home in Bronxville. NFL / AP

Matt Kabel, co-founder of New York City Buffalo Bills Backers, participates in the NFL Draft fan inner circle. Reuters

It was an emotional day for players and families across the United States as the 'virtual' NFL Draft was held.

The draft was due to be held in Las Vegas, but took place virtually owing to the pandemic with teams sending their picks to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who announced them from his basement.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected quarterback Joe Burrow with the first pick of this season's draft.

The three-day event is the second biggest on the NFL calendar – after the Super Bowl – as the 32 teams select 255 newly eligible players.

Burrow won the Heisman Trophy as the best player in NCAA football in 2019, with previous winners including Lamar Jackson, Cam Newton and Marcus Mariota.

The Bengals had the first pick after recording the league's worst record of 2-14 in 2019 and Burrow was widely tipped to be the first pick.

"Nobody's allowed to make fun of me tonight none of the barbershops are open," he tweeted before the draft began.

Watching from his family home in Athens County, Ohio, the former LSU player watched Goodell announce his name and donned the cap for his new team.

He told ESPN: "I knew I was going to have a really good season ... but to jump up to No1 overall is crazy to me. But it's a dream come true."

Two Ohio State players went in the second and third picks, with Chase Young and Jeff Okudah heading to the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions respectively.