Many fans of the National Football League are as excited today as they are almost any other day before the season actually begins. That’s because on April 29, the annual NFL Draft kicks off. Draft fans are definitely a subset of overall NFL fans, but it’s a large number.
As a fan of the NFL Draft going back to the 1980s, it’s been really fascinating to watch an entire entertainment industry build itself up around it. In those days decades ago, you could buy a magazine or printed draft guide, with profiles on a bunch of college players who were eligible to be drafted into the NFL. Then, you would post up in front of your TV for about 18 hours to watch an incredibly long (and mostly boring) event on TV, just waiting for your team to come up for a pick every couple of hours.
Things have really changed and in recent years a variety of websites and apps have created an immersive experience for fans to not only delve into hundreds of draft eligible prospects, but also create their own mock drafts, complete with trades and other random scenarios. On one hand, these draft simulators are the most ridiculous and unimportant time-wasters. On the other hand, Draft fans can just jump in with both feet and become virtual general managers for their favorite teams.
The tech side of the experience is actually pretty cool. Draft simulators from places like The Draft Network and Pro Football Focus provide a wide range of customizations that let fans take control of their team’s draft plans, while automating the selections and trades of other teams. I have to admit that in 2020, while we were all staying at home full-time, the NFL Draft and these various simulator apps and sites provided me with no end of entertainment for a couple of weeks leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft.
As we head toward tomorrow’s 2021 Draft kickoff, here are a few quick bits of info in case you want to stick your toe in the water and learn about how NFL teams add new players to their rosters every year.
When is the Draft?
The NFL Draft consists of 7 rounds, spanning 3 days.
- Thursday, April 29 (8pm ET) – Round 1
- Friday, April 30 (7pm ET) – Rounds 2-3
- Saturday, May 1 (12pm ET) – Rounds 4-7
Where Can I Watch the Draft?
Draft coverage can be found on any number of networks, but the event itself is carried live from a few TV networks and streaming providers.
TV Networks: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL App, ESPN App
You can also watch live commentary of the Draft on any number of Twitter feeds, websites, and even YouTub and Twitch channels.
