One of the most anticipated moments of the entire NFL offseason has finally arrived: Round 1 of the NFL Draft. While speculation on who will be drafted constantly evolves, we have a few specifics, notably the 2023 NFL Draft start time for the first day. Here’s all the information available on how to watch Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft today, including the start time, TV channels, and live stream options.
What Time Does the NFL Draft Start Today?
- Date: Thursday, April 27, 2023
- Round 1 start time: 8 p.m. ET
- TV Channels: ESPN, ABC
- Live Stream: fuboTV (Free Trial), ESPN App, NFL App
What Channel Is the NFL Draft on Today?
For the fifth year in a row, ESPN will televise all three days of the NFL Draft with a simulcast on ABC. The NFL Network will also feature draft coverage over the three-day extravaganza. The simulcast between ESPN and ABC gives the NFL two distinct themes to present.
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ESPN’s coverage will be more NFL based, with Mike Greenberg hosting the event for the third consecutive year. He will be joined by familiar NFL Draft Day face Mel Kiper Jr., working on his 40th NFL Draft at ESPN, as well as Booger McFarland and Louis Riddick.
The ABC broadcast features more of a collegiate angle anchored by Sportcenter and College Gameday host Rece Davis. Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard join him from the Gameday crew, as well as NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay.
How To Watch the Rest of the NFL Draft
While the first night of the NFL Draft contains just the first 31 picks, there are still 228 selections to be made over the next six rounds. How and when can you find the NFL Draft start time for the rest of the event?
Rounds 2 and 3 will go live at 8 p.m. ET Friday, April 28, while Rounds 4-7 will take place at noon ET on Saturday, April 29. All seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft will be simulcast on ESPN and ABC with additional coverage on NFL Network.
First-Round Draft Order
With the Miami Dolphins violating the NFL’s anti-tampering rules and being forced to forfeit its 2023 first-round selection, the 2023 NFL Draft only has 31 picks in Round 1. Along with Miami, the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers are not set to make a pick on the first night of the NFL Draft. Without a Day 1 pick, it will be interesting to see how these franchises address their needs on Days 2 and 3. Here is the order as it currently stands for Round 1:
- Carolina Panthers (From Chicago)
- Houston Texans
- Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts
- Seattle Seahawks (From Denver)
- Detroit Lions (From L.A. Rams)
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Atlanta Falcons
- Chicago Bears (From Carolina)
- Philadelphia Eagles (From New Orleans)
- Tennessee Titans
- Houston Texans (From Cleveland)
- Green Bay Packers (From N.Y. Jets)
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets (From Green Bay)
- Washington Commanders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Detroit Lions
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Minnesota Vikings
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Giants
- Dallas Cowboys
- Buffalo Bills
- Cincinnati Bengals
- New Orleans Saints (From San Francisco through Miami and Denver)
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Kansas City Chiefs
Prospects To Watch on Day 1
Most of the Day 1 discussion has revolved around which quarterbacks will be taken toward the top of the draft. Currently armed with the first overall pick, it’s been widely speculated that the Panthers will select the next QB to take the franchise’s reins. However, who that QB will be has changed from week to week.
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At the beginning of the offseason, it seemed almost inevitable that Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud would be the first off the board. Yet, after NFL Combine and Pro Day testing, it looks as though Alabama’s Bryce Young has usurped Stroud’s spot as the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With two of the top QBs in the mix, there assuredly wouldn’t be room for a third name, but you’d be mistaken. Kentucky’s Will Levis has shot up draft boards. While the QB has been in the top four, his odds as the first overall pick currently sit at +400 after significant overnight movement.
