When is the NFL Draft 2020? Schedule, Pick Order, and How to Watch the Event

The COVID-19 pandemic had taken its toll on the sports industry, causing some events to cancel. The NFL Draft is one of the most awaited events of this year that was affected by this outbreak. People’s health is on top of the NFL league’s priority, but they also need to make sure that the football industry won’t fall behind.

The league has decided to pursue the NFL Draft event this year, as confirmed by commissioner Roger Goodell. While the health of the people associated with the event is the priority, the league thought of an unconventional way to proceed. The decision was made and already released to the public.

Below are the schedule and guidelines of the 2020 NFL Draft.

How and When to Watch the Event

The NFL League already canceled the public events related to the NFL Draft due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the 2020 NFL Draft schedule will still commence as planned with slight changes in the process.

The selection will happen on the nights of April 23-25, 2020. Fans and experts alike have been anticipating this year’s draft. For the very first time, the NFL Draft will take place virtually, a new approach that even casual spectators found intriguing.

Listed below are the date and times of the selection.

Round 1: Thursday, April 23 (8-11:30 p.m. E.T.)
Round 2: Friday, April 24 (7-11:30 p.m.)
Round 3: Saturday, April 25 (12-7 p.m.)

Team representatives will make the selection in the comfort of their homes. The virtual draft will allow the league personnel, along with the players and team representatives, to comply with the government’s directives. It’s an excellent way to model safe and appropriate practice during this pandemic.

Fans can watch the draft through their devices in the comfort of their home. These devices include smartphones, computers, and television. You can also listen to live through radio stations that will cover the drafting event. For a complete list of T.V. and radio stations where you can witness the selection, please refer below.

T.V. and Radio Stations Covering the Event

If you plan on watching the draft on your television, many networks will show a coverage of the event. The NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC are just some of the networks that will report the event on live TV.

You can also watch the live stream through your wireless devices and computer via the NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC apps and websites.

Tuning in to some radio channels will give you a front-row seat in the progression of the event. Radio channels such as ESPN Radio, SiriusXM, WestwoodOne, and TuneIn will offer a live report of the draft.

These participating channels will make the event available and possible for the fans to witness. Many consider this event as a break from the horrors of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving them a sense of normalcy after weeks of isolation and social distancing. Local channels of other countries are also expected to cover the NFL draft.

This year’s draft will feature a fundraiser for the COVID-19 relief organizations through a “Draft-A-Thon” that will serve as a tribute to the first responders. This year’s draft is indeed something to look forward to.

The Draft Picking Order

Due to several trades, the order of the pick in all seven rounds had been rearranged. The trades left the Dolphins with 14 selections and the Saints with only five. Written below is the order of the first round of picks.

The first to pick is the Bengals, followed by the Redskins, then the Lions. The fourth, fifth, and sixth pick belongs to the Giants, Dolphins, and Chargers, respectively. The Panthers will be next to pick with the Cardinals in the 8th pick.

The 9th pick belongs to the Jaguars as the Browns have the 10th position. The 11th team to pick is the Jets, with the 12th spot belonging to the Raiders. The 49ers got the 13th pick after a trade from the Colts. Buccaneers is the 14th team, followed by the Broncos, Falcons, and Cowboys on the 14th to 17th for the first round.

The Dolphins ended up in the 18th pick as they traded with the Steelers, while the Raiders traded from the Bears that gave them a chance to pick at the 19th position. The Jaguars traded from Rams and got the 20th pick, while the Vikings traded with the Bills at the 22nd position. The Eagles didn’t make any trades and remain on the 21st pick.

The picks from 23rd to 31st pick belong to the Patriots, Saints, Vikings, Dolphins from Texans, Seahawks, Ravens, Titans, Packers, and 49ers, respectively. Hailed as champion of the Super Bowl 2020, Kansas City Chiefs will be the last to pick in every round. Because of the trades, their picking position is affected.

In the second round, for example, the Seahawks ended in the 32nd pick as they traded with the Chiefs. The Chiefs also traded with the 49ers, which makes them the 31st pick of the second round.

As the trading is still ongoing, orders of the pick may change. These changes are updated from time to time.

Takeaway

People who are waiting for this event feel that it will give them a feeling of freedom amidst the pandemic we are facing today. It will provide people with a break from the fear and boredom that the COVID-19 epidemic brings. This led the league to come to this decision, doing their best to push through with the event.