ESPN Coverage of the 2016 NFL DRAFT to Begin Today
By: BWW
News Desk Apr. 28, 2016
ESPN's presentation of the 2016 NFL DRAFT - the company's 37th consecutive year televising the event - begins Thursday, April 28, at 8 p.m. ET from Chicago's Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. For the fifth straight year, the first hour of Round 1 will air with limited commercial interruption. ESPN will also televise Rounds 2-3 (Friday, 7 p.m.) from the Auditorium Theatre, as well as Rounds 4-7 (Saturday, 12 p.m.) from nearby Grant Park. A one-hour SPORTSCENTER Special: Draft Countdown (7 p.m.) precedes Thursday's opening round. Production highlights:
ESPN NFL DRAFT Commentators: Thursday, April 28 (Round 1): Chris Berman hosts with veteran NFL DRAFT analyst Mel Kiper Jr., MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL analyst and Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden, and NFL Front Office Insider Louis Riddick. NFL Insider Adam Schefter, NFL host Suzy Kolber, and a team of ESPN bureau reporters providing updates from team sites will also contribute to the telecast.Friday, April 29 (Rounds 2-3) and Saturday, April 30 (Rounds 4-7): Trey Wingo hosts with Kiper, Riddick, Schefter, and NFL DRAFT analyst Todd McShay.
ESPN NFL DRAFT Programming Originating from Chicago (April 28-30):
| Date | Time (ET) | Event | Network(s) |
| Thu, Apr 28 | 6-10 a.m. | Mike & Mike | ESPN Radio, ESPN2 |
| 10-11 a.m. | SportsCenter | ESPN | |
| 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | First Take | ESPN2 | |
| 1:30-2:30 p.m. | NFL Insiders | ESPN | |
| 2:30-3:30 p.m. | NFL Live | ESPN | |
| 6-7 p.m. | SportsCenter | ESPN | |
| 7-8 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Draft Countdown | ESPN | |
| 8-11:30 p.m. | NFL Draft (Round 1) | ESPN, ESPN Radio |
|
| 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. | SportsCenter | ESPN | |
| Fri, Apr 29 | 6-10 a.m. | Mike & Mike | ESPN Radio, ESPN2 |
| 10-11 a.m. | SportsCenter | ESPN | |
| 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | First Take | ESPN2 | |
| 1:30-2:30 p.m. | NFL Insiders | ESPN | |
| 2:30-3:30 p.m. | NFL Live | ESPN | |
| 7-11:30 p.m. | NFL Draft (Rounds 2-3) | ESPN/ESPN2, ESPN Radio | |
| Sat, Apr 30 | 12-8 p.m. | NFL Draft (Rounds 4-7) | ESPN |
* All ESPN networks are available to stream live on WatchESPN and the ESPN app. Schedule subject to change.
Photos via ESPN Images
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