NFL Network Ramps Up Its Coverage of the 75th Annual Draft

Lost in the euphoria of the NFL Exhibition Game schedule is the NFL Draft coverage. NFL Network has unveiled its plans for this year’s draft which will expand over three days and be in primetime on the first day.

Check this out.

READY FOR PRIMETIME –

NFL NETWORK CELEBRATES THE 75^TH NFL DRAFT WITH MOST COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE EVER

RECORD 38 HOURS OF LIVE DRAFT COVERAGE FEATURING MORE THAN 18 PERSONALITIES

NFL Draft Round One Thursday at 7:30 PM ET, Rounds Two and Three Friday at 6:00 PM ET with Four Through Seven Unveiled Saturday at 10:00 AM ET

The bright lights of New York City once again are the backdrop for the introduction of the NFL’s next generation of talent and, for the first time ever, the NFL Draft goes primetime and expands to a three-day all-star showcase celebrating the 75^th NFL Draft beginning Thursday, April 22 at 7:30 PM ET from Radio City Music Hall.

NFL Network is in the center of NFL Draft with a record 38 hours of live, high-definition coverage over four days with more than 18 on-air personalities offering fans exclusive interviews and analysis of their favorite teams and players. Called “the E.F. Hutton of draft experts” by the Buffalo News, Mike Mayock headlines NFL Network’s team from New York that also includes: Brian Billick, Charles Davis, Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Jason La Canfora, Steve Mariucci and Deion Sanders.

Eight and a half hours of day one pre-draft coverage begins Thursday, April 22 with Paul Burmeister, Steve Wyche, Charley Casserly and The Sporting News’ Matt Hayes on a two-hour Path to the Draft at 11:00 AM ET followed by Casserly, Fran Charles, Jamie Dukes, Michael Lombardi, Jim Mora and Tom Waddle joining NFL Network’s team in New York for a split edition of Total Access Pre-Draft at 1:00 PM ET.

Both Path to the Draft and Total Access Pre-Draft gives viewers all the latest information before the Rams hit the clock for the 2010 NFL Draft at 7:30 PM ET. The pre-draft show also features Sanders conducting interviews with draft prospects and special guests from the brand new red carpet outside Radio City Music Hall. Casserly, Charles, Dukes, Lombardi, Mora and Waddle wrap up all the first round selections at 11:00 PM ET with the NFL Total Access Post-Draft.

NFL Network’s coverage of rounds two and three begin at 11:00 AM ET Friday, April 23 with Path to the Draft. A five-hour Total Access Pre-Draft begins at 1:00 PM ET, leading into day two of the 2010 NFL Draft at 6:00 PM ET and the NFL Total Access Post-Draft following at 10:30 PM ET. Total Access Pre-Draft kicks off day three at 9:00 AM ET, followed immediately by the rounds 4-7 of the 2010 NFL Draft at 10:00 AM ET. NFL Network puts the bow on the entire 2010 NFL Draft with a 90-minute NFL Total Access Draft Recap Saturday at the conclusion of round seven, as well as back-to-back Path to the Draft and NFL Total Access recap shows Sunday at 6:00 PM ET.

NFL Network reporters will also be stationed at various team headquarters across the country, providing live reports and inside access viewers have come to expect from NFL Network (see talent coverage line-up below). A staple of the network’s live draft coverage since its inception in 2006, exclusive access into team war rooms returns for 2010. The teams, who will be announced prior to the Draft, allow NFL Network cameras inside for live shots as presidents, general managers and coaches convene, making the selections to build their franchises, right before the viewers eyes.

New this year, NFL Network enlists the support of team beat media from around the league who will offer live reports and analysis from their respective club facilities throughout the weekend.

Breakdown of NFL Network’s Coverage of the 75th NFL Draft in Primetime

THE SCHEDULE

 

Thursday, April 22 – 13 Live Hours

11:00 AM             Path to the Draft

1:00 PM                Total Access Pre-Draft

7:30 PM                2010 NFL Draft

11:00 PM      &
nbsp;      NFL Total Access Post-Draft

Friday, April 23 – 12 ½ Live Hours

11:00 AM             Path to the Draft

1:00 PM                Total Access Pre-Draft

6:00 PM                2010 NFL Draft

10:30 PM             NFL Total Access Post-Draft

Saturday, April 24 – 10 ½ Live Hours

9:00 AM               Total Access Pre-Draft

10:00 AM             2010 NFL Draft

6:00 PM                NFL Total Access Post-Draft

Sunday, April 25 – 2 Live Hours

6:00 PM                Path to the Draft

7:00 PM                NFL Total Access Draft Recap

8:00 PM                2010 NFL Draft – ENCORE of Day 1

That’s it.