Roger Goodell is bracing for him moment in the spotlight on Thursday. The 2025 NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET, and that will thrust the NFL commissioner to the forefront of fans’ consciousness, as he announces the first 32 picks in this year’s draft.
The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s class isn’t much of a mystery. The Tennessee Titans are widely expected to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the top overall selection, so Goodell’s first announcement may be slightly anticlimactic for those hoping for drama.
That said, the customary announcement will officially usher in the beginning of the 2025 NFL Draft, which will excite draftniks looking to see how much their favorite teams can improve over the three-day draft cycle.
Here’s what to know about the 2025 NFL Draft’s start time and when to expect Goodell to announce the first pick.
What time is the first pick of NFL draft?
- Estimate: Between 8:10 and 8:20 p.m. ET
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The 2025 NFL Draft’s first pick will be announced shortly after the draft begins at 8 p.m. ET.
Typically, Goodell opens the draft by addressing the crowd while being heartily booed. He will give a brief speech and then declare the 2025 NFL Draft open. That will put the Titans “on the clock,” and they will have 10 minutes to submit their selection.
The Titans have already decided who they are taking with the top choice, as general manager Mike Borgonzi hinted at in a pre-draft news conference. Even so, Tennessee may still choose to use the entire 10-minute clock before making the selection, whether it’s to wait and see if the team gets a “Godfather” offer or simply as a favor to the networks broadcasting the NFL draft.
With that in mind, fans can expect the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft to be announced between 8:10 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. ET – provided the event begins on time.
What time is the 2025 NFL Draft?
The 2025 NFL Draft will have a different start time on each of the event’s three days. Below is a look at the scheduled run time for each day:
- Thursday, April 24: 8 p.m. ET to 11:30 p.m. ET
- Friday, April 25: 7 p.m. ET to 11:30 p.m. ET
- Saturday, April 26: Noon ET to 7 p.m. ET
How to watch the 2025 NFL Draft
NFL fans will have various options to watch the 2025 NFL Draft.
NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will broadcast the event on TV. Cord cutters will also be able to stream the draft live on NFL+, ESPN+ or Fubo, which comes with a free trial.
Here is the day-by-day breakdown for how to watch the event:
Thursday, April 24
- TV channels: ABC | ESPN | NFL Network
- Live streams: Fubo | ESPN+ | NFL+
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Friday, April 25
- TV channels: ABC | ESPN2 | NFL Network
- Live streams: Fubo | ESPN+ | NFL+
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 26
- TV channels: ABC | ESPN | NFL Network
- Live streams: Fubo | ESPN+ | NFL+
- Start time: Noon ET
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