The 2020 NFL Draft is just over a week away, set to take place on April 23-25. We’re finally starting to learn a bit more about what the unique three-day virtual draft will look like. We’ve heard about how it’ll operate as a fundraiser benefiting several COVID-19 relief charities. Now, we’re finding out exactly what the broadcast will look like.
According to an NFL press release, only a limited number of hosts and commentators will be in-studio at ESPN’s Bristol, Connecticut studios for the 2020 NFL Draft in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines and workplace rules. The majority of participants in the broadcast will contribute remotely from home studios. That includes commissioner Roger Goodell, who is set to announce first-round picks from his basement.
It remains to be seen if Goodell will have a sense of humor and have a boo-track queued up for when he announces each pick. One feature of the draft that we’ve learned through NBC Sports’ Peter King is that the NFL plans to have a virtual montage of fan reactions to each draft pick in the first round as he announces his selections. That should make for some good television if a team makes what is perceived to be a bad pick.
Per usual there will be a good variety of broadcasters participating in the draft across each of ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network. With social distancing guidelines, things will be a little different.
ESPN’s broadcast will be led by Trey Wingo and he’ll be joined remotely by Mel Kiper Jr., Louis Riddick and Booger McFarland. ESPN host Suzy Kolber is set to conduct remote interviews drafted players, while NFL insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will provide live news updates through the draft from their home studios.
ABC’s broadcast will be led by Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and Maria Taylor. Todd McShay will head up the draft analysis along with Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, and David Pollack.
NFL Network’s broadcast will be led by Rich Eisen and feature remote commentary from Daniel Jeremiah, Michael Irvin and Kurt Warner.
Several ESPN reporters are pulling triple duty, covering the NFL Draft remotely for each of ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. Each reporter is tasked with multiple teams to cover. The Kansas City Chiefs drew ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who will also cover the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
TV Schedule
Round 1: Thurs, April 23 at 7-10:30 p.m. CT on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
Rounds 2 and 3: Fri, April 24 at 6-10:30 p.m. CT on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
Rounds 4-7: Sat, April 25 at 11-6 p.m. CT on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
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