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How To Watch the NFL Draft 2023

Prepare to welcome the new kids on the block when the NFL Draft returns this April on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.

The 2023 NFL Draft will take over Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, from Thursday, April 27, to Saturday, April 29, 2023. All seven draft rounds will air live across ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, with exclusive Spanish-language coverage available on ESPN Deportes.

With exciting talent moving up from the college ranks, you won’t want to miss a single moment of the NFL Draft—especially when your favorite team is on the clock. Keep scrolling to view the 2023 NFL Draft schedule and which TV providers carry the necessary channels.

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What channel is the 2023 NFL Draft on?

You can watch the 2023 NFL Draft on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network for English-language coverage and ESPN Deportes for Spanish-language coverage. Each channel will present its own distinct broadcast, with the ABC and ESPN broadcast teams combining for coverage and commentary on the third day.

ESPN Radio and the ESPN app are also available as the event’s audio-only and streaming coverage options, respectively. ESPN+ will host additional NFL Draft content via studio shows and analysis specials.

NFL Draft schedule

This year, the NFL Draft runs from Thursday, April 27, to Saturday, April 29, 2023. The draft’s seven rounds are broken up across the three-day event, taking place at the historic Kansas City Union Station.

Day Date Time (ET) English channels Spanish channels
Day 1 (Round 1) Thursday, April 27 8 p.m. ABC, ESPN, NFL Network ESPN Deportes
Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) Friday, April 28 7 p.m. ABC, ESPN, NFL Network ESPN Deportes
Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) Saturday, April 29 Noon ABC, ESPN, NFL Network ESPN Deportes

Data effective as of post date.

NFL Draft selection order

Except for picks 31 and 32, the initial 2023 NFL Draft first-round pick order was locked in after the 2022 NFL regular season. The results of Super Bowl LVII determined the final two draft positions (picks 31 and 32). But approved trades before and during the draft can change the draft order.

Tap the box below to view this year’s first-round NFL Draft order heading into Day One.

Pick No. Team 2022 Record
1 Carolina Panthers (from Chicago Bears) 7–10
2 Houston Texans 3–13–1
3 Arizona Cardinals 4–13
4 Indianapolis Colts 4–12–1
5 Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos) 5–12
6 Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams) 5–12
7 Las Vegas Raiders 6–11
8 Atlanta Falcons 7–10
9 Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers) 3–14
10 Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints) 7–10
11 Tennessee Titans 7–10
12 Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns) 7–10
13 Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets) 8–9
14 New England Patriots 8–9
15 New York Jets (from Green Bay Packers) 7–10
16 Washington Commanders 8–8–1
17 Pittsburgh Steelers 9–8
18 Detroit Lions 9–8
19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8–9
20 Seattle Seahawks 9–8
Miami Dolphins (forfeited) 9–8
21 Los Angeles Chargers 10–7
22 Baltimore Ravens 10–7
23 Minnesota Vikings 13–4
24 Jacksonville Jaguars 9–8
25 New York Giants 9–7–1
26 Dallas Cowboys 12–5
27 Buffalo Bills 13–3
28 Cincinnati Bengals 12–4
29 New Orleans Saints (from San Francisco 49ers via Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos) 13–4
30 Philadelphia Eagles 14–3
31 Kansas City Chiefs 14–3

Data effective as of post date.

Best TV plans for watching the NFL Draft

We recommend Hulu + Live TV as the most comprehensive TV plan for NFL Draft coverage. The live TV streaming service carries every NFL Draft channel and automatically includes ESPN+ for additional content. Hulu + Live TV plans start at $76.99 a month, and you can cancel anytime.

If you don’t want to commit to a whole TV plan for a three-day event, we hear you. Instead, purchase a digital antenna to access your local ABC network or check out a free trial from a live TV streaming service. We go into more detail about these two options further down.

Which TV providers offer NFL Draft channels?

Provider Price ABC ESPN NFL Network ESPN Deportes Details
Cox $56.00–$139.00/mo.

Read Cox review
DIRECTV $69.99–$159.99/mo. ✔*

Read DIRECTV review
DIRECTV STREAM $69.99–$159.99/mo. ✔* View plans

Read DIRECTV STREAM review
DISH $92.99–$117.99/mo. ✔* View plans

Read DISH review
fuboTV $74.99–$94.99/mo. View plans

Read fuboTV review
Hulu + Live TV $76.99–$89.99/mo. ✔* View plans

Read Hulu + Live TV review
Optimum $35.00–$125.00/mo. View plans

Read Optimum review
Philo $25.00/mo. View plans

Read Philo review
Sling TV $40.00–$55.00/mo. ✔** ✔* View plans

Read Sling TV review
Spectrum $59.99/mo. ✔* ✔* View plans

Read Spectrum review
Vidgo $69.99–$99.99/mo. View plans

Read Vidgo review
Xfinity $20.00–$80.00/mo. ✔* View plans

Read Xfinity review
YouTube TV $72.99/mo. ✔* View plans

Read YouTube TV review

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available in Spanish-language plan or separate add-on.
*Available only in select markets with Sling Blue. Without ABC, Sling TV subscribers can watch ESPN on ABC broadcasts via ESPN3.

Check TV providers in your area

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How to watch the 2023 NFL Draft for free

Get free local channels
Recommended antenna:
Mohu Leaf 50 ($47.99 one-time purchase)
NFL Draft channels:
ABC
Features:
All local broadcast channels

CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $47.99 (as of 4/26/23 9:45 a.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.

With ABC airing complete live coverage of the NFL Draft, you can watch the entire event for free by tuning in to your local ABC network. However, the only way you can do this without signing up for a TV service is by making a one-time purchase of a digital TV antenna.

A high-quality antenna usually costs between $20 and $60, but it’ll last several years and give you access to every local channel within range. In addition to ABC, you’ll also get channels like CBS, FOX, and NBC—all of which televise major league sports throughout the year.

We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 antenna ($47.99 on Amazon) because of its 4K capabilities and 60-mile range. Depending on your location, that should get you many local channels. But you can verify precisely how many you’ll get by running your zip code through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map.

Stream the NFL Draft for free

If purchasing an antenna is not your jam, you can stream the NFL Draft for free by signing up for a live TV streaming service free trial. fuboTV and YouTube TV usually offer free trials.

Just be sure to plan your free trial in line with the NFL Draft schedule and cancel before your time is up to avoid getting charged.

What is the NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft is an annual recruitment event where teams can select players and make trades. Created to maintain competitive balance and financial stability, teams are positioned in the initial draft order based on their previous season record.

Seven rounds make up the NFL Draft. During each round, teams are placed “on the clock” one by one to select a player before time runs out. Teams can also trade their picks with other teams, which can lead to some rounds featuring a team multiple times.

In the end, some draft picks can be predicted months in advance through mock drafts. But the most entertaining aspect of the NFL Draft is when selections or trades come out of left field, surprising even the most seasoned football analysts. In a way, the draft is basically a sport in and of itself.

Pro tip: Still confused about how the NFL Draft works? Here’s a nifty video published by the NFL to walk you through the whole shebang.

Prior to the draft, several events take place where NFL personnel can scout potential draftees. The NFL Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl are two of the more prolific pre-draft events—both of which air live on NFL Network.

Final take

You’ll need ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, or ESPN Deportes to catch the 2023 NFL Draft on TV. ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network channels will air English-language coverage of the three-day event, while ESPN Deportes will be home to Spanish-language coverage.

For the TV plan with the most complete NFL Draft content, we recommend Hulu + Live TV (starting at $76.99 a month). The live TV streaming service offers every draft channel and includes ESPN+ at no extra charge, which hosts its own NFL Draft coverage before, during, and after the draft.

If you prefer a more basic TV option, a one-time purchase of a digital antenna like the Mohu Leaf 50 ($47.99 on Amazon) will get you ABC’s coverage of the NFL Draft. You’ll also gain access to other local networks like CBS, FOX, and NBC—all of which televise NFL games during the regular season.

How to watch the NFL Draft FAQ

What time does the NFL Draft start?

Round One of the 2023 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, April 27, at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and NFL Network. The remaining six rounds will take place across Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, as detailed in our complete NFL Draft schedule.

How can you watch the NFL Scouting Combine?

Leading up to the NFL Draft, the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine aired live on NFL Network and NFL+. The seven-day event took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, with primary coverage airing between Thursday, March 2, and Sunday, March 5.

Can you watch the NFL Combine without cable?

The NFL Combine exclusively airs live on NFL Network. To watch the 2023 event without cable, you’ll need to subscribe to a live TV streaming service that offers NFL Network, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, and Sling TV. You can also stream the event on your mobile device via NFL+.

What channel is the Senior Bowl on?

The Senior Bowl airs annually on NFL Network following the completion of the college football season. Typically set before the Super Bowl, the Senior Bowl is an all-star game that allows eligible college prospects to showcase their talent in the build-up to the NFL Draft.

Who will host the next NFL Draft?

Detroit will host the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, while the Green Bay Packers will welcome the event to Lambeau Field in 2025.

Methodology

Our experts researched the best ways to watch the NFL Draft by comparing the prices and channel offerings of the most popular TV services. Because the NFL Draft is simultaneously televised on several channels, we based our recommendations on provider availability and ease of use.

To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.

Disclaimer

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

†Amazon.com price as of 4/26/23 9:45 a.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

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