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NFL Draft 2021: Date, time, TV info, order and everything you should know

By Cody Williams

Feb 12, 2021; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence works out during Pro Day in Clemson, South Carolina. Mandatory Credit: David Platt/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2021; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence works out during Pro Day in Clemson, South Carolina. Mandatory Credit: David Platt/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2021 NFL Draft will be a turning point for the league as a quarterback-heavy class could alter the future for several franchises. 

In mere days, the 2021 NFL Draft will commence and the top prospects and most familiar faces from college football will begin their professional careers in the NFL. Landing spots for quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and even Zach Wilson are easy to discern at this point, but where standouts like DeVonta Smith, Kyle Pitts, Ja’Marr Chase, and perhaps most importantly, the rest of the top quarterbacks in the class — Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Mac Jones — will land remains in question.

After the league was forced to host a virtual draft last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ll have a live draft this year. And with a strong influx of talent and already a high number of trades with perhaps more to come, this will be must-watch stuff.

And we have you covered with everything you need to know to watch the 2021 NFL Draft unfold.

What is the NFL Draft 2021 start time and date, and how can I watch?

The draft is slated to begin at the end of the month with the first round beginning on Thursday, April 29 at 8 p.m. ET. Rounds 2-3 will be in primetime the following night, Friday, April 30, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The final day of the draft will be Saturday, May 1 at 12 p.m. ET and will span Rounds 4-7.

The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft will be shown on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network and will be available for streaming on all related apps. The same is true for Rounds 2-3 on day two of the draft and with Rounds 4-7 on day three of the draft, though the coverage will be different on each day, as it is every year.

2021 NFL Draft order

Where is your favorite team picking in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft? Well, if you’re a Seahawks, Rams, Texans, or Chiefs fan, you’ll have to wait until day two to see your favorite team make a pick. As for the other 28 franchises in the league, with the Jaguars, Jets, Dolphins and Ravens making multiple picks, here is the order for picks 1-32:

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars
  2. New York Jets
  3. San Francisco 49ers (via MIA by way of HOU)
  4. Atlanta Falcons
  5. Cincinnati Bengals
  6. Miami Dolphins (via PHI)
  7. Detroit Lions
  8. Carolina Panthers
  9. Denver Broncos
  10. Dallas Cowboys
  11. New York Giants
  12. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA by way of SF)
  13. Los Angeles Chargers
  14. Minnesota Vikings
  15. New England Patriots
  16. Arizona Cardinals
  17. Las Vegas Raiders
  18. Miami Dolphins
  19. Washington Football Team
  20. Chicago Bears
  21. Indianapolis Colts
  22. Tennessee Titans
  23. New York Jets (via SEA)
  24. Pittsburgh Steelers
  25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR)
  26. Cleveland Browns
  27. Baltimore Ravens
  28. New Orleans Saints
  29. Green Bay Packers
  30. Buffalo Bills
  31. Baltimore Ravens (via KC)
  32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Where is the 2021 NFL Draft being held?

After last year’s all-virtual draft that featured commissioner Roger Goodell reading picks from his cushy basement, he’ll be back on stage this year (and ready for hugs) as the 2021 NFL Draft will take place in Cleveland, OH at various locations throughout the city. Those locations include the Browns stadium (FirstEnergy Stadium) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, among several others.

Next year’s draft will be held in Las Vegas, NV, which was the original location set for 2020 before COVID-19 forced the league to hold a virtual event.

Which prospects will be in attendance for the 2021 NFL Draft?

One of the best aspects of the draft is seeing prospects live in attendance realize their dreams of becoming NFL players and the ensuing emotion. The list of 2021 NFL Draft attendees is admittedly lighter than in many years, undoubtedly related to the still-ongoing pandemic, 13 players will be in Cleveland for the draft:

  • Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
  • Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
  • Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
  • Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
  • Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
  • Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
  • Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
  • Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)
  • Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
  • DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
  • Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
  • Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
  • Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Who is going to be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft?

As mentioned, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is going No. 1 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. While there is often much debate about who could be the top selection, Lawrence is heavily regarded as the top quarterback prospect in a decade. For a team in need of a signal-caller as Jacksonville is, this is as much of a no-brainer of a selection as it gets.

Next. 2021 NFL Draft: One perfect prospect for all 32 teams. dark

For all of your 2021 NFL Draft coverage that includes mock drafts, rumors, analysis and more leading up to, throughout, and after the draft, stay with us as we’ll have plenty more coming.

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