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NEW YORK -- NFL Network's coverage of the 78th annual NFL Draft is officially on the clock. With a record-high 47 hours of live coverage of the three-day event, an extensive talent roster of analysts, reporters and college coaches, and a record number of draft war room cameras -- including the Tennessee Titans -- providing behind-the-scenes access, NFL Network – along with NFL.com and NFL Mobile – will descend upon Radio City Music Hall in New York City for its eighth year of NFL Draft coverage.
The 2013 NFL Draft kicks off with the first round Thursday, April 25 at 8:00 PM ET, followed by Rounds 2-3 Friday, April 26 at 6:30 PM ET and Rounds 4-7 Saturday, April 27 at 12 Noon ET.
Highlighting NFL Network's coverage of the 2013 NFL Draft is the return of the war room cameras in a record 15 team facilities, offering behind-the-scenes video access as team executives make their selections. Featured this season are the Kansas City Chiefs – marking the fourth consecutive year NFL Network has been inside the war room of the team with the first overall pick. Additional teams include the Jacksonville Jaguars(2), Arizona Cardinals(7), Tennessee Titans(10), San Diego Chargers(11), Miami Dolphins(12), Carolina Panthers(14), St. Louis Rams (16 & 22), Dallas Cowboys(18), Minnesota Vikings(23 & 25), Green Bay Packers (26), Houston Texans(27), Denver Broncos(28), Atlanta Falcons(30), and Seattle Seahawks (2nd round – 56).
NFL Network's "Draft Week" coverage begins Monday, April 22 at 6:00 AM ET with NFL AM. Throughout the week, programming highlights include daily editions of NFL AM, featuring Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burlesonas guest analyst; Path to the Draft shows Monday through Wednesday at 6:00 PM ET, and at 11:00 AM ET on Thursday and Friday; and Around the League Live Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 4:00 PM ET.
NFL Network's Emmy-nominated draft expert Mike Mayockand Emmy-nominated host Rich Eisenheadline the roster of analysts, reporters, hosts and college coaches. Additionally, analyst Charles Davis, former players such Michael Irvin, Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders, former NFL head coaches Steve Mariucciand Brian Billick, former general managers Charley Casserlyand Scott Pioli, and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiahcover the draft from every angle with expert analysis. Throughout the week, NFL Network and NFL.com Insider Ian Rapoportprovides updates from New York City, while NFL Network and NFL.com reporters stationed at various team facilities around the league offer the latest news reports.
Four of the top head coaches in college football will join NFL Network's live coverage from Radio City Music Hall. On Thursday, LSU's Les Miles, Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, Stanford's David Shawand Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlinwill provide analysis on each of their former players who may be selected in the first round. If former Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckelis selected number one overall, it will mark the second-consecutive year NFL Network has been joined simultaneously by the number one overall pick's head coach (2012 – Shaw and former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck).
Prior to the start of the first round on Thursday, NFL Network's Melissa Starkand host of The Insider Kevin Frazierare live from the Red Carpet to provide interviews as each of the 23 prospects attending arrive at Radio City Music Hall during 2013 NFL Draft Kickoff. Additionally, Angela Simmons, the daughter of hip hop artist Joseph "Rev Run" Simmons, will provide fashion critiques on-air as well as on Twitter (@AngelaSimmons).
NFL Network will be inside the homes of prospects Matt Barkley, Margus Hunt, Alec Ogletree and Tyler Wilson, as well as feature live coverage from 19 team draft parties – including 16 on Thursday night – providing the fan reaction to each selection made by their favorite teams.
