what time is the nfl draft
The very biggest sporting and media event of the American football offseason, the NFL Draft, is awaited passionately by NFL fans worldwide. One question always comes up on top of the list: What time is the NFL Draft, whether it’s someone into football or a casual observer?
This article will heavily focus on answering that question, while also sharing other details about the NFL Draft 2025, its timetable, how to watch, and what people are looking forward to from this year’s top players.
What Is the NFL Draft and Why Is It Important?
Before we discuss the time frame, let’s first discuss what the NFL Draft is in general and why it matters. The NFL Draft is an annual event wherein each of the 32 NFL teams select college players eligible for the draft and available to join their teams. The draft lasts for three days and allows teams to put in place a roster that comprises mostly young talent.
Basically, the draft is a strategic chess game for franchises to trade picks, try flanking maneuvers, and sometimes find the next superstar. The draft starts legends: from 6th-round picks like Tom Brady to number one overall picks like Joe Burrow who rejuvenate entire franchises.
What Time Is the NFL Draft in 2025?
For those who ask “what time is the NFL Draft?”, here’s your answer: The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to run from Thursday, April 24, to Saturday, April 26, 2025. A tentative schedule according to previous years is as follows:
- Day 1 – Thursday, April 24 (Round 1):
- Draft Start Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:30 AM IST (Friday, April 25)
- Day 2 – Friday, April 25 (Rounds 2-3):
- Draft Start Time: 7:00 PM ET / 4:30 AM IST (Saturday, April 26)
- Day 3 – Saturday, April 26 (Rounds 4-7):
- Draft Start Time: 12 Noon ET / 9:30 PM IST (Saturday)
Any postponements to these times are largely dependent on the network that is airing the NFL Draft. However, if you are asking “what time is the NFL Draft?”, these are the times you want to circle on your calendar.
Where Will the 2025 NFL Draft Be Held?
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, the 2025 NFL Draft will be hosted. The NFL instituted the tradition of rotating cities to let each batch of fans from across the nation feel the excitement. Green Bay, home to one of the most highly respected franchises in NFL history — the Green Bay Packers — promises an electric experience during this year’s draft.
This decision, therefore, builds on the previous successful incarnations of the draft in Nashville, Cleveland, Kansas City, and Detroit; thousands of fans will pepper the streets with energy for the playoffs, signs, and team spirit.
How to Watch the NFL Draft in India and Worldwide
Internationally speaking, the question is basically…”at what time does the NFL Draft happen?” followed by, “Where do I get to see that?”
The NFL Draft will be telecast live in the United States on:
- NFL Network
- ESPN
- ABC (Day 1 and 2)
Broadcasting of the draft in India on familiar sports channels is not expected. However, sports enthusiasts can stream the draft on:
- NFL Game Pass International—can be accessed through DAZN
- ESPN Player or Disney+ Hotstar, dependent on the licensing agreements in 2025
- One could see sporadic snips and commentaries on various Live streams through YouTube and Twitter.
A killer tip for India would be: When you say “what time is the NFL Draft?”, it is 5:30 AM IST on Day 1. So, get your alarm clocks ready!
Draft Format: How Many Rounds and Picks Are There?
To understand better when the NFL Draft actually occurs, it always helps to know how lengthy each day might be.
In Round 1 (Day One), the NFL allots each team 10 minutes per pick. With 32 teams in total, Day 1 should last about 3–4 hours.
- Rounds 2-3 (Day Two): After which teams are allowed seven minutes for their selections in Round 2 and just five in Round 3. Usually, it lasts around 4-5 hours.
- Rounds 4-7 (Day Three): Selections start to go a bit faster from this point: 5 minutes are allowed per pick. And with 150+ selections, it makes for a whole day!
If you’ve already planned on DVD-ing it, you now know not only “What time is the NFL Draft?” but approximately how much time each session will take.
Top Prospects to Watch in the 2025 NFL Draft
Lastly, we will look at some of the early candidates.
Presently, some of the first-rounders expected to make the board include:
-
Scouts considered Shedeur Sanders, QB from Colorado, a dual-threat quarterback with great potential even before recognizing him as the son of Deion Sanders.
- Caleb Downs, S, Alabama-Defensive powerhouse, expected to carry the new generation of great safeties.
- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State-Generational talent at wide receiver (if he decides to come back).
- James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee-One of the best pass-rushers in the 2025 class.
These players will probably dominate the early stages of the draft, and their real-time selections will change how teams plan their strategies. So, if you are wondering about the timing of the NFL Draft, start tuning in early for these headline acts.
Mock Drafts and Predictions
The months leading up to the event see fans and analysts participating in mock drafts, predicting who will go where. These ahead-of-time mock drafts are more than just entertainment-they establish the media narrative and, sometimes, even influence the actual decisions of front offices.
Searching “what time is the NFL Draft” will often get you mock draft articles, prediction videos, or even live streams. This is all part of the increasingly popular culture that surrounds the NFL’s biggest offseason event.
Why the NFL Draft Matters for International Fans
Why should Indian fans, or foreign fans in general, be bothered by the NFL Draft? The answer lies in the global nature of the game. In recent years, foreign fans outside the U.S. have been more keen in developing a mental association with the teams, players, and the sport itself, with growing access to the NFL via streaming services and fantasy apps.
Knowing what time the NFL Draft starts helps fans outside the country jump into live conversations on social media, fantasy leagues, or even betting sites. It is a global event now, not one only for Americans. click here
Tips for Watching the NFL Draft
Some tips for all fans, especially international ones, to fully live the NFL Draft experience:
- Use a VPN in case there is a block on the streaming platforms from your area.
- Engage in live discussion in online communities, e.g., Reddit’s r/NFL and Discord servers.
- Follow insider tips and reception on Twitter.
- Serve good snacks and coffee, especially if watching at dawn with IST.
So when you hear someone say, “what time is the NFL draft?” you’ll have not only an answer but also a complete watching strategy!
Conclusion: Don’t Miss the Action
“To summarize the answer to ‘At what time is the NFL Draft?'”, the breakdown is as follows:
- Round 1: Thursday 24 April, from 8:00 PM ET / Friday 25 April, 5:30 AM IST
- Rounds 2-3: Friday 25 April, 7:00 PM ET / Saturday 26 April, 4:30 AM IST
- Rounds 4-7: Saturday 26 April, 12:00-PM ET / Saturday 9:30 PM IST
The NFL Draft is much more than teams picking players — it is about dreams coming true, strategies unfolding, and the creation of the subsequent season. The excitement runs deep from New York to London to Mumbai. So, now you know exactly at what time the NFL Draft starts. Do not miss it.
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