Key dates and schedule for the 2019 NFL Draft
The 2019 NFL Draft will be held in Cleveland, Ohio, and run over three days: Thursday, April 25, Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27. On-site activities at the venue typically begin in the late morning or early afternoon on Thursday and Friday, and start in the morning on Saturday when picks are televised. Exact television start times vary by network and local affiliate listings, so confirm local listings for your market. Below is a concise overview of the general structure and confirmed details for the event.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Event | 2019 NFL Draft | League announcement |
| Dates | April 25–27, 2019 | Official schedule |
| Location | Rockefeller Plaza, Cleveland, Ohio | Venue confirmation |
| Days on TV | Thursday, Friday, Saturday | Network schedules |
| Order | Reverse 2018 finish; specifics per round published closer to event | NFL Draft rules |
How pick order is determined
The draft order is based on the previous season’s standings, with the team that finished last in its conference receiving the first overall pick in each round. Teams selected earlier in each round; ties are broken by conference record and then strength of schedule. The 2019 order was finalized after the 2018 season and released to teams well before the event; the official sequence and compensatory picks were confirmed in the days leading up to the Draft.
What to expect each day
- Thursday, April 25: Early rounds typically televised; on-site coverage starts late morning and continues into the evening.
- Friday, April 26: Continued coverage across networks; mid-to-late rounds are shown nationally or regionally depending on scheduling.
- Saturday, April 27: Final rounds aired, concluding with the late morning or early afternoon selections; ceremonies and analysis follow the last pick.
Where to watch and stream the 2019 Draft
In the United States, national television coverage is provided by NFL Network and simulcast or shared with ESPN, ABC, and Fox Sports, depending on the time of day and round. Spanish-language coverage is available on ESPN Deportes. Local affiliates may carry specific windows, and radio streams are available via NFL Digital Audio. The official NFL app, NFL.com, and network digital platforms offer live streams for cord-cutters; authentication may be required through TV provider logins for some content.
Daily start times and local listings
While the event spans three days, networks typically begin prime coverage in the early afternoon on Thursday and Friday, shifting to morning starts on Saturday to accommodate live picks. Local start times can vary by market due to preemption for news or other programming, so checking your regional TV listings or the network’s schedule page is recommended. Online streams usually align with the television start times listed on the network’s schedule.
Quick reference for coverage windows
- Thursday afternoon: Early rounds on NFL Network and ESPN.
- Friday afternoon/evening: Mid-rounds across NFL Network and Fox/ESPN.
- Saturday morning: Final rounds on NFL Network and ESPN; ceremony concludes the day.
Prepare and plan to follow the action live
For viewers, the best approach is to check local listings and network schedules in the days before the Draft, set reminders for key windows, and confirm streaming access through your TV provider or network login. Note any time zone differences if traveling, and bookmark official sources for any updates to the published schedule.
Frequently asked questions about the 2019 NFL Draft
Q: Is the location always announced in advance?
A: Yes. The venue is set well before the event; in 2019, the Draft was held at Rockefeller Plaza in Cleveland several months ahead of April 25–27.
Q: Can the Draft start time change on the day?
A: Live start times are published by networks and rarely change, but preemption for breaking news or overrun programming is possible; rely on local listings for the most accurate day-of information.
Q: Are compensatory picks announced before the Draft?
A: Yes. Compensatory selections and any adjustments to the order are typically released at the league’s annual spring owners’ meetings and in official media announcements prior to the Draft weekend.
Mark this guide for reference if you plan to watch or cover the 2019 NFL Draft. Bookmark official NFL communications, check local TV listings in your market, and confirm streaming access in advance so you can follow each pick as soon as it is made.