Watch the NFL Draft with DISH
Belief is the essence of sports. Fans, players, and teams alike have to believe. Sooner or later, reality creeps in, but during the offseason, belief is what nourishes you.
In this sense, there’s no more optimistic occasion than Draft Day, a momentous event for both fans and those who hear their name called. The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25, a chance for fans to take a hearty drink from the fountain of hope, and for the athletes to take their first steps toward sports immortality.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch every round live with DISH. Not a DISH subscriber? Follow this link to find the best offer and subscribe to DISH today!
Which Channels Have NFL Draft Coverage?
There will be three different broadcasts featuring live draft coverage and analysis. Here’s what you can expect from each:
ESPN (Channel 140): ESPN’s coverage will look familiar to those who have been watching the Worldwide Leader in recent years. Mike Greenberg will anchor coverage for the sixth-straight year, with the legendary Mel Kiper Jr. at the desk for his 43rd NFL Draft. They’ll be joined by former NFL players turned analysts Booger McFarland and Louis Riddick, along with Adam Schefter for breaking news and Laura Rutledge with athlete interviews. Saturday’s ESPN and ABC coverage will feature Peter Schrager joining the crew, along with NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller.
ABC (Check your Guide for your local ABC affiliate): ABC’s round one coverage will feature the College GameDay crew of Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, and Nick Saban, with NFL Live’s Field Yates and Molly McGrath joined by Pete Thamel with up-to-the-minute news.
NFL Network (Channel 154): Rich Eisen will anchor NFL Network coverage of the Draft. Eisen will be joined by draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, CBS NFL analyst Charles Davis, FOX’s lead college football analyst Joel Klatt (Thur. and Fri. only), and NFL Network staples Ian Rapoport and Kurt Warner (Thur. only).
Here’s a breakdown of Draft Coverage by day:
- Round 1: Thursday, April 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET
- Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m. ET
- Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 25 at 12:00 p.m. ET
What are the Biggest Storylines of the Draft?
What’s the Rush?
There’s no debate around the first pick in the draft: The Las Vegas Raiders are taking Indiana QB and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. The New York Jets have the second pick and the luxury of picking between elite edge-rushers. Many experts believe they’ll select Arvell Reese, the Ohio State linebacker who’s drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons. But Texas Tech’s David Bailey led the FBS in sacks, and Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. is prized for his versatility. While Reese is the name on many mock drafts, there are plenty of options for the Jets.
More Trades?
The draft board was shaken up last week when the New York Giants traded star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for their first round draft pick. That gives the Giants and new head coach John Harbaugh the No. 5 and No. 10 picks in the draft, offering them ample opportunity to select potentially game-changing talent. Of course, the Giants could also leverage those picks in additional trades, as could the Arizona Cardinals, who have the No. 3 pick and have expressed interest in moving down. But the Cleveland Browns might be the team fielding the most phone calls. Not only do they have two first round selections (No. 6 and No. 24, which they acquired from Jacksonville in last year’s draft), but they have nine other picks in the draft. Depending on what happens with the Jets' pick, a lot of trade scenarios are in play.
Where is the Love?
With the 2027 QB class seen as far superior to this year’s, there aren’t as many franchise-altering offensive players on the draft board. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is seen as one of them. A dynamic player who’s elite as both a receiver and rusher, Love is sure to be highly coveted by teams in need of a spark on offense. That could spell a trade, but it’s not like the Jets, Cardinals, or Titans were lighting up the scoreboard. Love is the single most compelling player in the first round and we have a feeling that we might see a few shake-ups among teams determined to get him.
Offensive Players To Keep an Eye On
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State: Seen by many as the top receiver in the draft, Tate could stay in Ohio if the Browns decide not to trade their pick at No. 6.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State: With the Chiefs picking inside the top 10, Tyson is seen as a strong fit for Kansas City.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama: The talk of sports media, Simpson is overrated to some draft experts, underrated by others. Many think we won’t be selected until the second day of the draft, but QB-needy teams like the Jets or the Steelers might take a gamble on the young passer.
