The NFL draft has become a huge spectacle, attracting people to the event in person and to their television sets to get a glimpse of the next potential stars in the league and on their favorite team.
The event has morphed into a 3-day event for the NFL, and the lead up to it grows every year with more and more NFL mock draft projections, rankings and analysis before the actual picks are made.
Here’s what you need to know to be prepared for the 2023 NFL draft, which could be a critical one for the future of many NFL franchises (as every NFL draft is).
When is the 2023 NFL draft?
The 2023 NFL draft will be held from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29.
The first round is scheduled for Thursday at 5 pm MST with the second and third rounds slated for Friday at 5 pm MST. The event is scheduled to conclude with the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds on Saturday beginning at 10 am MST.
More: Cardinals, other NFL teams, must determine whether Georgia’s Jalen Carter is worth the risk
Where is the 2023 NFL draft?
The NFL recently started holding the draft in different locations, with this year’s event scheduled for the area around Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.
The 2022 draft was held at Caesars Forum in Paradise, Nevada.
The 2024 NFL draft will be held at Campus Martius Park in Detroit.
What channel is the 2023 NFL draft on?
You have options to watch the NFL draft, with ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network airing coverage of all seven rounds and ESPN Deportes covering the event in Spanish.
ESPN Radio will also air audio coverage of the event, while ESPN+ will provide additional content.
More: Arizona Cardinals could be getting a ‘force’ in former Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson
What is the 2023 NFL draft order?
Note: The Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick.
How long do teams have to make their NFL draft picks?
In the first round, teams can take up to 10 minutes for each selection.
That shortens to seven minutes per pick in the second round, while teams get five minutes per pick in Rounds 3-6.
The final round of the draft goes quickly, with teams allotted just four minutes per pick.
More: If the Cardinals deal down from the 3rd overall NFL draft pick, keep your eyes on these cornerbacks
Who will be the top picks in the 2023 NFL draft?
In his final NFL mock draft, The Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman projects the Top 5 picks to be QB Bryce Young from Alabama, Edge Tyree Wilson from Texas Tech, Edge Will Anderson from Alabama, QB CJ Stroud from Ohio State and QB Anthony Richardson from Florida .
NFL’s highest paid players in 2023: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers Tight ends | Cornerbacks | Safeties | Linebackers | O-linemen | D-linemen | Edge rushers | Highest paid players: Overall | By position | By team
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When is the 2023 NFL draft? Dates times, TV channels, order, top picks