NFL Draft 2021 – What You Need to Know

Hannah Elkins

 

Today, April 29th will kick off the National Football League’s 86th annual draft. 

Last year’s draft was set to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, but with the effects of COVID, the draft was held remotely. This year the draft will return to Cleveland with in-person attendance. 

Players last year would hold small parties at home with friends and family awaiting the phone call to see if they were selected by a team. This year some players will choose to follow the past year’s ways and stay at home, while others will attend the draft in person. Fans will also be allowed to watch the draft in person, though there won’t be as many as usual.  

The draft will begin at 8 pm on the 29th and will continue until May 1st. The Jacksonville Jaguars will kick off the draft with the first pick in the first round. Rounds 2-3 will take place on Friday, and rounds 4-7 will be on Saturday.  

Here’s a small list of names to be on the lookout for when watching: 

Quarterbacks: Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, Justin Fields, Zac Wilson, Trey Lance 

Receivers: TE Kyle Pitts, WR’s Devonta Smith, Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle  

Defense: DE Kwity Paye, LB Micah Parsons, CB Patrick Surtan II 

The 2021 draft will be streamed on ESPN and NFL Network. 

For a full list of the draft order picks you can visit the ESPN website or use the link here: https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/story/_/id/31106459/nfl-draft-order-2021-picks-including-all-259-picks-seven-rounds