Former Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden joins draft expert Mike Mayock, college analyst Charles Davis and a lineup of analysts from New York
NFL Network offers 25 hours of high-definition live coverage of draft weekend
NFL Network offers fans exclusive war room access and more than 50 hours of programming over the next two weeks in anticipation of the 2009 NFL Draft April 25-26 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The programming lineup culminates with live pick-by-pick coverage in high-definition kicked off by a live five-hour NFL Total Access pre-Draft show Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m. ET, followed by the NFL Draft at 4 p.m. ET. Sprint is the presenting sponsor of NFL Network's 2009 NFL Draft coverage.
This year's team facility coverage is highlighted by NFL Network's Steve Wyche and Brian Baldinger being granted exclusive access into the inner workings of the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers draft, respectively.
Draft weekend on NFL Network
(all times ET)
Saturday, April 25:
11 a.m.-4 p.m.: NFL Total Access Pre-Draft Show (HD)
4 p.m.-12 a.m.: 2008 NFL Draft Rounds 1-2 (HD)
Following Draft coverage: NFL Total Access Day One Draft Recap (HD)
Sunday, April 27:
9 a.m.-10 a.m.: NFL Total Access Pre-Draft Show (HD)
10 a.m.-7 p.m.: 2008 NFL Draft Rounds 3-7 (HD)
Following Draft coverage: NFL Total Access Day Two Draft Recap (HD)
Day 1 draft access from each team facility includes live reports from inside the Rams war room during NFL Network's day one pre-Draft and Draft coverage, a pre-Draft tour of the 49ers war room, live look-ins of the Rams war room during Draft and interviews with 49ers head coach Mike Singletary and Rams General Manager Billy Devaney following each teams' first-round selection.
NFL Network's 50-plus hours of NFL Draft programming in the next two weeks includes:
» 74th NFL Draft from Radio City Music Hall: April 25 at 4 p.m. ET and April 26 at 10 a.m. ET
» Five-hour pre-Draft show: Day 1 - April 25 at 11 a.m. ET
» One-hour pre-Draft show: Day 2 - April 26 at 9 a.m. ET
» Two, one-hour Draft recap shows: Immediately following draft coverage April 25-26
» Path to the Draft: 12 episodes, including extended one-hour editions April 20-28 at 6 p.m. ET, plus encore showings
» NFL Total Access: Special editions during Draft week at 7 p.m. ET
» Encores of Draft-themed NFL's Top 10 episodes
» NFL Total Access: Special two-hour draft recap April 27 at 7 p.m. ET
NFL Network's in-depth coverage of the 2009 Draft features prospect and draftee profiles, breaking news and analysis from NFL Network's reporters stationed at team facilities around the league.
Following his NFL Network analyst debut at the 2009 Scouting Combine that garnered rave reviews, former Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden returns to the set, bringing his enthusiasm and knowledge of the Draft process to NFL Network's team of analysts. Gruden joins draft expert Mike Mayock, college football analyst Charles Davis, former Ravens head coach Brian Billick, former NFL General Manager Charley Casserly and Emmy-nominated analyst Steve Mariucci in New York. Hosted by Rich Eisen, NFL Network's coverage from Radio City also features former first-round picks -- Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders, plus the insightful Jamie Dukes offering player's perspectives.
NFL Network's roster of talent at draft
DAY ONE
Radio City Music Hall Main Set:
» Rich Eisen (Host)
» Marshall Faulk (Analyst)
» Jon Gruden (Former NFL Head Coach)
» Steve Mariucci (Analyst)
» Mike Mayock (Draft Expert)
Radio City Music Hall "Team Needs" Set:
» Brian Billick (Former NFL Head Coach)
» Charles Davis (Analyst)
» Jamie Dukes (Analyst)
On the Floor/Floating:
» Charley Casserly (Former NFL General Manager)
» Deion Sanders (Analyst - Draftee Interviewer)
Los Angeles:
» Fran Charles (Host)
» Mike Lombardi (Analyst)
» Tom Waddle (Analyst)
Reporters at Team Facilities:
» Brian Baldinger (
San Francisco 49ers)
» Michelle Beisner ( Dallas Cowboys)
» Paul Burmeister ( Denver Broncos)
» Alex Flanagan ( San Diego Chargers)
» Scott Hanson ( Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
» Kara Henderson ( New York Jets)
» Derrin Horton ( Philadelphia Eagles)
» Randy Moss ( Kansas City Chiefs)
» Solomon Wilcots ( Detroit Lions)
» Steve Wyche ( St. Louis Rams)
DAY TWO
Radio City Music Hall:
» Charley Casserly (Former NFL General Manager)
» Charles Davis (Analyst)
» Jamie Dukes (Analyst)
» Rich Eisen (Host)
» Marshall Faulk (Analyst)
» Jon Gruden (Former NFL Head Coach)
» Mike Mayock (Draft Expert)
Los Angeles:
» Fran Charles (Host)
» Mike Lombardi (Analyst)
» Tom Waddle (Analyst)
Day one of NFL Network's draft coverage also features the following debates, discussions and highlights:
» The 2009 NFL Draft Class, According to Mayock -- Recognized widely as one of the best in the business, draft expert Mike Mayock gives viewers a true introduction to the 256 draft picks with an unmatched knowledge of their talents and abilities and the team to which they are best suited.
As the only draft expert with both college and NFL playing experience, Mayock is often called upon by NFL front office executives and coaches for his opinion on players that he has observed and studied throughout their college careers via game film, as well as in person at the Senior Bowl, Scouting Combine and Pro Days.
» Pass or Play? It's Not Easy Being No. 1 -- Should Detroit 'check' on the first pick? The NFL Network crew discusses and debates the Lions dilemma holding the number one pick, the high costs for a franchise making the wrong choice and how being at the top can feel more like a curse than a blessing.
» 'Dreamers' Take First Steps Into Reality -- Commissioner Roger Goodell's announcement of the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft marks the realization of a dream shared among all NFL hopefuls who have visualized Draft weekend countless times. These feelings and emotions serve as the inspiration behind NFL Network's coverage open featuring hip-hop artist K'Naan and his single "Dreamer."
K'Naan, a native of Somalia who immigrated to the United States during the Somali Civil War, joined NFL hopefuls Darius Butler (CB), Vontae Davis (CB), Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR), B.J. Raji (DT) and Knowshon Moreno (RB) on a two-day shoot at various locations in New York City to capture the energy of the city that plays primary role of where NFL dreams are realized.
Day 2 of NFL Network's draft coverage begins with a one-hour NFL Total Access pre-Draft show Sunday, April 26 at 9:00 AM ET. Peppered throughout Sunday's coverage will be interviews with general managers and head coaches as well as debates between media personalities from various NFL markets regarding their team's performance on Saturday.
Also on NFL Network and NFL.com
NFL.COM - Live Draft Tracker and interactive Fan War Rooms -- NFL.com enhances its free live coverage with an up-to-the minute Draft Tracker that provides real-time selection information as well as exclusive pick-by-pick analyst from NFL.com's Draft experts.
In addition, NFL.com gives fans an opportunity to participate in team-specific Fan War Rooms. Within each War Room, fans can discuss their team's Draft needs, comment on how the team is Drafting and connect with other fans from across the country. In addition, fans can monitor the Draft day activity and buzz across all 32 draft rooms via an interactive map.
VIDEO-ON-DEMAND - "More Than 100 NFL Films Produced Draft Profiles" -- Available for the fifth consecutive year, NFL Network will provide exclusive Video-On-Demand (VOD) to participating affiliates from Friday, April 14 through Monday, May 11. Subscribers can scout the top 100 potential draftees through 4-5 minute NFL Films produced profiles of prospects and exclusive cutdown versions of NFL Network's Path to the Draft programming.
PATH TO THE DRAFT - "Expert Insights, Interview, Evaluations & Predictions" -- Every weeknight leading into Draft weekend Path to the Draft provides in-depth analysis on prospective draft choices and each team's needs utilizing coaching tape, exclusive Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine and Pro Day workout footage and interviews with NFL head coaches and general managers. Guiding fans on the Path are show host Paul Burmeister, NFL Draft guru and college football analyst Mike Mayock, college football expert Charles Davis and former NFL general manager Charley Casserly.
NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network dedicated entirely to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.
