2018 NFL Draft: When and where to watch Round 1

(Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bears fans, unite! Here is all you need to know about the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

In just a few short days, NFL GM’s and front office members will converge at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX for the 2018 NFL Draft. This draft experience is a unique one in that it’s the first that will be held inside an actual NFL stadium.

The first round will commence on Thursday evening and there are a confirmed 22 prospects that will be in attendance.

As most of you know, the Chicago Bears are currently slated to select their first-round player at number eight overall. Below you will find the details on when and how to tune in on Thursday so you don’t miss the Bears’ first selection.

When & Where is the 2018 NFL Draft?

  • Date: Thursday, April 26th (First Round)
  • Time: Coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX

Ways to Watch the Draft

For the first time, FOX and NFL Network are teaming up to simulcast this years draft. This will be the same scenario for Rounds 1-3.

You can also tune into the draft on ESPN and ESPN2 for Round 1. This year, ESPN2 will be running their own supplemental program that is more college-themed.

Per an NFL.com article: 

"“The expanded coverage gives the NFL Draft its largest audience reach ever, and marks the first time ever that the entirety of the live three-day event will air on broadcast television.”"

Per the same article above:

"“Live streaming of the 2018 NFL Draft coverage will be available across devices (smartphone, PC, tablet and connected TVs) through the NFL app or NFL.com. Fans can also stream the live 2018 NFL Draft through FOX Sports and the ESPN App, available for subscribers of the networks’ participating TV providers.”"

Bottom Line

More from Da Windy City

Ryan Pace will prepare to make his fourth first-round selection at the helm of the Chicago Bears organization this upcoming Thursday. His first selection in 2015, Kevin White, has had an injury-riddled career and has only appeared in five games over three seasons.

To follow up Pace’s first big gamble, he didn’t hesitate to trade up in the two subsequent drafts to select Leonard Floyd and Mitchell Trubisky respectively.

Floyd has yet to play a full sixteen-game season over his two-year career and Trubisky doesn’t have the sample size of NFL gameplay to make an educated assumption on what he will become for the organization.

As such, Ryan Pace will need to treat this draft selection as debatably his most important, outside of selecting a hopeful franchise quarterback in 2017.

Next: Bears: Complete list of picks in 2018 NFL Draft

If several quarterbacks are selected before the Bears are on the clock, it could provide the opportunity to select a franchise-altering type talent with less risk involved compared to first-round selections over the past three drafts.