2012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down the NFL Draft Format for Fans

The NFL draft's format has been changed multiple times over the past 10 years. Originally, the draft was held during the week. More recently it was held with the first through third rounds on Saturday and then the fourth through seventh rounds on Sunday.

This year the draft will follow the following format:

Thursday, April 26th

The NFL will conduct its first round on Thursday starting at 8 p.m. Roger Goodell will announce all of the first-round picks and there will be around 10-15 players invited to the first round, per usual. Each NFL team gets a 10-minute time limit on its pick in the first round.

Oakland, Atlanta and New Orleans will be teams that won't pick until the second day of the draft, with Atlanta not picking until the second round. Oakland and New Orleans will have to wait until the third round for their initial picks.

Friday, April 27th

The NFL will conduct its second and third rounds on Friday starting at 7 p.m. The NFL has gone to a format where legendary NFL alumni from each team will announce their teams second and third round picks.

Last year saw legends such as Barry Sanders of Detroit, Marshall Faulk of St. Louis and Shannon Sharpe of Denver read their respective teams' second-round picks. It has still yet to be announced who all of the teams will be represented by for this year.

Saturday, April 28th

The NFL will conduct its fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday starting at noon. The picks will be announced by various NFL and NFLPA personnel, as well as some fans who will be allowed to make the pick for their team through contests.

Venue

And as usual like the past seven years, Radio City Music Hall in New York City will be the venue for the NFL draft. Prior to being at Radio City Music Hall, the draft was held at the Javits Convention Center and Madison Square Garden.