NFL Draft Start Time 2012: Best Ways to Watch First-Round Action

As the 2012 NFL draft kicks off on ESPN at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday, people around the nation will be clamoring to see whom their team picks in the first round (and if you're an Oakland Raiders fan, tough luck).

Wherever you may be, make the most of this NFL draft, because it only comes once a year and it could mark the turning point for your team.

If you are stuck in traffic, or if you are lounging at home, here's a look at some of the best ways to watch or listen to first-round action on Thursday.

You Can Watch the NFL Draft in the Car

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS ONLY MEANT FOR PEOPLE STUCK IN TRAFFIC.

I am not encouraging people to watch their iPads when they are driving 70 miles per hour. That would be bad. 

What I am saying is that, as long as you aren't moving in traffic, you may as well watch the draft on the electronic device of your choosing. You can watch the entire draft on NFL.com/live.

So while that man with the Indianapolis Colts hat is banging his head against the steering wheel, you can sit back and relax, knowing that you won't miss your Washington Redskins selecting Robert Griffin III.

You can also listen to the NFL draft with your hands-free device. 

Invite People Over To Your House

Even if you are a hermit who rarely comes out for air, this is your chance to impress. Get out the chips, dip, salsa, hot dogs, burgers, shish kebabs, men's magazines, beverages and life-sized posters of your favorite athletes.

Clean up your living room and kitchen, discard those crusty pieces of pizza on your couch, vacuum the rug, fix your cable and make sure people have a place to sit (not everybody likes to sit on pillows or broken-down lawn chairs).

If people have a good time at your NFL draft party, they may just come back for the Super Bowl. Then you'll have all kinds of friends you never realized you had.

Watch the NFL Draft On Your Cell Phone

Cell phones are no longer those things with long antennas that get virtually no reception 100 yards from the center of the city. They've become more like computers these days, with the ability to watch the Internet included.

So if you are on the move, why not watch the draft on your cell? Sure, you won't be able to see much, but you should be able to squint and see who your team selected, and that is all that really matters.

Just make sure you are aware of where you are when you scream out in joy, anger, denial or indifference. You may frighten that old lady sitting next to you on the bus.

Follow me on Twitter. We can talk about the 2012 NFL draft together.