NFL Draft Start Time 2015: Round 1 TV Schedule, Live Stream and More

After months of mocking and anticipating, draft day has finally arrived.

No, not the infuriating Kevin Costner film in which he trades up to the first pick to select someone who would have been available at the team's original slot. The NFL draft begins Thursday night, with the first round initiating a three-day bonanza.

Somehow, an event filled with meticulous waiting and name announcing has become popular enough for two networks to televise the event. Viewers can choose between ESPN or the NFL Network to see where the nation's top football prospects land.

Here's the pertinent viewing info for Thursday's opening-round coverage.

NFL Draft: Round 1 Schedule

When: Thursday, April 30 at 8 p.m. ET 

Where: Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Illinois

TV: ESPN, NFL Network

Live Stream: Watch ESPN, NFL Mobile

Top Storylines

Will Somebody Trade Up for Marcus Mariota?

Many potential franchise quarterbacks enter the draft with a strong inkling of where they'll wind up. Case in point, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are widely expected to make Jameis Winston the No. 1 pick.

Marcus Mariota, however, remains the draft's biggest domino. The Tennessee Titans could promptly grab the Oregon quarterback at No. 2, but the Heisman Trophy winner risks slipping otherwise. 

Then, there are the sea of trade rumors drowning all predraft discussion. According to ESPN's Pat McManamon (via SportsCenter), the Cleveland Browns are leveraging their two first-round selections to land Mariota:

A year after drafting Johnny Manziel, Cleveland is once again searching for a franchise signal-caller. Yet, the Titans will likely require more amenities in a package that involves them moving out of the top 10 altogether.

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio (via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk) reported belief in Mariota's camp that the San Diego Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles remain in the hunt. It'd take significant maneuvering for the Eagles to climb up from No. 20.

Which Wide Receiver Goes 1st?

An intriguing competition is brewing between top wide receivers Amari Cooper and Kevin White. Both are probable top-10 choices, but either one could earn the honor of this year's top wideout off of the board.

After completing his junior year at Alabama with 124 receptions, 1,724 yards and 16 touchdowns, Cooper looked like the class' top pass-catching prize. White, however, gained steam by running a 4.35 40-yard dash, per NFL.com.

The West Virginia wideout vaulted up draft boards, but Cooper is making a late rally. According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, White hasn't leapfrogged the Crimson Tide alum:

At pick No. 4, the Oakland Raiders represent a sensible spot for Cooper or White. It appeared they'd have the pick of them, but murmurs are hinting otherwise. An unnamed AFC personnel man told Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson that the Jacksonville Jaguars are fond of Cooper: "I think the third spot could shock people [again]. I think they like Cooper more than they are letting on. You hear things and they have been pretty good about what's getting out there. It's a lot like it was last year." 

Even if Jacksonville instead grabs Leonard Williams or Dante Fowler Jr., the Chicago Bears, the St. Louis Rams, the Minnesota Vikings and the Browns could all use a playmaking receiver, meaning neither Cooper nor White will last past the No. 12 pick. 

Will Randy Gregory, Shane Ray Slip?

A pair of top pass-rushers risk plummeting down the Round 1 ladder due to matters off of the football field.

Last month, Randy Gregory admitted to failing a drug test for marijuana during the NFL Scouting Combine. 

"Am I worried? Yeah, I'm worried," he said to NFL.com's Kimberly Jones regarding his draft stock. "At the same time, I'm confident. I know I'm going to be all right in the end."

On Monday, Shane Ray was cited for marijuana possession after being pulled over for speeding in Missouri. Now, the 21-year-old is in danger of falling out of the first round. While making a guest spot on Mike and Mike, ESPN's Mark Dominik predicted a seismic slip:

Both men have descended down many experts' draft boards, but the knee-jerk reaction might prove excessive. One NFL general manager suggested to Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman that marijuana use isn't met with the same reaction behind closed doors:

In the same draft in which Winston projects to go No. 1 despite sexual assault allegations, two tremendous edge-rushers are unlikely to fall as far as skeptics think.