NFL Draft 2016: Start Time, Live Stream and TV Coverage for 1st Round

Noteworthy storylines define the 2016 NFL draft in Chicago more than any other in recent memory.

When things kick off Thursday on NFL Network and ESPN in Chicago, the heated quarterback debate, one school's dominance, a defensive-heavy draft and one controversial knee will settle into place as the first round snakes its way toward the 31st pick.

And that's just a sampling of the notable storylines.

Below, let's take a look at everything to know about viewing the draft before we go over a comprehensive preview.

Viewing Info

Date: Thursday

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Location: Chicago

TV: NFL Network and ESPN

Live Stream: NFL.com and ESPN3

Full Schedule

Thursday: Round 1, 8 p.m. ET

Friday: Rounds 2-3, 7 p.m. ET

Saturday: Rounds 4-7: noon ET 

It's best to start the 2016 breakdown right at the top.

Thanks to a top-heavy quarterback class, the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles traded up to No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, to guarantee drafting new leaders under center.

The top two quarterbacks are Jared Goff out of California and Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State. According to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano, the Rams don't plan on revealing who the top pick is, either:

Why would they? It's boring if everyone knows beforehand, though the Rams surely do. The general consensus suggests it's the pro-style Goff since Wentz did not play an elite level of competition. Go ahead and keep Memphis' Paxton Lynch in mind too—while he's a project and the third-rated quarterback, crazier things have happened. This is the process that made Tim Tebow and Johnny Manziel first-round picks, after all.

The above makes for good television, right? Plenty of drama is set to unfold, especially with 25 players scheduled to attend the proceedings.

Get this—five of those 25 hail from one school, Ohio State. Defensive end Joey Bosa, corner Eli Apple, offensive tackle Taylor Decker, running back Ezekiel Elliott and linebacker Darron Lee tie a record for attendees and could wind up making history, as the Buckeyes made sure to point out on Twitter:

Observers will notice the majority of the Ohio State attendees suit up on the defensive side of the ball, which makes sense given the eye-popping nature of this class that has already had offensive coordinators around the league putting in extra hours.

Seriously, Bosa in the trenches is great, but he's not even the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey leads all defenders this year thanks to his pro-ready game and ability to play any spot in the secondary.

Behind him, other defensive backs such as Vernon Hargreaves of Florida and William Jackson III of Houston deserve attention.

In the trenches, Oregon's DeForest Buckner seems like an unstoppable force who is ready to come off the board in the top 10. Louisville's Sheldon Rankins doesn't figure to be far behind, given his Geno Atkins-esque ability to rush the passer from the interior.

CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora even suggested Rankins could push into the top five:

Then there's Myles Jack, the UCLA linebacker and owner of the aforementioned controversial knee.

At one point, he was perhaps talented enough to come off the board first overall, but revelation after revelation continues to seep out about his knee and knock his stock down.

Granted, this could all be one heck of a late smoke screen, that is, until Jack confirmed what sounds like a long-term problem, as captured by Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post:

"

This quote to me from Myles Jack today about his knee can hardly be comforting to teams. pic.twitter.com/A6BwGYb6lu

— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) April 27, 2016"

This doesn't sound like a doomsday scenario for Jack, and he's perhaps just trying to suggest he has a greater chance than usual to need surgery down the road. But it's not what teams want to hear, and some might take him off the board because of it—for shame, since he's one of the best linebacker prospects to come out over the course of the past decade.

Again, this is just a small sampling of what looks like one of the most interesting drafts in recent memory. Keep in mind plenty of trades can still happen, with the Cleveland Browns perhaps wanting to move around, Sam Bradford out there and who knows what else once prospects start flying off the board.

Don't forget desperate quarterback-needy teams such as Cleveland, the New York Jets, Buffalo and even Denver, too. The extent of trades and reaching below the top three to address the most important position of all could produce some wild scenarios.

Round 1 resolves many of these questions starting at 8 p.m. ET. Don't miss out.

Stats are courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of April 28. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.