The wait is finally over.
Whether you're planning on turning on the TV or coming downtown to see it yourself, the 2021 NFL Draft has finally arrived. Cleveland, of course, is the host for it all and will provide the setting for three days full of news, activities and franchise-altering decisions that will be remembered for years to come. Commissioner Roger Goodell is in town to announce Day 1 picks, while 259 prospects will hear their names called and be welcomed through the NFL gates.
Here's everything you need to know to maximize your experience for draft weekend.
"Browns Live" Draft Special
For fans eager to start their Browns draft experience as soon as possible, we have you covered.
Senior Media Broadcaster Nathan Zegura and Cleveland Browns Daily co-host Beau Bishop will host "Browns Live: 2021 Draft Special" starting Thursday at 6 p.m. They'll speak with a number of guests from the Browns for the Virtual Draft Party while incorporating viewers' real-time questions and comments.
The broadcast will air live on the Browns' website, Mobile App and Browns YouTube Channel. Full replays of the show will also be available on the Browns' official YouTube channel.
How/When to watch
Thursday (Round 1): 8 p.m. ET - ABC/ESPN/NFL Network
Friday (Rounds 2-3): 7 p.m. ET - ABC/ESPN/NFL Network
Saturday (Rounds 4-7): 12 p.m. ET - ABC/ESPN/NFL Network
What can I do downtown?
NFL Draft Experience - Kick field goals in FirstEnergy Stadium, run a 40-yard dash against digital NFL players, take a picture with the Vince Lombardi trophy or kick back and enjoy some drinks at the Bud Light Legends Bar. All of it will be part of the NFL Draft Experience, which fans must register for using the NFL OnePass app. Registration is free and open each day of the draft, although any remaining tickets will be limited.
"Rock the Clock End Zones" - This feature provides seating, live music from local DJs and broadcasts of the draft from three locations: Playhouse Square at US Bank Plaza, Old River Road in Flats East Bank and on Mall C. COVID-19 protocols will be in place at each area, and capacity will be limited on a first-come, first-serve basis.
NFL Draft Concert Series - Each day of the draft will feature a live musical performance from the main draft stage. The performances will be broadcasted live on television and can be watched at both the NFL Draft Experience and "Rock the Clock End Zones." The lineup:
Kings of Leon, April 29 at 7:40 p.m.
Black Pumas, April 30 at 11 p.m.
Machine Gun Kelly, May 1, 6:30 p.m.
Do I need to be fully vaccinated to attend any of the events?
Yes and no.
Fans won't need proof of vaccination to attend the NFL Draft Experience or "Rock the Clock End Zones," although face-coverings, social distancing and other safety procedures must be followed. Masks will be provided and hand sanitizing stations will be set up around the area.
Fans who are fully vaccinated — which requires the final vaccination to be taken April 15 or earlier — will be able to bring their vaccine card with them and get verified on-site to potentially gain access to the vaccinated fan zone near the draft stage. Access to this site, however, is not guaranteed, as each of the 32 teams were able to invite fans to attend, so space will be limited.
What if I'm driving or watching something else?
Cleveland's 92.3 The Fan and the Cleveland Browns Radio Network will serve as the official radio home of the Browns' 2021 NFL Draft, airing 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. on Thursday, 7-12 a.m. on Friday and 12-3 p.m. on Saturday. Listen the traditional way or download the Browns App to stream.
For the second screen experience…
Follow @Browns on Twitter and @ClevelandBrowns on Instagram or keep tabs on the Browns' Facebook page.
The Browns' picks
Round 1: No. 26
Round 2: No. 59
Round 3: No. 89
Round 3: No. 91 (from New Orleans)
Round 4: No. 110 (From Philadelphia)
Round 4: No. 132
Round 5: No. 169 (from Los Angeles Rams)
Round 6: No. 211
Round 7: No. 257 (from Buffalo)
Over the next few weeks, as the 2021 NFL Draft gets closer and closer, we're spotlighting a different group each day at ClevelandBrowns.com.
Our Road to the Draft series will dive deep into the top players available at each group. In this series, we'll be analyzing what the Browns have on hand and how that may affect the team's decision making with its nine selections.
FILE - Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NCAA football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Oct. 23, 2020, file photo. Zaven Collins is a small-town player with big-time talent. He was overlooked after a stellar high school career in Hominy, Okla., a town with about 3,500 people. He's got the nation's attention now -- the 6-foot-4, 260-pound linebacker is a finalist for the Butkus and Nagurski Awards. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Washington linebacker Joe Tryon (9) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins works out for scouts at NFL pro day Friday, April 2, 2021, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
FILE - Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore (58) sacks Western Carolina quarterback Tyrie Adams (12) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, file photo. Barmore is rated as the draft's best tackle among a weak group and could be gone unless the Browns move to get him. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
FILE - Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore (58) celebrates a sack against Western Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, file photo. Cleveland Browns veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson's surprise release last week due to salary-cap concerns has created an unexpected hole up front. Alabama's Christian Barmore could fill it. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore celebrates after a tackle against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Northwestern defensive back Greg Newsome II (2) in action against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 file photo, Jaelan Phillips of Miami celebrates a defensive stop during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. With Oregon's Penei Sewell likely to be long gone, two other heralded tackles could be available to the Vikings at No. 14: Northwestern's Rashawn Slater and Virginia Tech's Christian Darrisaw. Slater has a random connection to Minnesota: His father, Reggie Slater, played in the NBA for the Timberwolves in parts of two seasons.(Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins works out for scouts at NFL pro day Friday, April 2, 2021, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Joe Tryon, an edge linebacker, runs a drill, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, during Washington's pro day football workout for NFL scouts in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II, participates in the school's Pro Day football workout for NFL scouts Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Caleb Farley, left, and Divine Deablo talk during Virginia Tech pro day, attended by NFL football scouts, in Blacksburg, Va., Friday, March 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Joe Tryon, an edge linebacker, stretches before drills, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, during Washington's pro day football workout for NFL scouts in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Former Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore runs upfield after catching a pass during a drill at the school's pro day football workout for NFL scouts in Oxford, Miss., Thursday, March 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Georgia linebacker Azeez Ojulari (13) celebrates with his teammates after a sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) looks on against Alabama during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye plays during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Virginia Tech defensive back Caleb Farley (3) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Georgia linebacker Azeez Ojulari (13) celebrates a sack on Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. Georgia won 22-21. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) runs for yardage during an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Moore was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team offense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) breaks on a pattern during an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye (19) rushes the quarterback during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Georgia linebacker Azeez Ojulari (13) celebrates with defensive lineman Travon Walker (44) after a sack during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) plays against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
TCU safety Trevon Moehrig (7) celebrates an incomplete pass to Oklahoma wide receiver Drake Stoops (12) during an NCAA College football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. Oklahoma won 33-14. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Miami's Gregory Rousseau (15) tackles Duke's Deon Jackson (25) during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Miami and Duke in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
TCU safety Trevon Moehrig (7) defends during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. Oklahoma won 33-14. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye (19) sacks Rutgers quarterback Artur Sitkowski (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan has been good, not great, under coach Jim Harbaugh. Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye said the 19th-ranked team is under the radar and the Wolverines have taken a lot of punches from people, criticizing the relatively underwhelming state of the program. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis (44) celebrates after sacking Louisville quarterback Evan Conley (6) during the second half of the NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Miami defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau (15) celebrates a turnover and wears the turnover chain during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis (44) rushes UT Martin quarterback John Bachus III (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Virginia Tech defensive back Caleb Farley (3) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Who went 26th last season, and when was the pick made?
The Packers, after a trade with the Dolphins, selected QB Jordan Love at 11:29 p.m.
Is this a spot that typically produces great players?
Three Hall of Famers — LB Ray Lewis (1996), G Joe DeLamielleure (1973) and G Alan Faneca (1998) — have been selected with the 26th pick. None of the last 10 selections have gone to the Pro Bowl, but it's produced a few quality players in recent years with WR Calvin Ridley (2018), EDGE Montez Sweat (2019) and current Browns DE Takkarist McKinley (2017).
Got a mock?
Since 1999, which positions have the Browns targeted in the first round?
QB - 5
RB - 2
WR - 2
TE - 2
OL - 4
DL - 5
LB - 2
DB - 4
By conference?
SEC - 8
Big Ten - 5
Big 12 - 5
ACC - 5
Pac-12 - 2
Notre Dame - 2
Pop quiz
Which college have the Browns selected the most first-round picks from?
Crazy when you think about it …
The last time the Browns picked this late in the first round was in 1995, when they took Ohio State linebacker Craig Powell at pick No. 30.
Answer
It's Michigan, with five total first-round draft picks (Jabrill Peppers, Braylon Edwards, Derrick Alexander, Steve Everitt, Thom Darden, Ron Johnson).
What about next year?
The Browns own their picks in Rounds 1-6 as well as the Detroit Lions' seventh-round pick after the two teams swapped their seventh-round slots, in addition to Cleveland trading QB David Blough to Detroit, in 2019.
