Don't watch NFL Network or ESPN's run-up coverage to Thursday night's 2019 NFL Draft unless you want to hear about what player will go No. 1.
Following the protocol of recent years, the two networks will not tip teams' draft picks before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell makes the official announcement in Nashville, Tenn. — with one glaring exception.
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NFL Network and ESPN will allow insiders and reporters such as Ian Rapaport, Adam Schefter, Josina Anderson, Chris Mortensen and Dan Graziano to do what they do best: break the news on the first player selection before it's revealed Thursday night (8 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network).
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Whether it's Kyler Murray of Oklahoma, Nick Bosa of Ohio State or another young star, look for those overall No. 1 reports to air before the pick is made.
Pro Football Talk previously reported that network reporters had been "instructed not to report the identity of the first overall pick before it is made (Thursday night)." ESPN's executive vice president of production, Seth Markman, tweeted that that was "false."
False https://t.co/R3Y3gd3Jtz
— Seth Markman (@tunasweasel) April 25, 2019
Mortensen tweeted that reporters are free to go with the story as long as they get "firm confirmation."
Lot of smokescreens as always but I can 100% report that we have not been instructed to avoid disclosure of the No. 1 pick. We are not tipping picks during the draft but as for the No. 1 choice, we can report if we get firm confirmation.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 25, 2019
An NFL spokesman told Sporting News via email: "Neither NFL Network nor ESPN has been directed not to report on who might be the No. 1 pick."
Sports media reporter Richard Deitsch of The Athletic previously reported both networks agreed their staffers would not tip picks on social media prior to Goodell (or whoever follows him) announcing the pick at the podium.
Some NFL teams holding the No. 1 overall pick broadcast well in advance who they're taking first, noted Cindy Boren of The Washington Post, but the Cardinals have kept silent, although Murray remains the consensus No. 1 overall pick on most draft boards.
Even if it annoys NFL insiders to keep their yaps zipped the rest of the night, it probably makes for better entertainment from a TV standpoint.
As Boren noted, draft-tipping on social media during previous years took away some of the drama and surprise of the draft, which has become a huge TV event and traveling outdoor carnival visiting various cities such as Nashville, Philadelphia and Chicago.
