The combined viewership on FOX, ESPN, NFL Network totaled an 8.3 rating. Up over a 6.7 rating last season the NFL Network and ESPN.
This was still not the most-watched first round ever. That distinction still goes to the 2014 NFL draft, which totaled an 8.7 rating on ESPN and NFL Network. Johnny Manziel’s saga and story line was able to drive interest.
Rounds 2 and 3 will a be on FOX, ESPN and NFL Network. And the ESPN broadcast of Saturday’s final rounds will be simulcast on ABC for the first time. So there’s a good chance that the whole three-day draft will be the most-watched in the history of the event.