NFL Network 2024 NFL Draft Screengrab: NFL Network
League NetworksNFLBy Sam Neumann on

There’s a lot about NFL Network’s coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft that worked.

While big names like Nick Saban and Bill Belichick participating in the draft coverage are exciting, NFL Network offers a unique viewing experience. Their team of analysts is knowledgeable and entertaining, avoiding an overly serious tone. The coverage feels well-balanced, with experts like Daniel Jeremiah providing in-depth analysis. At the same time, analysts like Joel Klatt and Charles Davis bring their own brand of insightful commentary and lighthearted humor, making the entire draft a captivating experience.

In his hosting capacity, Rich Eisen truly elevates the coverage. His ability to seamlessly transition between expert analysis and lighthearted humor, often with timely pop culture references, makes him the glue that holds the network’s coverage together.

The coverage is a mix of informed takes and some pertinent information that you can’t get anywhere else. On NFLN’s coverage, Jeremiah revealed that Kirk Cousins wasn’t made aware that Michael Penix Jr. would be the pick. Jeremiah had reached out in real-time to Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, who had informed NFL Network’s draft analyst that his client was out of the loop. Cousins signed a three-year deal with Atlanta this past offseason and was not given a heads-up.

Rapoport threw a wrench into the works, hinting at the possibility of Atlanta taking a quarterback despite Cousins’ nine-figure contract, which includes nearly $100 million guaranteed. And mention of a succession plan dropped on the broadcast like a plot twist from the hit HBO series.

“You talk about a succession plan. We all saw that great show,” Davis said. “And what did Logan Roy always tell everyone? Bleep off. That’s what Atlanta did exactly.”

Logan Roy also told his children they were not serious people. And perhaps the Falcons are not a serious franchise.

But seriousness — or the lack thereof — is what makes NFL Network’s coverage so great. There’s not as much as whatever comes to mind as Pat McAfee’s Draft Spectacular seemed to be, but there’s room for creativity and humor while still delivering sharp player comparisons, film breakdowns, and in-depth insights from those who know the prospects best.

Klatt and Jeremiah have a deep understanding of the college game, while Davis and Kurt Warner excel at translating that knowledge to the NFL. Warner, especially, brings invaluable expertise when it comes to quarterbacks.

And that’s not mentioning Eisen, whose ability as a host is almost as if he’s the viewer at home. Knowledgeable yet curious, he stands aside so his colleagues can inform, and when he peppers in, he’s not overstepping. His expertise is undeniable, and he conveys it with both clarity and humor.

Despite the playful banter, Eisen always steers the conversation back on track, showcasing his true talent. He acts as the floor general of the broadcast, seamlessly facilitating the discussion, yet he’s also a force to be reckoned with on his own. Not only did he win a friendly wager with Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard, but he also stole the show by perfectly capturing the absurdity of Tony Khan’s attempt to merge AEW and the NFL—and somehow making it just as captivating as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ executive’s kayfabe.

Between lacrosse play-by-play, complaints about serenading the crowd with Neil Diamond’s music, and “Maserati Marv” callbacks with Klatt, Gus Johnson’s partner, on set, there are plenty of moments to choose from to show what stands out about NFL Network’s coverage, but perhaps the best moment was something unscripted.

In interviewing Terrion Arnold, who was selected by the hosting city team — Detroit Lions — Kaylee Hartung allowed the Alabama cornerback, who was selected with the No. 24 overall pick, to take over the mic. It wasn’t the most conventional decision, and we can just see the faces and noises that NFL producers were making. Still, perhaps it ended up being the best one, as you couldn’t fake the moment of intimacy between Arnold and the crowd as he promised he’d be the difference in helping bring a Super Bowl back to the Motor City.

As the dust settles on the first round, NFL Network’s coverage has set the bar high. From Eisen’s witty commentary to unexpected moments like Terrion Arnold’s emotional connection with the Detroit crowd, the overall viewing experience delivered a unique blend of information and entertainment. It wasn’t just about the picks; it was about the stories, the surprises, and the raw emotions that make the draft so captivating.

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann