This year's draft also had the second most-watched Day 2 on record with 7.5 million viewers, a 48% increase from 2024. The viewership rise in Days 2 and 3 could be linked to the drama with Colorado Buffaloes star Shedeur Sanders, who was drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns after being projected to be a first round pick.

Round 1 coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay was seen by an average audience of 13.6 million viewers (TV+Digital) last night across ESPN, NFL Network, ABC, ESPN Deportes and digital channels -- up plus-11% versus Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft (12.

NFL officials announced on April 26 that the total attendance for the draft ended up at 600,000. An entire draft should not be framed around one narrative. The ESPN draft set became contentious after the Cleveland Browns picked Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round on Saturday.