With quarterbacks as the star attraction, the 2023 NFL Draft increased its TV viewership by 12%.
The three-day event averaged six million viewers across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ABC and NFL Network. That was up 12% from the 5.3 million average in 2022.
The Draft’s viewership numbers were up each day (Thursday-Friday-Saturday) compared to last year. Over 312,000 fans attended the live event in Kansas City, home of the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
The league says this year’s NFL Draft drew a total unduplicated audience in the U.S. of 54.4 million viewers.
Starting with Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young of Alabama, quarterbacks were taken with three of the first four picks during Thursday’s first round.
The average viewership for Thursday’s first-round coverage rose 11% to 11.4 million viewers.
ESPN Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. worked his 40th event this year. The Walt Disney Co’s ESPN and ABC both offered their own version of the Draft for the fifth year in a row. And the league’s own NFLN covered the Draft for the 17th year in a row.
![The University of Alabama showed off renovations to Bryant Denny Stadium Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. Sports Illustrated covers decorate the walls inside the new press box. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/USATSI_15005835_168422351_lowres-scaled-e1779297429645.jpg?quality=80&w=300)
