Gruden’s QB Camp, We The Fans: Section 250, SportsCenter Specials and More
ESPN will debut more than 20 hours of original NFL and NFL Draft-related programming on Tuesday, April 11, highlighted by the eighth season of Gruden’s QB Camp and the debut of the new multi-platform original series We The Fans: Section 250. Leading to the NFL Draft (April 27-29), offerings will also include SportsCenter Specials, NFL Matchup: Draft Special, ESPN Sport Science: Draft Combine and the NFL Films-produced Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL. Details:
- Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL (April 11 at 8 p.m., ESPN2): This four-part series chronicles the pre-Draft and Draft Day experiences of 2017 prospects Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina), Solomon Thomas (Stanford), Jamal Adams (LSU), James Conner (Pittsburgh) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (USC). NFL Films follows each player to his hometown and captures behind-the-scenes moments from the NFL Scouting Combine, Pro Days and the 2017 NFL Draft.
- Gruden’s QB Camp (April 11 at 8:30 p.m., ESPN2): MNF analyst and Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden put seven quarterbacks through the paces: Trubisky, Deshaun Watson (Clemson), Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech), Brad Kaaya (Miami, Fla.), DeShone Kizer (Notre Dame), Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee) and Nathan Peterman (Pittsburgh). The QB Camp series includes individual player episodes, an hour-long compilation show, and – new this year – a dedicated episode highlighting on-field workouts.
- We the Fans: Section 250 (April 11 at 10 p.m., ESPN): This inventive multi-platform original series introduces viewers to Chicago Bears season ticketholders from Section 250 at Soldier Field. Seven 30-minute episodes and a special one-hour reunion episode for the season finale will be accompanied by audio, print, digital and social media elements. Release.
- SportsCenter Special: Draft Room Simulation (April 13 at 8 p.m., ESPN): Host Trey Wingo, former NFL GMs Mark Dominik, Bill Polian and Phil Savage, NFL analyst Darren Woodson and NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay play out various scenarios that simulate what NFL front offices experience.
- ESPN Sport Science: Draft Combine (April 15 at 12 p.m., ESPN): John Brenkus analyzes more than 20 top prospects – including quarterbacks Watson, Kizer, Trubisky, Mahomes and Chad Kelly, NFL Combine 40-yard dash record holder John Ross, edge-rushing disrupter Tim Williams and game-breaking runners Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook – to see who is scientifically-worthy of a top pick.
- SportsCenter Special: You’ve Got Mel & Todd (April 18 at 8 p.m., ESPN): Wingo hosts the social media-driven show that features Mel Kiper Jr. and McShay answering fan questions about the 2017 NFL Draft. Fans can submit questions via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #AskMelandTodd. A same-day encore begins at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.
- NFL Matchup: Draft Special (April 18 at 8 p.m., ESPN2): In this two-part series, Sal Paolantonio, Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski analyze draft prospects in the context of the NFL game, evaluating who will transition most successfully to the NFL.
- SportsCenter Special: Mel & Todd’s Mock Draft (April 20 at 7 p.m., ESPN): In this live Mock Draft hosted by Wingo, Kiper and McShay set aside their predictions and take turns making Round 1 selections based on what they would do if they were NFL GMs. NFL Insiders Adam Schefter and Louis Riddick offer insight and analysis. Additional content – Kiper and McShay’s selections for Rounds 2 and 3 – will be available on ESPN.com following the show. A same-day encore begins at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
- SportsCenter Special: GMs Roundtable (April 24 at 8 p.m., ESPN2): Wingo facilitates a conversation between Dominik, Polian and Savage to provide viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into Draft Day decisions. The former NFL GMs share stories, discuss potential trades and buyer beware and can’t miss prospects and offer their assessments on this year’s quarterback class – namely, which team will take the first QB, who it will be and at what spot.
- SportsCenter Special: NFL Nation Mock Draft (April 25 at 8 p.m., ESPN): Wendi Nix hosts the NFL Nation Mock Draft where ESPN reporters use the information they have about the teams they cover to predict Round 1. McShay and Polian provide analysis. These selections will be available on ESPN.com following the show. A same-day encore begins at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.
- SportsCenter Special: Draft Countdown (April 27 at 7 p.m., ESPN): Wingo, Jon Gruden, Kiper, Riddick, Schefter, Chris Mortensen and Suzy Kolber prepare fans for the 2017 NFL Draft.
- SportsCenter Special: Draft Grades (April 30 at 7 p.m., ESPN2): Jade McCarthy reviews the 2017 NFL Draft with former NFL head coach Herm Edwards and NFL Draft analysts Kiper and McShay. A same-day encore begins at 11 p.m. on ESPN2.
Debut Episodes:
| Date | Time (ET) | Show | Network |
| Tue, Apr 11 | 8 p.m. | Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL Episode 1 | ESPN2 |
| 8:30 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Gruden’s QB Camp – Deshaun Watson | ESPN2 | |
| 9 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Gruden’s QB Camp – Mitchell Trubisky | ESPN2 | |
| 10 p.m. | We the Fans: Section 250 Episode 1 | ESPN | |
| 10:30 p.m. | We the Fans: Section 250 Episode 2 | ESPN | |
| Wed, Apr 12 | 9 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Gruden’s QB Camp – Patrick Mahomes | ESPN2 |
| 9:30 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Gruden’s QB Camp – Brad Kaaya | ESPN2 | |
| Thu, Apr 13 | 7 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Best of Gruden’s QB Camp | ESPN |
| 8 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Draft Room Simulation | ESPN | |
| Fri, Apr 14 | 12 a.m. | SportsCenter Special: Gruden’s QB Camp – DeShone Kizer | ESPN2 |
| Sat, Apr 15 | 12 p.m. | Sport Science: Draft Combine Special | ESPN |
| Sun, Apr 16 | 6:30 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Gruden’s QB Camp – Joshua Dobbs | ESPN2 |
| Tue, Apr 18 | 7 p.m. | We the Fans: Section 250 Episode 3 | ESPN |
| 7:30 p.m. | We the Fans: Section 250 Episode 4 | ESPN | |
| 8 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: You’ve Got Mel & Todd | ESPN | |
| 8 p.m. | NFL Matchup: Draft Special – Episode 1 | ESPN2 | |
| 9:30 p.m. | Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL Episode 2 | ESPN | |
| Thu, Apr 20 | 7 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Mel & Todd’s Mock Draft | ESPN |
| Sat, Apr 22 | 10 a.m. | SportsCenter Special: Gruden’s QB Camp – Nathan Peterman | ESPN2 |
| Mon, Apr 24 | 8 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: GMs Roundtable | ESPN2 |
| Tue, Apr 25 | 7 p.m. | We the Fans: Section 250 Episode 5 | ESPN |
| 7 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Gruden’s QB Camp – The Workouts | ESPN2 | |
| 7:30 p.m. | We the Fans: Section 250 Episode 6 | ESPN | |
| 8 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: NFL Nation Mock Draft | ESPN | |
| 8 p.m. | NFL Matchup: Draft Special – Episode 2 | ESPN2 | |
| 9:30 p.m. | Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL Episode 3 | ESPN | |
| Thu, Apr 27 | 7 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Draft Countdown | ESPN |
| Sun, Apr 30 | 7 p.m. | SportsCenter Special: Draft Grades | ESPN2 |
| Tue, May 2 | 7 p.m. | We the Fans: Section 250 Episode 7 | ESPN |
| 7:30 p.m. | We the Fans: Section 250 Episode 8 | ESPN | |
| 8:30 p.m. | Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL Episode 4 | ESPN |
* Presenting sponsors include Maui Jim (Gruden’s QB Camp) and EGO (ESPN Sport Science: Draft Combine). All ESPN networks are available to stream live on WatchESPN and the ESPN app. Schedule subject to change. –30–
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