Round 1 coverage of the 2020 NFL Draft established records for media consumption. An average audience of more than 15.6 million viewers watched night one of the 2020 NFL Draft across ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, and digital channels easily breaking the previous high of 12.4 million viewers in 2014.
The New Orleans Saints selected offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz out of Michigan with the 24th selection.
In addition to the telecast of the 2020 NFL Draft, over seven million viewers watched in excess of 26 million minutes of "Draft-A-Thon LIVE," a massive fund-raising campaign aimed at raising much-needed funds for COVID-19 relief efforts. Draft-A-Thon LIVE is presented all three days of the 2020 NFL Draft and available through NFL digital properties across devices (phone, PC, tablet and connected TVs) as well as a number of digital platforms including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Reddit, TuneIn, Yahoo! Sports and more than 100 news websites via SendtoNews.
"The theme of hope is always prevalent in the NFL, especially with regard to the draft," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "In 2020, that's especially true, as we help honor health-care workers, first responders, and others on the front lines of the battle with COVID-19 while giving our fans something to cheer about as we celebrate the next generation of NFL stars. We are thrilled so many people were able to join us last night and we thank them for helping support the Draft-A-Thon."
