2014 NFL Draft Checklist

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces D.J. Fluker (Alabama) as the number eleven overall pick to the San Diego Chargers during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Are you ready for primetime and the 2014 NFL draft?  Well are you?  You may think you are ready, but the draft is a marathon, not a sprint with an estimated 51 hours of draft coverage!  I compiled a checklist for myself and realized that this may be helpful for others.   Remember, when shopping, cooking, inviting and charging you have three days of fun to fill with good stuff.  Do not plan anything but draft viewing on Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday afternoon.  If you have not already taken the time off, start coughing in front of your boss as soon as you are done reading this!  First round begins Thursday at 5 p.m, Chargers time (Bolts do not pick until round 25 – unless they trade up!), followed by the second and third rounds on Friday at 4:00 p.m.  Rounds 4-7 will be held Saturday, May 10th at 9:00 a.m.  Are you ready?  Check the list:

NFL Network or ESPN – You may not have NFL Network, but you should.  This year, however, the draft is also on ESPN for those who are in areas where their cable provider has not figured out what is important.  If you do not have either, you should call your cable provider or a friend right now.

Drinks – Make sure you have enough on hand for three to four hours of draft viewing over three days.  You do not want to be running out to BevMo in between rounds and miss something.  Also, make sure you get breakfast drinks for Saturday, mimosas or Bloody Mary’s are part of the experience.  Remember to have celery on hand, not only for the Bloody Mary’s, but the heartburn that may come from crappy draft picks.

Food – Think snackfest.  Stock up on hummus, pita, chips, veggies, cheeses, crackers, olives, fruits and other things that do not require cooking.  If you are making guacamole, make sure you get at least 5 avocados per person.  Only thing worse than running out of guacamole is when your team drafts Ryan Leaf!  If you want something hot, think crock pot.  Nacho cheese or chili?  Yes!

Extra Power – Make sure you have power cords for laptops, iPads and phones close by, plugged in and ready for action.  If you are like me you will be looking up stats on players as the draft rolls on, tweeting, updating Facebook and possibly shopping for a new jersey.  You do not want to be looking for a cord while Goodell is about to announce.

Have fun and enjoy the draft.  #IStillBelieve