Given the rampant popularity of the National Football League, particularly the franchise that plays in Green Bay, the adage in local media circles has long held that "you can never give them too much news about the Packers."

The NFL Draft tests that theory.

Few events in sports generate the type of saturation coverage that accompanies the NFL Draft, which will be held this weekend.

For weeks, the Internet has been filled with predictions, projections and mock drafts, most of which will be proved to be wildly inaccurate when Commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium to announce the actual picks.

Some fans will watch the draft -- wall to wall -- as it unfolds on ESPN and the NFL Network. They'll cheer the picks they like, boo the ones they hate and obsess over what's coming next.

Others will stay away with a "wake me when it's over and tell me who they took" approach.

A number of fans will even show up at the Lambeau Field Atrium to watch the proceedings in person. Tickets for the Packers draft party cost $25, with free admission for kids 6 and under who enter with a ticketed adult.

The doors open at 2 p.m. Fans can watch draft coverage to two huge projection screens.

The Packers have the ninth overall pick, and each club is allotted 10 minutes to make a selection in the first round. Overall, the Packers have four picks in the top 85 selections.

General manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy, the men presiding over the Packers' picks, will address fans, along with team president Mark Murphy.

The party also will include appearances by Packers players Will Blackmon, Brandon Chillar, James Jones, Ruvell Martin, Jordy Nelson and Aaron Rouse, along with alumni Mark Chmura and Aaron Taylor.

Players will participate in autograph sessions with party attendees who will receive a ticket for one randomly assigned, two-player autograph session upon entering the event. Additionally, 30-minute meet-and-greet sessions with Blackmon, Taylor and Jones will be offered as raffle items at the party. Selected players also will participate in a question-and-answer session on stage.

The Atrium once again will be a Wi-Fi "Hot Spot," and computer stations also will be available to enable fans to track draft information via the Web. A limited amount of tables will have power available and a charging station also will be set up for users to recharge their laptop batteries.

Other features of the day include:

• Additional Club Level seating with projection TVs and flat screen TVs throughout.
• Commemorative 2009 Packers Draft Party cap for all attendees.
• Question-and-answer sessions, interactive games for kids and adults.
• Viewing opportunity of Lambeau Field from a Club Level viewing suite.
• Free entry for a chance to win door prizes, including autographed Packers items and Mills Fleet Farm gift cards.
• Raffle including more than 15 signed memorabilia pieces, included items from 2008 NFL first-round picks Joe Flacco, Jake Long, Darren McFadden and Glenn Dorsey.
• Draft history trivia contest.
• "Packers Garage Sale" with one-of-a-kind Packers items.
• Wii video game stations, offering attendees the opportunity for a friendly game.

Food and drink will be available for purchase at Curly's Pub, Frozen in Time and Atrium eateries.

For fans dying to know which player the Packers will choose with the ninth overall pick (provided they don't trade it for more picks), the Web site bodoglife.com has set the following odds:

Boston College defensive lineman B.J. Raji, even

Texas linebacker Brian Orakpo -- 7/2

Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin -- 4/1

LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson -- 8-1
Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers -- 10-1