NFL Draft: All you need to know

The 2024 NFL draft is rapidly approaching, and as Pro Days are completed, NFL teams will be whittling down their prospective targets.  On a weekend where 257 players will have their dreams come true and fans across the globe plan their NFL mock draft, we guide you through the key points on just how the NFL draft works.

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How does the NFL draft work? 

The NFL draft is an opportunity for standout collegiate football players to realise their dreams and be selected by NFL teams, and with it enjoy the highs and lows of professional football. While there are other routes to the NFL, such as being unsigned as an undrafted free agent, the lion’s share of professional players will be picked over a three-day event in a host city.

So how does the NFL draft work? Well, in theory, the best players are the first NFL draft picks, but that’s not to say great players don’t slip through the cracks. Arguably the best player ever, Tom Brady, was drafted 199th overall. ‘Mr Irrelevant’ is the title given to the last draft pick, but even they can turn out to be a superstar, as was the case with the 49ers’ Brock Purdy being the final pick from the 2022 NFL draft, with Purdy then proceeding to carry the side to the Super Bowl.

How is the draft order determined?

The NFL draft order is determined based on each side’s record from the previous year, with each team assigned a pick in each of the seven draft rounds from one to 32. As the NFL is a league based off the notion of parity, the worst performing team gets the first NFL draft ranking, while the Super Bowl winners get the 32nd pick. There are possible changes, such as pre-traded picks, while from round three onwards, teams can also be given compensatory picks, for numerous reasons. This means that this year’s first pick goes to the Chicago Bears, giving them huge flexibility, and the chance to draft a franchise-changing player.

Date and time of the NFL Draft 2024 rounds

The 2024 NFL draft will be the 89th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players. The draft is scheduled to be held around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan, on April 25–27, 2024. On Day 1 (25th April), the first round will take place at 8pm ET (12pm BST), with the teams selecting 32 of the men to be their first picks of the bunch. On Day 2, rounds two and three will go ahead at 7pm ET (11pm BST), with a further 64 players being selected. Finally, on Day 3, the final four rounds finish off proceedings at noon (4pm BST) in which the rest of the players will be chosen.

Latest NFL Draft news

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State is looking to be the most likely first pick from this year’s draft, having impressed scouts by becoming the first Ohio State player to have multiple 1,000 receiving yard seasons. He’s big, he’s fast, and will undoubtedly be a huge asset to whoever picks him up.

Quarterbacks that can be the face of the franchise are gold dust and given the number of quarterback-wanting teams this season, it seems likely they’ll get snapped up quickly. The two standout quarterbacks in this year’s draft are Caleb Williams from USC and Jayden Daniels from LSU, who make up the top three selections alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. However, the NFL draft can be entertainingly unpredictable, and there will be shocks and surprises aplenty so make sure to catch the best of the action.

We’ve also put together a handy NFL betting guide if you would like to know even more.