What Is the NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft is an annual event where all 32 NFL teams have the opportunity to select newly eligible players to help construct their rosters for the upcoming season. The draft consists of seven different rounds, which are determined in part by the team’s record the previous year, how far they advanced in the NFL playoffs, and compensatory picks determined by the league.
Incoming prospects have the chance to take part in team interviews, position-specific drills, and athletic tests — like the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump — at events like the NFL Combine and college pro days to help teams evaluate prospects during the draft process.
When Is the 2024 NFL Draft?
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place over the span of three days in the month of April. The first round of the draft will begin on Thursday, April 25, 2024, and will consist of 32 picks. Day 2 of the event will occur on the next day — Friday, April 26, 2024 — and will consist of the second and third rounds.
The 2024 NFL Draft will conclude on Saturday, April 27, which will consist of the final four rounds.
What Time Does the NFL Draft Start?
The three days of the 2024 NFL Draft will commence at three different times.
Round 1: Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET
Round 2-3: Friday, April 26, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
Round 4-7: Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Noon ET
How Many Rounds Are in the NFL Draft?
Since 1994, the NFL has made the draft consist of seven rounds to select incoming prospects. Prior to the league expanding to 32 teams, there were as many as 32 rounds in the draft. A big reason why the league changed the number of rounds for the draft was the implementation of the modern salary cap structure in the NFL back in 1993.
How Many Picks Are in the NFL Draft?
The exact number of picks in a specific NFL Draft can vary from year to year based on how many compensatory picks are awarded by the league and if any team has forfeited a pick as part of a disciplinary ruling. In the 2024 NFL Draft, there will be a total of 257 picks.
How To Watch the NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft will broadcast over numerous channels, which include ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, and ESPN Deportes. In addition, you can stream the NFL Draft on Youtube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo TV, and Sling TV.
Where Is the 2024 NFL Draft?
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in the city of Detroit, MI. The Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza will be the home of the 2024 NFL Draft, which will include the announcement of picks, music, and a Draft Experience as part of the event’s festivities.
Top Prospects To Watch at the NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft is absolutely loaded with talent at quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive tackle.
The quarterbacks are headlined by USC’s Caleb Williams, who has been projected to the top of this draft after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2022. His exceptional off-script creation skills with a live NFL arm make him a very exciting prospect.
Other quarterbacks who could hear their names called relatively early on Day 1 are LSU’s Jayden Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. All three are in consideration for the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, who pick second and third overall, respectively, in the NFL Draft.
In what could go down as one of the best wide receiver groups in the history of the draft, Marvin Harrison Jr. out of Ohio State is widely regarded as a can’t-miss prospect at the position. However, right behind him are two incredibly talented prospects in their own right, LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze, who are also in the mix for a top-10 selection.
To give you an idea of how deep and talented this group of pass catchers is, as many as eight wide receivers could go on Day 1. In addition to the three already mentioned, other top prospects include Brian Thomas Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Keon Coleman, and Ladd McConkey.
Lastly, this collection of offensive tackle prospects is special. Joe Alt out of Notre Dame is widely regarded as the top prospect, but Olu Fashanu, Taliese Fuaga, Troy Fautanu, Amarius Mims, JC Latham, Tyler Guyton, Kingsley Suamataia, and Jordan Morgan are all in the conversation for first-round consideration approaching the 2024 NFL Draft.