How does the NFL draft work?

April 22, 2026 No Comments

How does the NFL draft work?ByBen CollinsBBC Sport journalistPublished9 minutes agoImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward was the first pick of the 2025 NFL draftNFL draft 2026Venue: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Dates: Thursday, 23 April – Saturday, 25 April Start: 20:00 EDT (01:00 BST, Friday)The NFL features more than 2,200 players across the league’s 32 teams and most are recruited via the NFL draft each April.Every year thousands of players in the US collegiate system become eligible for the draft but the total number of selections is limited to about 250.Although players who go undrafted can still be signed later, most future stars are picked up during the three-day event.But early draft picks can often flop in the NFL while some chosen late become greats – Tom Brady was selected 199th overall in 2000 yet went on to win a record seven Super Bowls.Get in touchSend us your questionsContact form

Which team gets the first pick?

The draft is divided into seven rounds – the first taking place on a Thursday, rounds two and three on Friday and four to seven on Saturday.

All 32 teams have one pick in each round, going in the reverse order of the previous season’s standings, unless they have agreed trades.

There have already been trades for seven first-round draft picks this year, meaning six teams will get two first-round picks and six others will have none.

The Las Vegas Raiders had last season’s worst record so they will go first with the Super Bowl winners, the Seattle Seahawks, going last.

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How do trades affect the draft?

Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes being presented with the Super Bowl trophy in 2024 — Image caption,

Travis Kelce (left) was selected 63rd overall in 2013 and Patrick Mahomes (right) 10th in 2017, and they have helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls in the past seven years

Instead of paying transfer fees, NFL teams trade future draft picks and/or current players to acquire players from other teams or move up in the draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs, for example, traded away three picks in 2017 to climb into position to select current star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

In 2023, the Carolina Panthers traded up to take the first pick from the Chicago Bears and select quarterback Bryce Young.

In this year’s draft, the New York Jets will have the second pick due to their poor record in the 2025 season, plus the 16th pick via a trade.

Teams may negotiate trades at any time before and during the draft.

How many players get picked?

Xavier Worthy sets a new 40-yard dash record at the 2024 NFL Combine — Image caption,

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy set a new record at the 2024 NFL Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.21 seconds

The number of players selected varies slightly each year and this year there will be 257 picks.

NFL teams scout players at college and then assess them during the NFL Combine, a week-long event in February featuring physical and mental tests where teams can also interview prospects.

Each college/university holds a Pro Day, where draft hopefuls have another chance to showcase their skills, and they may also visit teams for more tests and interviews.

Then comes the draft.

Each pick will not necessarily be the best player still available, they may be the player which that team feels best suits their needs.

The total number of picks varies each year as teams are awarded compensatory picks for players they lost in free agency.

They are also rewarded with picks for developing minority candidates for head coach/general manager positions, while teams may have to forfeit picks for breaching NFL rules.

This article is the newest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.