The NFL draft is how incoming players are assigned to teams. Seven rounds, one pick per team per round, in reverse order of the previous season’s standings.
The Structure
| Rounds | Seven |
|---|---|
| Base picks per round | 32, one per team |
| Order | Reverse of the previous season’s record |
| Extra picks | Compensatory selections, awarded at the end of rounds three through seven |
| When | Late April, over three days |
How the Order Is Set
The team with the worst record picks first. Non-playoff teams occupy the first 18 slots in reverse order of record, then playoff teams follow based on how far they advanced. The Super Bowl champion picks 32nd.
Ties are broken by strength of schedule, and if that fails, by a coin flip.
The Clock
Teams have 10 minutes to make a first-round pick, seven in the second, five in rounds three through six, and four in the seventh. A team that lets the clock expire does not lose the pick; the next team can simply select, and the team that ran out of time picks whenever it is ready.
Trades
Picks are freely tradable, which is why the order on draft night rarely matches the order published in January. Teams trade up for a specific player, down to accumulate volume, and swap future picks for current ones. Draft picks are also commonly included in trades for veteran players.
Who Is Eligible
A player must be three years removed from high school graduation. Most enter after three or four college seasons. Players who are eligible but not drafted become undrafted free agents and can sign with any team, which is how a meaningful number of NFL starters arrive.
Related
How many rounds · Draft order explained · Compensatory picks · Mr. Irrelevant
The Bottom Line
Seven rounds, 32 base picks each, worst record first and the champion last. Picks can be traded freely, and players must be three years out of high school to enter.