When is the 2024 NFL Draft? Ultimate Guide to Picks, Draft Order & More
The 2023 NFL season has officially ended with Super Bowl 58 and the Kansas City Chiefs becoming the champions once more. Now, the euphoria of this win is over; all teams have started to take steps to introduce the next generation of football through the NFL Draft.
The 2024 NFL Draft, set to begin in April, features amazing prospects in different positions, especially offense. Quarterbacks, offensive lineman, and wide receivers are the top positions represented this year. Players like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels are just a few of the three names to expect in this draft.
Check out our 2024 guide as we show you everything you need to know about the upcoming NFL Draft, including the order and where to watch it.
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 NFL has been scheduled for April 25th – 27th, 2024
- The NFL draft will be held around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
- Chicago currently has the No. 1 pick. This will remain the same so long as there is no trade
- You can watch the NFL draft on ESPN, ABC, and NFLN
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The 2024 NFL Draft: Everything You Need to Know
Welcome to our ultimate guide to the 2024 NFL Draft! In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about the upcoming draft, including the draft order, important dates, top prospects, and more.
Over three days, 256 players will be picked to elevate their football careers to the next level in top teams. So let's dive right in!
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
Official dates and schedule
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place from Thursday, April 25 to Saturday, April 27, which is the same as the2023 NFL Draft. It will be a three-day event filled with excitement as teams select the future stars of the league. Here’s a breakdown of the events:
| Round | Date | Start Time |
| 1 | Thursday, April 25th | 8 PM ET |
| 2-3 | Friday, April 26th | 7 PM ET |
| 4-7 | Saturday, April 27th | Noon ET |
Location of the draft event: Detroit
The 2024 NFL draft will take place in the beautiful city of Detroit. The main events will be held around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, providing a stunning backdrop for the draft festivities. Interested fans will be able to view the draft at the free NFL Draft Experience at Hart Plaza.
Where can I watch the 2024 NFL Draft on Television?
Over the years, top names like ABC, ESPN, and NFL networks have broadcasted the NFL Draft. The same will also apply in 2024, with these three networks sharing the responsibility.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
| Round | Date | Start Time | Network | Live Stream |
| 1 | Thursday, April 25th | 8 PM ET | ABC, ESPN, NFLN | ESPN+, Fubo |
| 2-3 | Friday, April 26th | 7 PM ET | ABC, ESPN, NFLN | ESPN+, Fubo |
| 4-7 | Saturday, April 27th | Noon ET | ABC, ESPN, NFLN | ESPN+, Fubo |
Previous draft history and highlights
The NFL Draft has a rich history of memorable moments. From surprising picks to trades that change the course of a team's future, the draft never fails to generate excitement among fans.
Click here for more insights on the NFL Draft History.
What is the 2024 NFL Draft?
Overview of the draft event
The 2024 NFL Draft is an annual event where teams in the National Football League (NFL) can select eligible players to join their teams. It serves as a means for teams to bolster their rosters and improve their chances of success in the upcoming season.
Importance and impact of the draft
The NFL Draft holds great importance and significantly impacts the league as a whole. It allows teams to add talent and address areas of need, which can be crucial in building a championship-caliber team. The draft also provides opportunities for young athletes to fulfill their dreams of playing professional football.
2024 NFL Draft Process and Rules
As mentioned earlier, the 2024 NFL Draft will occur over three days. The first round will take place on Thursday and starts at 8 pm ET, with each team having 10 minutes to make its pick.
The 2nd and 3rd rounds will occur on Friday, while the 4th – 7th rounds will be held on Saturday. Teams will have seven minutes each to make their picks in the 2nd round, five minutes for compensatory picks in the 3rd – 6th rounds, and four minutes in the 7th round.
If the time expires before a team chooses, it can decide later. However, there is a possibility of another team claiming the player it was considering. When a team decides its selection, it states the player's name and information on a card, which is then submitted to a runner.
The card is then given to the vice president of player personnel, who reviews the name and records the pick. Then, he sends the name to the NFL's broadcast partners, team representatives, and commissioner for the pick to be announced.
Read our guide on the NFL Draft Rules for more information.
Who is Eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft?
The NFL states that players who want to be eligible for the draft must be out of high school for no less than three years. They must have also exhausted their college eligibility before the next college football season begins. Players and underclassmen who have graduated before exhausting their college eligibility must get approval to enter the draft early.
Players will only be eligible for draft the next year after their college eligibility ends. Before the draft begins, NFL player personnel staff members will confirm that draft prospects are eligible. This means researching the college backgrounds of around 3,000 college players yearly.
How is the Draft Order Determined?
The NFL creates the draft order by ranking teams using past records. Teams with better records pick after teams with worse records. The last team to pick is typically the Super Bowl champion.
For teams that don't make it to the playoffs, the first 18 picks are ranked by the NFL using regular season records, starting from the worst. Tiebreakers are given to teams with the easier strength of schedule.
Teams that make it to the playoffs are ranked differently. The earlier a team loses, the earlier they get to pick in the draft. In contrast, teams that are knocked out in the Wild Card of the NFL Playoffs get draft picks 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Like before, tiebreakers are determined by the strength of the schedule.
Teams that lose in the Divisional Round get picks 25, 26, 27 and 28, while the 29th and 30th draft picks are given to teams that did not win their conference championship games.
Lastly, the 31st pick goes to the loser of the Super Bowl, while the NFL champion gets the 32nd or last pick.
In instances where tiebreakers can't be applied, or there are ties still existing between teams of varying conferences, it will be broken down using the following methods:
- Head to head, if possible
- Strength of victory in games
- Best net point in games
- Coin toss
- Best net touchdowns
- Best won-lost-tied percentage in a minimum of four common games
Effects of trades and compensatory picks
Trades and compensatory picks can have a significant impact on the draft order. Teams may trade picks with one another to move up or down in the order, allowing them to target specific players or acquire additional assets. Compensatory picks are awarded to teams who have lost key free agents in the previous offseason, providing them with extra selections in the draft order.
Implications of having the 1st overall pick
Holding the 1st overall pick in the NFL Draft carries great significance. It affords a team the opportunity to select the most highly regarded prospect in the draft class, potentially securing a franchise-changing player. However, it also puts pressure on the team to make the right choice and set a positive tone for the rest of the draft.
Learn more about the NFL draft history, including the power-packed 2019 NFL Draft.
Which Teams Have the First-Round Picks in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The order for the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft has been fixed for all 32 teams. The Chicago Bears have the first pick, while the Commanders are No. 2.
Chicago Bears’ position in the draft order
The Chicago Bears have clinched the top pick based on their performance for the second year in a row. The Bears have two picks in the first round, their second being No. 9 overall.
New England Patriots' position in the draft order
The Patriots have a storied history of success and have always been known for making shrewd draft selections. They have the No. 3 pick. This team has plenty to sort out, ranging from an offensive line to a wide receiver which seems like a priority.
Other notable teams and their draft positions
Many other teams in the NFL will also have first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Each team's draft position will be based on their performance in the previous season, with those who didn't make the playoffs generally picking higher in the order.
Here's a list of the teams and their picks in the coming draft, so long as there are no trades:
- Bears (via CAR)
- Commanders
- Patriots
- Cardinals
- Chargers
- Giants
- Titans
- Falcons
- Bears
- Jets
- Vikings
- Broncos
- Raiders
- Saints
- Colts
- Seahawks
- Jaguars
- Bengals
- Rams
- Steelers
- Dolphins
- Eagles
- Texans (via CLE)
- Cowboys
- Packers
- Buccaneers
- Cardinals (via HOU)
- Bills
- Lions
- Ravens
- 49ers
Who Are the Top Prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft?
An Overview of highly rated prospects
The 2024 NFL Draft is set to feature a group of highly talented prospects who have the potential to make an immediate impact in the league. These prospects have impressed scouts and analysts with their skill sets, and their performances in college have raised expectations for their professional careers.
Quarterback prospects to watch
Quarterbacks often dominate the conversation leading up to the NFL Draft, and the 2024 class is no exception. Several promising quarterbacks are expected to be available for selection, and teams needing a franchise signal-caller will be carefully evaluating these prospects. Top names to watch out for include:
- Drake Maye
- Caleb Williams
- Michael Penix
- Jayden Daniels
Click here to compare with the NFL Draft 2023 player rankings.
Players expected to make an impact in the league
Aside from the quarterbacks, there are many other players expected to make an impact in the NFL. From dynamic wide receivers to dominant defensive players, the draft class 2024 is brimming with talent across various positions. Some players to watch out for here include;
- Marvin Harrison Jr. - Wide Receiver
- Joe Alt - Offensive Tackle
- Brock Bowers - Tight End
- Malik Nabers - Wide Receiver
Has a team ever drafted 1st overall in back-to-back years?
There are seven instances when a team has drafted the first overall two years in a row. The Cleveland Browns achieved this feat twice, in 1999 – 2000 and 2017 – 2018.
Learn more about the NFL Draft history, including the power-packed 2019 NFL Draft.
FAQs
Where will the 2024 NFL Draft take place?
The 2024 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.
How many rounds are in the 2024 NFL Draft?
There are going to be seven rounds in the 2024 NFL Draft.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
The 2024 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 25th, and run until Saturday, April 27th, 2024.
How many picks are in the 2024 NFL Draft?
256 players will be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Where can I watch the 2024 NFL Draft for free?
You can stream the NFL draft on ESPN+, FUBO, and NFL+.
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