The NFL draft is a time for young athletes from across the country to hear their name called, validating years of hard work and dedication. But there’s much more to this three-day event than just that one moment. Draft picks are not only an immediate addition to a team’s roster, but they can shape a franchise and help propel it to greatness — or not.
This year’s draft is set to kick off Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Green Bay and run through Saturday. In its 90th edition, it’s expected to feature a mix of high-profile prospects, including Miami quarterback Cam Ward, the consensus No. 1 overall pick in most mock drafts.
There are a total of 257 picks in the draft, with each club receiving one selection in all seven rounds. Teams may trade their picks before and during the draft, as well as on draft day.
In addition to regular draft picks, the league also awards “compensatory” picks based on a formula that takes into account the value of free agents lost by a team. These extra picks are awarded in the third through seventh rounds.
With that in mind, here’s how this year’s draft order is set to play out (pending any trades between clubs).