Exciting, strategic and transformative. The NFL Draft is a crucial moment that shapes the future of teams, directly influencing the fate of each of them in the coming season and beyond. From the initial picks to the final selections, it carries tension, anticipation and surprises. Below, we explain everything about this event.
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First of all, it’s worth clarifying that the NFL is an acronym for the National Football League – the main professional American soccer league in the United States. Founded in 1920, the league is made up of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).
The NFL regular season takes place with each team playing 17 games, usually one a week, over 18 weeks. The NFL is known for its popularity in the United States and for attracting a large television audience worldwide, especially during the Super Bowl, the final game that decides the season’s champion.
What is the NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft is an annual event where the league’s teams select college players who are eligible to enter the NFL. The Draft consists of seven rounds, during which teams have the opportunity to choose players to bolster their squads.
We can consider the Draft as a crucial part of building a team in the NFL, considering that it offers teams the opportunity to acquire new talent to strengthen their teams.
Many NFL stars are selected through the Draft, and the event is closely followed by fans, media and league teams.
When the NFL Draft will be in 2024
The 2024 NFL Draft takes place in Detroit, USA. It starts on April 25 and lasts until April 27.
How the NFL Draft works
The NFL Draft takes place once a year. The 32 teams have the opportunity to select college players eligible to join the professional league. During the draft, teams have a time limit to make their selections in each round, with the option to trade their picks with other teams. Each team makes one selection per round, with the order of picks reversing each round.
Quais as regras do Draft da NFL
The rules of the NFL Draft are as follows:
Eligibility
Before being eligible for the draft, players must have been out of high school for at least three years, in other words: most players enter the draft after completing three years of college.
NFL Combine
Before the Draft, players are invited to the NFL Combine, a multi-day event where college talents are evaluated in terms of physical, mental and athletic abilities.
Selection order
The order of selection in the Draft is determined by the performance of the teams in the previous season. The teams that performed the worst usually receive the first picks in the draft.
Draft rounds
The Draft consists of seven rounds, with each team having one pick per round.
Negotiations of choices
During the draft, teams have the option of trading their picks with other teams. This can involve trading picks from different rounds or even players.
What will be the order of the NFL Draft in 2024?
Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft takes place in the following order:
- Bears
- Commanders
- Patriots
- Cardinals
- Chargers
- Giants
- Titans
- Falcons
- Bears
- Jets
- Vikings
- Broncos
- Raiders
- Saints
- Colts
- Seahawks
- Jaguars
- Bengals
- Rams
- Steelers
- Dolphins
- Eagles
- Vikings
- Cowboys
- Packers
- Buccaneers
- Cardinals
- Bills
- Lions
- Ravens
- 49ers
- Chiefs
You can check out the complete order of the seven rounds on the official NFL website.
Top picks for the 2024 NFL Draft
One of the bets is that the Bears will look for a quarterback, and Caleb Williams should be the choice. The second choice should be Jayden Daniels for the Commanders.
The Patriots should also look for a quarterback, and one of the bets is that it will be Drake Maye. The Cardinnals should opt for Marvin Harrison Jr, as they need a wide receiver.
Best NFL Draft picks in history
The NFL Draft has produced countless picks who have become legends of the sport, such as:
Tom Brady (2000, 6th round, 199th overall pick)
Considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, Tom Brady was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 draft by the New England Patriots. He won seven Super Bowl titles, setting numerous records throughout his career.
Joe Montana (1979, 3rd round, 82nd overall pick)
Montana was selected in the third round of the 1979 draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He led the 49ers to four Super Bowl titles and is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of all time.
Jerry Rice (1985, 1st round, 16th overall pick)
Rice is considered the greatest receiver in NFL history. He was selected in the first round of the 1985 draft by the San Francisco 49ers and set numerous records, including the most receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in his career.
Jim Brown (1957, 1st round, 6th overall pick)
Brown is considered by many to be the greatest running back in NFL history. He was selected in the first round of the 1957 draft by the Cleveland Browns and dominated the league during his career, winning three MVP awards.
Lawrence Taylor (1981, 1st round, 2nd overall pick)
Taylor revolutionized the linebacker position in the NFL. He was selected in the first round of the 1981 draft by the New York Giants and won two MVP awards, as well as being one of the best defenders of all time.
Barry Sanders (1989, 1st round, 3rd overall pick)
Sanders is considered one of the best running backs in NFL history. He was selected in the first round of the 1989 draft by the Detroit Lions and had an impressive career, winning numerous records.
Reggie White (1984, 1st round, 4th overall pick)
White is one of the greatest pass rushers in NFL history. He was selected in the first round of the 1984 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and had a dominant career, winning the league MVP award in 1987.
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