The NFL Draft has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1936, when executives huddled inside a Philadelphia hotel ballroom, drafting from a pool of just 90 players. Only 81 were actually selected that day, and there were no primetime TV deals, no massive stages, and certainly no fashion statements or highlight montages. Fast forward nearly 90 years, and the Draft has become a full-fledged spectacle — a three-day festival of hope and hype. Once a grueling marathon stretched across 30 rounds, the Draft has now evolved into a tight, thrilling sprint. It’s a mix of strategy and entertainment, with front offices playing chess under a national spotlight. But with all the attention on big names and big boards, it’s easy to lose track of the structure.
So let’s break down how many rounds actually make up today’s NFL Draft — and how much time teams really have to make the call that could define their franchise.
Total number of rounds and picks in the NFL Draft
Since 1994, the NFL Draft has been made up of seven rounds — a far cry from the 30-round slogs of the early years. Each of the league’s 32 teams gets at least one pick per round, but the total number of selections varies from year to year due to compensatory picks (which are awarded to teams for losing valuable free agents), as well as disciplinary penalties that may strip teams of picks. For 2025, there will be 257 total selections spread across those seven rounds.
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 25: Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels poses with a jersey after being picked second overall during day 1 of the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Draft on April 25, 2024 at Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI. Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire NFL: APR 25 2024 Draft EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon24042546
The event kicks off with Round 1 on Thursday, April 24, live from Green Bay’s Titletown District. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will personally announce every selection from the main stage during Round 1. Starting from Round 2, the picks are announced by a rotating cast of NFL execs, former legends, and special guests. The later it gets, the looser it becomes: by Day 3, the broadcast usually dials back the theatrics, and the draft becomes more of a rolling scroll of names and fit. But whether you’re a projected top-five pick or Mr. Irrelevant at the very end, one thing remains the same. Getting drafted means you’ve made it to the league.
This year, the Tennessee Titans — who finished with the worst record last season — will own the No. 1 overall pick. At the other end of the spectrum, the reigning Super Bowl champs will close out Round 1 at pick No. 32.
Time limits for team selections in each round in the NFL Draft
While the NFL Draft spans multiple days, every team is given a specific time window to make its pick — and the clock is just as much a character in this drama as any of the general managers. In Round 1, teams are given 10 minutes “on the clock” to decide. That might seem like an eternity, but when trade calls are flying and nerves are high, those 600 seconds evaporate fast.
By Round 2, the timer ticks down to seven minutes per selection. Then, in Rounds 3 through 6, teams get just five minutes. By the time we reach Round 7, it’s practically speed-dating with the draft board. Each team only gets four minutes. Why the rush? By then, most teams have their boards set, and the league (and fans) are just trying to bring the marathon to a close.
But here’s where it gets interesting: if a team doesn’t submit their pick in time, the next team in line can immediately jump the queue and make their selection. That’s right — the draft keeps rolling, even if you’re not ready. And while it’s rare, it has happened before.
If both teams happen to covet the same player, the one who submits their pick card first wins the rights. So yes, there is a real-life sprinting element to the NFL Draft — sometimes, it literally comes down to who hands in the card first. It’s a subtle rule, but one that adds a layer of chaos to what already feels like organized madness. No pressure, right?
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