The NFL Draft currently consists of seven rounds. Each of the 32 teams receives one pick in each round by default, making a standard total of 224 picks, but the actual number of selections is usually higher due to compensatory picks awarded at the end of rounds three through seven. These compensatory picks can increase the total number of selections to around 250-260 in recent drafts. The draft order is determined by the reverse order of the teams' records from the previous season, with the worst team picking first and the Super Bowl champion picking last in each round
. The draft has not always been seven rounds; historically, it had many more rounds-up to 30 or more in the 1940s. The current seven-round format was established in 1994, following a reduction from 12 rounds in the late 1970s and a brief experiment with eight rounds in 1993
. In summary:
- Number of rounds: 7
- Number of teams: 32
- Typical total picks: Around 250-260 (including compensatory picks)
- Draft order: Worst record picks first, Super Bowl winner picks last
This structure has been in place for about 30 years and is designed to promote competitive balance in the league
