{"id":93,"date":"2026-09-04T18:23:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T18:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/fanbase\/?p=93"},"modified":"2026-09-08T19:02:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T19:02:10","slug":"the-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/fanbase\/2026\/09\/04\/the-nfl-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"The NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The NFL Draft happens every year at a select location around the United States. The NFL Draft is a time for teams to get players who were dominant in college. NFL teams scout players in college to try to enhance their teams for the following seasons. The goal for each NFL team during the draft is to get players who will help them win championships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the NFL Draft Started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
www.steelcityunderground.com. First-ever NFL Draft, 1936.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first-ever NFL draft took place in 1936<\/a>, at a hotel in Philadelphia. This draft included 81 players being drafted. However, only 24 out of the 81 went on to play in the NFL. The \u201ccommon\u201d draft became a big deal in 1967; this was after the merger of the NFL and AFL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NFL Draft Format<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
bleacherreport.com. How the stage looks at NFL Draft Night.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The NFL Draft goes on for three days and has seven separate rounds. Over 250 prospects<\/a> get drafted; this is a lot more than the original draft of 81 prospects drafted. The schedule of the draft usually starts on Thursday and ends on Saturday. The first round is on Thursday; the second and third rounds are on Friday. Finally, the fourth through seventh rounds are on Saturday. Each team gets a draft order based on the previous season’s record, so the worst team picks first. The Super Bowl champion team picks last, since they were the best in the previous season. Each round has a time limit: ten minutes for round one, seven minutes for round two, and five minutes for rounds three through five. Finally, round 7 is only 4 minutes; this setup ensures that the draft moves quickly, while also giving enough time for teams to make strategic choices. Moving to the eligibility part, teams can draft players once they are at least three years out of high school. The players have to have used all of their college eligibility, or given it up to play professional football. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft Picks\/ Trades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
www.colts.com. This image shows what it looks like when teams trade players.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Teams can select a player to give to another team, in exchange for a player or a higher draft pick. These trades can occur during or before the draft; both teams have to agree on the trade. After that, the NFL steps in to make sure it is a valid trade. Teams can hold on to their trades so they can select more players in a certain round of the draft; this gives them an advantage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrapping up the NFL Draft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every NFL team looks forward to the draft every year, wanting to get players to win the Super Bowl the following year. This is a monumental moment for teams and players who will receive life-changing opportunities, along with money. The NFL Draft has multiple components and is all on the team to make themselves better. The NFL Draft is one of the most noticeable drafts in the whole world, and will continue to be for a very long time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The NFL Draft happens every year at a select location around the United States. The NFL Draft is a time for teams to get players who were dominant in college. 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