NFL Draft 2025: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of Green Bay’s Big Weekend
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NFL Draft 2025: What You Need to Know
📍 Venue: Green Bay, Wisconsin
📅 Dates: Thursday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26
⏰ Start Time: 8:00 PM EDT (1:00 AM BST, Friday)
📲 Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app
The NFL Draft: Gateway to the Pros
The NFL is home to over 2,200 players across its 32 franchises, and every April, the next generation of stars is introduced through the NFL Draft. While thousands of college athletes become eligible each year, only about 250 are officially selected.
Undrafted players can still make it into the league — but the spotlight shines brightest during the three-day draft, where most future stars get their start. Still, draft position doesn’t always guarantee success. Some early picks fade, while others — like Tom Brady, drafted 199th in 2000 — go on to become legends.
Who Picks First in 2025?
The draft is split into seven rounds:
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Thursday: Round 1
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Friday: Rounds 2 & 3
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Saturday: Rounds 4–7
Each team has one pick per round, selected in reverse order of last season’s standings — unless picks have been traded. For now, all 32 teams hold their original first-round picks for 2025.
With the worst record last season, the Tennessee Titans will pick first. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles, as reigning Super Bowl champions, get the 32nd and final pick of Round 1.
Trades: The NFL's Version of Transfers
Instead of paying transfer fees, NFL teams trade players and draft picks to climb the board or build for the future. Take 2017 — the Kansas City Chiefs traded three picks to move up and draft Patrick Mahomes. More recently, in 2023, the Carolina Panthers traded up with the Chicago Bears to secure quarterback Bryce Young.
When Carolina finished last that season, Chicago inherited their top pick in 2024 and used it to select quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Trades can happen before and during the draft — and they often do.
How Many Players Will Be Drafted?
This year, 257 players will be selected. While talent matters, teams often draft based on positional needs rather than just grabbing the "best available."
Before the draft, players undergo evaluations during the NFL Combine — a February showcase of physical, mental, and interview tests. They also participate in Pro Days hosted by their colleges and may visit teams for private assessments.
The number of picks can vary yearly, as teams receive compensatory selections for losing key players in free agency or for developing minority coaches and GMs. On the flip side, teams can lose picks if they violate NFL rules.
Get ready — the countdown to football’s next generation starts now.