The 2024 NFL Draft will be guaranteed to draw several watchful eyes and open ears as fans wait to hear which incoming rookies will join their franchises.
But before commissioner Roger Goodell takes to the podium to announce each selection, the upcoming draft spots get finalized way beforehand. How does the process work in determining the order? Time to dive in.
How the League Determines Picks 1 Through 32
It’s a simple format: The Super Bowl winner gets handed the final selection of the first round.
Meanwhile, the team that finishes with the worst record of the season gets awarded the top overall selection. It’s basically the reverse of how the end of a season shakes out.
After No. 1, the rest of the spots between 2-18 are annually reserved for teams who missed the playoffs.
The second overall pick goes to the team with the next-worst win-loss record from the previous season. Then the third pick gets determined by the same format.
But one question that often gets asked by fans is: What happens when there are teams that share an identical record from the previous campaign?
The league then goes to overall conference record and divisional standings to determine who gets the higher pick. For instance, if two teams finish 5-12 overall but one team finishes third in their division, then the fourth-place team gets the higher pick by virtue of having the worst finish and worst conference record.
Multiple other criteria determine who gets a higher draft selection if there are even records. One element is the head-to-head matchup from last season. The loser selects at the higher spot compared to the winning team of that game.
Right after selection No. 18, picks 19-32 go toward teams that emerged as playoff teams. From 19-24, teams knocked out of the first round of the playoffs fill these spots. Then for selections No. 25-28, the playoff franchises eliminated in the NFC or AFC Divisional Round select in that range. Finally, the teams playing for the conference title take pick Nos. 29-32.
Does This Year’s Draft Follow This Format?
Surprisingly, the worst team in the NFL isn’t considered a lock to draft No. 1 overall on Day 1 of the event.
That’s because trades could rearrange the draft order.
In the case of the Carolina Panthers, the 2-15 team of 2023 has to wait until the second round to draft someone. How did Carolina fall so low in the draft order? The Panthers traded their first-round pick in 2024 to the Chicago Bears to move into the top spot of the 2023 draft. That’s how they were able to take Bryce Young at No. 1 overall.
KEEP READING: How Many Players Are Drafted in the NFL Each Year?
This doesn’t just apply to the No. 1 selection. Teams are given the freedom to pull off trade deals during the draft or on the eve of it. Sometimes, a franchise or multiple teams end up having a second or even third first-round selection.
Currently, the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals pulled off trade deals that allowed them to have multiple first-round selections. The former made a deal with the Houston Texans to take the 23rd pick, while the latter obtained the 27th selection from the AFC South champs as well.
Draft orders are always subject to change, even on the first night.
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