The 2022 NFL Draft order listed below is updated to correspond with the latest trades, including all the trades from the first round of action in addition to the latest live updates as we follow along on the second day of the draft.
The NFL draft is the one annual event where each team is guaranteed a chance to add players to their team at a rate that is non-negotiable based on their NFL draft order. Generally, each team starts with seven selections. Trades can impact this number heading into a draft.
What the draft does is offer organizations to select from a prospect pool consisting of players who are three years removed from high school. It can be one of the best ways to build a roster, with many general managers repeating the mantra of “building through the draft“. The main reason for this is due to the low cost of players on rookie contracts before they become proven, earning top dollar.
The NFL draft order is determined by win percentage, meaning the team who had the worst record during the previous season has “earned” the top pick in the next player draft. This means the Jacksonville Jaguars have landed the top overall pick two years in a row. Conversely, the team who wins the Super Bowl receives the last in each round, or the 32nd pick before compensatory selections are figured into the process.
How do teams get more draft picks?
Additional draft choices can be earned in a number of ways, which include compensatory picks, and also from when teams hire a minority to fill top positions within their front office. For example, the Cleveland Browns received an additional third-round selection (pick 99) for the Minnesota Vikings hiring Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to be their general manager. This pick does not come from the Vikings, it is awarded from the league itself, merely adding another selection to the NFL draft order.
All types of draft picks can be traded, whether it’s before the draft begins or when the team making the selection is on the clock. Future picks can also be traded. There is no limit on a minimum or maximum amount of picks that are traded.
The NFL draft is a widely publicized event that is highly anticipated. So much so that enthusiasts buy tickets each season just to personally witness their favorite team or favorite college player get drafted to the pros.
In the past, the draft has moved all over the place, but found a home from 2006-14 in New York at the Radio City Music Hall. Though with the draft becoming an extremely popular event, it’s become a hot commodity. In 2015 the NFL opened up the draft bidding process to cities all across the United States vying for an opportunity to host the player selection event.
The 2022 NFL Draft location is in Paradise, Nevada at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
How to watch the NFL draft
Those planning to watch the 2022 NFL Draft will find all seven rounds of the event on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. It can also be live-streamed on your smart devices via the ESPN app, or by using the NFL Mobile app. Other streaming devices such as fuboTV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV can also be utilized when trying to find a way to view the NFL draft.
What time is the NFL draft?
When is the NFL draft? The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft begins at 8 PM ET on Thursday, April 28. Day Two of the 2022 NFL Draft starts at 7 PM ET on Friday, April 29, when rounds 2-3 will begin. Then, the final day of the NFL draft, Day Three will begin at 12 PM ET on Saturday, April 30.
Teams have 10 minutes to make their first-round picks, seven minutes to make their second-round selection, and five minutes to make each pick from rounds 3-6.
What happens if the clock expires without a team turning in their draft selection when it is their turn in the NFL draft order?
Despite franchises having months to plan around making their NFL draft picks, believe it or not, it does happen. When teams take too long to turn their draft picks in, the process keeps rolling, allowing the next team in the NFL draft order to make their selection. If a team does miss their selection, they do not lose it, they can make their pick as soon as they are ready to draft a player.