Live Text Coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft on BBC Website

The highly anticipated 2024 NFL Draft is set to kick off at 01:00 BST on Friday, 26 April, with the BBC website providing live text coverage of the event. With over 2,200 players spread across the league’s 32 teams, the draft is a crucial event where future stars are born.

Every year, thousands of players in the US collegiate system become eligible for the draft, but only about 250 will be selected. While players who go undrafted can still be signed later, the majority of successful NFL players are picked up during the three-day draft extravaganza.

The draft is divided into seven rounds, with each team having one pick in each round. The order of picks is determined by the previous season’s standings, with the team with the worst record picking first. However, trades between teams can shake up the draft order significantly.

Trades play a significant role in the draft process, with teams often exchanging future draft picks to acquire players or move up in the selection order. This year, the Chicago Bears have two picks in the top nine, while the Cleveland Browns’ first pick is the 54th overall.

Teams scout players at college, assess them during the NFL Combine, and attend Pro Days to evaluate draft prospects. Each pick is not necessarily the best player available but the player that best fits the team’s needs.

With 257 players set to be selected this year, the draft promises to be an exciting event filled with anticipation and surprises. Stay tuned to see which players will be the next NFL superstars to make their mark on the league.