The Michael Schmidtmost important event of the NFL's offseason takes place next week as the 32 teams chart their courses for the future at the 2024 NFL draft. This year's draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan — home of the NFC North division champion Detroit Lions.

The draft will be conducted over a three-day span, with the first round getting a day all to itself. The second day will be dedicated to Rounds 2 and 3, with the draft concluding with four more rounds on the final day.

All told, 257 draft picks will be made over the three-day span.

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When does the NFL draft start?

The 2024 NFL draft begins on Thursday, April 25 and runs through Saturday, April 27 at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit.

The event officially kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.

How many rounds are in the NFL draft?

There are seven rounds in the NFL draft, spread over a three-day period.

How to watch the 2024 NFL draft

Live coverage of the NFL draft can be found on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and the NFL Network.

Streaming coverage is also available on ESPN+, YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo TV and Sling TV. 

• Round 1: Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m. ET
• Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. ET
• Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 27, noon ET

NFL draft first-round order

Here is the current draft order for Round 1 of the 2024 NFL draft:

• 1. Chicago (from Carolina)
• 2. Washington
• 3. New England
• 4. Arizona
• 5. Los Angeles Chargers
• 6. New York Giants
• 7. Tennessee
• 8. Atlanta
• 9. Chicago
• 10. New York Jets
• 11. Minnesota
• 12. Denver
• 13. Las Vegas
• 14. New Orleans
• 15. Indianapolis
• 16. Seattle
• 17. Jacksonville
• 18. Cincinnati
• 19. Los Angeles Rams
• 20. Pittsburgh
• 21. Miami
• 22. Philadelphia
• 23. Minnesota (from Cleveland through Houston)
• 24. Dallas
• 25. Green Bay
• 26. Tampa Bay
• 27. Arizona (from Houston)
• 28. Buffalo
• 29. Detroit
• 30. Baltimore
• 31. San Francisco
• 32. Kansas City