The 2021 NFL Draft: Everything You Need to Know

The 2021 NFL Draft is just around the corner. Here’s everything you need to know, from the top prospects to the order of the draft.

Introduction

With the 2021 NFL Draft just around the corner, it’s time to start getting prepared. Here’s everything you need to know about the event, from when it is to where you can watch it.

The 2021 NFL Draft will be held from April 29-May 1. The first round will begin on Thursday, April 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET, followed by rounds 2-3 on Friday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. ET, and rounds 4-7 on Saturday, May 1 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The draft will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, and for the first time in draft history, all seven rounds will be held in primetime.

ESPN and NFL Network will both provide coverage of the draft. You can also stream the draft on the ESPN app or Watch ESPN app (requires a cable subscription).

The NFL Draft Process

The NFL Draft is an annual event where teams select eligible college football players to join their organization. The draft order is determined by the previous year’s standings, with the worst team picking first and the Super Bowl winner picking last. Teams have a set amount of time to make their pick, and they can trade picks with other teams if they want to move up or down in the draft order.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the NFL draft, players must have been out of high school for at least three years and must have used up their eligibility in college. Players who are still in college and have eligibility remaining can declare for the draft, but if they do so, they forfeit their remaining eligibility and cannot return to play in the NCAA.

There are a few other exceptions that allow players to enter the NFL draft early. For example, players who are “orphans” (i.e., their parents or legal guardians died while they were in college) are eligible to enter the draft early. Players who are facing severe financial hardship can also petition the NFL for early entry into the draft.

The NFL has a “Supplemental Draft” for players who did not declare for the regular draft but who become eligible after the fact (usually because they were facing hardship or their college eligibility was revoked). These players are selected in a special supplemental draft that is held after the regular draft has concluded.

Application

The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the NFL’s 32 teams select eligible college football players. The draft order is based on each team’s record from the previous season, with the worst team picking first and the best team picking last.

The draft process begins with the NFL Scouting Combine, a week-long event at which eligible players are measured and evaluated in a variety of physical and mental tests. Following the combine, eligible players participate in individual Pro Days at their respective colleges.

Teams then conduct private meetings with players, during which they interview them and ask them to perform football-related tasks such as running routes or catching passes. Based on these evaluations, teams decide which players they want to draft.

On draft day, teams make their selections in reverse order of their records from the previous season. Each team has 10 minutes to make its pick in each round. If a team does not make its pick within that time limit, it forfeits its pick for that round.

The Scouting Combine

The Scouting Combine is one of the most important events in the NFL Draft process. All eligible players are invited to participate in a series of physical and mental tests in front of NFL personnel.

The week-long event takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana, and includes interviews, medical examinations, and on-field workouts. The combine is an opportunity for players to improve their draft stock and for teams to get a closer look at potential draft picks.

Players are put through a series of drills that test their speed, strength, agility, and power. They are also given a Wonderlic Test, which is used to measure their learning and problem-solving abilities. Medical evaluations are conducted to check for any pre-existing injuries or health concerns.

The combine is an important event in the NFL Draft process because it gives teams an opportunity to see how players perform under pressure. It is also a chance for players to show off their skills and prove that they are worthy of being drafted by an NFL team.

Pro Days

Pro Days are a chance for NFL hopefuls to showcase their skills in front of coaches and scouts from all 32 teams. These events are often held at the player’s college campus and are highly publicized.

Pro Days typically take place in March, but they can be scheduled as late as early April. The timing of a Pro Day can be critical for a player’s draft stock. If they perform well, they could see their name move up draft boards. If they don’t perform to expectations, they could fall down the ranks.

Pro Days are important, but they’re not the only factor that NFL teams consider when making their draft decisions. Players will also be evaluated on their game tape, combine results, and interview performance.

The NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is an annual event in which the 32 NFL teams select new players for their rosters. The draft is held in April, and the order of selection is determined by the previous season’s standings. In each round, each team gets one pick. The draft lasts seven rounds, and there are 32 picks in each round.

The First Round

The first round of the NFL draft is where teams can find immediate starters and future stars. It’s also where they can make colossal mistakes that set back their organizations for years.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the first-round order for the 2021 NFL draft, which will be held April 29-May 1 in Cleveland. We’ll also break down some of the top prospects at each position and highlight a few potential sleepers who could be drafted in the first round.

The Second Round

The second round of the NFL Draft is where teams really start to fill out their rosters with impact players. While there are always a few first-round busts, the second round is typically where you start to see perennial Pro Bowlers and future stars emerge.

This year’s second round could be one of the best in recent memory, as there are a number of players who could potentially make an immediate impact for their new teams. Here’s a look at some of the names to keep an eye on:

QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
RB Najee Harris, Alabama
WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
TE Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
DL Carlos Basham Jr., Wake Forest
LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa

The Third Round

The third round of the NFL draft is where teams really start to fill out their rosters with starters and key role players. With that said, there are often some gems to be found in the third round as well, including Pro Bowlers and even a few future Hall of Famers.

Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to the third round of the NFL draft:

-The third round is typically when teams start to draft their quarterbacks of the future. This is not always the case, but it is more common in recent years for teams towait until the third round to select a quarterback.
-The third round is also a good time for teams to address needs at other positions, such as wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive line.
-As with any other round, there are always a few ” sleeper” picks in the third round who go on to have very successful NFL careers.

The Fourth Round

The fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft will begin at noon ET on Saturday, May 1. It will be broadcast live on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.

There are 96 selections in the fourth round, which is six more than in 2020. The Kansas City Chiefs currently hold the most fourth-round picks with four, while the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints each have three.

As was the case in Rounds 2 and 3, teams will have seven minutes to make their selections in Round 4.

The Fifth Round

The NFL draft’s fifth round has been a hit-or-miss affair over the years. Recent history is littered with prolific players such as A.J. Brown, Michael Thomas, and Khalil Mack, who were all drafted in the fifth round. But for every Brown or Thomas, there are plenty of cautionary tales, such as Josh Doctson, Corey Coleman, and Phillip Dorsett, who were all busts.

This year’s class includes a few players who could very well be future stars, but also a few who are likely to amount to nothing more than a wasted pick. Here’s a look at some of the best and worst fifth-round picks in recent memory.

The Sixth Round

The sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft will be held on Saturday, May 1, at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. This round and the following rounds will be televised live on ESPN.

There are 32 picks in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. The Kansas City Chiefs own the first pick in this round as a result of their trade with the New England Patriots, while the Green Bay Packers own the last pick in this round (32nd overall) as a result of their Super Bowl victory.

Round six will begin at noon ET. Each team will have seven minutes to make their selection in this round.

The Seventh Round

The 2021 NFL Draft will conclude with the seventh round. Here’s a look at what to expect during the final day of the draft.

As is the case with the sixth round, there will be 255 selections made during the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Once again, each team will have one pick in each of the seven rounds. The order of selection for Round 7 will be identical to that of Round 6, with teams picking in reverse order of their finish in the 2020 season.

That means that the Jaguars will be on the clock first in Round 7, while the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers will be last.

One notable player who was drafted in Round 7 last year is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who caught 88 passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie and was named a first-team All-Pro.

Conclusion

There is a lot to be excited about in the 2021 NFL Draft. With so many talented players available, it promises to be one of the most competitive and eventful drafts in recent memory. There are a few standout prospects who are sure to be taken early on, but the real intrigue lies in how the rest of the draft will play out. It will be fascinating to see how teams approach this draft and which players they ultimately choose to add to their rosters. Whichever way it goes, one thing is for sure – the 2021 NFL Draft is sure to be a can’t-miss event for all football fans.