Speaking of being history bound, the 2025 NFL Draft is set to do just that! For the very first time, this monumental event will be in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Slated to begin on April 24, the draft will feature all 257 picks, with 35 compensatory picks. Fans of all ages can enjoy the excitement in person or catch all the action live on ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App.
And the tension mounts, as these teams ready themselves to draft their rosters and make their fateful decisions, literally playing with their lives. State of play — Tennessee Titans—the keepers of the mighty No. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, the Kansas City Chiefs are scheduled to pick No. This year’s draft has been particularly controversial. For comparison, the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers will forfeit their fifth-round picks due to league violations.
Draft Schedule and Broadcast Details
The draft is scheduled to continue over three days, starting with Round 1 on April 24. The best talent will be on display through this first round. Still they wait on the bubble, while rabid backers and laser-focused franchise alchemists salivate and plot. Rounds 2 and 3 on April 25. Clubs will jump at the chance to fill their squads with younger players with potential to solidify their section.
To ensure fans do not miss a moment of this crucial event, ESPN, ABC, and the ESPN App will provide comprehensive coverage. New for this year, viewers can look forward to deeper expert analysis, interviews, and exclusive first looks into each team’s draft strategy. With all 257 picks in play, the excitement builds among fans and analysts hoping their team walks away with a franchise-changing haul of talent.
Compensatory Picks and Team Strategies
Then, on March 11, compensatory picks were announced by the NFL, and some of these intriguing players now find themselves headed to the draft. The rest of the 197 selections—35 of them—were given out to teams according to the reverse order of their previous season’s performance. Both the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are making hay with these extra selections. Each of the teams has locked in four additional picks.
These compensatory picks are incredibly important for teams trying to improve their rosters through the draft without losing player contracts they already have. Teams are already planning to work with the picks they do have. They need to use these extra picks to get an advantage, constructing a more competitive lineup heading into the new season than rivals.
Notable Picks and Forfeitures
There’s a good deal of excitement around the announcement of these picks! We should be careful not to overlook the forfeitures that have decimated this year’s draft order. In addition, the Atlanta Falcons will lose their fifth-round pick after being found guilty of violating the league’s anti-tampering policy. As a result, the San Francisco 49ers will forfeit their fifth-round choice. This is an extremely punitive penalty for a simple payroll accounting mistake in the last league year.
These forfeitures unduly punish the teams at fault. In addition to that, they have a domino effect, making other teams make tactical decisions to move up or down the draft board. As teams assess their fits and explore their options, these amendments will have a huge impact on how they act during the draft.
Leave a Reply