The NFL Draft consists of seven rounds. This has been the standard format since 1994. Each of the 32 NFL teams typically receives one pick per round, making at least 224 picks in total. However, the total number of selections can be higher due to compensatory picks awarded to teams that lose certain free agents. These compensatory picks are added at the ends of rounds, starting from the third round, and can increase the total number of picks to around 250-260 in a given year
. For example, the 2025 NFL Draft had 257 total picks spread over seven rounds, including 35 compensatory picks
. The draft is held over three days, with the first round on day one, rounds two and three on day two, and rounds four through seven on day three
