And with the First Pick: How does draft work?

Travel to the NFL Draft will lead to noteworthy destinations over the coming years. Beginning in the Motor City (Detroit) of the USA, then continuing over the picturesque Lake Michigan to the home of the "Cheeseheads" (Green Bay/2025), followed by an East Coast trip to Pittsburgh. By 2027, the NFL Draft could also make stops in Denver or Carolina.

Many Americans join travel groups for the NFL Draft, traveling thousands of miles across the country. But amidst the dense crowds, fans with German flags are also present. What's it all for? To see men in tailored suits stand on a podium and elicit cheers by doing nothing more than calling out names into a microphone? That's likely how laymen or casual fans see it.

NFL Draft Order: Choosing with Maximum Equality of Opportunity

In truth, the talent selection follows a sophisticated system and is perhaps the most exciting moment of the career for players like Brandon Coleman, a German-American who grew up in Berlin. Of course, the NFL wouldn't be the NFL without an Oscar-worthy show surrounding it: three days full of spectacle, live acts, and meet & greets with NFL legends. But let's get back to the sporting procedure, which remains the same year after year.

Seven rounds and over 200 college players gradually distributed to all 32 teams. General managers select from a huge pool of young players whose high school graduation was at least three years ago. The same applies to all international players who have not gone through the American high school and university system.

With this system, the league can theoretically ensure a certain equality of opportunity. And in practice? A look at the Super Bowls between 2020 and 2024 shows that six different teams (Chiefs, Buccaneers, 49ers, Rams, Bengals, Eagles) reached the final. Expanded to the NFL playoffs, an average of five to six newcomers per year make the turnaround and fight in the postseason for a spot in the Super Bowl. It's entirely possible that the dynasty of the Kansas City Chiefs, led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who secured his third ring in Super Bowl LVIII, will be brought down in the near future.

Up or Down? Every Trade a Bet on the Future

The current NFL champion always picks last in each round of the following NFL Draft, at 32nd place. Before that, the runner-up, the playoff participants, and the remaining teams line up according to their win/loss record from bottom to top. Through trades, which are often negotiated on draft day itself, a team can improve its position or voluntarily climb down the board - in exchange for further selection rights, of course!

That no transfer fees are paid, but only players and/or other draft picks are exchanged, represents another significant difference from European league systems. The - depending on perspective - most prominent or devastating example of this is revealed right at the start of the NFL Draft 2024. When Roger Goodell speaks his legendary words ("And with the first Pick…"), it's not the Carolina Panthers, on paper the worst team of the previous season, who hold the golden ticket.

The franchise based in the U.S. state of Charlotte, which will soon play a Germany exhibition game as part of the NFL International Series, orchestrated a blockbuster trade with the Bears last year. For Bryce Young (number 1 pick in 2023), the Panthers gave up several first and second-round picks of the coming years as well as wide receiver DJ Moore. A move that strengthens the future prospects of the competition in Chicago, but will likely impact the Panthers negatively. One thing is clear: the phone lines among the 32 general managers, making their decisions from so-called "draft war rooms," will continue to glow. Many experts expect further trades after pick #4. Each one with the potential effect of turning the entire draft board and the plans of other teams upside down.

Players to Watch in the NFL Draft 2024

Caleb Williams (Quarterback)

Consistently touted as the #1 pick in all mock drafts
College record with over 4,500 yards and 52 touchdowns from the 2002 season

Drake Maye (Quarterback)

• Exciting skill set of size, athleticism, and strong throwing arm
• Highly regarded by the Commanders (#2) and Patriots (#3)

Marvin Harrison Jr. (Wide Receiver)

• Rated by scouts as the best player across positions in the draft class
• Son of former NFL receiver and Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison

Joe Alt (Offensive Tackle)

• Leads a deep offensive tackle class
• Elite measurements in terms of height (2.01 meters) and hand size (25.4 centimeters)

Malick Nabers (Wide Receiver)

• Athleticism and explosiveness similar to star receiver Justin Jefferson
• 1,569 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in the 2024 season

Travel to the NFL Draft: The Locations and Cities

2022: Las Vegas Strip (Paradise)

2023: Union Station (Kansas City)

2024: Campus Martius Park (Detroit)

2025: Lambeau Field (Green Bay)

2026: Pittsburgh/Denver