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When is the NFL draft 2024? What you need to know before the league's showcase

Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times
·2 min read

The NFL draft, an event big enough to inspire a Kevin Costner sports movie a decade ago, is around the corner and teams across the league are positioning for it.

The three-day showcase will be in Detroit this season, one of the few years the Lions don't have a particularly high pick. There will be 257 selections over seven rounds in three days, concluding with Mr. Irrelevant's seventh-round pick.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams (13) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams (13) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Two years ago that was Brock Purdy by the San Francisco 49ers, who wasn't irrelevant at all and led his team to the Super Bowl this past season.

NFL Draft schedule 2024

The draft begins Thursday with the first round at 6 p.m. MT / 7 p.m. CT.

  • Round 1: Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m. MT.

  • Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 26 at 5 p.m. MT.

  • Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 27 at 10 a.m. MT.

The draft will be televised on ABC and there will also be coverage on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

NFL draft order

The Chicago Bears have the No. 1 pick courtesy of a trade with the Carolina Panthers. The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots have the following two picks. The Dallas Cowboys select 24th in the first round.

Here is the complete draft order.

Mock draft predictions

USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the consensus No. 1 pick this year with another quarterback, set to go at No. 2 to Washington. Some mock drafts have that as Heisman winner Jayden Daniels from LSU, others Drake Maye from North Carolina. Media personality Colin Cowherd has reported that sources in Washington told him the Commanders will take Daniels.

Here is a look at top draft prospects by position.

What are the Dallas Cowboys going to do?

Most mock drafts have Dallas taking an offensive lineman in the first round. The Cowboys look to rebuild a unit that has lost some of its punch in recent years. Running back is also a possibility.

The Cowboys could also look to add a quarterback on the second day as they contemplate their future without Dak Prescott, who is entering the final season of a four-year contract. Washington's Michael Penix Jr. is a possibility.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: When is the NFL draft? What you need to know before event