How many rounds and picks are there in the 2021 NFL Draft?

All eyes will be on Trevor Lawerence as Roger Goodell announces the first pick in the NFL Draft shortly after 8 pm ET on Thursday night. The headlines, the hype, and the mock drafts will be put in the rear view mirror as franchises focus on the future, selecting from the best up and coming talent from last years college football season.

Jags expected to take Clemson's Lawrence with first pick

The first pick of the draft will be made by the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s no secret who the Jaguars have been courting since being awarded the top slot shortly after the end of the regular season.

Trevor Lawrence has been on every teams hot list since his freshman year, and the Jags have the honors if they fancy the Clemson Quarterback. Don’t be surprised if terms are agreed upon before the draft starts on Thursday evening.

The first three picks of the draft have essentially been predetermined. After San Fransico’s trade with Miami, the teams with the first three slots on selection day are in desperate need of a QB and most mock drafts have that scenario playing out. Lawrence #1, Zach Wilson #2 and Mac Jones #3.

But beyond that, not even the most experienced of executives in the National Football League know who they will be taking until they are on the clock in Cleveland on the 29th.

Over 250 picks will be made by the NFL's 32 teams next weekend

There are 259 picks through the seven rounds of this years NFL Draft, but they won’t all be distributed evenly to the 32 NFL teams.

The Eagles have more picks than any other team this year. Their two first round slots will be the start of a busy weekend for the Philly front office. Barring any trades, the 2018 Super Bowl champs will be hoping for plenty of Brotherly Love from their 11 selections in this years draft.

The Seattle Seahawks will make just three selections in this year’s draft. Their first selection won’t come until the second round, with 56th pick. They won’t get another crack at adding to their roster until the fourth round, and their third and final pick will come in the last round on Sunday.

The Draft has changed shape and format since 1936

The first NFL Draft took place in 1936. Although there were fewer teams in the league at that time, there were nine rounds of the draft. The first pick in that years draft was Jay Berwanger. Since the University of Chicago running was taken over 80 years ago there have been many changes to the structure of the draft. The seven round Draft format was put in place leading up to the 1994 season.

Trevor Lawrence going number one is a virtual certainty, but there is no telling what will happen in the following 258 picks in next weeks draft. All the questions NFL fans have going into Thursday draft will be answered by next Monday morning