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The number of players selected varies slightly each year and this year there will be 257 picks.<\/p>\n
NFL teams scout players at college and then assess them during the NFL Combine,<\/a> a four-day event in February\/March featuring physical and mental tests where teams can also interview prospects.<\/p>\n Each college\/university holds a Pro Day,<\/a> where draft hopefuls have another chance to showcase their skills, and they may also visit teams for more tests and interviews.<\/p>\n Then comes the draft itself.<\/p>\n Each pick will not necessarily be the best player still available, they may be the player which that team feels best suits their needs.<\/p>\n The total number of picks varies each year as teams are awarded compensatory picks for players they lost in free agency.<\/a><\/p>\n They are also rewarded with picks for developing minority candidates for head coach\/general manager positions, while teams may have to forfeit picks for breaching NFL rules.<\/p>\n This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything<\/i><\/a> team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n