:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32732757/20120427_jel_ac1_197.0.jpg)
Has the 2014 NFL Draft started yet? No. Cruelly, it has not. The last few hours are a grind, but it's a good chance to review some basics.
Which picks do the Rams have?
They have 12 of them, which is tied for the most of any team. Ought to be able to do some damage with that, huh? Another thing to think about is that the Rams might not have 12 roster spots to fill. They traded away some picks last year to move around for the players they wanted. Have to believe that happens again this year.
Round 1, Pick 2 (2) - from Washington
Round 1, Pick 13 (13)
Round 2, Pick 12 (44)
Round 3, Pick 11 (75)
Round 4, Pick 10 (110)
Round 5, Pick 13 (153)
Round 6, Pick 12 (188)
Round 6, Pick 38 (214)*
Round 7, Pick 11 (226)
Round 7, Pick 26 (241)
Round 7, Pick 34 (249)*
Round 7, Pick 35 (250)*
Compensatory picks?
Yes, those are the bonus babies the league hands out for free agents who signed elsewhere. The Rams have three of them this year, the ones with asterisks next to them. Which round those picks end up in is determined by a formula. The NFL does not award comp picks higher than the third round.
Couple other items of note about comp picks. They're always tacked onto the end of the round, after the first 32. Those comp picks cannot be traded.
How many minutes does a team have to pick?
Round 1: 10 minutes
Round 2: 7 minutes
Round 3-7: 5 minutes
What happens if a team fails to make the pick in time?
Should a team not make the selection in time, the team next in the draft order goes on the clock. The franchise which ran out of time can turn in their pick at any point after their clock has expired.
This is a rare occurrence but has happened. In the 2011 draft, the Baltimore Ravens ran out of time and were skipped before selecting Jimmy Smith. The Minnesota Vikings also missed their deadline back in 2003.
What happens in the event of a trade?
If teams make a trade, the deal has to be approved by both sides before it becomes official. Once that happens, the team receiving the pick has whatever time is remaining on the clock to make the pick. The clock does not reset in the event of a deal.
What is the process for turning in a selection?
The front office is in what most teams call a "War Room" comprised of the general manager, owner, coaches and scouts. Once that group comes to a decision, they make a phone call to a contingent sitting in Radio City Music Hall of New York City.
From there, a card is filled out with the name of the player along with his position and college. The card is then turned into the commissioner who announces the selection.
What happens after the draft?
FOOTBALL! Well, the players sign deals, which are based on a slotting system so it gets done in pretty short order. There's a rookie minicamp, some OTAs and then it's training camp time.
What time does the show start?
The draft will begin at 8 p.m. ET, and it will be broadcast on ESPN and the NFL Network. Television coverage should already be underway on the NFL Network and you can count on ESPN to have a ton of pre-draft coverage as well. The second and third rounds will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, and rounds four through seven will start at 12 p.m. on Saturday.
What: 79th Annual NFL Draft
When: Thursday, May 8, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Radio City Music Hall, New York City
TV: NFL Network, ESPN