The number of players selected varies slightly each year and this year there will be 257 picks.
NFL teams scout players at college and then assess them during the NFL Combine, a week-long event in February featuring physical and mental tests where teams can also interview prospects.
Each college/university holds a Pro Day, where draft hopefuls have another chance to showcase their skills, and they may also visit teams for more tests and interviews.
Then comes the draft.
Each pick will not necessarily be the best player still available, they may be the player which that team feels best suits their needs.
The total number of picks varies each year as teams are awarded compensatory picks for players they lost in free agency.
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.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.