NFL Draft Deadline: What is the declaration deadline time for the 2023 NFL draft?

Like every offseason, one of the most important events on the NFL calendar this year will be the 2023 NFL draft. This is one of the best opportunities for teams to improve their future and add impact players to their rosters immediately. The 2022 NFL regular season has officially come to an end, so any team that failed to make it to the NFL playoffs will now begin their 2023 offseason.

When it comes to the field of players available in the NFL draft, there are certain guidelines to be aware of. Not all college football players will be eligible to be selected in the draft this year. All prospects must first complete three full years of college football before they become eligible to enter the draft process. They must also officially declare themselves eligible for the draft.

The final deadline for all eligible college football players to declare themselves for the 2023 NFL draft will be January 16. All players who officially declare will be available to be drafted. Any player that doesn't declare may return to their college football program, as long as they have remaining collegiate eligibility available.

The 2023 NFL draft is set to take place in April. The first round will be on April 27th. The second and third rounds will occur on April 28th, while all of the remaining rounds will conclude on April 29th. A different city hosts the draft each year and the 2023 NFL draft will be hosted by Kansas City. Teams can officially begin finalizing their draft boards once all eligible players are known after January 16th.

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What is the 2023 NFL draft order?

Roger Goodell at the NFL draft podium

The 2023 NFL draft order has been partially completed. The first 18 picks are officially set, while the other 14 will be determined as teams are eliminated from the NFL playoffs. The top 18 picks go in reverse order based on records for teams that didn't make the playoffs. Following each round of the playoffs, a group of eliminated teams fills the next available spots in reverse-record order.

Here are the 18 picks that are officially locked in:

1. Chicago Bears
2. Houston Texans
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos)
6. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams)
7. Las Vegas Raiders
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Carolina Panthers
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints)
11. Tennessee Titans
12. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns)
13. New York Jets
14. New England Patriots
15. Green Bay Packers
16. Washington Commanders
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
18. Detroit Lions