What Is 2019 National Football League Draft

Overview

The 2019 NFL Draft was a landmark event in professional football, held from April 25 to April 27 in Nashville, Tennessee. Hosted along the banks of the Cumberland River, it was the first time the draft took place in the South, drawing massive crowds and widespread media attention.

Organized by the National Football League, the draft served as the primary method for teams to acquire new talent from college football programs. With all 32 teams participating, the event spanned three days and seven rounds, culminating in the selection of 254 players.

• Kyler Murray was selected first overall by the Arizona Cardinals, becoming the first Heisman Trophy winner taken first since 2015.
• The draft was held at Lucy Park and Nissan Stadium, transforming downtown Nashville into a football festival.
• A record-breaking 600,000 fans attended the event over three days, surpassing previous attendance highs.
• Ohio State set a new record by having 12 players selected, the most from any school in a single draft year.
• The final pick, known as Mr. Irrelevant, was offensive tackle Charles Snow of Temple, chosen by the Los Angeles Chargers.

How It Works

The NFL Draft is an annual event where NFL franchises select eligible college football players to join their rosters, with the order of selection based on the previous season’s performance.

• Eligibility Rules: Players must be at least three years removed from high school. Most draftees are college juniors or seniors who declare early.
• Draft Order: The team with the worst record picks first, while playoff teams select later. Compensatory picks are awarded for net free agent losses.
• Rounds and Picks: There are seven rounds, with each team typically getting one pick per round, totaling 254 selections in 2019.
• Trade Mechanics: Teams can trade draft picks for players, future picks, or a combination, allowing strategic roster building.
• Combine and Pro Days: The NFL Scouting Combine evaluates prospects through drills, while Pro Days let schools showcase their players.
• Contract Rules: First-round picks are slotted into the rookie wage scale, limiting contract length and bonuses to promote parity.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2019 NFL Draft to recent years highlights shifts in team strategies, positional value, and regional appeal.

The 2019 draft stood out not only for its record attendance but also for its emphasis on quarterback talent. Four QBs were taken in the first round, reflecting a growing trend of teams investing early in franchise signal-callers. The event’s success in Nashville prompted the NFL to continue rotating host cities, boosting local economies and fan engagement nationwide.

Why It Matters

The 2019 NFL Draft had lasting implications for team competitiveness, player careers, and the league’s evolving approach to talent acquisition and fan experience.

• The selection of Kyler Murray signaled a shift toward smaller, agile quarterbacks with dual-threat capabilities.
• Teams like the Arizona Cardinals rebuilt their identity around young talent drafted in 2019, including Murray and linebacker Zaven Collins.
• The draft’s success in Nashville demonstrated the value of hosting in non-traditional football markets.
• Ohio State’s record 12 draftees highlighted the importance of elite college programs in supplying NFL talent.
• The high number of trades during the draft showed teams’ increasing flexibility in roster construction.
• Over 50 international prospects participated in pre-draft evaluations, signaling the NFL’s expanding global reach.

Ultimately, the 2019 NFL Draft was more than a player selection event—it was a cultural moment that blended sports, entertainment, and community, setting a new benchmark for future drafts.