Round 1 of the NFL Draft typically possesses a first-round pick for each team. Of course those picks can be traded, but there’s at least a slot set for each team based on how it finished in the previous season.

So under normal circumstances, the 2023 NFL Draft would have 32 slots and 32 picks given that’s how many teams are in the league. But that’s not the case this year.

This year’s draft will only have 31 picks and 31 slots. That’s because the Miami Dolphins forfeited their 2023 first-round pick (No. 21 overall), as well as a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at the circumstances that led to the Dolphins forfeiting picks.

NFL’s allegations around Brady, Payton

The NFL sanctioned the Dolphins in August 2022 for impermissible contact with quarterback Tom Brady while he was with the Patriots and the Buccaneers and impermissible contact with the agent of former Saints head coach Sean Payton while Payton was still with the Saints. 

The league also suspended Dolphins owner Stephen Ross through Oct. 17, 2022. Ross also wasn’t allowed to attend any league meetings prior to the annual owners meetings in March 2023. He was removed from all league committees indefinitely and fined $1.5 million.

Bruce Beal, the Dolphins’ vice chairman/limited partner, was fined $500,000.

Neither Brady nor Payton will be sanctioned by the league. Brady is now retired. Payton is now the Broncos head coach.