When is the 2026 NFL Draft? The draft runs Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Round 1 takes place Thursday evening, Rounds 2 and 3 run Friday, and Rounds 4 through 7 finish on Saturday. All three days will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network, with coverage beginning at 8 PM ET on Thursday, noon ET on Friday, and noon ET on Saturday.
Pittsburgh is hosting the NFL Draft for the second time, following its successful 2024 event that drew over 775,000 fans across three days. The main stage will be set up near the Allegheny riverfront, with the iconic Pittsburgh skyline serving as the backdrop. Free public events, fan experiences, and prospect appearances will surround the main draft proceedings throughout the week.
Key Dates Leading Up to the Draft
The draft itself is the culmination of months of evaluation, and several important events happen beforehand.
NFL Scouting Combine: February 27 through March 2, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This is where the top 300+ prospects run the 40-yard dash, bench press, and perform position-specific drills in front of every NFL team's scouting staff. Combine performances can significantly boost or drop a player's draft stock.
Pro Days: March through early April. Each college holds its own workout day where prospects perform drills on their home campus. Players who underperformed at the combine often use pro days to improve their stock.
Free agency period: The legal tampering window opens March 9, with free agency officially starting March 11. Teams that fill roster needs through free agency may shift their draft priorities, which reshuffles mock draft projections.
Draft order finalization: The order is set by the reverse of regular-season records, with tiebreakers determined by strength of schedule. Teams that lost in the playoffs draft after teams that missed the postseason. The exact order won't be fully locked until the Super Bowl determines the final two picks (picks 31 and 32).
Early Projections for the Top Picks
While the draft order will shift based on combine performances, trades, and free agency moves, several prospects have emerged as likely top selections based on the 2025 college football season. Mock drafts at this stage are preliminary, but the consensus top tier has solidified.
Quarterback class. This draft is expected to feature multiple first-round quarterbacks, which always drives dramatic draft-day trades. Carson Beck (Georgia), Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), and Cam Ward (Miami) are the most frequently projected as top-10 picks, though their relative rankings vary significantly between analysts. Quinn Ewers (Texas) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama) are also in the first-round conversation depending on combine results.
Edge rushers. Abdul Carter (Penn State) and Mykel Williams (Georgia) are projected as elite pass-rushing prospects. Carter's combination of speed and power off the edge drew comparisons to recent top picks throughout his final college season. Edge rushers consistently go high in drafts because quarterback pressure is the most valued commodity in modern NFL defense.
Offensive tackles. Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) and Will Campbell (LSU) are the top offensive line prospects. Teams picking in the top 10 that already have a quarterback frequently target left tackles, making these players likely top-15 selections.
Wide receivers and defensive backs round out the projected first-round talent. Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) and Luther Burden III (Missouri) lead the receiver class, while several cornerback prospects could hear their names called in the top 20.
How to Watch the Draft
Television: ABC carries the draft in primetime on Thursday and in afternoon slots Friday and Saturday. ESPN offers the same broadcast with additional analysis. NFL Network provides its own independent coverage with different analysts and more in-depth scouting breakdowns.
Streaming: ESPN+ will stream the ESPN broadcast. The NFL app and NFL.com offer a free stream of NFL Network's coverage. Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV all carry the relevant channels for cord-cutters.
In person: Attending the Pittsburgh draft is free and open to the public. No tickets are required for the outdoor fan experience areas. Previous Pittsburgh drafts have featured food vendors, interactive exhibits, autograph sessions with former NFL players, and stage viewing areas. Arrive early for the best vantage points, as crowds build quickly before the first pick.
Radio: SiriusXM NFL Radio provides audio coverage with its own team of analysts for all three days.
Draft Day Trades to Watch
Every draft features trades, but certain situations this year make blockbuster deals likely. Teams in the middle of the first round that need a quarterback will be eyeing opportunities to trade up into the top five. The premium teams pay for quarterbacks has increased steadily; the 2024 draft saw multiple first-round picks exchanged for the right to select a franchise passer.
The team picking first overall holds enormous leverage, especially if they're not in the quarterback market themselves. In recent years, the number one pick has been traded in roughly one out of every three drafts. If a non-quarterback-needy team holds the top selection, expect intense trade negotiations in the days and hours before the first pick.
If you're following the NFL season buildup, you might enjoy our coverage of other major sporting events or check our guide on finding and canceling subscriptions to make sure your streaming services are set up for draft weekend. Our explainer on using ChatGPT effectively can also help you run your own mock draft analysis using AI tools.
The Short Answer
The three-day draft event in late April brings together a strong quarterback class headlined by Carson Beck, Shedeur Sanders, and Cam Ward, along with elite prospects at edge rusher and offensive tackle. The Scouting Combine in late February will significantly influence draft projections and reshape mock drafts before free agency adds another layer of unpredictability. Attendance at the Pittsburgh event is free and open to the public, with broadcast, streaming, and radio options available for those watching from home.
Sources
- 2026 NFL Draft Information - NFL.com
- 2026 NFL Scouting Combine - NFL.com
- Pittsburgh Selected as Host Site for 2026 NFL Draft - NFL Communications
- 2026 Mock Draft Database - NFL Mock Draft Database
