The wait is finally over for football fans as the 2026 NFL Draft officially kicks off today, April 23, in Pittsburgh. The city has transformed its North Shore into a massive football campus, spanning nearly 4 million square feet between Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to descend on the “Steel City,” the Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock with the first overall pick.
The draft order, finalized by the league earlier this month, places the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals in the second and third spots. Rounding out the top five are the Tennessee Titans and the New York Giants.
While the Raiders hold the ultimate prize of the number one pick, other teams have built up serious capital through trades. The Jets, for example, will pick again at 16th overall using a choice they acquired from the Indianapolis Colts.
Commissioner Roger Goodell, who attended college nearby at Washington & Jefferson, is back in familiar territory to welcome the newest class of rookies.
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“I think Pittsburgh in the area has a really deep appreciation for my heart,” Goodell said recently regarding the host city. “I think the biggest question is how many people are going to show up? And I think it’s going to be a lot of people.” Local officials are anticipating daily crowds of up to 250,000 visitors, potentially making this the largest event in the city’s history.
The first round features 32 picks tonight, followed by rounds two and three on Friday, and the final four rounds on Saturday. Beyond the high-stakes early picks, the draft also includes 36 compensatory selections awarded to teams for various roster losses.
The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles are among the leaders in total picks this year. The marathon event will eventually conclude with pick number 257, a spot currently held by the Denver Broncos.
Fans can follow the action starting at 8:00 p.m. ET tonight. The stage itself is a nod to the host city, featuring replicas of Pittsburgh’s iconic yellow sister bridges and Andy Warhol-inspired graphics.
After years of planning and several high-profile trades that have shifted the board, the 32 clubs are now ready to make their selections and shape the future of their franchises.
NFL Draft 2026: Where to Watch, Kickoff Times, and the Full Selection Order
The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived in the “Steel City,” bringing the future of professional football to the heart of Pittsburgh.
With massive crowds gathered at Point State Park and the North Shore, the Las Vegas Raiders officially hold the keys to the first overall pick. Whether you are looking for the exact broadcast schedule or the specific spot your team selects, here is the factual breakdown of the three-day event.
When and Where to Watch the 2026 NFL Draft
The draft is split into three distinct days, with broadcast coverage beginning today, Thursday, April 23. You can find the action on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, and ESPN Deportes. For cord-cutters, streaming is available via NFL+, Disney+, Hulu, and the ESPN app.
- Round 1: Thursday, April 23, at 8:00 p.m. ET
- Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m. ET
- Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 25, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce the first-round selections tonight, with a reduced clock of eight minutes per pick. Radio listeners can tune in via SiriusXM NFL Radio, Westwood One Sports, or ESPN Radio.
Round 1 Selection Order
The opening night features the most high-profile prospects. Notably, the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs both hold multiple picks in the top 30 thanks to previous trades.
| Pick | Team | Notes |
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | |
| 2 | New York Jets | |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | |
| 5 | New York Giants | |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | |
| 10 | Cincinnati Bengals | |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys | |
| 13 | Los Angeles Rams | From Atlanta Falcons |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |
| 16 | New York Jets | From Indianapolis Colts |
| 17 | Detroit Lions | |
| 18 | Minnesota Vikings | |
| 19 | Carolina Panthers | |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys | From Green Bay Packers |
| 21 | Pittsburgh Steelers | |
| 22 | Los Angeles Chargers | |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | |
| 24 | Cleveland Browns | From Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 25 | Chicago Bears | |
| 26 | Buffalo Bills | |
| 27 | San Francisco 49ers | |
| 28 | Houston Texans | |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs | From Los Angeles Rams |
| 30 | Miami Dolphins | From Denver Broncos |
| 31 | New England Patriots | |
| 32 | Seattle Seahawks |
Round 2 Selection Order
In the Draft Room 2024 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Second-round selections begin Friday evening. Teams have seven minutes per pick during this round.
- 33: New York Jets
- 34: Arizona Cardinals
- 35: Tennessee Titans
- 36: Las Vegas Raiders
- 37: New York Giants
- 38: Houston Texans (via Washington)
- 39: Cleveland Browns
- 40: Kansas City Chiefs
- 41: Cincinnati Bengals
- 42: New Orleans Saints
- 43: Miami Dolphins
- 44: New York Jets (via Dallas)
- 45: Baltimore Ravens
- 46: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 47: Indianapolis Colts
- 48: Atlanta Falcons
- 49: Minnesota Vikings
- 50: Detroit Lions
- 51: Carolina Panthers
- 52: Green Bay Packers
- 53: Pittsburgh Steelers
- 54: Philadelphia Eagles
- 55: Los Angeles Chargers
- 56: Jacksonville Jaguars
- 57: Chicago Bears
- 58: San Francisco 49ers
- 59: Houston Texans
- 60: Chicago Bears (via Buffalo)
- 61: Los Angeles Rams
- 62: Denver Broncos
- 63: New England Patriots
- 64: Seattle Seahawks
Round 3 and Compensatory Picks
The third round marks the beginning of compensatory selections, awarded to teams for various roster transitions.
- 65-67: Cardinals, Titans, Raiders
- 68: Philadelphia Eagles (via NY Jets)
- 69: Houston Texans (via NY Giants)
- 97: Minnesota Vikings (Compensatory)
- 98: Philadelphia Eagles (Compensatory)
- 99: Pittsburgh Steelers (Compensatory)
- 100: Jacksonville Jaguars (via Detroit – Special Compensatory)
Days 2 and 3: Rounds 4 through 7
Saturday’s marathon session covers the remaining 157 picks. The clock speeds up significantly, moving to five minutes for Rounds 4-6 and just four minutes for Round 7.
Round 4 Highlights:
The Tennessee Titans open the fourth round at pick 101. The San Francisco 49ers hold a significant advantage here with four selections (127, 133, 138, and 139) due to a haul of compensatory picks.
The Final Stretch:
By the seventh round, teams like the Miami Dolphins (pick 238 via Chargers/Titans/Jets) and the New York Jets (pick 242 via Buffalo/Cleveland) will navigate complex trade histories to fill their final roster spots. The 2026 NFL Draft will conclude with pick 257, currently held by the Denver Broncos, who will name this year’s “Mr. Irrelevant.”
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