The National Football League has finalized the selection order for the 2026 NFL Draft, confirming that the Las Vegas Raiders will kick off the event with the first overall pick. Following a rigorous evaluation of the standings and tiebreakers, the league released the complete seven-round list on April 9, 2026, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated weekends in professional sports.
The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals round out the top three, holding the second and third selections, respectively. The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants complete the top five.
In a draft cycle characterized by aggressive offseason trading, several franchises have secured multiple early-round assets. The Jets, notably, hold two picks in the top 16 after acquiring the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round selection (16th overall).
The first round also features significant movement via previous trades. The Los Angeles Rams will pick at 13th overall, a spot originally belonging to the Atlanta Falcons.
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The Dallas Cowboys improved their positioning late in the first round by acquiring the 20th overall pick from the Green Bay Packers. Similarly, the Cleveland Browns will select 24th overall using a pick obtained from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
At the tail end of the first round, the Miami Dolphins have secured the 30th pick via the Denver Broncos, while the reigning Super Bowl contenders wrap up the opening night.
The Kansas City Chiefs hold the 29th pick (via the Rams) and their own selection at 9th, and the Seattle Seahawks are currently slated to pick last in the first round at 32nd.
The 2026 draft also includes 36 compensatory selections, which were awarded to teams based on a formula involving lost free agents and personnel departures.
The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles are among the primary beneficiaries of these additional picks, with the 49ers receiving a cluster of three compensatory picks at the end of the fourth round.
A total of 257 picks are scheduled to be made across the seven rounds. The “Mr. Irrelevant” tag—the final pick of the draft—is currently held by the Denver Broncos at 257th overall. As the league prepares for the annual selection meeting, this order remains the official blueprint for all 32 clubs, barring further draft-day trades.
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