The NFL draft is an annual event where most of the league’s 32 teams recruit players. With more than 2,200 players in the NFL, the draft in April is a key event. Thousands of players in the US collegiate system become eligible each year, but only about 250 are selected.
Undrafted players can still be signed later. But most future stars are picked up during the three-day event.
NFL Draft 2026: Key Dates and Times
The 2026 NFL draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The dates are Thursday, 23 April to Saturday, 25 April. The first round starts at 20:00 EDT (01:00 BST, Friday).
How the NFL Draft Works
The draft is divided into seven rounds. The first round takes place on a Thursday, rounds two and three on Friday, and rounds four to seven on Saturday.
All 32 teams have one pick in each round, going in reverse order of the previous season’s standings. This is unless they have agreed trades.
Teams can trade future draft picks and/or current players to acquire players from other teams or move up in the draft. They may negotiate trades at any time before and during the event.
- There have already been trades for seven first-round draft picks this year.
- Six teams will get two first-round picks.
- Six others will have none.
Who Gets the First Pick?
The team with the worst record from the previous season picks first. The Super Bowl winners pick last.
Last season, the Las Vegas Raiders had the worst record. The Seattle Seahawks were the Super Bowl winners.
Draft Picks Can Make or Break a Team
Early draft picks can often flop in the NFL. Some players chosen late become greats.
Tom Brady was selected 199th overall in 2000. He went on to win a record seven Super Bowls.
In 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs traded away three picks to select Patrick Mahomes. Travis Kelce was selected 63rd overall in 2013. Both have helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls in the past seven years.
The New York Giants traded Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for their first-round pick. The Giants now have the 10th overall pick, as well as the fifth.
Assessing the Talent
NFL teams scout players at college. They then assess them during the NFL Combine, a four-day event in February/March. This features physical and mental tests and interviews.
Each college/university holds a Pro Day. Draft hopefuls have another chance to showcase their skills, and they may also visit teams for more tests and interviews.
Each pick will not necessarily be the best player still available. They may be the player which that team feels best suits the.
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy set a new record at the 2024 NFL Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.21 seconds.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward was the first pick of the 2025 NFL draft.
The number of players selected varies slightly each year. This year there will be 257 picks.