The 2026 NFL Draft schedule begins on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, PA, live from Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park. Round 1 kicks off at 8:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC. Following a blockbuster pre-draft trade, the New York Giants now own two picks in the top 10 (#5 and #10 overall) after acquiring the Bengals’ first-round selection in exchange for DT Dexter Lawrence.
2026 NFL Draft Schedule & TV Times
The NFL has made a slight adjustment for 2026: The time between first-round selections has been shortened from 10 minutes to 8 minutes, ensuring a faster pace for the Thursday night broadcast.
| Day | Date | Rounds | Start Time (ET) | TV Channels |
| Day 1 | Thursday, April 23 | Round 1 | 8:00 PM | ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
| Day 2 | Friday, April 24 | Rounds 2-3 | 7:00 PM | ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
| Day 3 | Saturday, April 25 | Rounds 4-7 | 12:00 PM | ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
2026 NFL Draft First Round Order (Top 10) (As of April 20th, 2026)
Here’s the 2026 NFL Draft first round order pre-trades after April 8th. The 2026 NFL Draft order has undergone a massive shift just days before the first round kicks off in Pittsburgh. While the Las Vegas Raiders remain firmly on the clock at No. 1 overall, a blockbuster pre-draft trade has completely redefined the top 10. By acquiring the No. 10 overall pick from the Cincinnati Bengals in the Dexter Lawrence trade, the New York Giants now hold two of the top ten selections (#5 and #10). This rare draft capital allows the Giants to be the primary “kingmakers” of the first round, with the flexibility to move up for a franchise quarterback or land two blue-chip starters. Below is the finalized top 10 order as teams enter their final draft board lockdowns.
1 – Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
2 – New York Jets (3-14)
3 – Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
4 – Tennessee Titans (3-14)
5 – New York Giants (4-13)
6 – Cleveland Browns (5-12)
7 – Washington Commanders (5-12)
8 – New Orleans Saints (6-11)
9 – Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
10 – New York Giants (from CIN) (6-11)
Download the 2026 NFL Draft Tracker (Rounds 1-3)
Don’t just watch the picks. You can track the future of your franchise. We’ve designed a custom, printer-friendly 2026 NFL Draft Tracker that fits the first three rounds (100 picks) onto a single landscape page.
This tracker uses our “Steel City” palette to celebrate the draft’s arrival in Pittsburgh and includes dedicated space for you to fill in the Player Selection, Position, and School as the picks are announced live on Thursday and Friday nights.
- Format: High-Resolution PDF
- Capacity: All 100 picks from Rounds 1, 2, and 3
- Print Specs: Optimized for Landscape (Fit to Page)
- Utility: 5-Column layout (Pick, Team, Player, Position, School)
Trade Analysis: Giants-Bengals Dexter Lawrence Blockbuster
The Trade:
- Bengals Receive: DT Dexter Lawrence
- Giants Receive: 2026 1st-Round Pick (No. 10 Overall)
The Winner: New York Giants (Grade: A)
The Giants are in a clear “Harbaugh Era” rebuild. While losing a player of Lawrence’s caliber hurts the defensive line, netting a Top 10 pick for a 28-year-old defensive tackle who was seeking a massive contract extension is an absolute steal. The Giants now have the flexibility to take two blue-chip players in the first 10 picks (No. 5 and No. 10), potentially pairing a shutdown corner with a dynamic playmaker for young QB Jaxson Dart.
The Gamble: Cincinnati Bengals (Grade: B-)
The Bengals are officially all-in. After boasting the 31st-ranked defense last season, Cincy traded their most valuable draft asset for an “instant enforcer.” Lawrence is the perfect “gap-eater” to help Joe Burrow get the ball back more often, but the cost—the 10th overall pick—is incredibly steep for a player coming off a down year (0.5 sacks in 2025). If Lawrence returns to his All-Pro form, it’s a masterstroke. If not, the Bengals just gave away a cornerstone rookie contract for a very expensive veteran.
How to Watch & Stream the 2026 Draft
- Television: ESPN and ABC provide two distinct broadcasts. ESPN focuses on the “X’s and O’s” with draft gurus, while ABC typically offers a more “College GameDay” style atmosphere focusing on player backstories.
- Streaming: Subscribers can stream via the ESPN App or NFL+.
- Radio: Live national coverage is available on SiriusXM NFL Radio and ESPN Radio.
NFL and SportsBrackets.net Resources
- 2026 NFL Schedule Release: Australia Game & Key Dates
- Printable 2026 Detroit Lions Schedule: Full PDF
- 2026 Masters: How to Watch & Printable Scorecard
Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 NFL Draft
Where is the 2026 NFL Draft located?
The 2026 draft is hosted by the City of Pittsburgh. The main stage is located on the North Shore near Acrisure Stadium, while the “NFL Draft Experience” fan festival is held across the river at Point State Park.
Who is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Current mock drafts from experts like Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks highlight Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza and Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love as the top contenders for the Raiders at No. 1.
How many picks are in the 2026 NFL Draft?
There are 257 total selections across seven rounds.
Plan Your 2026 Season: 32-Team Opponent Trackers and Schedules
