2026NFLDraft.com

2026 NFL Draft

The countdown to the 2026 NFL Draft is officially on, and anticipation is building across the football world. This year’s class is stacked with explosive playmakers ready to shape the next era of the National Football League.

The event is slated to take place from April 23–25, 2026. Opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

Explore host city Find trusted sources
Event
2026
NFL Draft
History
91st Edition
Tourism Boom
500K-700K expected
7 Rounds
257 total selections

Host location in Pittsburgh

City flavor, venues, and navigation

City overview

Pittsburgh blends historic grit with modern innovation. Expect a walkable Downtown core, riverside views, and neighborhoods like the Strip District and North Shore offering food, culture, and event energy.

North Shore Stadium district vibe along the Allegheny & Ohio Rivers
Strip District Markets, eateries, and industrial-chic storefronts
Downtown Hotels, convention spaces, and transit access

Logistics & getting around

The Golden Triangle is compact and connected. Ride-share, light rail (T), and riverfront trails make moving between venues straightforward during draft week.

Transit Light rail to stadiums and Downtown; reliable ride-share coverage
Walkability Short distances across Downtown & North Shore bridges
Where to stay Downtown hotels for proximity; North Shore for atmosphere
Bridge your plans:

Pittsburgh’s iconic bridges connect venues and neighborhoods. Build extra time into your schedule around peak hours and big-stage segments to keep the day smooth. Plan ahead and be sure to stay hydrated!

Top websites for draft coverage

Reliable outlets and scouting databases

National outlets

NFL.com Official coverage and team pages
ESPN Insight, influence, and feature stories
CBS Sports Mock drafts galore, in-depth coverage
The Athletic Long-form scouting, team-centric deep dives

Styles of coverage

Film-first, data-driven, and hybrid approaches

Analyst categories

Film-first scouting Traits, technique, and translatable skills by position
Data-centric analysis Production metrics, athletic testing, and expected value
Hybrid voices Balanced tape + data + league intel for practical fit

What to look for

Transparent methodology Clear criteria, repeatable grades, and positional frameworks
Contextual fit Scheme, role, and developmental timeline per team
Track records Past hit rate on player tiers and year-over-year insights
Analyst Style Strengths Best for
Film specialist Tape-heavy Technique, traits, role projection Position-specific deep dives
Data modeler Metrics-first Production, athletic testing, expected value Macro strategy & trade-down logic
Hybrid analyst Tape + data Holistic fit, risk management Realistic team mock scenarios

Other relevant data

Draft order context, needs, and historical notes

Draft order context

Early boards shift with late-season results and trades. Track strength of schedule, conference title outcomes, and traded picks to understand movement across the top rounds.

Traded picks Monitor conditional clauses that can alter round value
Team needs Blend current roster, injuries, and cap outlook
Positional tiers Identify cliffs at premium positions (QB, OT, EDGE, WR)

Historical notes

Year-over-year, premium positions carry outsized first-round share. Scheme evolution and cap dynamics influence how teams prioritize traits and developmental runway.

Trade patterns Aggressive trade-ups for QB; value trade-downs for OL/DB depth
Testing impact Combine & pro day metrics can reshape mid-round boards
Immediate starters Tackle, corner, and interior OL often transition quickest
How to read boards:

Prioritize consensus tiers over single rankings. Compare player archetypes with team scheme, then map realistic trade scenarios to maximize expected value.