2026 NFL Draft Hub

The NFL Draft is an annual event where all 32 National Football League teams select eligible college football players to join their rosters. Think of it as the league's talent pipeline. Every April, teams get the chance to add the best young players from universities across the country.

The draft runs seven rounds over three days. Each team holds one pick per round, unless they've traded picks away or acquired extra selections. The first round happens on Thursday night and gets the most attention since that's where the top prospects hear their names called.

The NFL started holding drafts in 1936. Back then, it was a simple meeting in a Philadelphia hotel. Now it's a massive spectacle that draws hundreds of thousands of fans to the host city. The 2024 Draft in Detroit set attendance records with over 700,000 visitors.

For teams stuck in losing records, the draft offers hope. For contenders, it's a chance to add missing pieces. For players, it's the moment years of hard work pays off with a life-changing phone call.

The draft order follows an inverse relationship with team success. The team with the worst record picks first. The Super Bowl champion picks last. This system helps struggling franchises rebuild faster by giving them access to top talent.

The Draft Lottery (New in 2024)

Starting with the 2024 season, the NFL introduced a draft lottery for non-playoff teams. The bottom three teams enter a weighted lottery for the first overall pick. This change aims to discourage tanking, where teams lose on purpose to secure better draft positioning.

Trading Draft Picks

Teams can trade picks before and during the draft. Some franchises stockpile selections by trading veteran players. Others trade away future picks to move up and grab a specific player. The 2016 Rams traded two first-rounders, two second-rounders, and two third-rounders to move from 15th to 1st overall for Jared Goff.

Compensatory Picks

Teams that lose more valuable free agents than they sign receive compensatory picks. These selections fall at the end of rounds 3-7. The NFL calculated compensation picks using a formula that weighs salary, playing time, and postseason honors.

The 2026 NFL Draft projects as one of the most talented classes in recent memory. At the top sits Arch Manning, the latest member of football's first family. His presence alone makes this draft appointment viewing for every football fan.

The Arch Manning Factor

Arch Manning at Texas brings the hype of his uncles Peyton and Eli combined with modern social media reach. He's drawn comparisons to Trevor Lawrence as a prospect. Multiple teams could tank for a chance at landing him.

Travis Hunter: A Generational Talent

Travis Hunter from Colorado plays both cornerback and wide receiver at an elite level. Not since Deion Sanders or Charles Woodson has a prospect shown this kind of two-way ability. NFL teams will debate how to best use him.

Deep Receiver Class

Beyond the top names, this class features quality receivers throughout the first two rounds. Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona and Luther Burden III from Missouri lead a group that could reshape multiple passing attacks.

Edge Rush Talent

James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee leads a strong edge rusher class. Teams desperate for pass rush help will find options from the top 10 through the third round. These players often impact games faster than other positions.