It\u2019s time for pro football journeys to begin in earnest. Some teams will mine franchise cornerstones from the 2026 NFL Draft, while others will plant fateful decision trees that will torment fans for years to come.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s draft goes down in Pittsburgh, where Terrible Towels and bright yellow grandstands welcome a deep rookie class. The ceremony is broadcast across several different networks. Here\u2019s what to know, when to tune in and how to follow along.<\/p>\n
All times listed are ET.<\/p>\n
How to watch the 2026 NFL Draft, Round 1 ABC is free over the air. All ESPN programs are also available with an ESPN Unlimited subscription. NFL Network is also available on NFL+.<\/p>\n NFL Draft broadcast options<\/p>\n There will be no shortage of telecast choices<\/a> for this year\u2019s viewership, including here at The Athletic. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a special live edition of \u201cThe Athletic Football Show<\/a>\u201d with Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman. Draft guru Dane Brugler and college football insider Bruce Feldman will be on hand to offer their expertise as the night unfolds.<\/p>\n Four different networks will air the proceedings, too.<\/p>\n On ABC, coverage will emphasize who the draftees are and how they made their way to the NFL. Rece Davis will be the anchor, flanked by Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban and Desmond Howard on the studio desk. They\u2019ll put on a draft-centric version of \u201cCollege GameDay\u201d on ESPN starting at 5 p.m., then break down the picks on ABC once the main event begins at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Draft analyst Field Yates and sideline reporter Molly McGrath will dispatch from the green room. They\u2019ll talk to prospects and their families throughout the night. Beforehand on ESPN, McGrath will interview players as they walk the red carpet. Reporter Pete Thamel will also bring updates and developments from the night.<\/p>\n The ESPN broadcast will be focused more on the football aspect of the draft. Joining anchor Mike Greenberg will be longtime draftnik Mel Kiper Jr., as well as former pros Booger McFarland and Louis Riddick. Adam Schefter will contribute; Laura Rutledge is set to interview players fresh off the draft stage.<\/p>\n There\u2019s an NFL Network option, too, which will also lean into the analytical side. Rich Eisen will host his 20th NFL Draft airing. Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis and Joel Klatt will be on the desk, while league insider Ian Rapoport and Hall of Famer Kurt Warner will weigh in on site.<\/p>\n For Spanish-language coverage, ESPN Deportes will have Eduardo Varela, Pablo Viruega and Ciro Procuna in the studio. Sebasti\u00e1n Martinez Christensen and Katia Castorena will report live from Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n All of the aforementioned networks are now owned or operated by the Walt Disney Company, so viewers can also tune in with Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions.<\/p>\n Over on the ESPN app, Pat McAfee will hold down \u201cThe Draft Spectacular\u201d alt-cast. McAfee, a Pittsburgh native, comes with a crew that comprises 2006 first-round pick AJ Hawk and 2009 second-rounder Darius Butler. Guests will include commentator Peter Schrager and former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher. The program can also be streamed on YouTube, X and TikTok.<\/p>\n Of note, college football reporter Taylor McGregor clocks in from Fernando Mendoza\u2019s family home in Miami. The presumed top selection will not be in attendance Thursday, citing family reasons and travel concerns<\/a> related to his mother\u2019s autoimmune disease. McGregor\u2019s interview with Mendoza is going to be on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.<\/p>\n The full NFL Draft first-round order<\/p>\n Each franchise has eight minutes, shortened from 10 minutes in recent drafts<\/a>, to make a first-round pick. Here\u2019s the first-round order entering Thursday, though it\u2019s subject to change if teams swing draft-day trades:<\/p>\n Las Vegas Raiders Mendoza is the consensus top quarterback in the draft and the favorite to go No. 1 following his breakout season at Indiana. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion threw 41 touchdowns to six interceptions across 16 games. He added seven TDs on the ground, capped by his gutsy fourth-down score in the national title game<\/a>. The Raiders\u2019 last No. 1 overall selection was their ill-fated JaMarcus Russell pick<\/a> in 2007.<\/p>\n Brugler\u2019s comprehensive prospect ranking, The Beast<\/a>, has three Ohio State defenders in the top five. Edge rusher Arvell Reese is first, linebacker Sonny Styles is fourth and safety Caleb Downs is fifth. Mendoza grades out at No. 3 for Brugler, while Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love gets the No. 2 spot. Love posted 21 total touchdowns and averaged 6.9 yards per carry as a junior.<\/p>\n Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey went third to Arizona in both Jeff Howe\u2019s league insider projections<\/a> and Nick Baumgardner\u2019s mock draft<\/a>. Each had him behind Reese to the Jets and Mendoza to the Raiders.<\/p>\n
\nVenues: Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium \u2014 Pittsburgh
\nTime: 8 p.m., Thursday
\nTV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and NFL Network
\nStreaming: Fubo (Stream Free Now<\/a>)<\/p>\n
\nNew York Jets
\nArizona Cardinals
\nTennessee Titans
\nNew York Giants
\nCleveland Browns
\nWashington Commanders
\nNew Orleans Saints
\nKansas City Chiefs
\nNew York Giants (from CIN<\/a>)
\nMiami Dolphins
\nDallas Cowboys
\nLos Angeles Rams (from ATL<\/a>)
\nBaltimore Ravens
\nTampa Bay Buccaneers
\nNew York Jets (from IND<\/a>)
\nDetroit Lions
\nMinnesota Vikings
\nCarolina Panthers
\nDallas Cowboys (from GB<\/a>)
\nPittsburgh Steelers
\nLos Angeles Chargers
\nPhiladelphia Eagles
\nCleveland Browns (from JAX<\/a>)
\nChicago Bears
\nBuffalo Bills
\nSan Francisco 49ers
\nHouston Texans
\nKansas City Chiefs (from LAR<\/a>)
\nMiami Dolphins (from DEN<\/a>)
\nNew England Patriots
\nSeattle Seahawks
\nA quick look at the projected top picks<\/p>\n