You're probably staring at your calendar or refreshing your feed trying to figure out the exact nfl draft today time, and honestly, it’s kinda easy to get turned around with how the league stretches this thing out. If you’re looking for a kickoff right this second in January, here is the reality check: we are currently in the thick of the "order-setting" phase. The actual 2026 NFL Draft doesn't officially start its clock until April.
Right now, the Las Vegas Raiders are sitting on that coveted No. 1 overall pick after a brutal 3-14 season. People keep asking about the "time" because the postseason is currently happening, and that’s what dictates when the rest of the teams—the ones actually winning games right now—will pick.
When Does the Clock Actually Start?
The NFL has already locked in the dates for the 2026 showcase in Pittsburgh. It’s going to be a massive party on the North Shore, but you've got to wait until Thursday, April 23, 2026, for the first round.
Historically, the NFL keeps its start times pretty rigid for TV. You can basically bet your house that Round 1 will kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET. If you’re on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 5:00 p.m. start, which is basically the perfect excuse to leave work early.
Friday’s coverage for Rounds 2 and 3 usually bumps up to 7:00 p.m. ET, and then Saturday is that marathon morning session starting around noon ET. Pittsburgh is hosting for the first time ever, and they’re planning to use Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium as the backdrop. It's going to look incredible on camera, especially with the yellow bridges in the background.
The 2026 Draft Order: Who is on the Clock?
Since the regular season just wrapped up, we finally know the "misery index"—aka the top of the draft board. The Raiders clinched the top spot, beating out the Jets, Cardinals, and Titans via the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker. It’s a huge deal for Vegas, especially since they just parted ways with Pete Carroll after that one-year experiment went south.
Here is how the top of the board looks right now:
- Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
- New York Jets (3-14)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
- Tennessee Titans (3-14)
- New York Giants (4-13)
- Cleveland Browns (5-12)
- Washington Commanders (5-12)
- New Orleans Saints (6-11)
The rest of the order is a moving target. Teams like the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks are currently 14-3 and deep in the playoffs, so they won't know their "time" to pick until they either hoist a trophy or get knocked out.
Why Fernando Mendoza is the Name You’ll Hear Non-Stop
If you haven't been watching Indiana football, you've missed the rise of the guy who is almost certainly going No. 1. Fernando Mendoza. Mel Kiper Jr. basically crowned him already. He’s the reigning Heisman winner, threw 41 touchdowns this year, and has that "it" factor that makes GMs drool.
The Raiders desperately need a quarterback after the Geno Smith era crumbled. Mendoza is 22, turning 23 in October, which some old-school scouts might call "old," but in today's NFL, that just means he's "pro-ready."
There are other monsters in this class, too.
- Arvell Reese (Edge, Ohio State): A total freak of nature who spent all season living in opposing backfields.
- Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami): If you want a blindside protector who moves like a tight end, this is your guy.
- Dante Moore (QB, Oregon): The flashy alternative to Mendoza if a team wants more mobility.
Setting Your Strategy for the Wait
Knowing the nfl draft today time and date is only half the battle. If you're planning to head to Pittsburgh, you need to be looking at hotels now. Like, yesterday. VisitPITTSBURGH is expecting hundreds of thousands of people. The "Draft Experience" fan festival is free, which is cool, but the city is going to be a gridlock.
Between now and April, we have a few "mini-deadlines" that change everything:
- March 3: The deadline for the Franchise Tag. This is when we see if teams keep their stars or let them walk, which shifts draft needs.
- March 11: Free Agency opens. This is the "legal tampering" window where the draft board usually gets flipped on its head.
- April 15: The final deadline for teams to bring in prospects for those "Top 30" visits.
The "time" of the draft isn't just a mark on a calendar; it's the culmination of a three-month chess match. Whether you're a Raiders fan hoping Mendoza is the savior or a Jets fan wondering how they'll use the No. 2 pick to finally fix the offense, the wait is usually the best part.
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Actionable Next Steps
If you want to stay ahead of the curve before the cameras start rolling in Pittsburgh:
- Track the Underclassmen: The deadline for college players to declare is coming up fast. Watch the "Declaration Tracker" on NFL.com to see if any surprise juniors jump into the pool.
- Monitor the Senior Bowl: This takes place in early February. It’s where small-school guys turn into first-round picks.
- Audit Your Team’s Cap Space: Use a site like OverTheCap. A team with $60 million in space is less likely to draft for "need" and more likely to take the "Best Player Available," which ruins everyone's mock drafts.
- Book Your Pittsburgh Stay: If you’re going, look at hotels in the North Shore or even out toward the airport. The "T" (Pittsburgh’s light rail) is free from certain points and will be your best friend.
The 2026 NFL Draft is going to be a defining moment for a lot of struggling franchises. April 23 can't get here soon enough.