The first night of the NFL Draft is usually all about the glitz, the high-end quarterbacks, and the commissioner getting booed in a tailored suit. But real football junkies know that the Friday night session is where the meat of the roster is built. If you're looking for the specifics on when does the second round of the NFL draft start, you've come to the right place.
For the 2026 cycle in Pittsburgh, the second round is officially scheduled to kick off on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET.
Honestly, the Friday session is my favorite part of the whole weekend. While Thursday feels like a red-carpet event, Friday feels like a war room. Teams have had nearly 20 hours to reset their boards, field trade calls, and panic over why a "first-round talent" is still sitting there available.
The Logistics of Friday Night Lights
The NFL doesn't just do the second round on Friday. They bundle Round 2 and Round 3 together into one marathon broadcast.
Typically, the broadcast starts right at 7:00 PM ET, but don't expect a pick to be turned in at 7:01. There’s usually a bit of "recap" fluff where the analysts talk about who the Las Vegas Raiders (who currently hold the No. 1 overall pick for 2026) took the night before. You'll likely see the first pick of the second round—Pick No. 33—announced around 7:15 PM ET.
Why the Start Time Matters
The gap between the end of Round 1 on Thursday night and the start of Round 2 on Friday is basically the busiest trade window in the league.
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GMs are on the phone all morning. If a blue-chip player—say, a lockdown corner like Colorado's Travis Hunter or a high-upside edge rusher—slips out of the first round, the team holding Pick 33 becomes the most popular girl at the prom. They get flooded with offers from teams desperate to jump back into the top of the second round.
How to Watch the Second Round
If you’re planning your Friday night around the draft, you have a few options for where to tune in. The NFL likes to make sure you can’t miss it.
- ESPN and ABC: These are the big players. ESPN usually goes heavy on the X’s and O’s with Mel Kiper Jr. and the gang, while ABC often leans into the "human interest" stories and the atmosphere in Pittsburgh.
- NFL Network: This is for the die-hards. Expect deep dives into tape and scouts talking about "hand usage" and "pivoting speed."
- Streaming: If you’ve cut the cord, you can grab the broadcast on the NFL+ app, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV.
The 2026 draft is going to be unique because it's being held in the Steel City. They’re setting up the stage near Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium. Expect a lot of terrible towels waving in the background when the clock starts ticking on Friday night.
The "Round 2" Clock is Different
One thing people often forget is that the draft moves faster on Friday than it does on Thursday.
In the first round, teams get 10 minutes to make their selection. It’s agonizing. On Friday, for the second round, that clock shrinks to seven minutes.
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By the time they hit the third round later that same evening, it drops even further to five minutes. This is why the Friday broadcast feels more frantic. The picks fly off the board, the highlights are shorter, and the commissioners (or the former players they bring out to announce the picks) have to keep things moving.
Who is announcing the picks?
Keep an eye out for NFL legends. While Roger Goodell handles the first round, the second round usually features retired greats from the teams making the picks. Seeing a Steelers legend like Jerome Bettis or Hines Ward walk out to announce a second-round pick in Pittsburgh is going to be an all-time moment for that fan base.
Why Round 2 is the "Value Round"
If you look at some of the best players in the league right now, a staggering number of them weren't first-rounders.
The second round is where teams find the guys who had "one red flag" or played at a smaller school but have elite traits. It’s where you find your second-tier QBs who might become starters, or the interior offensive linemen who end up playing 10 years and making five Pro Bowls.
For the 2026 class, we’re looking at a deep pool of talent. After the "sure things" are gone on Thursday, the second round will be the spot for teams like the Giants, Jets, and Cardinals—who are all currently picking high—to solidify their rosters.
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Key 2026 NFL Draft Dates to Remember
Just to keep your calendar straight, here is the full breakdown of the weekend in Pittsburgh:
- Thursday, April 23: Round 1 starts at 8:00 PM ET. This is the big show. One pick at a time. Long waits. Lots of drama.
- Friday, April 24: Rounds 2 and 3. This is our focus. Start time is 7:00 PM ET. It’s a faster pace and covers a lot of ground.
- Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4 through 7. This starts early, usually at 12:00 PM ET. This is "Draft Day" for the grinders. It’s when your team picks the guy you’ve never heard of who eventually becomes a special teams ace.
What to do if you're attending in Pittsburgh
If you’re actually going to be in the city for the draft, Friday is the best day to go. The crowds are huge but slightly more "football-focused" than the Thursday crowd.
The NFL Draft Experience is usually free, but you’ll need the NFL OnePass app to get in. Since the second round starts at 7:00 PM, you’ll want to be in the vicinity of Point State Park by 5:00 PM if you want even a remote chance of seeing the stage.
Actually, parking in downtown Pittsburgh is probably going to be a nightmare. Use the "T" (the light rail) or stay across the river on the North Shore and walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge if it’s open to pedestrians.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Don't just wait for the clock to start. If you want to be the smartest person in your group chat when the second round begins, do these three things:
- Track the "Best Available" Board: As soon as Round 1 ends on Thursday night, look up the "Best Available" lists from PFF or ESPN. Those are the players who will define the start of the second round.
- Download a Mock Draft Simulator: Spend some time running through the first 32 picks to see who might realistically fall to your team at the start of Friday night.
- Check the Trade Values: Understand that a team might trade a 2027 second-rounder just to move up five spots on Friday night. The "Rich Hill" or "Jimmy Johnson" trade charts are great tools to see if your team got fleeced or found a bargain.
When that 7:00 PM ET mark hits on April 24, the "real" draft begins. Get your snacks ready, keep your phone charged for the trade notifications, and watch how the 2026 season starts to take shape in the second round.