The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching, and the league has introduced a key change to streamline the first round. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell oversees the draft process, as seen during the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 
NFL Adjusts First-Round Pick Times for 2026 Draft
Starting with the 2026 NFL Draft, teams will have just eight minutes to make their first-round selections. This marks the first adjustment to first-round timing since 2008, when the NFL reduced the window from 15 minutes to 10 minutes. The change aims to shorten the first round, which has historically concluded around 11:45 p.m. Eastern in recent seasons.
Rounds 2 through 7 will retain last year’s timing:
- Second round: 7 minutes per pick
- Rounds 3-6: 5 minutes per pick
- Seventh round: 4 minutes per pick
Expected Pick Times for First-Round Selections
The following are approximate Eastern Time windows for teams currently holding a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Exact times may vary based on how long teams take to announce their selections.
| Pick | Team | Time (Eastern) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | 8:08 p.m. |
| 2 | New York Jets | 8:16 p.m. |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | 8:24 p.m. |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | 8:32 p.m. |
| 5 | New York Giants | 8:40 p.m. |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | 8:48 p.m. |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | 8:56 p.m. |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | 9:04 p.m. |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | 9:12 p.m. |
| 10 | Cincinnati Bengals | 9:20 p.m. |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | 9:28 p.m. |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys | 9:36 p.m. |
| 13 | Los Angeles Rams (via ATL) | 9:44 p.m. |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | 9:52 p.m. |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 10:00 p.m. |
| 16 | New York Jets (via IND) | 10:08 p.m. |
| 17 | Detroit Lions | 10:16 p.m. |
| 18 | Minnesota Vikings | 10:24 p.m. |
| 19 | Carolina Panthers | 10:32 p.m. |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys (via GB) | 10:40 p.m. |
| 21 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10:48 p.m. |
| 22 | Los Angeles Chargers | 10:56 p.m. |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | 11:04 p.m. |
| 24 | Cleveland Browns (via JAX) | 11:12 p.m. |
| 25 | Chicago Bears | 11:20 p.m. |
| 26 | Buffalo Bills | 11:28 p.m. |
| 27 | San Francisco 49ers | 11:36 p.m. |
| 28 | Houston Texans | 11:44 p.m. |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) | 11:52 p.m. |
| 30 | Miami Dolphins (via DEN) | 12:00 a.m. |
| 31 | New England Patriots | 12:08 a.m. |
| 32 | Seattle Seahawks | 12:16 a.m. |
Why the Change?
The NFL’s decision to reduce first-round pick times reflects a broader push for efficiency in live sports broadcasts. Faster rounds improve viewer experience, particularly for East Coast audiences who previously faced late-night conclusions. The league has not announced further adjustments to rounds 2-7.
Related articles
Mike Tomlin to Call Ravens vs. Falcons on NBC in Week 5: Lamar Jackson Focus
During 19 years with the Steelers, coach Mike Tomlin worked 114 games against teams from the AFC North. In his fifth game as an analyst on NBC's Footb...
NFL Grants Rams Extra Recovery Day After Australia Game, Leaving 49ers Without Adjustment Time
When 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan aired grievances at the annual NFL meetings in March about his team getting the short straw for a long trip to Australi...
Raiders' Fernando Mendoza Start Timeline: When Could the Rookie QB Debut?
'' Raiders coach Klint Kubiak repeatedly has said he would prefer that a rookie quarterback not start Day 1. That's why the Raiders signed veteran qua...
Trevor Lawrence's Haircut Featured in Jaguars' 2026 Schedule Video: Real or AI?
Last month, an image emerged of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence with short hair. It was fake.Now, it's apparently real.The Jaguars' 2026 schedule-...
NFL Bye Week Schedule: Chiefs, Panthers Get Early Break; Cowboys, Cardinals Late
The NFL did the Chiefs a favor, giving them an early off week as Patrick Mahomes works his way back.The Chiefs and Panthers have the earliest possible...
Chargers’ 2026 NFL Schedule Release Video: Best Moments and Halo-Inspired Highlights
The 2026 NFL regular season schedule is finally here. And some have called this day the Super Bowl for the various social media departments within eac...
Seahawks vs. Rams Rivalry Heads to Christmas Day Showdown in 2026
In 2025, the Seahawks and Rams were arguably the best two teams in the NFL. They met three times.In 2026, they won't meet at all until Week 16.The fir...
NFL Week 12 2026 Features Record Nine Broadcast Windows: Full Schedule Breakdown
The Thanksgiving stretch will include even more football than turkey.Week 12 of the 2026 season includes NINE different NFL windows. NINE.It starts on...