2026 NFL draft: Top prospects, picks, rankings, stats, mocks - ESPN

The Las Vegas Raiders are nearly on the clock at No. 1 to kick off the 2026 NFL draft. It will be the first of 257 total selections across seven rounds starting Thursday and wrapping up Saturday.

To prepare you for the draft, here is our cheat sheet for everything you need to know — top prospects, rankings, mock drafts, key nuggets, bold predictions, buzz and more. How does quarterback Fernando Mendoza stack up among recent top picks? What are the best team fits in Round 1? Which sleeper prospects could rise up the board? We answer all of that and more.

But let's start with how to watch the draft this week.

See more:
ESPN Draftcast | Best available players

Jump to:
How to watch | Pick order | Top prospects
Mocks | Overview of the class | QBs
Questions | Positions of need | Mendoza
Best team fits | Risers | Predictions | Buzz
Nuggets to know | Projections | Must-reads
Draft Day Predictor | FAQs

The 2026 draft will be held in Pittsburgh. Here are all the ways to watch the draft.

Round 1: Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App)

Rounds 2-3: Friday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App)

Rounds 4-7: Saturday at noon ET (ESPN and the ESPN App)

The NFL announced that 16 players will attend the draft in person: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, edge rusher Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles and receiver Carnell Tate; Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor; Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa; Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey; LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane; Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk; USC receiver Makai Lemon; Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love; Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson; and Tennessee cornerback