The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, where the Los Angeles Chargers aim to strengthen their roster with five draft picks, including the 22nd overall pick. The draft is crucial for the team's future after recent free agency losses.
Key points
2026 NFL Draft takes place in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Chargers have five draft picks
Chargers' first round pick is No. 22 overall
Team needs to strengthen offensive and defensive lines
Jim Harbaugh turned around the Los Angeles Chargers in his first two seasons as head coach with back-to-back finishes of 11-6. But the team’s failure to win a playoff game has created some anxiety and urgency.
The Chargers lost several players in free agency. The three-day, seven-round draft will be a chance to make up for it. They’ll arrive armed with five draft picks, including their first rounder – No. 22 overall.
Justin Herbert, the team’s starting quarterback, will be only as good as his offensive line, and that line needs help. The defensive line could use an infusion of young talent, too.
Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
New York Jets – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech
Q&A
What date and time is the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh?
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place over three days, starting on April 23, 2026, but specific times have not been detailed yet.
How many draft picks do the Los Angeles Chargers have in 2026?
The Los Angeles Chargers have five draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including the 22nd overall pick.
What are the key needs for the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Chargers need to improve their offensive line and infuse young talent into their defensive line.
Where can I watch the 2026 NFL Draft live?
You can follow live updates and watch the 2026 NFL Draft on various sports networks and streaming platforms, with specific details to be announced closer to the event.
Related Articles
MLB·Feature
Fantasy Baseball: Surprising stats through the first month of the 2026 MLB season
Check out these surprising stats from the first month of the 2026 MLB season!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL·Preview
BYU's AJ Dybantsa makes big announcement ahead of NBA draft deadline: Live updates
BYU's AJ Dybantsa set to announce NBA draft intentions tomorrow!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
Alex Cora Shakes Up Red Sox's Lineup Again For Pivotal Series Finale Vs. Yankees
Alex Cora shakes up the Red Sox lineup again for a crucial game against the Yankees.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA
Lakers predicted to trade for $90M All-Star rim protector as perfect Luka Doncic lob partner
Lakers predicted to trade for $90M All-Star rim protector, perfect for Doncic.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Gabriel Layrac gana la primera etapa de la Vuelta a Asturias
Gabriel Layrac se lleva la primera etapa de la Vuelta a Asturias
Marca··1 min read
Soccer
‘We have to look at it game-by-game’ – Guarino discusses West Ham United’s run-in
Guarino discusses West Ham's strategy as they near season's end.
NFL mock draft: Final projection features major shift in early picks
New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M
32 / 32
NFL mock draft: Final projection features major shift in early picks
Seattle Seahawks – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
When is the 2026 NFL Draft?
Dates: April 23-25
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place over a three-day span making up the final weekend of April. The draft begins on Thursday, April 23 and ends on Saturday, April 25.
What time is the 2026 NFL Draft?
Time:
Thursday, April 23: 8 p.m. ET
Friday, April 24: 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 25: Noon ET
Each night of the NFL draft begins at a different time. The first night of the draft begins at 8 p.m. ET, the second night begins at 7 p.m. ET and the final day – which features the most picks – begins at noon ET.
Fans have several options to choose from to watch the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL Network and ESPN will have separate broadcasts, each providing a different analysis of each pick as it happens on draft night.
Cord-cutters can stream the different broadcasts on NFL+, the NFL's proprietary streaming service; ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited, ESPN's streaming services; or cable alternative Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Where is the 2026 NFL Draft?
Location: Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's North Shore will host the 2026 NFL Draft. The show's main stage will be right outside of Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers, while the fan experience will be located around Point State Park.
There are seven rounds in the NFL draft.
The first round will take up the entirety of Day 1 on Thursday, April 23. Rounds 2 and 3 make up Day 2 of the draft, and the final day is constituted of the last four rounds.
How long does each pick take in the NFL draft?
The pick timer changes by round in the annual NFL draft. The first round allows the longest time to make a decision, the second round timer decreases slightly, and so on.
Here's the breakdown of pick timers by round:
Round 1: Eight minutes (Reduced from previous 10-minute timer that had been around since 2008)
Round 2: Seven minutes
Round 3-6: Five minutes
Round 7: Four minutes
2026 NFL Draft top prospects
Ohio State prospects dominate the top of Ayrton Ostly's big board. Here's who ranks in the top 10 heading into draft night:
The 2026 NFL Draft order was set when the Super Bowl concluded. Since then, there have been a few changes as the Bengals, Broncos and Rams traded away first-round picks for key players.
Here's how the first-round order shakes out entering the draft:
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
