The NFL Draft Round 2 starts today, following an eventful first round. The San Francisco 49ers will be the first team on the clock tonight.
Key points
NFL Draft Round 2 starts today at 7 PM ET
San Francisco 49ers have the first pick in Round 2
Fernando Mendoza was the No. 1 overall pick
Minnesota Vikings selected Caleb Banks at No. 18
San Francisco 49ersLas Vegas RaidersMinnesota VikingsFernando Mendoza
What time does the NFL Draft start today? Round 2 on Friday
With the drama of the 2026 NFL Draft Round 1, filled with both expected picks and shocking surprises, now behind us, anticipation builds for the second round. Now, teams have the chance to find impact players among the elite prospects who surprisingly remain on the board, setting the stage for another night of franchise-shaping decisions.
The April 23 opening round saw the Las Vegas Raiders make a decisive move by choosing Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick, ushering in a new era for the franchise. In a surprising turn, the Minnesota Vikings disrupted expectations by choosing Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks at No. 18, even though Banks is recovering from recent foot surgery.
Although 32 names have already been called, a wealth of highly touted prospects are still waiting for their moment, turning attention to what promises to be a thrilling second round. The San Francisco 49ers will officially be the first team on the clock, poised to set the tone for the evening.
Hereâs how you can watch and follow every moment of the April 24 crucial second and third rounds of the NFL Draft, ensuring you donât miss any of the excitement as new stars find their homes.
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The 2026 NFL Draft Theater stage at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
A general overall view of the downtown skyline and Fort Duquesne bridge of the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 22, 2026.
Large helmets of the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026.
A general overall view of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026.
Fans watch during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026.
A general overall view of Acrisure Stadium during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
A Pittsburgh Steelers fan plays a bagpipe in Market Square during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
Pittsburgh Steelers and Terrible Towel banners in Market Square during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
Local military members watch the Q&A session with ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes and Cam Heyward at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
A Here We Go sign is featured at Steelers Country at the NFL Draft Fan Experience at Point State Park, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Construction crews continue to put the finishing touches on the draft theater Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from outside Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The NFL Draft Red Carpet at the NFL Draft Fan Experience at Point State Park, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
A fan takes video of the Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans pose at a 2026 NFL Draft activation in downtown on April 22, 2026.
A City of Pittsburgh River Rescue boat sails along the Allegheny River near Acrisure Stadium during the 2026 NFL Draft on April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
A general overall view of 2026 NFL Draft banners on the Roberto Clemente aka Sixth Street bridge on April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
A statue of former Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente outside the center field gate of PNC Park on April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
A general overall view of large Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts helmet at the 2026 NFL Draft Experience at Acrisure Stadium on April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
A statue of Pittsburgh Steeles fullback Franco Harris completing the Immaculate Reception at the Pittsburgh International Airport on April 21, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Street banners promoting the 2026 NFL Draft in downtown on April 21, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Duval representing in Pittsburgh as Nikki Mcglockton aka Tally Jag, right, and Jerome Johnson, aka Jaxonball Z, gear up for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on April 23, 2026.
Bengals Twins Steve, left, and Jeff, prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026, in downtown Pittsburgh, where they want their team to draft 'defense, defense, defense.'
Tennessee Titans cheerleaders excited for Round 1 of the NFL Draft on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
The 2026 NFL Draft Theater stage at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
The 2026 NFL Draft Theater stage at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A general overall view of the downtown skyline and Fort Duquesne bridge of the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 22, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Large helmets of the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A general overall view of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Fans watch during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A general overall view of Acrisure Stadium during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A Pittsburgh Steelers fan plays a bagpipe in Market Square during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers and Terrible Towel banners in Market Square during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Local military members watch the Q&A session with ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes and Cam Heyward at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A Here We Go sign is featured at Steelers Country at the NFL Draft Fan Experience at Point State Park, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Construction crews continue to put the finishing touches on the draft theater Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from outside Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
The NFL Draft Red Carpet at the NFL Draft Fan Experience at Point State Park, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A fan takes video of the Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers fans pose at a 2026 NFL Draft activation in downtown on April 22, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A City of Pittsburgh River Rescue boat sails along the Allegheny River near Acrisure Stadium during the 2026 NFL Draft on April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A general overall view of 2026 NFL Draft banners on the Roberto Clemente aka Sixth Street bridge on April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A statue of former Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente outside the center field gate of PNC Park on April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A general overall view of large Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts helmet at the 2026 NFL Draft Experience at Acrisure Stadium on April 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
A statue of Pittsburgh Steeles fullback Franco Harris completing the Immaculate Reception at the Pittsburgh International Airport on April 21, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Street banners promoting the 2026 NFL Draft in downtown on April 21, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Duval representing in Pittsburgh as Nikki Mcglockton aka Tally Jag, right, and Jerome Johnson, aka Jaxonball Z, gear up for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on April 23, 2026.
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Bengals Twins Steve, left, and Jeff, prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026, in downtown Pittsburgh, where they want their team to draft 'defense, defense, defense.'
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Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to Pittsburgh
Tennessee Titans cheerleaders excited for Round 1 of the NFL Draft on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
When does the NFL draft start tonight?
The second round of the 2026 NFL Draft starts on April 24, at 7 p.m. ET, covering picks 33 to 64. Viewers can tune in on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and NFL Network, or stream the event via ESPN+ and NFL+.
