What time is the NFL draft on Thursday: Time, TV channel

TL;DR

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the Las Vegas Raiders holding the No. 1 pick. This marks the first time Pittsburgh has hosted the draft since 1947.

Key points

2026 NFL draft opens on Thursday night
Las Vegas Raiders have No. 1 pick
First time Pittsburgh hosts NFL draft since 1947

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Pittsburgh

Las Vegas RaidersNFL DraftFernando MendozaNebraska Cornhuskers

The 2026 NFL draft will open on Thursday night in the host city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 pick in the draft, which this year is expected to be quarterback Fernando Mendoza of Indiana.

This will be the first time that Pittsburgh has hosted the NFL draft since 1947. The city's North Shore, Acrisure Stadium, and Point Slate Park are all set to participate in this year's event.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers enter the NFL draft looking to add to its illustrious history. Through the 2025 draft, the Huskers have had 370 players selected, with 34 taken in the first round.

The most recent first-round draft pick was cornerback Prince Amukamara. Amukamara was selected by the New York Giants with the 19th pick in the 2011 draft.

Nebraska has had the No. 1 pick in the draft at two different times in program history. In 1937, Sam Francis was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles and wide receiver Irving Fryar was taken by the New England Patriots in 1984.

The most recent seven-round mock draft from USA TODAY Sports has three Nebraska projected to be taken over the course of the three-day event. Running back Emmett Johnson is projected to be taken by the with the 131st pick.