NFL Draft 2026: A Complete Guide for UK Fans

The NFL Draft returns this week, bringing three days of drama, strategy and future stars into focus as all 32 NFL teams select the best young talent from college football.

Each year, it produces major storylines, surprise selections and future stars. It also creates drama as players are often picked in a very different order than expected.

Last year provided one of the biggest shocks in draft history when Shedeur Sanders, who was widely expected to go first overall, fell all the way to the fifth round. That moment triggered huge reaction in the United States and showed how unpredictable the draft can be.

This year’s event takes place in Pittsburgh, USA and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of fans across three days.

How the NFL Draft Works

The draft is structured and follows strict rules:

• All 32 NFL franchises take part
• Each team receives one pick in each round
• There are 7 rounds in total
• Around 257 players are selected each year

The order is based on performance from the previous season. The worst performing team picks first, while the Super Bowl champions pick last.

However, the order is not fixed. Teams can trade draft picks at any time before or during the draft. These trades allow teams to move up to select a specific player or move down to collect more future picks.

This system is one of the most strategic parts of American football and can completely change how the draft unfolds.

Which Team Has the First Pick?

The Las Vegas Raiders hold the first overall pick in the 2026 draft.

They finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record, which placed them among the worst teams in the league. A strength of schedule tie-breaker meant they were awarded the number one pick ahead of the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans, who all finished with identical records.

The Raiders have several roster needs but quarterback is their biggest priority, which makes their decision at the top of the draft extremely important.

Who Will Be the First Pick?

The leading candidate is Fernando Mendoza, a quarterback who has become the standout prospect in this class.

Mendoza led Indiana to their first national championship and also won the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best college football player in the United States.

If he is selected first overall, he would join a very small group of players to achieve three major milestones in the same year:

• Heisman Trophy winner
• National champion
• First overall NFL Draft pick

That achievement has only been matched by a handful of players, including Cam Newton and Joe Burrow.

Mendoza is seen as the most complete quarterback in the class, with strong passing accuracy, good decision making and leadership qualities that teams value highly.

However, there is a wider view across the league that this is not a strong quarterback draft class overall. That means Mendoza could be the only quarterback taken in the first round.

Other quarterbacks such as Ty Simpson from Alabama are viewed as possible late first round or early second round selections, depending on team needs.

Carson Beck is another interesting case. He struggled during a difficult season at Georgia, which pushed him out of first-round contention. However, he rebounded by leading Miami to a national championship game appearance, which may lead teams to view him as a developmental project.

There are also more unconventional quarterback prospects. Cole Payton impressed scouts at the NFL Combine with his athletic ability and could be used in a hybrid role similar to Taysom Hill. Diego Pavia, standing at 5ft 10in, is considered undersized but has gained attention after a strong season with Vanderbilt where he finished as Heisman runner-up.

Key Players in the Draft Class

While quarterbacks dominate attention, much of this draft class strength lies in defence.

Defensive standouts

This year is considered particularly strong for defensive front players, especially pass rushers.

• Arvell Reese, a versatile linebacker and edge defender
• Sonny Styles, a powerful defensive playmaker
• Caleb Downs, a highly rated safety known for coverage skills
• David Bailey, a fast and explosive pass rusher
• Rueben Bain Jr, another top edge rusher prospect

Teams are expected to prioritise these players early because elite defensive talent is always in high demand.

Wide receivers and offensive playmakers

There is also strong depth at wide receiver:

• Makai Lemon, known for speed and separation ability
• Jordyn Tyson, a physical receiver who excels in contested catches

Running backs

The top running back prospect is Jeremiyah Love, who is regarded as the most complete option at the position due to his balance of speed, vision and power.

Defensive line prospects

Lee Hunter is one of the most talked about defensive tackles in the class. He has been nicknamed “The Fridge” due to his size and presence. At 6ft 4in and 318lbs, he is not as large as former NFL star William Perry, but he has impressed scouts during interviews and visits.

Hunter has met with the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers, which suggests he could be selected earlier than expected.

International Prospects

The NFL continues to expand globally through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Programme.

One player attracting attention is Max Iheanachor, an offensive tackle who moved from Nigeria to the United States at age 13. He only began playing American football a few years

Another player generating interest is Uar Bernard, who has shown remarkable physical progress during the programme’s training camp. His athletic testing numbers have surprised scouts and could make him a late-round selection.

The pathway programme has previously produced players who developed into NFL contributors after being considered raw prospects.

NFL London

For UK fans already looking ahead to the NFL London Games, the draft will have a direct impact on two of the confirmed teams heading across the Atlantic.

The Washington Commanders are set to pick seventh overall, giving them a strong chance to land an immediate impact player, while the Jacksonville Jaguars will have to be more patient after trading away their first-round selection to the Cleveland Browns, with their first pick not coming until 56th overall.

Why the NFL Draft Matters

The NFL Draft is the main recruitment method for all teams in the league.

Unlike European football, there are:

• No transfer fees
• No club-to-club buying of players

Some early picks fail to meet expectations, while some late picks become legendary players. Tom Brady is the most famous example, selected 199th overall in 2000 before going on to win seven Super Bowls.

When and Where is the Draft?

• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Dates: Thursday 23 April to Saturday 25 April
• Round 1 starts: 01:00 BST Friday
• First round pick time reduced to 8 minutes

The event will be staged outside Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and will feature fan zones, live entertainment and draft coverage across all three days.

Final Overview

The 2026 NFL Draft is expected to be unpredictable beyond the top pick. While Fernando Mendoza is the clear favourite to go first overall, the rest of the first round could feature significant movement, trades and surprise selections.

With strong defensive talent, intriguing international prospects and a weaker quarterback class behind the top name, teams may approach this draft more cautiously than usual.

As always, the NFL Draft is not just about who goes first, but about which players go on to become the future stars of the league.