2026 NFL draft explained
The 2026 NFL draft will be the 91st annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players. The draft is scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Host city
Pittsburgh was chosen as the host city on May 22, 2024.[1] [2]
Trades involving draft picks
In the explanations below (PD) indicates trades completed prior to the start of the draft (i.e. Pre–Draft), while (D) denotes trades that take place during the 2026 draft.
Round 3
- NY Jets → Philadelphia (PD). NY Jets traded a conditional third-round selection to the Philadelphia in exchange for LB Haason Reddick.[3]
Round 6
- Minnesota → LA Rams (PD). Minnesota traded a conditional sixth-round selection to the LA Rams in exchange for running back Cam Akers and a conditional seventh-round selection.[4]
- Denver → NY Jets (PD). Denver traded a sixth-round selection to the NY Jets in exchange for DL John Franklin-Myers.[5]
- Houston → LA Rams (PD). Houston traded a sixth-round selection to the LA Rams in exchange for WR Ben Skowronek and a seventh-round selection.[6]
- Cleveland → Seattle (PD). Cleveland traded a sixth-round selection to Seattle in exchange for C Nick Harris and seventh-round selection.[7]
- Dallas → NY Giants (PD). Dallas traded a sixth-round selection to the NY Giants in exchange for DL Jordan Phillips and a seventh-round selection.[8]
Round 7
- Detroit → Jacksonville (PD). Detroit traded a conditional seventh-round selection to Jacksonville in exchange for placekicker Riley Patterson.[9]
- LA Rams → Minnesota (PD). See Round 6: Minnesota → LA Rams.[4]
- LA Rams → Houston (PD). See Round 6: Houston → LA Rams.[6]
- Seattle → Cleveland (PD). See Round 6: Cleveland → Seattle.[7]
- NY Giants → Dallas (PD). See Round 6: Dallas → NY Giants.[8]
2020 Resolution JC-2A picks
Since the 2021 draft, the league, under 2020 Resolution JC-2A passed in November 2020, rewards teams for developing minority candidates for head coach and/or general manager positions.[10] The resolution rewards teams whose minority candidates are hired away for one of those positions by awarding draft picks. These draft picks are at the end of the third round, after standard compensatory picks; if multiple teams qualify, they are awarded by draft order in the first round. These picks are in addition to, and have no impact on, the standard 32 compensatory picks.[11]
References
Trade references
General references
Notes and References
- Web site: Baca. Michael. Pittsburgh selected as host site for 2026 NFL Draft. NFL.com. May 22, 2024. May 22, 2024.
- Web site: Pittsburgh Selected to Host the 2026 NFL Draft. steelers.com. May 22, 2024. May 22, 2024.
- Web site: McPherson. Chris. Eagles trade Haason Reddick to the Jets. philadelphiaeagles.com. April 1, 2024. April 2, 2024.
- News: September 20, 2023 . Rams trade running back Cam Akers to the Vikings, swap some draft picks . September 28, 2023 . Los Angeles Times.
- Web site: Allen. Eric. Broncos acquire Jets DE John Franklin-Myers. newyorkjets.com. April 27, 2024. April 27, 2024.
- Web site: Jackson. Stu. Rams trade Ben Skowronek to Texans. therams.com. May 9, 2024. August 14, 2024.
- Web site: Browns acquire C Nick Harris in trade with the Seahawks. clevelandbrowns.com. August 11, 2024. August 14, 2024.
- Web site: Gordon. Grant. Cowboys acquiring DL Jordan Phillips, seventh-round pick from Giants in exchange for sixth-round choice. NFL.com. August 14, 2024. August 15, 2024.
- News: Detroit Lions trade for Jaguars' Riley Patterson, now have 3-man kicking competition. Detroit Free Press. May 25, 2023. September 12, 2023.
- Web site: Bell . Jarrett . November 10, 2020 . NFL approves plan to reward teams with draft picks for developing minority coaches, GMs . March 11, 2023 . USA Today.
- Web site: 2020 Resolution JC-2A . March 11, 2023 . Over the Cap.
