A beginner’s guide to the 2025 NFL Draft: No. 1 pick, key prospects, full order and more

The 2026 NFL Draft is, finally, upon us. We made it, everyone.Though many of you have been monitoring scouting details and developments since last May (like us nerds here at The Athletic), I also understand the rest of you might be playing catch-up now before Round 1 begins Thursday night in Pittsburgh.So, here’s a quick recap of how we got here and where everything stands heading into the draft:Who has the No. 1 pick in the draft?The Las Vegas Raiders will kick off the draft. Barring a trade, this will be just the second time the Raiders have selected No. 1 overall — the other coming in 2007, when they drafted quarterback JaMarcus Russell.Advertisement