The 2026 NFL Draft is tonight. Here's when and how to watch.

U.S. The 2026 NFL Draft is tonight. Here's when and how to watch. By Faris Tanyos Faris Tanyos News Editor Faris Tanyos is a news editor for CBSNews.com, where he writes and edits stories and tracks breaking news. He previously worked as a digital news producer at several local news stations up and down the West Coast. Read Full Bio Faris Tanyos April 23, 2026 / 6:00 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The 2026 NFL Draft, one of the league's hallmark events, gets underway Thursday evening in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.It marks the unofficial start of the new season, when all 32 teams, buoyed by their hopeful fans, come in with a fresh slate and an opportunity to tackle their rosters' biggest weaknesses. When is the NFL Draft start time? The NFL Draft and its festivities begin at approximately 8 p.m. EDT Thursday.Pittsburgh native KELS is slated to sing the national anthem, and the James Weldon Johnson Foundation's National Hymn Choir, featuring The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing."NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who announces all 32 selections of Round 1, will make introductory comments before the draft itself kicks off. The NFL has said that selections for Rounds 2 and 3 will be announced by current and former stars. Barring any shocking last-minute trades, the Las Vegas Raiders will be first on the board with the No. 1 overall pick. Once on the clock, teams will each have eight minutes to make their selections in the first round — down from previous years, when they had 10 minutes.In Round 2, teams will have seven minutes to choose their players, and during Rounds 3-6, they will be allotted five minutes. In Round 7, teams have only four minutes to make their selections.In total, 257 players will be selected over the seven rounds. The player chosen last is given the moniker "Mr. Irrelevant." Football helmet and ball ahead of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh. April 22, 2026.  Vera Nieuwenhui...