2026 NFL Draft: Selection Order, Patriots Picks, Viewing Details & More

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 21, 2026 5:31 AM ET

2026 NFL Draft: Selection Order, Patriots Picks, Viewing Details & More

The New England Patriots arrive at the 2026 NFL Draft after a 14-3 regular season and a loss in Super Bowl LX. Seattle finished 14-3 and won the title.

Dates, schedule and viewing details

The draft runs Thursday through Saturday in Pittsburgh. Round 1 opens Thursday at 8 p.m.

Rounds 2 and 3 take place Friday at 7 p.m. Rounds 4 through 7 start Saturday at noon.

Television coverage will include NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes. NFL+ will stream the event.

Selection order

Below is the top-to-bottom order for the first round. Records shown are for the 2025 season.

1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
2. New York Jets (3-14)
3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
5. New York Giants (4-13)
6. Cleveland Browns (5-12)
7. Washington Commanders (5-12)
8. New Orleans Saints (6-11)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
10. New York Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) (6-11)
11. Miami Dolphins (7-10)
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) (8-9)
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) (8-9)
17. Detroit Lions (9-8)
18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
19. Carolina Panthers (8-9)
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) (9-7-1)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) (13-4)
25. Chicago Bears (11-6)
26. Buffalo Bills (12-5)
27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
28. Houston Texans (12-5)
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams)
30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) (14-3)
31. New England Patriots (14-3)
32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

Patriots picks and notable trade assets

Filmogaz.com coverage includes the 2026 NFL Draft: selection order, Patriots picks, viewing details and more.

Round 1 — Pick 31.
Round 2 — Pick 63.
Round 3 — Pick 95.
Round 4 — Pick 125 (acquired in a draft-day trade last year).
Round 4 — Pick 131.
Round 5 — Pick 171.
Round 6 — Pick 191 (from Kansas City; Josh Uche trade).
Round 6 — Pick 198 (from San Francisco; Keion White trade).
Round 6 — Pick 202 (from Pittsburgh; Kyle Duggar trade).
Round 6 — Pick 212.
Round 7 — Pick 247.

How those picks shape draft strategy

Eleven selections give New England heavy Day 3 influence. Most choices will come in rounds four through seven.

The late first-round slot limits access to top-tier talent. Teams often target depth and positional value late in round one.

History of the No. 31 pick for New England

The Patriots have held pick 31 twice before. Both results proved impactful.

2018: New England selected running back Sony Michel from Georgia. He rushed for 2,292 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons with the team.
1991: The club took linebacker Chris Slade from Virginia. Slade played nine seasons, recording 640 tackles and 51 sacks, and made the 1997 Pro Bowl.
2012: The Patriots traded the 31st pick to move up for Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower. Hightower won three Super Bowls and earned two Pro Bowl nods during a nine-year career.

Top prospects and draft narratives

Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, is the heavy favorite for the first overall pick. Las Vegas needs a long-term quarterback solution.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love drew attention after a 1,372-yard season with 18 touchdowns. Running backs can go early in some classes.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson remains a polarizing prospect. He ranks behind Mendoza among signal callers. Scouts note his strong stats and uneven late-season tape.

Several receivers could be first off the board. Names to watch include Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, and Carnell Tate. Denzel Boston and Omar Cooper Jr. may also hear their names early.