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NFL Cuts First-Round Draft Clock to 8 Minutes for 2026

The league says the shorter window will speed up the primetime show for fans.

Overview

  • The first round, which begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh, is projected to last about two and a half hours, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
  • Timing for later rounds stays the same with seven minutes in Round 2, five minutes in Rounds 3–6, and four minutes in Round 7.
  • Steelers GM Omar Khan said eight minutes feels rushed and said teams have expanded pre-draft trade talks to set values before they go on the clock.
  • Six teams with two first-round picks — the Browns, Chiefs, Cowboys, Dolphins, Giants, and Jets — could drive trade activity as they juggle more decisions in less time.
  • Analysts caution the tighter windows may increase a TV backlog as selections are made faster than they can be announced on the broadcast.