Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

The NFL Draft's Time Between Picks Is Officially Changing

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Dec 10, 2025 3:49 PM ET

The NFL is always tinkering with nearly every aspect of its league. And according to reports, things are going to look a bit different at the 2026 Draft and beyond.

For the longest time the NFL Draft was broadcast from New York City before Roger Goodell and the league's owners decided to take their show on the road.

Now its become one of the biggest dates on the football calendar next to the Super Bowl, with a rotation of host locations that make it a better television product for the fans — something the NFL is reportedly aiming to continue with its latest first-round alteration.

Cam Ward, QB, from Miami holds a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected 1st overall by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.© Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NFL to shorten first round of draft

Per ESPN NFL insider, the league has decided to shorten the amount of time teams are on the clock when making their Round 1 selections.

"The NFL notified teams today that it will shorten the time between picks in the first round of the draft from 10 to 8 minutes starting with the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh," Schefter reported Wednesday.

Adding, "This will shorten the length of the first round, which had been finishing around 11:45p ET. Teams were on board. Roger Goodell had first mentioned this possibility on the Friday of the Green Bay draft on Pat McAfee’s show."

Two-minute warning: The NFL notified teams today that it will shorten the time between picks in the first round of the draft from 10 to 8 minutes starting with the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh.

This will shorten the length of the first round, which had been finishing around 11:45p… pic.twitter.com/yMsym354PY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2025

Fans react to NFL Draft change

"This is the right move," Mike Kaye posted.

"Thank God," Aaron Leming commented. "Round 1 is egregious for absolutely no reason."

"Good change. Now stop leaking picks and wait until it’s announced," a user said.

"A good development," Darren Urban replied.

"Ok cool now remove all the unnecessary pomp and circumstance as well," a fan shared. "There will be times where the 'pick is in' but we have to wait 10 minutes for Roger Goodell to announce something."

"This is good and the time should be lowered even more," another person claimed.

Next April's draft will take place in Pittsburgh where the New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans will be in the running to potentially land the first overall pick. Last year's event took place at historic Lambeau Field where Tennessee took Miami quarterback Cam Ward No. 1.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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