The 2026 NFL Draft is expected to be shorter than in previous years. The league has changed the format, shortening the time each team has to pick a player in the first round. But NFL analysts don’t believe that this is done to enhance the fans’ experience: they believe the league is just trying to make an extra profit.
Analysts Don’t Buy Reason for Shortened First Round in 2026 Draft
Unlike in previous years, the first round of the 2026 draft will give each team eight minutes to make its pick. In previous years, teams had 10 minutes to select, and fans repeatedly complained about the length of the transmission. This is expected to change in 2026.
Ari Meirov, an NFL analyst with over 862k followers on X, sent a reminder about the shortened time for each team. “A reminder on the NFL Draft: The league is shortening the time between picks in the first round this year,” Meirov wrote. “Teams will now have 8 minutes instead of 10. The NFL wants to speed things up.”
However, not everyone is convinced that the league will truly shorten the draft period just to improve the fan experience. Sports reporter Nick Wize gave his view, writing, “Don’t be fooled, this is just so they can add more commercials to the broadcast. It will still end at the same time.”
Don’t be fooled, this is just so they can add more commercials to the broadcast. It will still end at the same time. https://t.co/2cTDEvHPqc
— Nick Wize (@iAmNickWize) April 10, 2026
Another analyst, Anthony, shares the same view. “I’m old enough to remember when teams would be penalized for making picks quick,” He wrote on X. “NFL wants that TV money.”
And finally, analyst Steve Palazzolo wrote that he’s surprised by the league’s decision to get less coverage in the first night of the event, saying, “I’m still shocked the NFL has opted for less coverage of the draft.”
I’m still shocked the NFL has opted for less coverage of the draft https://t.co/ESqHor6oKw
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) April 10, 2026
In previous years, the first round of the draft had nearly four hours of coverage, with subsequent rounds taking less time due to a shorter time to make picks.
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It remains to be seen if the duration of the first night will change. The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23 and April 25 in Pittsburgh, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza expected to be the first overall selection for the Las Vegas Raiders.
