When the NFL draft rolls around, players' childhood dreams of playing professionally become realities as they receive a call from franchises, whether as a draftee or undrafted free agent.
Heisman Trophy winner and Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely considered to be the first player of the 2026 NFL Draft to realize that dream, as the projected No. 1 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders. Other top prospects expected to live out that childhood dream include Ohio State linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, among others.
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The 2026 NFL draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25 outside of Acrisure Stadium, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thursday's first round starts at 8 p.m. ET, with Friday's Rounds 2-3 starting at 7 p.m. ET and Saturday's final four rounds starting at noon ET.
Here's what you need to know on projected slot values for each of the 257 picks for the 2026 NFL Draft, along with information of how NFL rookie contracts are constructed and more:
NFL rookie contracts vary in length and value, depending on when a player is taken in the draft — or if they sign as an undrafted free agent.
These contracts are also "fixed" and "unalterable," as noted in Article 7 of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Those taken in the first round of the NFL draft receive a four-year contract with a fifth-year option, meaning their base salary and contract are fully guaranteed.
Additionally, NFL rookie contracts cannot be extended or renegotiated until after the conclusion of players' third NFL season, regardless of when they were taken in the draft.
Here's a breakdown of how long NFL rookie contracts are:
1st-round draft picks: Four years, club option for fifth-year
Players drafted in Rounds 2-7: Four years, no club option
According to estimated values from Spotrac and Over The Cap, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is expected to sign for $54.57 million and $58.2 million, respectively.
These values are notable jumps from what Cam Ward received last year when the Tennessee Titans took the former Miami quarterback with the top overall pick: Ward signed for $48.84 million last year with the Titans, according to Spotrac.
Using Spotrac as a database, the value of the No. 1 overall pick has increased each of the last five years. Here's a breakdown of how much past No. 1 overall picks have signed for since 2020, according to Spotrac:
2024: $39.48 million (Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears)
2023: $37.96 million (Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers)
2022: $37.37 million (Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars)
2021: $36.79 million (Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars)
2020: $36.19 million (Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals)
All figures below are based on estimates courtesy of Spotrac and Over The Cap, respectively.