When is the NFL Draft?
The league hasn't announced the 2027 date yet. Our projection is Thursday, April 29, from its habit of opening on the last Thursday in April — but that is an estimate, and anyone publishing it as a fixture is guessing too.
The three days, in Eastern time
| Rounds | Day | Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Thursday, Apr 29 | 20:00 ET |
| Round 2-3 | Friday, Apr 30 | 19:00 ET |
| Round 4-7 | Saturday, May 1 | 12:00 ET |
Projected by Draftanomics from the league's late-April pattern — the NFL has not announced this date yet.
Straight answers
- When is the 2027 NFL Draft?
- The NFL has not announced the 2027 draft date yet — it usually confirms it in the January of the draft year. Our projection is Thursday, April 29, 2027, based on the league's pattern of opening on the last Thursday in April. Treat it as an estimate, not a fixture.
- What time does the NFL Draft start?
- Round 1 opens at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday. Rounds 2 and 3 run Friday evening from 7:00 p.m. Eastern, and rounds 4 through 7 run Saturday from noon Eastern.
- How many days does the NFL Draft last?
- Three. Round 1 on Thursday night, rounds 2-3 on Friday night, and rounds 4-7 through Saturday afternoon.
Every draft date on file
Round 1, back to 2018. Dates the league announced are marked; the rest are our projections.
| 2027 | Thu, April 29 | our projection |
| 2026 | Thu, April 23 | announced |
| 2025 | Thu, April 24 | announced |
| 2024 | Thu, April 25 | announced |
| 2023 | Thu, April 27 | announced |
| 2022 | Thu, April 28 | announced |
| 2021 | Thu, April 29 | announced |
| 2020 | Thu, April 23 | announced |
| 2019 | Thu, April 25 | announced |
| 2018 | Thu, April 26 | announced |
While you wait: the 2027 big board, the mock draft simulator, and the projected draft order.