If the Premier League implemented a draft similar to the NFL, which players would each club choose?

This week, the 2026 NFL draft is set to occur in Pittsburgh. Over the course of three days, all 32 teams in the league will acquire young talent, selecting the top college prospects in hopes of securing elite game-changers and addressing gaps in their rosters.

To participate in the excitement, we have established a Premier League draft. Below are the guidelines:

• Two rounds: After experimenting with various formats, we opted for a two-round draft, as it provides a balanced approach between selecting for need and choosing the best player available.

• Draft order: The standings as of Monday have been reversed to determine the draft order: 20th-place Wolves select first, followed by 19th-place Burnley, and so forth; first-place Arsenal will pick last.

• Draft pool: Only Premier League players aged 23 and under are eligible. Since this is a lighthearted exercise, teams are not taking players from one another. Imagine these teams are enhancing their current rosters with their draftees, making everyone stronger. To add a touch of realism from the NFL draft, only players who are 23 or younger as of April 1 can be selected. This is fundamentally an exercise in acquiring young talent.

• No trades: This complicates matters significantly. We attempted that, and it quickly became chaotic.

We conducted several mock drafts, adjusting the rules as necessary, to create a realistic outcome. The final result captures the excitement of the NFL draft, featuring unexpected risers and fallers that embody the drama. In terms of realism, there were some last-minute injuries that could potentially alter the order.

Chelsea winger Estêvão will be relieved to have avoided a serious injury just before the draft — the hamstring issue he sustained against Manchester United was minor. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike, who suffered an Achilles tear against Paris Saint-Germain last week and is expected to be sidelined for nine months. This injury will be factored into the draft. He would have been a contender for the No. 1 overall pick. How far will he drop now?

Now, enough of the details. Let’s get started!

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters approaches the podium … “Wolves, you are on the clock.”

Jump to:
Round 1 | Round 2
Takeaways

ROUND 1

1. Wolves

Estêvão, W, Chelsea

Wolves find themselves at the bottom of the Premier League for various reasons, with a significant one being their lack of scoring. They have managed only 24 goals in 33 matches, having failed to replace forward Matheus Cunha, who transferred to Manchester United last summer for £62.5 million.

This is their opportunity to select a new game-changing attacker — someone to build around now and in the future — so teenage Chelsea talent Estêvão is the first pick. He is an exciting player with world-class potential. Although he sustained an injury last weekend, it is not expected to affect his status as the top overall choice since it is not considered serious.

2. Burnley

Cole Palmer, AM, Chelsea

Burnley’s struggles are quite different from those of Wolves. They have performed reasonably well offensively; however, their defensive issues have been a concern. They have conceded the most goals (67) in the league and need to strengthen their defense, but it makes sense to wait until Round 2 to address that.

With the second pick, they can choose between Palmer, Rayan Cherki, and Florian Wirtz — three talents who could significantly enhance their team. Manager Scott Parker would likely prefer to work with Palmer the most.

3. Tottenham Hotspur

Adam Wharton, CM, Crystal Palace

Somehow, Spurs have found themselves in a position where very few players — especially in midfield — can pass effectively. This is a major reason why their season has been disappointing and needs immediate attention.

Fortunately, the draft provides them with an opportunity to rectify this, and Crystal Palace’s Wharton is the clear choice. A 22-year-old homegrown playmaker, he would instantly improve this team’s prospects.

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4. West Ham United

Rayan Cherki, AM, Manchester City

West Ham have allowed 57 goals this season, the third most in the league, but only 19 of those have occurred in the second half of the season, indicating a significant improvement.

They require defensive reinforcement, particularly since January signing Axel Disasi is only on loan from Chelsea, but like Burnley, West Ham can afford to wait until the second round to fill that gap.

And why would the Hammers pass on a talented, ceiling-raising attacker like Cherki? He possesses the creativity and flair to lead the team in the attacking third. West Ham has a rich history of dynamic attacking players, and Cherki would continue that legacy, following in the footsteps of Paolo Di Canio and Dimitri Payet, among others. With their current No. 10, Lucas Paquetá, departing in January, Cherki would fit seamlessly into the squad.

5. Nottingham Forest

Florian Wirtz, AM, Liverpool

Nottingham Forest’s low league standing is more about the chaotic management of the club than the quality of their squad. (Vítor Pereira is their fourth manager this season!) Consequently, they are in a position to simply select the best player available.

At pick No. 5, that appears to be Wirtz. Although attacking midfielder is not an obvious area of need given Morgan Gibbs-White has netted 12 league goals from that position this season, adjustments can be made. They could either deploy him on the wing or shift to a system featuring dual No. 10s.

6. Leeds United

Nico O’Reilly, LB, Manchester City

Leeds require a goalkeeper. They acquired Lucas Perri last summer in a €15 million deal from Lyon, but he has struggled with form and has been replaced by backup Karl Darlow. There is no immediate need to address that, as one of three excellent young goalkeepers should still be available in Round 2.

Thus, the Whites follow suit by selecting the best player available and choose O’Reilly. He is quickly becoming one of the Premier League’s standout players and fits well with the tall, physical squad Leeds has assembled.

7. Newcastle United

Benjamin Sesko, FW, Manchester United

Newcastle’s disappointing season has revealed problems throughout their squad. The most urgent concern is likely at striker, where attempts to replace Alexander Isak with Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade have not been successful.

With the seventh pick, they select Sesko — a player they initially pursued to replace Isak last summer but ultimately lost out to Manchester United. Finally, they secure their target.

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8. Crystal Palace

Elliot Anderson, CM, Nottingham Forest

For whoever takes over as Crystal Palace manager next season, Anderson would be a fantastic addition: a central midfielder capable of excelling in multiple roles.

With Daichi Kamada set to depart this summer after his contract expires and Cheick Doucouré struggling with injuries, this selection addresses a positional need while adding significant quality to the starting lineup.

9. Fulham

Morgan Rogers, AM, Aston Villa

Fulham are in need of a forward. Their inconsistent negotiations for PSV and USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi indicate this is clearly a priority, so they will not pass up the opportunity to draft one in the top 10. With only one player off the board so far, they find themselves in a favorable position.

This decision essentially comes down to Junior Kroupi versus Rogers, two outstanding young talents who would bring individual flair to the team, and it is Rogers who ends up at the Cottage. Manager Marco Silva would appreciate his creativity as much as his work rate — he has covered the third-most distance (358.89 kilometers) in the Premier League this season, according to Gradient Sports.

10. Sunderland

Junior Kroupi, FW, Bournemouth

Sunderland is simply pleased to select whichever forward Fulham did not choose, which is Kroupi.

The Black Cats have done exceptionally well to avoid relegation this season but understand that more effort is required to achieve the same next term. A primary focus is to increase their goal tally — only three teams have scored fewer than their 36 this season — and Kroupi’s 10 goals this season suggest a promising future.

11. Everton

Jérémy Doku, LW, Manchester City

If Everton fails to qualify for European football this season, they will reflect on what might have been. Could they have maintained their push had City loanee Jack Grealish not suffered a stress fracture in March?

His absence has been significant, so why not take this chance to replace one exceptional dribbler with another? David Moyes would appreciate Doku’s sharpness and ability to advance the ball.

12. Brighton & Hove Albion

Ryan Gravenberch, CM, Liverpool

There is arguably one gap in Brighton’s lineup, right back, but they should be confident in securing one in Round 2. With this selection, they focus on a more critical position with Gravenberch.

With long-term uncertainties surrounding central midfielders Pascal Groß (34) and James Milner (40), along with established interest from Manchester United in Carlos Baleba, the Seagulls can somewhat future-proof their midfield by selecting the Dutchman.

13. AFC Bournemouth

Abdukodir Khusanov, CB, Manchester City

The second defender after Nico O’Reilly is selected at pick No. 13. Khusanov is experiencing a breakout year in 2026, and it won’t be long before he is acknowledged as one of the top young center backs globally.

The Cherries will once again face defensive questions this summer as Marcos Senesi’s contract is set to expire, and he appears likely to depart. Selecting Khusanov allows them to get ahead of this potential issue.

14. Brentford

Hugo Ekitike, FW, Liverpool

What does a team that arguably has no pressing needs, operating so efficiently that changing anything seems risky, do in this situation? It plays the long game.

Ekitike could have easily been the first overall pick for Wolves had this draft occurred a month earlier — he is that talented. However, a torn Achilles just before the event has diminished his value, prompting goal-seeking clubs to explore other options. Brentford, however, can afford to wait nine months for him to regain his fitness and form.

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15. Chelsea

Max Dowman, RW, Arsenal

Chelsea has issues to address throughout their squad, but realistically: If Dowman is available at pick No. 15, they would select him.

This is the type of player Chelsea has become overly fixated on under this ownership: someone who could potentially develop into a world-class talent. The presence of players still available who are more established and could fill immediate needs is irrelevant.

16. Liverpool

Archie Gray, CM, Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool’s midfield has been a notable weakness this season, with Alexis Mac Allister’s performance declining sharply and Ryan Gravenberch appearing increasingly miscast in a holding role.

Selecting Gray would significantly enhance this area. The 20-year-old has excelled in a challenging Spurs environment and has played nearly every role except striker and goalkeeper. That positional versatility and understanding is precisely what the Reds require.

17. Aston Villa

Amad Diallo, RW, Manchester United

Villa’s attack has struggled at times this season; their 47 goals are comfortably the fewest of any team in the top four, where Unai Emery’s side has remained since November.

Amad would provide much-needed pace, width, and incisiveness in attacking areas, while his experience playing wingback for Manchester United would prepare him well to execute Emery’s specific defensive instructions.

18. Manchester United

Carlos Baleba, CM, Brighton

Manchester United has been monitoring Baleba for over a year, but Brighton’s estimated £100 million valuation has understandably stalled any potential deal. With Casemiro set to leave at the