NFL draft draws fans toPittsburghfor Day 1 | full coverage 29:28
The2026 NFL Draftkicked off Thursday night inPittsburghwith a quarterback being taken No. 1 overall for the fourth straight year.
TheLas Vegas Raiders, as waswidely expected, selected QB Fernando Mendoza, who capped his stellarHeisman seasonby leading Indiana toits first national titlein school history.
The choice of Mendoza marks an attempt by Raiders minority ownerTom Brady— the legendary QB who won a staggering seven Super Bowl rings — to mentor an heir apparent of sorts, givingLas Vegasa clean slate as it enters a major rebuild following the disappointing one-and-done tenures of head coach Pete Carrol and QBGeno Smith.
Mendoza could be the only QB selected in Round 1. Teams were expected to focus their attention to the trenches in a draft experts concur is lacking in blue chippers.
The biggest unknown heading into Thursday was the fate of powerful Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, arguably the draft's best athlete. That question was quickly answered when he heard his name called by theArizona Cardinalsat No. 3 overall.
Because the position is no longer considered premium, it is often overlooked at the top of the first round. Love was the first running back taken in the top 3 since theCleveland BrownsselectedTrent Richardsonat No. 3 in 2012. Love is just the fourth running back since 2018 to be selected in the top 10.
TheNew York Giants, who finished with just four wins last year and are hoping for a reset under new head coach John Harbaugh, have two top 10 selections thanks to a blockbuster trade last week in whichthey acquiredthe No. 10 pick from theCincinnati Bengalsin exchange for disgruntled star defensive tackleDexter Lawrence. The Giants also have the No. 5 pick.
Meanwhile, football powerhouse Ohio State could be responsible for as many as four top 10 selections. Wide receiver Carnell Tate was selected No. 4 by theTennessee Titans, and edge Arvell Reese, linebackerSonny Stylesand safetyCaleb Downsare all expected to be taken early.
Miamiedge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano are also expected to be snatched up quickly.
2026 NFL Draft order for Round 1No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders — QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
No. 2:New York Jets— Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
No. 3: Arizona Cardinals — RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
No. 4: Tennessee Titans — WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
No. 5: New York GiantsNo. 6: Cleveland BrownsNo. 7:WashingtonCommandersNo. 8:New OrleansSaintsNo. 9: Kansas City ChiefsNo. 10: New York GiantsNo. 11: Miami DolphisNo. 12:DallasCowboysNo. 13:Los AngelesRamsNo. 14:BaltimoreRavensNo. 15: Tampa Bay BuccaneersNo. 16: New York JetsNo. 17:DetroitLionsNo. 18:MinnesotaVikingsNo. 19: Carolina PanthersNo. 20: Dallas CowboysNo. 21: Pittsburgh SteelersNo. 22: Los Angeles ChargersNo. 23:PhiladelphiaEaglesNo. 24: Cleveland BrownsNo. 25:ChicagoBearsNo. 26: Buffalo BillsNo. 27:San Francisco49ersNo. 28:HoustonTexansNo. 29:Kansas CityChiefsNo. 30: Miami DolphinsNo. 31:New EnglandPatriotsNo. 32:SeattleSeahawksWhere to find expert picks for a 2026 mock NFL Draft
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