The 2026 NFL Draft officially begins Thursday night in Pittsburgh, and the football world is focused on one name: Fernando Mendoza. The Indiana quarterback, fresh off a Heisman Trophy-winning season and the school's first national championship, is expected to hear his name called first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders when Round 1 kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network.
Pittsburgh is hosting the draft for the first time since 1948, with festivities centered around Acrisure Stadium, the North Shore, and Point State Park. The city expects between 500,000 and 700,000 visitors over the three-day event, which runs through Saturday, April 25.
Mendoza Mania: The Rise of the Raiders' Next Franchise QB
Fernando Mendoza's ascent from relative obscurity to the pinnacle of college football has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Indiana Hoosiers star quarterback threw for over 4,500 yards and 42 touchdowns this past season, leading his program to its first national title in school history and capturing the Heisman Trophy in a landslide vote. Now he's set to become the face of the Las Vegas Raiders franchise.
The Raiders' decision at No. 1 carries extra intrigue thanks to minority owner Tom Brady's involvement. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has been publicly linked to Mendoza's development, with reports surfacing that Brady specifically pushed for the Raiders to select the Indiana star. According to the New York Post, Brady delivered a pre-draft message to Mendoza that was characteristically direct, telling the young quarterback that he has no plans to be "all lovey-dovey" and expects immediate dedication to the craft.
Mendoza may be the only quarterback selected in the first round. After he comes off the board, teams are expected to shift focus to the trenches in a draft class that analysts widely agree lacks elite top-end talent beyond the top pick.
How Pittsburgh Landed the Draft: A Timeline of Events
The road to Pittsburgh began in May 2024, when the NFL awarded the 2026 draft to the Steel City, beating out other candidate cities. The selection marked a homecoming of sorts for the event, which had not been held in Pittsburgh since 1948, when the draft was a far more modest affair held at the Fort Pitt Hotel.
- May 2024: NFL announces Pittsburgh as host city for the 2026 draft
- January 2026: Draft order is finalized after the NFL regular season concludes; Raiders secure the No. 1 overall pick
- February 2026: NFL Scouting Combine held in Indianapolis; Mendoza solidifies his status as the top prospect
- April 20, 2026: ESPN publishes extensive feature on Mendoza's rise, calling him the consensus No. 1 pick
- April 22, 2026: Giants acquire the No. 10 pick from the Bengals in exchange for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, giving New York two top-10 selections
- April 23, 2026: Round 1 of the draft begins at 8 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh
The Bigger Picture: Breaking Down the First Round
Beyond Mendoza, the 2026 draft class presents a fascinating mix of elite talent and positional uncertainty. Ohio State alone could produce four top-10 selections: edge rusher Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Carnell Tate. That would rival the 2004 class when Miami (Florida) had four first-round picks.
The most intriguing wild card is Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, arguably the best athlete in the entire draft. Since 2018, only three running backs have been selected in the top 10, but Love's rare combination of size, speed and pass-catching ability could force teams to reconsider positional value. The New York Giants, holding picks No. 5 and No. 10 after their blockbuster trade of Dexter Lawrence, are considered a potential landing spot.
Here is the full first-round draft order:
No. 1: Las Vegas Raiders | No. 2: New York Jets | No. 3: Arizona Cardinals | No. 4: Tennessee Titans | No. 5: New York Giants | No. 6: Cleveland Browns | No. 7: Washington Commanders | No. 8: New Orleans Saints | No. 9: Kansas City Chiefs | No. 10: New York Giants (from Bengals) | No. 11: Miami Dolphins | No. 12: Dallas Cowboys | No. 13: Los Angeles Rams | No. 14: Baltimore Ravens | No. 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | No. 16: New York Jets | No. 17: Detroit Lions | No. 18: Minnesota Vikings | No. 19: Carolina Panthers | No. 20: Dallas Cowboys | No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers | No. 22: Los Angeles Chargers | No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles | No. 24: Cleveland Browns | No. 25: Chicago Bears | No. 26: Buffalo Bills | No. 27: San Francisco 49ers | No. 28: Houston Texans | No. 29: Kansas City Chiefs | No. 30: Miami Dolphins | No. 31: New England Patriots | No. 32: Seattle Seahawks
Where Things Stand: Everything You Need for Draft Night
As of Thursday morning, all 32 teams have finalized their draft boards. The Raiders are on the clock with the No. 1 pick, and all indications point to Mendoza being the selection. However, Mendoza will not be in attendance in Pittsburgh due to his mother's ongoing health issues, a decision he confirmed on social media earlier this week.
Draft Schedule:
- Round 1: Thursday, April 23 — 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC, NFL Network)
- Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 24 — 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC, NFL Network)
- Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 25 — 12:00 p.m. ET (ESPN, NFL Network)
Streaming options include the ESPN app, NFL+ and FuboTV. For fans in Pittsburgh, the NFL has set up the "Draft Experience" at Point State Park and the North Shore, featuring interactive exhibits, autograph sessions and live music. Road closures are in effect throughout downtown, with public transit recommended as the primary transportation method.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for NFL Franchises
Once Mendoza officially becomes a Raider, the attention will shift to how quickly he can make an impact. With the Raiders coming off a disappointing season that led to the departures of head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith, Mendoza represents a clean slate. Tom Brady's mentorship will be one of the most closely watched storylines of the 2026 NFL season.
The New York Giants, armed with two first-round picks, are positioned to dramatically reshape their roster under new head coach John Harbaugh. If they land Jeremiyah Love along with a top-tier pass rusher or offensive lineman, the Giants could be one of the biggest winners of the draft.
Day 2 (Friday) and Day 3 (Saturday) will see teams address remaining needs, with deep positional groups at offensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver expected to provide value well into the middle rounds.
Key Takeaways: Everything You Need to Know
- The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — the city's first time hosting since 1948
- Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana) is the projected No. 1 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders
- Tom Brady, Raiders minority owner, has been mentoring Mendoza throughout the pre-draft process
- The draft begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network
- Ohio State could produce four top-10 selections, tied for the most from any school in draft history
- The New York Giants hold two picks in the top 10 after trading for the Bengals' No. 10 selection
