NFL draft draws fans to Pittsburgh for Day 1 | full coverage
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The 2026 NFL Draft kicked off Thursday night in Pittsburgh with a quarterback being taken No. 1 overall for the fourth straight year.
The Las Vegas Raiders, as was widely expected, selected QB Fernando Mendoza, who capped his stellar Heisman season by leading Indiana to its first national title in school history.
The choice of Mendoza marks an attempt by Raiders minority owner Tom Brady — the legendary QB who won a staggering seven Super Bowl rings — to mentor an heir apparent of sorts, giving Las Vegas a clean slate as it enters a major rebuild following the disappointing one-and-done tenures of head coach Pete Carrol and QB Geno 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 the Arizona Cardinals at 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 the Cleveland Browns selected Trent Richardson at No. 3 in 2012. Love is just the fourth running back since 2018 to be selected in the top 10.
The New 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 which they acquired the No. 10 pick from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for disgruntled star defensive tackle Dexter 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 the Tennessee Titans, and edge Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs are all expected to be taken early.
Miami edge 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
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