The NFL announced April 9 that 16 players will attend the 2026 NFL Draft. The likely No. 1 overall pick – Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza – will not be among them.
Mendoza’s absence from the official attendee list isn’t a surprise. Reports emerged April 8 that the reigning Heisman Trophy winner would remain home in Miami to watch the 2026 NFL Draft with his friends and family.
As a result, Mendoza figures to become the first No. 1 overall pick not to attend the draft since the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Travon Walker atop the 2022 NFL Draft.
That said, another prominent quarterback – Alabama’s Ty Simpson – is planning to attend the 2026 NFL Draft. Simpson is widely believed to be the second-best quarterback in this year’s class, but it remains unclear whether he will ultimately be selected in the first round.
Here’s more to know about those who will be in attendance for the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Draft attendees
The NFL announced 16 players will attend the 2026 NFL Draft. They are as follows:
- David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
- Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami (FL)
- Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
- Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
- Makai Lemon, WR, USC
- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
- Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (FL)
- Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
- Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
- Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
- Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Eight of the 16 invitees are ranked within the top 10 of USA TODAY Sports’ top 150 big board: Reese, Downs, Love, Styles, Bailey, Delane, Tyson and Bain. Mendoza and Spencer Fano are the only ones who will not attend the event.
Meanwhile, Simpson is the lowest-ranked attendee on the big board. The Alabama quarterback checks in at 32 overall on the list, just behind McDonald (28th) and Hood (30th).
When is the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
- Thursday, April 23: Round 1; Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3; 7 p.m. ET
- Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7; Noon ET
How to watch the 2026 NFL Draft
- Channels: NFL Network; ESPN; ESPN2; ESPN Deportes
- Streaming: NFL+; ESPN Unlimited & Select; Fubo
Fans have several options to choose from to watch the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL Network and ESPN will have separate broadcasts, each providing a different analysis of each pick as it happens on draft night.
Cord-cutters can stream the different broadcasts on NFL+, the NFL’s proprietary streaming service; ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited, ESPN’s streaming services; or cable alternative Fubo, which offers a free trial.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft attendees: NFL announces full list of 16 players
