2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday

Pittsburgh is set to host its first-ever NFL Draft, with thousands of fans expected to descend on the city for the three-day event.

The Raiders are poised to select their next franchise cornerstone, with Fernando Mendoza emerging as the consensus favorite for the No. 1 spot.

This year's draft is characterized by a deep pool of defensive talent and wide receivers, while the quarterback market appears unusually thin.

Teams without first-round picks, like the Falcons and Texans, are reportedly exploring trades to move up and secure elite prospects.