The 2026 NFL Draft: Everything You Need to Know

The Raiders Set to Make History with Another Quarterback at Number One

As the 2026 NFL Draft gets ready to light up Pittsburgh this Thursday night, football fans across the country are buzzing with anticipation. While there’s always speculation and surprise in the draft, one thing seems almost certain: for the fourth year in a row, a quarterback will be the first name called. This time, all eyes are on the Las Vegas Raiders, who are expected to select Fernando Mendoza, the standout signal-caller from Indiana who just had a season for the ages. Mendoza didn’t just put up impressive numbers – he led the Hoosiers to something nobody thought possible: their first-ever national championship. It was a Heisman Trophy-winning performance that has scouts and analysts convinced he’s the real deal.

What makes this pick even more intriguing is the presence of Tom Brady as a minority owner of the Raiders. Brady, who needs no introduction with his seven Super Bowl rings, is looking to help guide and mentor Mendoza into becoming Las Vegas’s franchise quarterback for years to come. This represents a fresh start for the Raiders organization, which is desperately needed after the disappointing experiments with head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith, both of whom lasted just one season. The hope in Las Vegas is that with Brady’s wisdom and Mendoza’s raw talent, they can build something special and return to their winning ways. It’s a storyline that has captured the imagination of Raiders fans who are ready to turn the page on a frustrating chapter.

A Draft Light on Star Power But Heavy on Linemen

After Mendoza likely comes off the board with the first pick, things get a lot murkier. Unlike some draft classes that are loaded with can’t-miss prospects, this year’s crop of talent is drawing mixed reviews from experts. The consensus seems to be that while there are solid players available, there aren’t many true blue-chip talents that teams can feel completely confident about. That’s why many analysts expect teams to focus heavily on the offensive and defensive lines – the “trenches” as they’re called in football circles. Building a strong foundation up front is never a bad strategy, especially when the elite skill position players aren’t jumping off the page.

The most fascinating wild card in the first round is Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who many consider the best pure athlete in the entire draft class. Love has the kind of explosive ability and physical tools that make scouts salivate, but there’s a significant catch: running backs just aren’t valued the way they used to be in today’s NFL. Teams have increasingly adopted a committee approach at the position, and the shelf life of running backs tends to be shorter than other positions. Since 2018, only three running backs have been taken in the top ten picks, which tells you everything you need to know about how the position has been devalued. Still, Love’s talent is undeniable, and there’s growing speculation that the New York Giants might be the team willing to buck the trend and grab him early.

The Giants Look to Rebuild With Multiple Top Ten Picks

Speaking of the Giants, they’re in an interesting position this year. After a dismal four-win season, New York cleaned house and brought in John Harbaugh as their new head coach, hoping his proven track record can turn things around. What really puts the Giants in the driver’s seat, though, is that they possess two picks in the top ten – a rare luxury that gives them flexibility and options. They have the fifth overall pick, which was theirs by virtue of their terrible record, but they also pulled off a major trade last week that brought them the tenth pick from the Cincinnati Bengals. In exchange, the Giants sent away Dexter Lawrence, their star defensive tackle who had reportedly grown unhappy with the organization.

This dual-pick scenario opens up multiple possibilities for the Giants’ front office. They could address their needs at running back with Jeremiyah Love at one spot and shore up their offensive or defensive line at the other. Or they might decide to take the best available players regardless of position and trust that talent will win out. Whatever they decide, Giants fans should be excited about having two bites at the apple in the draft’s most important section. It’s a chance to inject serious talent into a roster that desperately needs upgrades at multiple positions. The Harbaugh era in New York starts now, and how they use these precious assets will likely define the direction of the franchise for years to come.

Ohio State’s Historic Draft Class Could Dominate the First Round

While individual players get most of the attention during draft season, there’s another storyline worth watching: Ohio State could potentially have four players selected in the top ten, which would be an extraordinary achievement for any college program. The Buckeyes have long been a pipeline to the NFL, but this year’s haul could be special. Leading the way is edge rusher Arvell Reese, whose combination of speed and power makes him a potential franchise cornerstone for whichever team selects him. Linebacker Sonny Styles brings intelligence and athleticism to the middle of the field, while safety Caleb Downs has the coverage skills that are so valued in today’s pass-happy NFL.

Rounding out Ohio State’s potential top-ten quartet is wide receiver Carnell Tate, who has the route-running ability and hands to become a number-one receiver at the next level. If all four of these players do indeed go in the top ten, it would be a testament to the recruiting and development at Ohio State, and it would cement this draft class as one of the program’s all-time greats. Beyond the Buckeyes, there are other notable prospects expected to hear their names called early, including Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. at edge rusher and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, Texas Tech’s edge rusher David Bailey, and Utah’s offensive tackle Spencer Fano. These players may not have the same hype as some others, but they possess the skills that NFL teams are always hunting for.

Understanding the Complete First Round Draft Order

For fans planning to watch Thursday night, here’s the complete rundown of how the first round will unfold. After the Raiders kick things off at number one, the New York Jets will be on the clock at number two, followed by the Arizona Cardinals at three and the Tennessee Titans at four. As mentioned, the Giants pick at five and again at ten. The Cleveland Browns sit at six, while the Washington Commanders will make their selection at seven. The New Orleans Saints pick eighth, and in a surprising position after their recent struggles, the Kansas City Chiefs – long the NFL’s dominant franchise – find themselves picking ninth, their lowest draft position in years.

The rest of the first round features the Miami Dolphins at eleven, the Dallas Cowboys at twelve, and the Los Angeles Rams at thirteen. The Baltimore Ravens pick fourteenth, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at fifteen, and the Jets get another selection at sixteen. The Detroit Lions pick seventeenth, followed by the Minnesota Vikings at eighteen and the Carolina Panthers at nineteen. The Cowboys pick again at twenty, the Pittsburgh Steelers – the host city for this year’s draft – select at twenty-one, and the Los Angeles Chargers go at twenty-two. The Philadelphia Eagles pick twenty-third, and the Browns get their second selection at twenty-four. The final stretch includes the Chicago Bears at twenty-five, Buffalo Bills at twenty-six, San Francisco 49ers at twenty-seven, Houston Texans at twenty-eight, Chiefs again at twenty-nine, Dolphins for a third time at thirty, New England Patriots at thirty-one, and the Seattle Seahawks closing out the first round at thirty-two.

Where to Follow All the Draft Action and Expert Analysis

For fans who want to dive deep into draft coverage, CBS Sports has comprehensive resources available to help you follow every pick, trade, and surprise. Their team of experts has been working overtime to provide detailed mock drafts that predict how the first round might unfold, complete with analysis of why certain teams might target specific players. These mock drafts aren’t just guesses – they’re based on insider information, team needs, prospect evaluations, and historical trends that give fans an educated look at what might happen. Beyond the mock drafts, CBS Sports offers player profiles, team need breakdowns, and real-time updates as the draft progresses. Whether you’re a casual fan just tuning in for the first round or a die-hard who wants to know about every seventh-round pick, their coverage has something for everyone. The draft represents hope for every NFL franchise – hope that they’ve identified the right players who will transform their fortunes and lead them to championship glory. This year may not feature the star power of some previous drafts, but that doesn’t make it any less important for the thirty-two teams trying to build winners.