NFL Draft 2026: Big Ten Dominates, Rams Reach for QB

0:00It's April 24th. From kickoff to the final whistle, this is NFL News Today, powered by AI, I'm Corey with the story. The Las Vegas Raiders kicked off the 2026 NFL Draft with the number one pick, grabbing Highsman winner Fernando Mendoza from Indiana as their franchise quarterback. No shock there, he let his team to the playoff title and owned every major award. But the first round in Pittsburgh had plenty of twists, with running backs going high and tackles flying off the board early. Teams like the Arizona Cardinals made ways by snagging running bag Jeremiah Love at number three the highest for our backs in Sequan, Barclayon 2018. The New York Giants scored big after trading their defensive tackle. Landing edge rusher, Arvel Reese at five in tackle, Frances Mauigoa, later in the top 10. Cleveland Brown State Patient, trading back for tackle Spencer Fano at nine and adding receiver KC Concepts Yone at 26.

1:00Fans and analysts are buzzing about the Big Ten's dominance, sending 10 players in round one, led by Ohio State's four picks. That edged out the SEC and ACC, both with seven. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones traded up for safety, Caleb Downes, called the drafts top defender, while seven tackles went in the first 30 picks. Value there for needy lines. On the flip side, the Rams reached for Alabama quarterback Simpson at 13, signaling a post MVP shift. Chiefs overpaid trading into six for corner, Mansour Delane, an edge Ruben Bain slid to 14, despite double digit sacks. Eagles grabbing USC receiver McCuy Limon at 20 sparked talk of trading AJ Brown. As day two heats up, these moves set the tone winners built for now and later, while others scrambled to catch up, keep it locked for more draft fire.