NFL Draft 2026: Top Picks & Stars

0:00It's April 23rd. This is NFL News today, powered by AI tracking teams, players, and standings. The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight in Pittsburgh at Points Day Park in a Crucure Stadium, with round 1 starting at 8pm. Eastern Time. The Las Vegas Raiders hold the top pick, followed by the New York Jets in Arizona Cardinals, though trades could shake that up. Teams get just 8 minutes per selection, speeding things along for this deep class, loaded with talent. Broadcast options are everywhere, from ABC and ESPN for free over the air vibes, to NFL Network and ESPN Deports for deeper dives. Pat McAfee's got his draft spectacular alt cast on the ESPN app, YouTube, X, and TikTok, bringing Pittsburgh flavor with guests like Bill Cowherr. Special shows like the Athletic Football Show start at 7.30pm, breaking down picks live. Fans are buzzing over consensus top quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, the 2025 Highsman winner who threw 41 touchdowns.

1:04Last season, he's projected to go number one to the Raiders, their first since the Jermarcus Russell bust back in 2007. Ohio State's got three defenders in the top five per rankings, including Ed Rusher, Arvel Reese. Other studs like Notre Dame running back, Jeremiah Love, Texas Tech's David Bailey, and Miami's Rubin-Bain Jr. could hear their names early. Mendoza's skipping the green room for family reasons tied to his mom's health, but expect red carpet interviews and side-mine scoops from reporters all. Cud, Niden. As these rookies step into the league, franchises chase cornerstones or risk long-term regrets, tune in and see who changes the game first.