NFL Draft 2026: Top Picks, Surprises & Rookies

0:00It's April 27th, NFL News Today starts now, AI-powered and game-ready. I'm Cory with the story. The 2026 NFL Draft just wrapped up in Pittsburgh at a Cree Shure Stadium, with 257 players hearing their names called, and joining the league. Las Vegas Raiders grabbed quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana with the top pick, setting them up for a potential franchise turnaround. Fans like the Jets shocked everyone by landing an A-plus-class overall, while others found hidden gems by ignoring the hype. Earlier this week on April 23rd, the first round delivered plenty of twists, as squads stuffed to their own scouting boards instead of mock. Draft consensus, the New York Jets followed Mendoza with Texas Tech Ed Drusher, David Bailey at number 2, and the Cardinals took Notre Dame running back Jeremiah. Above 3rd overall, the highest RB since St. Quam Barkley back in 2018. You could feel the raw emotion offstage, with Commissioner Roger Gadell sharing big

1:03hudds and handshakes with stars like Bailey, Love, Ohio States. Carnel Tate picked 4th by Tennessee, and LSU corner Mansour Delaing going 6th to Kansas City. These moments captured the dreams coming true for these young athletes after years of grind. Digging deeper, standouts included the Giants snagging Ohio State Linebacker Arville Reast at 5, with an A-grade for their revamped defense. And Dallas Cowboys getting safety, Caleb Downs at 11 for an A after he slipped. Teams like the Chiefs traded up for Delaing to reload their secondary, while value steals popped up everywhere, from Tampa Bay's Edge, Ruben Bain, Jr. to Philly's Beletnikov winner, McCye Lemon. As these rookies hit camps, expect Mendoza, and a few others to push for early snaps, reshaping roster's league wide and fueling fresh rivalries come. Fall.