The 2026 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, April 25, with all 257 selections made across seven rounds in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event, held at Acrisure Stadium and surrounding lots, marked the continuation of a draft process that began on Thursday, April 23, with the first round. As the draft progressed through Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday and concluded with Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday, teams finalized their rosters with a mix of offensive and defensive talent, addressing needs across the league.
According to the official NFL draft order released prior to the event, the Las Vegas Raiders opened the draft by selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana with the first overall pick. Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy winner, led the Hoosiers to their first national title in school history. The selection was widely anticipated and represented a strategic move by Raiders minority owner Tom Brady to secure a franchise quarterback for the team’s ongoing rebuild.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick, making him the first running back chosen in the top three since Trent Richardson in 2012. Love, regarded as one of the draft’s best athletes, was the first running back taken in Round 1, a position that has seen decreased premium value in recent years. His Notre Dame backfield teammate, Jadarian Price, was later selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 32nd and final pick of the first round.
The Los Angeles Rams made a notable selection at No. 13, choosing quarterback Ty Simpson. This pick signaled the Rams’ intent to plan for the future beyond veteran Matthew Stafford, who was reportedly in extension talks with the team at the time of the draft. The Rams had acquired the No. 13 pick via a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.
Throughout the draft, offensive line protection remained a priority, with nine offensive linemen selected in the first 32 picks. The process began with Utah’s Spencer Fano going to the Cleveland Browns at No. 9 and concluded with his college teammate Caleb Lomu being selected by the Modern England Patriots at No. 28. In total, seven tackles and two interior linemen were chosen on the first night.
Several trades shaped the draft’s early dynamics. The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to No. 6 to select Mansoor Delane, while the Philadelphia Eagles engaged in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to secure Makai Lemon. The New York Giants held two first-round selections — one at No. 5 and another at No. 10, acquired from the Cincinnati Bengals. Similarly, the New York Jets picked at No. 2 and again at No. 16, obtained from the Indianapolis Colts.
As the draft moved into Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 24, teams continued to fill roster needs. The New York Jets held the 33rd pick to open Round 2, followed by the Arizona Cardinals at 34 and the Tennessee Titans at 35. The Las Vegas Raiders selected at No. 36 in Round 2, continuing their draft activity after taking Mendoza first overall.
On Saturday, April 25, Rounds 4 through 7 commenced at noon ET, with teams making their final selections to complete the 257-pick process. The draft order for all seven rounds was published by the NFL on March 10, 2026, and updated on April 18, 2026, detailing every selection from Pick 1 to Pick 257. The event’s schedule was structured as follows: Round 1 on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday at noon ET.
The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh underscored the league’s ongoing emphasis on quarterback development, offensive line investment, and strategic roster building through trades and positional value assessments. With all selections now complete, teams will shift focus to rookie minicamps, offseason training programs, and preparation for the 2026 NFL season.
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