2026 NFL Draft Highlights: Big Picks, Trades, and Surprises

Intermediate | April 29, 2026

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A Big Night in Pittsburgh

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brought big names, excited fans, and a few surprises. A huge crowd gathered in Pittsburgh on Thursday night to watch teams choose the next generation of football stars (AP News). The biggest headline came right away: the Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. For football fans, this was the start of a new chapter. For English learners, it is also a great chance to practice sports and business-style vocabulary.

2026 NFL Draft Highlights Start With Mendoza

The first pick is always important because it tells fans what a team believes it needs most. The Raiders chose Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana, making him the face of their future plans (AP News). After that, the New York Jets took Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2, and the Arizona Cardinals picked Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3. Bailey also made history by becoming the first Texas Tech player selected in the top five in the common draft era.

Ohio State Has a Huge First Round

One of the biggest 2026 NFL Draft highlights was the strong performance by Ohio State players. AP News reported that four Ohio State players were selected in the first 11 picks. Wide receiver Carnell Tate went to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4, edge rusher Arvell Reese went to the New York Giants at No. 5, linebacker Sonny Styles went to the Washington Commanders at No. 7, and the Dallas Cowboys traded up to No. 11 for safety Caleb Downs (AP News). That is a big night for one college program.

The Rams Make a Surprise Move

The Los Angeles Rams made one of the most surprising choices of the first round. At No. 13, they selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, even though their quarterback room was already led by reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford (AP News). This kind of move can create a lot of discussion. Are the Rams preparing for the future? Are they adding competition? Or are they simply taking the best player available? In the NFL Draft, one pick can start a week of debate. Sports fans do love a good argument—almost as much as they love pretending they would make better decisions than general managers.

Trades Change the Draft Board

Trades were also a major part of the night. The Cleveland Browns traded down, sending the No. 6 pick to the Kansas City Chiefs. In return, Cleveland moved to No. 9 and also received picks in the third and fifth rounds (AP News). Kansas City used the No. 6 pick to take LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, whom AP described as the best cover cornerback in the class. Later, the Philadelphia Eagles traded up from No. 23 to No. 20 to take USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, just before the Pittsburgh Steelers could select him.

Notre Dame Makes Running Back History

Notre Dame also had a special night. Running back Jeremiyah Love went No. 3 overall to the Arizona Cardinals, and his teammate Jadarian Price went to the Seattle Seahawks with the final pick of the first round. AP News reported that this was the first time in the common draft era, which began in 1967, that the first two running backs selected came from the same school (AP News). That is the kind of sports fact that sounds small at first, but becomes very interesting when you understand the history behind it.

What English Learners Can Learn From This Story

For English learners, these 2026 NFL Draft highlights are useful because sports stories often use the same language as business stories: teams make decisions, take risks, trade assets, invest in talent, and plan for the future. Words like pick, trade, prospect, strategy, and draft board can help you talk about sports, business, and even hiring decisions. When you read a sports article, do not only ask who won or lost. Ask: “What decision did the team make?” and “What was the strategy behind it?” That is where the best conversation begins.

Vocabulary

Draft (noun) – an event where teams choose new players.
Example: “The 2026 NFL Draft began in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.”
Pick (noun/verb) – a player selection in a draft.
Example: “The Raiders used the No. 1 pick on Fernando Mendoza.”
Prospect (noun) – a young player who may become a professional athlete.
Example: “Many top prospects waited to hear their names called.”
Trade (noun/verb) – an exchange between teams, often involving players or draft picks.
Example: “The Browns traded down and received extra picks.”
Quarterback (noun) – the offensive leader who throws passes and directs plays.
Example: “Fernando Mendoza was the first quarterback selected.”
Edge Rusher (noun) – a defensive player who attacks the quarterback from the outside.
Example: “David Bailey was selected as an edge rusher by the Jets.”
Running Back (noun) – an offensive player who usually carries the ball.
Example: “Notre Dame had two running backs selected in the first round.”
First Rounder (noun) – a player selected in the first round of a draft.
Example: “Ohio State had four first-rounders in the first 11 picks.”
Draft Board (noun) – a team’s ranked list of players they want to select.
Example: “Trades can quickly change a team’s draft board.”
Strategy (noun) – a plan for reaching a goal.
Example: “The Rams’ strategy may be to prepare for life after Matthew Stafford.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Who was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Which team selected David Bailey at No. 2?
Why was Ohio State’s first round so impressive?
Why was the Rams’ pick of Ty Simpson surprising?
What made Notre Dame’s running back selections historic?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Should teams choose the best player available or focus on their biggest need? Why?
Why do teams trade draft picks during the first round?
How is a sports draft similar to hiring employees in business?
What qualities make a young athlete a strong prospect?
Do you think one draft pick can change the future of a team? Why or why not?

Related Idiom

“Roll the dice” – to take a risk and hope for a good result.

Example: “The Rams rolled the dice by choosing Ty Simpson while Matthew Stafford was still leading the team.”

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This article was inspired by AP News and NFL.com