The 2026 NFL Draft just kicked off in Pittsburgh! The Las Vegas Raiders quickly selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the number one overall pick. Mendoza recently won the Heisman Trophy and he also led his college team to its first national title. The young star now enters a massive franchise rebuild! Raiders minority owner Tom Brady will personally mentor Mendoza to give the team a “clean slate.”

The Arizona Cardinals delivered a massive surprise at pick number three. They drafted powerful Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Experts call Love “arguably the draft’s best athlete.” He is the first running back taken in the top three picks since Trent Richardson in 2012.

The Los Angeles Rams also stunned fans by drafting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. The franchise clearly views him as the ultimate successor to veteran Matthew Stafford. These bold early picks completely shook up the first round. The dramatic start sets the stage for a highly unpredictable draft weekend!