NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: April 10, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

2026 NFL Draft Prospect Intel & Attendance

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches in Pittsburgh, intel continues to surface regarding top prospects, including the confirmed attendance of five Ohio State Buckeyes for the first round, though quarterback Fernando Mendoza is not among them. Mendoza, who is projected by some analysts to go early, has informed the league he will not attend the draft, a decision that echoes past years for some top names. Meanwhile, experts are busy projecting landing spots for the roughly nine quarterbacks considered draftable this cycle, while analysts like Peter Schrager unveil their latest projections for all 32 first-round selections based on recent league meeting buzz and team visits.

Team-Specific Draft Planning & Personnel Moves

Several teams are solidifying their draft strategies, with the Denver Broncos holding the No. 62 pick and seven total selections, focusing attention on potential tight end fits after trading out of the first round, a position they’ve been in before without catastrophic results in previous drafts losing a Round 1 pick. The New York Giants are closely evaluating cornerback at No. 5, facing a decision on the future of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence while simultaneously bolstering their offensive line by securing former Ravens guard Daniel Faalele on a one-year pact. In Cleveland, the Browns prepare with two first-rounders and nine total picks, having hosted a key visit with prospect Concepcion, while the Miami Dolphins weigh their needs around the No. 11 selection among their 11 total draft assets.

Quarterback Dynamics & Team Leadership

The dynamic in Las Vegas centers on the expected pairing of a first-time head coach, Klint Kubiak, with a rookie quarterback, with Kirk Cousins stating he will only play if deemed the team's best option over an incoming rookie, potentially Mendoza. The Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick and 10 total selections, and the team is reportedly preparing for Mendoza's arrival, even as they examine historical parallels from when they last paired a rookie QB with a new coach in 2007. Away from Las Vegas, the Baltimore Ravens report that two-time MVP Lamar Jackson appears "reinvigorated" as he begins working with the team's revamped coaching staff this offseason.

Defensive Line & Offensive Line Upgrades

Free agency continues to see strategic roster adjustments, as the San Francisco 49ers added depth to the edge rush by agreeing to a one-year contract with former Bengals defensive end Cam Sample on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons addressed an unexpected hole when right tackle Kaleb McGary announced his retirement, quickly signing a replacement in Taylor, though the team is dealing with off-field issues as pass rusher James Pearce Jr. is absent from workouts due to facing three felony charges missing the offseason program. On the contract front, tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. signed his franchise tender and reported immediately for the start of the Falcons' offseason workouts.

Executive Decisions & League Scrutiny

Two franchises secured their long-term financial commitments to key young stars this week: the Houston Texans exercised the fifth-year options for quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr., locking them in through the 2027 season. However, the league faces external pressure as the Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the NFL's television deals, examining whether the contracts—which often require multiple subscriptions to view all games—violate existing anticompetitive practices. Separately, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David is receiving high praise regarding his Hall of Fame credentials, with former teammate Gerald McCoy stating that if David's career isn't worthy, "I don't know whose is."

Coaching Changes & League Expansion

For the Kansas City Chiefs, the longest-tenured coach in the league, Andy Reid, is using an unusually long offseason to implement necessary changes as he prepares for what is viewed as a crucial bounce-back campaign. In other league news, Colin Kaepernick announced that his upcoming memoir, "The Perilous Fight," set for a September 15 release, will provide context for his decision to kneel. On the developmental front, the UFL is actively planning its future, with co-owner Mike Repole confirming expansion slated for 2028, earmarking Oklahoma City as one of the initial new markets while the second city remains undecided.

Roster Building & Historical Context

Draft analysts are constructing hypothetical rosters, with experts like Mel Kiper Jr. and Matt Miller drafting their own 10-man superteams composed entirely of prospects from the 2026 class to gauge overall talent distribution. Meanwhile, ESPN's Mike Clay released his updated rankings profiling over 60 wide receivers in preparation for the upcoming fantasy football season. In a somber note, the league acknowledged the passing of Bears Hall of Famer Steve "Mongo" McMichael, whose wife confirmed his brain was donated for research after his death at 67, revealing he had been battling CTE across five years.