The NFL draft kicks off tonight at 8 pm ET in Pittsburgh, marking the first time the event has been held in Steelers Country since 1947. See mock projections here.
The Las Vegas Raiders are anticipated to select Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 overall pick. Mendoza led the Hoosiers to their first College Football Playoff title earlier this year after winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy. Meanwhile, the Steelers face uncertainty as the team awaits veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ decision on a 22nd season, all while holding 12 picks—the most of any team since the seven-round draft format began in 1994. The draft ends Saturday with the Denver Broncos making the final, 257th pick, dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Teams have eight minutes to make their first-round selections this year—a high-pressure process that has led to mix-ups between similarly named players and even missed picks. Read about a few of the most memorable mistakes here.
