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No5: New York Soccer Giants decide Arvell Reese
The Jim Harbaugh period is underway in NY! The dropping and the Jets-like humiliation that has gone on for years and years, is it over? Their followers hope so.
It’s Arvell Reese, linebacker, all 6ft 4in of him.
Ollie Connolly’s profile: Is Reese an edge-rusher or a linebacker? Within the fashionable sport, does it actually even matter? At Ohio State, Reese performed all around the protection. Largely, he lined up as a standard linebacker backed up off the ball, whereas providing some thump up on the road of scrimmage as an edge defender. However he’s but to pin his ears again and play completely as a pass-rusher. When does rush, he performs with burst, energy and adaptability. If he doesn’t work out as an edge-rusher, he can all the time shuffle again to linebacker, the place he ranks as probably the greatest prospects in a technology. Wherever he winds up lining up, Reese might be a game-wrecker.
Cleveland are on the clock.
One other Buckeye chosen. Share
Up to date at 20.45 EDT
No 4: Tennessee Titans decide WR Carnell Tate
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State is heading to Nashville!
He solely caught 103 passes for 13 touchdowns in a robust Buckeye assault. “Unselfish” and “secure decide” are some adjectives being utilized by ESPN TV to explain the vast receiver.
Somebody for Cam Ward to throw to!
Ollie Connolly’s verdict: Tate is a 6ft 2in, 192lbs jar of polish. He’s a savvy receiver with none A-plus bodily traits, coming from a protracted line of Ohio State-to-NFL receivers. He could by no means be “the man” that terrifies opposing defenses, however he’s a sensible route runner who understands the right way to separate and who catches the whole lot in his orbit. At Ohio State, he produced extra constantly than Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Emeka Egbuka. That’s a fairly good resume. He is probably not dynamic, however he might be productive.
Right here come the Giants!
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Up to date at 20.40 EDT
No3: Arizona Cardinals decide RB Jeremiyah Love
Are they going with Love? The decide is in! Cardinals normal supervisor Monti Ossenfort choose Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame. Solely 21 touchdowns final season for the Irish, which is OK, not nice. No, severely. I feel it’s nonetheless of venture to take an RB that top, particularly when the workforce is unhealthy and the offensive line is porous – see Barkley, see Jeanty.
What does Ollie Connolly suppose? I’m glad you requested:
Here’s what you could find out about Love: 48.5 % of his profession dashing yards have come on explosive runs of no less than 15-plus yards, one of many highest marks within the historical past of faculty soccer. As a receiver, he averaged 10.4 yards per reception in his remaining yr at Notre Dame. He’s, in each sense, a piece play ready to occur. Oh, and he’s additionally glad to stay his nostril in and blast pass-rushers in go safety. You’ll be able to quibble concerning the worth of working backs within the first spherical, however Love is extra Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson than he’s Leonard Fournette or Najee Harris. He might be an instant-impact participant as a runner and receiver.
Run for Love!
The Titans are on the clock.
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Up to date at 20.45 EDT
Mendoza Mania!
For extra on the no1 total decide, learn all about him, proper right here.
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No2: New York Jets decide David Bailey, edge
The Jets nab David Bailey, the linebacker from Texas Tech. He ought to assist the Jets do SOMETHING on protection after they regressed considerably final season, which is de facto saying one thing, even for the Jets. Bailey had 14.5 sacks for Tech final yr.
Ollie Connolly’s verdict: Bailey is probably the most explosive pass-rusher within the draft. He’s all about go off the ball and flattening to the quarterback. Suppose Denver’s Nik Bonitto. Pace-only pass-rushers have a dodgy historical past within the NFL; the bust price is larger than that of gamers who depend on energy. And Bailey’s outlook is not any totally different. Proper now, he’s a zero in opposition to the run, which might cap his ceiling. At instances in faculty, he wasn’t an every-down participant however was used as a pass-rush specialist. Nonetheless, he has the league’s most dear commodity: unteachable hops. However he might want to develop as a run defender to turn into an every-down presence.
He can hit!Share
Up to date at 20.35 EDT
Mendoza tells ESPN TV….
…that “the final 5 months have been such a blessing…now I step into an excellent sport, the NFL and stay up for bettering day by day.”
I’m fairly certain that Mendoza practiced that response in his rest room mirror a couple of thousand instances.
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No1: Las Vegas Raiders decide QB Fernando Mendoza
With the primary decide of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders choose…
…Heisman Trophy winner, nationwide champion and now no1 decide, Fernando Mendoza, quarterback, Indiana.
Oh, in order that’s why the Raiders did a whole analysis on the QB. I assume the silver and black favored what they noticed, as a result of he’s the highest canine in 2026!
Mendoza’s shut family and friends rejoice in his dwelling because the QB dons a Raiders hat. It’s a considerably muted celebration for certain.
So, what about Mendoza then?
Ollie Connolly’s verdict: Mendoza is a big-bodied, robust, correct quarterback. He has the scale of Carson Palmer with wheels that remind you of Daniel Jones: sufficient athleticism to stumble for first downs however not a five-alarm fireplace within the open subject. As a passer, he wins with pre-snap recognition and accuracy. He doesn’t have a cannon for an arm, however he could make all of the throws. The knock on his sport is the system he performed in at Indiana – one drenched in RPOs – and his lack of quickness within the pocket. Mendoza could be a little robotic when navigating in opposition to strain within the backfield. It is going to take a while for him to develop in a full-field, NFL offense, however he has the instruments and mind to be an upper-tier starter within the league. He’ll in all probability fall someplace on the continuum between Matt Ryan and Kirk Cousins.
He’s fairly, fairly, fairly good.
The New York Jets are on the clock! Oh boy…
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Up to date at 20.15 EDT
Right here comes the NFL Commish!
Roger Goodel walks on and eggs on the boos in Pittsburgh – what a very good sport! He’s flanked by TJ Watt and Cam Heyward, simply in case the group attempt something.
I’ve to say, the sound high quality off the mic isn’t nice, shocking for such an enormous occasion.
Anyway, Heyward welcomes extra Pittsburgh greats, together with Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann. And the group goes wild!
Right here comes the primary decide….the Raiders are on the clock!
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Fernando Mendoza
The QB broadly anticipated to be chosen no1 total by the Las Vegas Raiders, would be the first presumptive prime decide to not attend the draft in particular person since Trevor Lawrence was chosen by Jacksonville. Mendoza desires to be at dwelling to share the second together with his mom, who has a number of sclerosis, his father, and different shut household and associates. However don’t fear, ESPN TV within the US may have no less than one digicam contained in the Mendoza dwelling to doc the second.
And talking of Mendoza, he’s going to be off the board shortly. Keep on with us!
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New Guidelines
In case you’re after the entire package and caboodle of how this factor works, you could find all the small print right here. However the principle distinction this yr is that the time between first-round choices has been shortened from 10 minutes to eight minutes. It’s the primary timing adjustment since 2008, when draft home windows dropped from quarter-hour to 10 minutes. So in an period when eyeballs are harder to maintain from straying, the NFL is attempting to maneuver issues alomng only a bit faster.
The timing for Spherical 2 is seven minutes, and after that, groups may have 5 minutes to make their choices.
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1948
That was the final time the NFL held its draft in Pittsburgh. A bunch of cigar smoking, whiskey swilling males (that’s only a guess) gathered on the outdated Fort Pitt Lodge in December of 1947 to pick out the longer term NFL booms and busts. Harry Gilmer, a working again from Alabama went first to Washington as a result of they received the draft lottery; that’s how the highest decide was decided again then. The most important identify to return out of that draft must be Y.A. Tittle, the LSU quarterback chosen by Detroit, who gave us one of the crucial well-known images in NFL historical past. It was snapped on the finish of his Corridor of Fame profession when he was with the Giants in 1964.
Y. A. Tittle died at 90 years outdated in 2017, however lives perpetually on this 1964 picture. That stated,it in all probability wasn’t his greatest second. {Photograph}: Morris Berman/AP
By the way in which, in case you don’t suppose your workforce can do effectively within the late rounds, within the 1948 draft, offensive lineman Louis Creekmur was chosen by Philly with the 243rd total decide within the, you guessed it, twenty sixth spherical!
Creekmur was inducted into the Corridor of Fame in 1996.
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Nationwide Anthem
Pittsburgh-based singer-songwriter KELS is performing the Nationwide Anthem. Ooooo! She’s a bit off proper there on the finish. I used to be nearly to offer her an 8/10 rating, however sadly I’ve to knock a degree off it.
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Participant Introductions
The most important names are being introduced and strolling on to the stage.
Probably the most noticeable factor is that crowd that simply appears to go on perpetually. I imply, Inexperienced Bay drew an estimated 600,000 followers, and Detroit had 775,000 in 2024. These numbers to look at gamers chosen are fully bananas, clearly, and Pittsburgh is anticipated to attract 500,000-700,000 followers over the three day occasion.
Actually, I don’t actually get it, however the thirst for something and the whole lot NFL by no means appears to finish.
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Some questions
Right here’s a couple of issues we will ponder as we lead as much as the Raiders deciding on Mr Mendoza.
1. What do the Jets do at two—edge rusher Arvell Reese or David Bailey?
2. How excessive will an NFL GM dare to draft working again Jeremiyah Love?Gifted? Oh yeah, however he’s nonetheless a again. Generally it’s value it, typically it’s not.
3. Will Arizona commerce decide three or take Love themselves? As all the time with thew Playing cards, something is feasible.
4. The place does Ty Simpson land as a quarterback? That’s the massive QB query this draft. Final yr, the massive query was, “when will Shedeur Sanders go off the board?” The reply was late. Very late.
5. The place of the highest edge rushers—Reese, Bailey, and a bit down the road, Rueben Bain Jr., go?
6. Does the Cardinals normal supervisor Monti Ossenfort pull off a commerce? See no3.
7. Will there be shock trades early? Philly? New Orleans, KC? Will we now have offers?
8. The place do receivers and offensive linemen get taken? And the way will ghat influence remaining wideouts which are nonetheless obtainable, Hill and Diggs for instance.
9. What occurs with some harm issues like Caleb Banks’ foot? Will a workforce decide a defensive sort out with a repaired fractured fourth metatarsal in his left foot, early or later on this draft?
Chew on that for a bit.
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Draft order
I’m simply drop this proper right here. Is that OK?
1) Raiders
2) Jets
3) Cardinals
4) Titans
5) Giants
6) Browns
7) Commanders
8) Saints
9) Chiefs
10) Giants (from Bengals)
11) Dolphins
12) Cowboys
13) Rams (from Falcons)
14) Ravens
15) Buccaneers
16) Jets (from Colts)
17) Lions
18) Vikings
19) Panthers
20) Cowboys (from Packers)
21) Steelers
22) Chargers
23) Eagles
24) Browns (from Jaguars)
25) Bears
26) Payments
27) 49ers
28) Texans
29) Chiefs (from Rams)
30) Dolphins (from Broncos)
31) Patriots
32) Seahawks
So the groups with two first-round picks tonight are the Giants at 5 and 10, the Jets at two and 16, the Cowboys at 12 and 20, the Browns at six and 24, the Chiefs at 9 and 29 and the Dolphins at 11 and 30.
One factor to control is, with this draft being seen as type of, kind of, beneath common – no less than in terms of quarterbacks – will any groups deal 2026 capital to get a spot in a 2027 draft, which is anticipated to have extra field workplace names? Por ejemplo, Miami doesn’t appear to have a complete lot of curiosity in successful video games this yr – will they attempt to seize a shot at a Manning and the opposite premiere QB’s subsequent yr? Will they attempt to deal one or each of their first spherical picks to get into that arm race?
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Up to date at 19.24 EDT
Draft day is right here!
Good day everybody and welcome to our rolling protection of the 91st NFL Draft!
Let me start by saying that the NFL low season has two essential dates. There’s the day that free company begins, the place strikes simply fly in at unimaginable pace and the NFL takes over sports activities for a couple of week. And naturally, there’s the NFL draft, which is the Large Kahuna, and manages to carry the NBA playoffs to its knees although not a single ball is thrown. Someway, the NFL simply continues to develop and eat the whole lot in its path with every passing season, and that features the draft, which is a premier showcase and a boon to whichever metropolis hosts the occasion.
This yr it’s in Pittsburgh, so it will get a 12,000 sq. foot fan village in its Level State Park, a pink carpet occasion, and a draft theater so massive that it’s contained in the Acrisure Stadium (previously Heinz Discipline) car parking zone. The entire zone takes a couple of half hour to stroll from one finish of the occasion to the opposite, all alongside its well-known Three Rivers space.
So Yinzers are glad and so are visiting followers who can’t watch for the primary of 257 picks to be chosen by the NFL’s 32 groups. Who will go first? Effectively all eyes are on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza who the Las Vegas Raiders could, might, in all probability, undoubtedly might be snatched right away. Then what? Effectively we’ll discover among the story strains as we draw nearer to draft time.
Till then, any ideas, emotions or predictions? Be happy to drop me a line and offering you don’t say something notably offensive, I’ll get you in our protection and make YOU well-known!
Extra to return, follow us!
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David might be right here shortly. Within the meantime, see who the Guardian’s workers of writers suppose is probably the most gifted participant on this yr’s draft class:
Fernando Mendoza will go No 1. However probably the most gifted participant on this draft is …
Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State. He is likely one of the greatest pure linebacker prospects in a technology, and he has the athletic traits to turn into a full-time edge defender. Some groups view him as a linebacker; these on the prime of the board favor him as an edge rusher. In a really perfect world, Reese will do a little bit of the whole lot. Suppose Philly’s Zack Baun on Tremendous Soldier Serum. Reese has a uncommon mixture of smarts, pace and energy. Whichever position he performs, he might be a power multiplier for a protection. Oliver Connolly
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame. Not solely is Love being mentioned as a top-10 total decide, however he’s additionally one of the crucial buzzed-about targets for groups trying to commerce up. He’s a bodily, explosive three-down again with breakaway pace (he ran a 4.36sec 40 on the mix), nice palms and the flexibility to guard. All in a 6ft, 212lbs body. Love is the overall bundle. Melissa Jacobs
There’s a lot to love about working again Love: easy acceleration, feline elusiveness, stout go safety, delicate palms. Again and again at Notre Dame, he confirmed a knack for turning chain-moving performs into dwelling runs. The final time a rusher was chosen inside the highest 5 was 2018, and Saquon Barkley has since proved his value for 2 franchises. Love enters this yr’s draft as practically as full a participant, with all of the groups within the prime 5 in want of his providers. Andrew Lawrence
If drafting was accomplished on abilities alone then Love can be the primary cab off the rank. He’s a working again with explosive pace who can also be a elegant go catcher. His versatility attracts very beneficial comparisons to Jahmyr Gibbs. A house-run decide. Graham Searles
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