The wait is nearly over. Pittsburgh is already humming with fans, the Allegheny River is packed with team-themed boats, and the Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock for the first overall pick on Thursday night. While Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza seems like a lock to go No. 1, the rest of the 2026 NFL Draft remains a total enigma.
I sat down with our lead analysts to dig into the scenarios that could break the internet once the picks start flying. From a historic run on offensive linemen to small-school defenders crashing the party, here is what our experts expect during the opening round.
The Chiefs Plan a Top-10 Surprise
Most experts have the Kansas City Chiefs eyeing Francis Mauigoa if they stay at No. 9. However, analyst Chad Reuter sees a different path for the defending AFC power. He predicts the Chiefs will target Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor instead. Proctor is a mountain of a man who fits the physical profile Kansas City has craved for years.
Whether he slots in at right tackle or sticks to the blind side, Proctor’s arrival would allow 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons to move back to the right side, where he excelled early in his college career. This move isn’t just about protection; it’s about shifting the power dynamic of the AFC West trenches.
Chaos at the Top: The Trade Winds are Blowing
Lance Zierlein expects the phones to start ringing early and often. If the Arizona Cardinals actually pull the trigger on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, or if the Tennessee Titans grab a wideout at No. 4, expect a trade frenzy. Teams will scramble to jump into the top 12 to secure the remaining blue-chip talent.
This volatility could lead to a quiet middle of the round followed by a frantic finish. Watch for teams to trade back into the late first round for Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price or Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. Those late-night deals often define who “wins” the draft.
Wide Receivers Take Over the Top 10
The demand for pass-catchers has never been higher. Brooke Cersosimo believes we’ll see a massive run on receivers before the Miami Dolphins even get a chance to think at No. 11. She predicts Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, and USC’s Makai Lemon will all be off the board in the first ten picks. If your team needs a weapon and picks outside the top 12, you might be out of luck.
First-Round Crashers and Position Records
Not every name called by Roger Goodell will be a blue-blood superstar. Gennaro Filice is keeping a close eye on San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson and UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. Neither player is in Pittsburgh for the green room festivities, but their late-cycle rise suggests they won’t be waiting long on Thursday night. Speed and length are premiums in the modern NFL, and both defenders have plenty of both.
Speaking of volume, Rhett Lewis is calling for a record-breaking night for the big men. He predicts a staggering 10 offensive linemen will be taken in Round 1 alone. With a perceived talent gap between the top tier and the rest of the class, teams won’t want to be left holding the bag when the run starts.
| Prospect | Position | School | Bold Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana | Lock for No. 1 to Raiders |
| Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame | Possible Top-3 surprise |
| Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama | Chiefs target at No. 9 |
| Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State | Part of Top-10 WR run |
| Chris Johnson | CB | San Diego State | Late-Round 1 riser |
“The data shows that when the QB, RB, and TE pools are deep, teams get aggressive. I expect at least five players from those groups combined to go in Round 1, even if the ‘experts’ only see three. Look for Ty Simpson to be the catalyst.”
— Ali Bhanpuri, Senior Editorial Director
Pittsburgh is ready. The fans are draped in jerseys along the North Shore, and the draft stage is set against the backdrop of the city’s iconic bridges. Whether the Raiders take the safe bet or a trade shakes the foundation of the league, tomorrow night promises to be one for the history books.
