Latest mock draft | Big Boards: Consensus Top 75 • Nate Tice • Charles McDonald | Draft guide
The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner, with the first round set to start Thursday. This year’s draft will take place in Pittsburgh, with the main stage on the North Shore just outside of the Steelers’ home, Acrisure Stadium — though the presumed No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will reportedly not be in attendance.
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In the week leading up to the draft, a couple of key dominoes fell, including the trade of star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals. In exchange for Lawrence, the Giants received the 10th overall pick, giving the G-Men two top-10 selections in this year’s draft.
The San Francisco 49ers also solidified their future with star left tackle Trent Williams, with the two sides agreeing on a two-year, $50 million contract extension on Monday. Reports surfaced earlier this offseason that the Niners were open to trading the veteran tackle after the two sides were “struggling to find a contractual solution” to reduce his salary cap hit for the 2026 season; now, he secures a new deal in San Francisco heading into his age-38 season.
One big-time question mark that does remain is the status of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the 2026 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers have still not received word about whether or not he intends to play this year. With Rodgers’ status in limbo, that puts sixth-round quarterback Will Howard in the driver’s seat for QB1 heading into voluntary minicamp.
What other dominoes could fall ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft? Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news leading up to Round 1:
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Mon, April 20, 2026 at 11:39 AM PDT
Kari Anderson
After a 12-year career, Jimmy Garoppolo is considering retiring, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The 34-year-old, who is technically a free agent, is set to be the Rams’ backup quarterback this season, sitting behind Matthew Stafford in the depth chart.
Garoppolo, who joined the Rams in 2024, played minimal snaps in three games last season.
Mon, April 20, 2026 at 11:19 AM PDT
Kari Anderson
Less than two months after spending time in a rehabilitation center, Puka Nacua is present at the Los Angeles Rams’ first day of offseason practices, per the L.A. Times’ Gary Klein.
Nacua had entered a “holistic care facility” in early March, per his lawyer, after a host of off-field issues. A lawsuit was filed against Nacua in late March by a woman who alleged that Nacua had made anti-Semitic remarks and had bit her strongly enough to leave a mark.
Timeline-wise, Nacua had entered the facility before the lawsuit was filed. But it was just the latest in a series of incidents for the wide receiver, who also apologized in December after agreeing to do an anti-Semitic dance as a touchdown celebration.
Nacua’s lawyer said that he had gone to the facility to “focus on his personal growth.” It now appears that he will practice with the team as normal.
Mon, April 20, 2026 at 11:09 AM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones will have his neck injury examined after dealing with a setback in his recovery, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
The results of the exam could determine whether or not Jones is ready for training camp and could also influence the Steelers’ draft strategy. If Jones is sidelined for an extended period, Pittsburgh may decide it needs to select an offensive tackle in the first round. The Steelers have the No. 21 overall selection.
Jones, 24, appeared in 11 games last season before sustaining his neck injury in Week 12. He started 16 games (and played 17 total) during the 2024-25 season.
Pittsburgh’s 2023 first-round pick (No. 14 overall), Jones allowed six sacks and committed one penalty in 632 offensive snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Mon, April 20, 2026 at 10:57 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
Mon, April 20, 2026 at 10:32 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to be without wide receiver A.J. Brown for voluntary offseason workouts, which begin on Monday, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
A trade is likelier than ever, according to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, but it’s still unlikely to happen before June 1, due to the salary-cap gymnastics involved.
The New England Patriots, who lack a No. 1 receiver despite signing Romeo Doubs in free agency, are expected to be the frontrunners. The Patriots also have not ruled out bringing in the 28-year-old wide receiver when asked about Brown this offseason. Brown spent his first three seasons with the Tennessee Titans under Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
The Brown trade saga began last season when Brown voiced frustration with his role and the offense on multiple social media platforms.
Mon, April 20, 2026 at 9:26 AM PDT
Tarohn Finley
Mon, April 20, 2026 at 9:24 AM PDT
Ian Casselberry
The Pittsburgh Steelers open a three-day voluntary minicamp on Monday under new head coach Mike McCarthy and will do so without any indication from quarterback Aaron Rodgers regarding his status for this season.
Rodgers has not informed the Steelers on whether he intends to play for them in 2026, and thus sign a new contract, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. And that status isn’t likely to change before the NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday.
As a result, 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard will get the starter’s work at quarterback. Mason Rudolph is the only other QB currently under contract with the Steelers.