2026 NFL Draft April 23 - 25 at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh

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Pittsburgh to Host 2026 NFL Draft | NFL Football Operations

operations.nfl.com

Pittsburgh to Host 2026 NFL Draft​

The NFL announced that the 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, incorporating elements of the iconic Point State Park as well as Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The announcement was made at the NFL Spring League Meeting in Nashville, following a review of Pittsburgh's bid proposal by the Fan Engagement & Major Events Advisory Committee and full ownership.

“The NFL Draft is one of the biggest, most-anticipated sporting events of the year, and we're thrilled to partner with the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for our 2026 event," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We have a unique opportunity to spotlight this wonderful community on a global stage, benefiting Pittsburgh's economy and entertaining football fans from all markets. We know this pride of Pennsylvania will shine bright in 2026."

Throughout the three-day event, Pittsburgh will host a slate of Draft activities including a variety of community events, Concert Series and NFL Draft Experience – the NFL's ultimate fan festival. Draft Experience will be free for fans, inviting them to participate in immersive exhibits and games, take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, enjoy the youth-focused Play 60 Zone, shop exclusive merchandise at NFL Shop presented by Visa, and score autographs from current NFL players and Legends.

“We are excited that the City of Pittsburgh has been selected to host the 2026 NFL Draft," said Art Rooney II, Pittsburgh Steelers President. “This will be an amazing event that will highlight everything the region has to offer on a national and international level. I truly appreciate the work that has been done by VisitPITTSBURGH, the NFL, local and state officials and internally within our organization to accomplish our goal of being selected to host the NFL Draft. We look forward to football fans from across the country coming to enjoy our city's culture while also showcasing our rich football history and tradition in the region."
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New ESPN Mock Draft has 3 Ohio State football stars going in the Top 5

Every year, it seems like Ohio State sends half of its team to the NFL with the type of talent that head coach Ryan Day produces from his team. In the 2025 NFL

scarletandgame.com

New ESPN Mock Draft has 3 Ohio State football stars going in the Top 5​

Ohio State is shaping up to have another big year in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In one recent mock draft, Yates and Kiper Jr. have three Buckeyes being drafted in the first five picks of the draft. Those three Buckeyes are Arvell Reese going No. 2 overall to the Tennessee Titans, Caleb Downs going No. 4 overall to the Miami Dolphins, and Carnell Tate bringing up the end at No. 5 overall to the New York Giants.

 

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Skull Session: Ohio State’s Seniors Have Unfinished Business, Four Buckeyes Appear in Matt Miller’s Latest Mock Draft and Bo Jackson is One of College Football’s Top Freshmen

Ohio State's seniors have unfinished business, four Buckeyes appear in Matt Miller's latest mock draft and Bo Jackson is one of college football's top freshmen.

www.elevenwarriors.com

DEVELOPED HERE. Ohio State could have four (maybe even five!) first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft.
This week, ESPN’s Matt Miller released a new mock draft featuring four Buckeyes in his top 32 picks. The list starts with Arvell Reese and continues with Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, and Kayden McDonald.

No. 6 - Arvell Reese, New Orleans Saints​

If the Saints move forward with Tyler Shough at quarterback, they'll be left with two obvious needs: edge rusher and wide receiver. Drafting the best player available from those positions is the move for GM Mickey Loomis, and Reese is arguably the nation's top player this season. He aligns at both linebacker and edge rusher for Ohio State, with 6.5 sacks, 17 pressures and 58 tackles this season. His ability to impact the game with an explosive first step would bring a spark to the Saints' front four that has been missing since Trey Hendrickson left in free agency after the 2020 season.

No. 9 - Caleb Downs, Arizona Cardinals​

Downs is the top player on my board and the Cardinals could use a safety upgrade, so this would be a marriage of need and value. Safety might not be Arizona's biggest need -- that depends on what happens with Murray at QB -- but stealing the best player of the draft while improving the back end is how smart teams are built. Jalen Thompson will be a free agent this offseason and Budda Baker turns 30 in January, so adding Downs -- who has deep range and the strength to play in the box -- would make sense. He's commonly compared to the Ravens' Kyle Hamilton, but Downs is more physical as a hybrid safety.

No. 19 - Carnell Tate, Pittsburgh Steelers​

The Steelers could flip a coin to decide whether to draft a quarterback or wide receiver, as both are of equal need. Quarterback would be the ideal pick, but the Steelers wouldn't be in range for a starting-caliber prospect here and would likely add a veteran in free agency if Aaron Rodgers retires or doesn't return. That leaves wide receiver, a position the Steelers have historically drafted very well. Trading for DK Metcalf gave Pittsburgh a true WR1, but the team now needs a WR2. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Tate has the vertical ability to win over the top and make plays on 50-50 passes. More importantly, he has succeeded in the No. 2 role next to superstar sophomore Jeremiah Smith. Tate has seven touchdowns on 39 receptions this season.

No. 23 - Kayden McDonald, San Francisco 49ers​

The 49ers invested four picks in the 2025 draft along the defensive line, adding Mykel Williams (edge), Robert Beal Jr. (edge), Alfred Collins (DT) and CJ West (DT). But the 49ers are last in the NFL with 12 sacks, so more help is needed, especially at defensive tackle. McDonald, who lines up at nose tackle for the Buckeyes, has been an elite run defender as a first-year starter but also adds pass-rush ability, with three sacks and five pressures this season. At 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, the junior has also added 44 tackles through 10 games, an unreal number for a nose tackle.

For those asking, “Where’s Sonny Styles?” I’m right there with you. Miller has three linebackers in his first round: Arvell Reese, Georgia’s CJ Allen (No. 31, Los Angeles Rams), and Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr. (No. 32, Denver Broncos).

While Allen and Hill are excellent players, it’s hard to believe either will go before Styles. He has the athleticism, intelligence, and production — 57 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and zero missed tackles in 10 games — that NFL personnel are likely to rave about during the pre-draft process.