NFL Draft in Pittsburgh Lacks Star Power but Delivers Winning Talent

The 2026 class may not have the big names, but experts say teams can still find valuable players.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:36am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented, geometric interpretation of an NFL Draft event, with overlapping planes of muted colors representing the diverse talent pool available to teams.A cubist interpretation of the 2026 NFL Draft captures the fragmented nature of a class lacking in star power but rich in potential.Washington Today

The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is expected to lack the star power and high-profile storylines of recent years, with a relatively ho-hum projected No. 1 pick in quarterback Fernando Mendoza of Indiana University. However, experts say the draft class still contains talented prospects, especially at positions like edge rusher and wide receiver, who can make an immediate impact for NFL teams.

Why it matters

The lack of big-name prospects and compelling narratives surrounding the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh could dampen some of the excitement and media attention around the event. However, teams will still be able to find valuable players who can contribute at the next level, regardless of the perceived strength of the overall class.

The details

While the quarterback class is led by the presumed No. 1 pick Mendoza, the 2026 draft features a strong group of edge rushers, including Arvell Reese of Ohio State, Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami, and David Bailey of Texas Tech. The wide receiver position also offers depth and potential, with standouts like Ohio State's Carnell Tate, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, and USC's Makai Lemon. Additionally, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is seen as one of the top non-quarterback prospects in the class.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place on April 23, 2026.
  • The official decision date for underclassmen to declare for the draft was earlier this year, with Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach saying the team had to remove over 25 players from their top-100 board due to the changes.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The presumed No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza is a quarterback from Indiana University who is a Heisman Trophy winner and national champion.

Arvell Reese

A standout edge rusher from Ohio State University who is expected to be one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 draft class.

Rueben Bain Jr.

A talented edge rusher from the University of Miami who is projected to be a high draft pick in 2026.

David Bailey

A defensive end from Texas Tech University who is considered one of the top pass rushers in the 2026 draft class.

Jeremiyah Love

A running back from the University of Notre Dame who is seen as one of the top non-quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft.

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What they’re saying

“You have to evaluate every class, and so we evaluated this class as, 'OK, 2025 is going to be stronger than 2026, and 2027 may be stronger.' It's not the individual players. It's kind of the collective, like the whole group, so that's why you saw us make some of the decisions we made [trading picks].”

— John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks General Manager

“When the official decision date for the underclassmen came, I believe we moved over 25 guys off our board that we had top 75, top 100. So it really impacts, I think, the draft, and then you're getting older, older prospects as you go on.”

— Brett Veach, Kansas City Chiefs General Manager

“You know, I feel like every year, for the last five years, everyone said, 'Oh, it's not a good draft.' I don't really buy that. I feel like if you're doing your job, you're going to be able to find players, rounds one through seven, that can help your team.”

— Eliot Wolf, New England Patriots General Manager

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The takeaway

While the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh may lack the star power and high-profile storylines of recent years, experts believe teams will still be able to find valuable players who can contribute at the next level. The draft class features talented prospects at positions like edge rusher and wide receiver, and teams will need to do their due diligence to uncover hidden gems throughout the seven rounds.