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2026 NFL Draft Attendees Revealed: Why only 16 Players Will Be in Pittsburgh
Only 16 prospects will attend in person, and presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza will watch from Miami, according to NFL Network.
- The NFL announced that 16 players will attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on April 23, down from 17 prospects who participated in last year's Green Bay event.
- Presumptive top overall pick Fernando Mendoza will forego attending to "share the draft experience with his family in Miami," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, marking the first top-rated quarterback to watch from home since 2021.
- Attendees include five players from the Ohio State Buckeyes, such as safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Arvell Reese, making the Pittsburgh event effectively a reunion for the program.
- A growing number of prospects are opting to watch from home rather than attend in person, citing reasons that include the desire for smaller, private gatherings with friends and family.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will call out the first round on April 23 at Acrisure Stadium, while ESPN and the NFL Network will provide separate broadcast coverage for fans.
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Over the years, the first day of every NFL Draft has turned into a spectacle, with commissioner Roger Goodell announcing life-changing decisions for 32 players. However, the 2026 draft will have a slightly different look since Fernando Mendoza won’t be there to shake the commissioner’s hands while holding a Raiders’ jersey. Instead, he’d be staying home in Miami. But the green room will still have other first-round prospects, including the proje…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left, 50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 50%
C 50%
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