Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson poses after being chosen by the Los Angeles Rams with the 13th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
PITTSBURGH, Penn. (AP) — The 2026 NFL draft began Thursday, as the Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the first pick. Thousands of fans have gathered in Pittsburgh to hear the league’s next stars have their names called at Acrisure Stadium.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Las Vegas Raiders fans celebrate after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey puts on a hat after being chosen by the New York Jets with the second overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman celebrates with fans after being chosen by the Chicago Bears with the 25th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, right, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the third overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor shows off his dental jewelry while posing on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is shown on a screen after being chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey, right, reacts with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New York Jets with the second overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese celebrates with fans after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks at the team facility in Foxborough, Mass., prior to the start of the NFL football draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyle Hightower)Tennessee Titans cheerleaders perform during an NFL football draft party Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs celebrates with fans after being chosen by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Los Angeles Rams with the 13th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey poses with fans after being chosen by the New York Jets with the second overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Tennessee Titans fan Tommy Miles wears a hat during an NFL football draft party Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson cries while standing with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New Orleans Saints with the eighth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Fireworks explode over the draft stage before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Cleveland Browns fans cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson cries as he looks at his reflection in a mirror while putting on a hat after being chosen by the New Orleans Saints with the eighth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate celebrates after being chosen by the Tennessee Titans with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders celebrate with fans during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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