2026 NFL draft intel, notes: What Adam Schefter is hearing

Key Points:

• The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Pittsburgh, marking only the second time the city has hosted the event since 1947, with the first round starting at 8 p.m. ET and broadcast across multiple networks.
• Trade talks remain active, notably involving Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is likely to be traded to the Patriots after June 1 due to salary cap considerations, while the Eagles also plan additional moves during the draft weekend.
• Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is viewed by many as the best player in the class and could be selected as high as No. 3 by the Cardinals, with the Commanders also interested around the No. 7 pick.
• The draft is expected to see fewer first-round trades than recent years, with many teams preferring to trade down; the Browns are open to trading their No. 6 pick, and the Cowboys could be a trade-up candidate for defensive players.
• Key prospects include Raiders' likely No. 1 pick quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is being compared to Matt Ryan, and quarterback Ty Simpson, whose draft position may be affected by recent trades; meanwhile, teams are already scouting potential top quarterbacks for the 2027 draft.