The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh featured notable moments, including Malik Nabers questioning the Giants' picks and Kenyon Sadiq initially thinking the Jets' call was a prank. A record 320,000 fans attended the opening night, surpassing last year's record.
Key points
Malik Nabers questioned the Giants' decision to draft a wide receiver.
Kenyon Sadiq thought the Jets' call was a prank.
Over 320,000 fans attended the opening night of the draft.
The Eagles traded up to select Makai Lemon, impacting the Steelers' pick.
The draft took place over three days in Pittsburgh.
New York GiantsNew York JetsPhiladelphia EaglesPittsburgh Steelers
nfl-draft.jpg
Imagn Images
The NFL Draft always brings big moments, with shocking picks, trades, emotional reactions and drama as the one sure bet every year. The 2026 NFL Draft was no different.
This year's draft is taking place in Pittsburgh, and as usual will run for three days. The first day belongs to Round 1, with Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday. Fans come from all over the country, and the world, to be part of the first moment of these prospects' NFL careers.
Day 1 is behind us and we already have our fair share of notable and wild moments.
Here are some of the biggest, wildest and most noteworthy moments so far:
Malik Nabers sounds off on Giants
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers didn't seem too happy with the idea of the Giants taking a wide receiver. Nabers went through a potential timeline, saying that if they draft a receiver, they are indirectly telling him that his time is expiring.
The Giants did not take a receiver; instead, they selected linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5 and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10.
Nabers hopped on social media afterward, explaining himself and declaring that he was never upset.
#Giants WR Malik Nabers on what would happen if the Giants took a WR at #5:
“You’re gonna pay him more than me and I’m your #1 WR. When he’s in Year 3 and I need a contract… you gonna just trade Malik.”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 24, 2026
First off, we have to stop overreacting. I would never intentionally take away from the biggest moment/night of Arvell’s life. Very excited to see him play on the team and happy that we have another dawg on the squad!! #gobigblue
Q&A
What did Malik Nabers say about the Giants' draft picks?
Malik Nabers expressed concern that selecting a wide receiver would signal the end of his time with the Giants, but later clarified he was not upset.
Why did Kenyon Sadiq think the Jets' call was a prank?
Kenyon Sadiq initially doubted the authenticity of the Jets' call informing him he was drafted, thinking it might be a prank until he spoke with head coach Aaron Glenn.
How many fans attended the opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft?
The opening night of the 2026 NFL Draft set a record with over 320,000 fans in attendance.
What trade did the Eagles make during the NFL Draft?
The Eagles traded up to select wide receiver Makai Lemon at No. 20, which disrupted the Steelers' plans to draft him at No. 21.
Related Articles
Sports
West Ham v Everton: Match Preview | Toffees need to bounce back from derby pain
Everton seeks to bounce back against West Ham in a crucial match.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Tennis·Recap
Battling Norrie beats Machac to advance in Madrid
Cameron Norrie wins a thrilling match against Tomas Machac to advance in the Madrid Open!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
El Lens iguala un 3-0 en contra... pero regala media Ligue 1 al PSG
El Lens logra un empate 3-3 contra el Brest, pero pierde puntos cruciales en la Ligue 1.
Marca··1 min read
Sports
ESPN lists popular mocked linebacker to Colts as ‘best team fit’ ahead of ‘Day 2’
ESPN names Jacob Rodriguez as the best fit for the Colts in the NFL Draft.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Calling My Shot: ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC among schools in a good spot
ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC are poised for recruit commitments. Discover key players from the West!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA
Arizona freshman Koa Peat announces draft decision ahead of deadline
Arizona's Koa Peat announces he will enter the 2026 NBA draft.
One surprise of the night was the Rams picking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick. Typically, a team with the reigning NFL MVP doesn't pick a QB that high and the move not only surprised fans, but seemed to shock head coach Sean McVay as well. My degree is in journalism, not in kinesics, but this doesn't look like someone who is all-in on the selection.
You be the judge:
Last year's NFL Draft had an infamous prank call to Shedeur Sanders and one prospect thought he was a victim of another. Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq got the call he'd been working for his entire life, yet his excitement was tempered. The reason? He didn't think it was a real call.
Jets executive Darren Mougey made the call, telling Sadiq they were going to make him a New York Jet.
"Ok, I appreciate it," Sadiq said.
Mougey asked if he was excited about being taken, saying he could come be a weapon for the team's offense. Head coach Aaron Glenn then took the phone and Sadiq was finally convinced that this wasn't a prank.
"I'm excited, coach. I was thinking this might be a prank call for a second," the TE said.
"You're going to be a huge weapon for us," Glenn replied. "No, we're not pranking you, brother. You're going to be a Jet. You've been a target for us for a while."
Pittsburgh showed out and showed off on Night 1 of the draft. A record number of people were at opening night, with more than 320,000 fans in attendance. The previous record was held by Detroit when more than 275,000 fans attended Day 1 in 2024. The 303 still holds the record for the three-day event, with more than 700,000 people attending.
Roger Goodell just announced that 320,000 people showed up for the NFL Draft.
The Eagles got what they wanted at the Steelers' expense last night. The Steelers drafted tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21, but as it turns out, they wanted to pick wide receiver Makai Lemon. The Cowboys were on the clock at No. 20 and the Eagles made the call to trade up and get their guy.
The Eagles initially couldn't reach Lemon because he was on the phone with the Steelers. Philly eventually got through and made the selection, leaving the Steelers to their second choice and scrambling in front of their home fans.
The moment that Makai Lemon found out the Eagles were trading up to get him at No. 20 while he was the on the phone with the Steelers, who were planning to take him at No. 21. pic.twitter.com/Iqv7wfzbtu
Most No. 1 overall picks are in attendance at the draft, but quarterback Fernando Mendoza was noticeably absent. Mendoza took the call from his home, alongside his mother Elsa, who has multiple sclerosis (MS). To make travel easier for his family and to be able to celebrate with his mother, Mendoza chose to stay home in Florida rather than go to Pittsburgh.
"My mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It's a lot easier for us," Mendoza said. "Especially with the family situation. I'm going to hop on a plane (in) the morning anyways. For that, it will be a lot easier to stay at home. I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey. Mentors, coaches, family, friends, we want to share that memory with all of them is going to be the best memory that I could hope for, rather than limit it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh."
#Raiders No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza soaked it all in while staying home to be with his whole family, including his mom who has battled multiple sclerosis 🖤 pic.twitter.com/l429foI2Ci
Some Patriots fans were wondering if they were about to go into the draft without their head coach. Less than an hour before Round 1 officially began, Vrabel held a press conference to address the viral off-the-field scandal with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Vrabel did not announce or allude to any resignation and instead noted that he will focus on whatever his family needs at this time, even if that means missing part of the draft. A night that is usually reserved for prospects, quickly became about the question marks regarding the defending AFC Champion head coach.
"I want to address the news regarding my current situation. I understand that there are questions, but I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about -- my family, this football team, the organization, and our fans," Vrabel said.
He continued, "My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don't. What I believe is best for the two most important things in my life -- my family and this football team -- is for us to take the necessary steps to work together and to give them what I told them I'd give them, which is the best version of me. That's what we're gonna do, and that's gonna start, that has started. That'll continue this weekend and will continue for however long it takes for me to give them and complete that promise of giving them the best version of me possible. That's what's going to happen, and that's what's been happening."
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed reporters ahead of the NFL Draft after new photographs of him with reporter Dianna Russini were published earlier in the day.
Vrabel, who will not be in attendance for part of the draft, said his "previous actions don't meet the standard… pic.twitter.com/ZylDBcAIqF
