Monday Cheese Curds: NFL Draft speculation enters the home stretch

TL;DR

The 2026 NFL Draft begins in three days in Pittsburgh, marking the city's first hosting in over 70 years. The Cincinnati Bengals traded for All-Pro Dexter Lawrence, impacting the draft landscape, while the Green Bay Packers prepare for their first pick at #52.

Key points

2026 NFL Draft starts in three days in Pittsburgh
Cincinnati Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence from New York Giants
Green Bay Packers will pick at #52 overall
First round pick time reduced to 8 minutes

Cincinnati BengalsNew York GiantsGreen Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 24: A general view of the stage during the Green Bay Packers pick during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images It’s officially Draft Week! The 2026 NFL Draft starts in just three days, as Pittsburgh plays host to the event for the second time in its history and the first in more than 70 years. Whether you love or hate mock drafts, they’re finally about to come to an end, but not before a final blitz of them come through over the next 72 or so hours. The first big shakeup affecting the first round happened over the weekend as the Cincinnati Bengals acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants. Cincinnati sent the #10 overall pick to the Giants in the deal, giving them two selections in the top ten heading into John Harbaugh’s first year as their head coach. That likely will not affect the Green Bay Packers, who will wait until #52 to make their first selection (barring a move up). Of course, what the board looks like at that time is anyone’s guess, and that will make the wait on Friday evening a long and nerve-wracking one for fans of the Green and Gold. Meanwhile, today also marks the first day of the Packers’ offseason workout program as players are back in the building. Expect a few bits of business to take place over the course of the day. Here’s a look at what’s going on around the Packers and the NFL with just a few days to go before the Draft. Among the notable items here is a reminder that the first round will go faster this year — teams now will have only an 8-minute clock per pick rather than getting ten minutes. The 20th annual Tailgate Tour concluded over the weekend with a few stops in north-central Wisconsin. We’re not the only ones projecting as a perfect Packer this year. More interesting than the mock draft is the news that there’s a secret quarterback visitor whose name the team refuses to share with the public. Perhaps they’re trying to avoid a similar situation to 2023, when they had in for a visit and then had to scramble to draft him in the fifth round after a run at the position? There go our dreams of Sexy Dexy in Green Bay, but at that price, it was never going to happen. Still, he only got a one-year extension which signs him in Cincinnati through 2028. This sounds like the Great Garbage Crisis of 2000 come to life — .

Q&A

What major trade occurred before the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Cincinnati Bengals acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in exchange for the #10 overall pick.

When does the 2026 NFL Draft start?

The 2026 NFL Draft starts in three days, on April 24, 2026.

What is the Packers' draft position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Green Bay Packers will make their first selection at #52 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

How has the draft pick timing changed for the 2026 NFL Draft?

Teams will now have an 8-minute clock per pick in the first round, reduced from the previous 10 minutes.