NFL Draft 2026: A Lackluster Lineup
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, it seems to be missing some of those thrilling elements that could make it memorable for years to come. What’s going on here?
For starters, there aren’t many standout quarterbacks this year. Apart from the anticipated No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza—who won’t even be at the draft in Pittsburgh next Thursday—there won’t be a repeat of last year’s event, which saw six quarterbacks chosen in the first round.
The talent pool doesn’t seem deep enough to fill what you’d expect from a future Pro Football Hall of Fame roster. I mean, it’s not like anyone expects it to rival the legendary 1983 draft, which featured seven future Hall of Famers in the first round.
Moreover, there doesn’t seem to be a gripping narrative, either. There’s nobody remotely as polarizing as Shedeur Sanders, nor is there a mystery figure like Randy Moss. Remember when Laremy Tunsil’s infamous gas mask video made headlines? Yeah, nothing like that this year.
Trade Expectations Are High
General managers are anticipating multiple trades, perhaps even more than usual. Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry noted the ironic shift in assumptions—last year, they were expected to stand firm, and now everyone thinks they’re moving down the draft board.
Similar sentiments were echoed by the New York Giants GM, Joe Schoen, whose team holds the No. 5 overall pick. He mentioned they’ve been receiving inquiries from other teams, but it’s still uncertain who they’ll end up selecting.
Interestingly, five teams have two first-round picks this year: the Jets, Browns, Chiefs, Dolphins, and Cowboys. Some of these teams might use their additional picks for trades, especially given the scarcity of top-notch offensive linemen, which might motivate them to make a move.
Chiefs and Tackle Needs
Teams like the Chiefs are feeling the urgency to acquire offensive tackles due to a limited number of quality players available. Veach noted the expectation that some linemen will go within the 10-25 range, even if the top picks don’t feature many of them.
There’s even talk of trading a seasoned player during the draft. Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence is under scrutiny as he expressed a desire to be dealt. Still, the Giants see his value and aren’t likely to just let him go; any trade would almost certainly require a first-round pick and more.
Meanwhile, conversations continue around other high-profile players. For example, the Eagles are rumored to be considering a trade for AJ Brown, but that’ll have to wait until salary cap issues are resolved after June 1. As for the Chargers, their GM downplayed any rumors regarding receiver Quentin Johnston, asserting he hasn’t made any calls to shop him around.
So, while the draft might be shaping up to be a quieter affair than in years past, there are still elements that could lead to unexpected movements. And who knows? It might just surprise us.
