EDITED BY MAURA CAREY AND BEN NUCKOLS
Updated 9:56 PM CST, April 23, 2026

These live updates have ended, but there’s still plenty to catch up on. Read what you missed below and find more coverage on the 2026 NFL draft at apnews.com.

A huge crowd in Pittsburgh gathered Thursday night to hear the league’s next stars have their names called in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.

As expected, quarterback Fernando Mendoza was selected first, with the Las Vegas Raiders using the No. 1 pick on the Heisman Trophy winner out of Indiana.

David Bailey went No. 2 overall to the New York Jets, becoming the first Texas Tech player selected in the top five in the common draft era. The Cardinals rounded out the top three by taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

The Los Angeles Rams made a surprising move at No. 13, selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. He joins a quarterback room led by reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford.

The draft resumes Friday night with the second and third rounds starting at 7 p.m. EDT.

What to know:

Good night for the Buckeyes: Four Ohio State players were selected in the first 11 picks of the draft. Carnell Tate (Titans) and Arnell Reese (Giants) went back-to-back at No. 4 and No. 5. The Commanders picked Sonny Styles at No. 7, and the Cowboys traded up to No. 11 for Caleb Downs.

Who’s up next? The San Francisco 49ers are on the clock next when the draft resumes on Friday night. The 49ers traded back twice during the first round and acquired pick No. 33 from the Jets.

Best available: Jermod McCoy, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Avieon Terrell, Kayden McDonald, Zion Young, Cashius Howell, Eli Stowers, Anthony Hill Jr.

Notre Dame makes history with 2 RBs taken in first round

BY JOSH DUBOW

Notre Dame made history when running back Jadarian Price was taken by Seattle with the final pick of the first round after his backfield mate Jeremiyah Love went third overall to Arizona.

It was the first time in the common draft era that started in 1967 that the first two running backs selected came from the same school.

This was also just the sixth time in the common draft era that one school produced two first-round running backs. It last happened in 2008 when Arkansas’ Darren McFadden went fourth overall and Felix Jones was taken with the 22nd pick.

The other schools to do it were Auburn in 2005, Texas A&M in 1987, Florida in 1986 and Ohio State in 1971.

Steelers were on the phone with Lemon before Eagles took him
BY WILL GRAVES
Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon might be the one that got away from Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers, who had the 21st pick, were on the phone with Lemon while he sat in the green room before Philadelphia traded up from No. 23 to No. 20 to take him.

“Pittsburgh called me and I thought they were going to draft me and then the Eagles called at the same time,” Lemon said. “I guess it was meant to be. I’m super excited to be in Philly.”

The Steelers ended up taking offensive tackle Max Iheanachor.

Big Ten ends SEC dominance with 10 first-round picks
BY ERIC OLSON

The Southeastern Conference’s 10-year run of having the most first-round draft picks is over.

The Big Ten led all conferences with 10 players selected, including the No. 1 pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza of Indiana. Ohio State led all schools with four first-rounders, all between Nos. 4 and 11.

The SEC had seven first-round picks, its fewest since 2015. The SEC last year tied its record with 15.

The Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12 each had six first-rounders. Miami led the ACC with three and Arizona State and Utah tied for the Big 12 lead with two each.

The Mountain West was the only Group of Five conference with a first-rounder — San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson at No. 27.

Notre Dame had its top two running backs taken in the first round, Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 and Jadarian Price at No. 32.

Long wait continues for some draft prospects
BY WILL GRAVES

Not all of the 17 draft prospects who hunkered down in the green room on Thursday ended up hugging NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage.

Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood and Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald did not hear their names called by Goodell as 32 picks came and went.

While both players likely won’t have to wait long for that life-changing moment, it’s unclear whether they will return to attend the draft’s second day or head back home for a quieter celebration.

Seahawks take RB Jadarian Price with last pick of first round
BY ARNIE MELENDREZ STAPLETON

The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks filled a hole at running back by selecting Jadarian Price of Notre Dame with the 32nd and final pick of the first round.

A compact runner at 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds, Price was overshadowed by fellow Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love in Notre Dame’s backfield. But he is adept at blitz pickup and an elusive runner who should start right away as a pro.

The Seahawks lost Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.

Kansas City Chiefs select Clemson DT Peter Woods at No. 29
BY BEN NUCKOLS

Defensive tackle Peter Woods of Clemson is heading to Kansas City.

The Chiefs drafted him at No. 29 overall, making him their second selection of the first round after a 6-11 season. Both picks were defensive players, with safety Mansoor Delane going to Kansas City with the No. 6 pick.

At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Woods has power and versatility.

Texans trade up to take G Keylan Rutledge at No. 26

Beefy guard Keylan Rutledge of Georgia Tech is heading to Houston.

The Texans selected the 6-foot-4, 330-pounder with the 26th overall pick. They traded up two spots to get him, giving their third- and fifth-round selections to Buffalo and getting the Bills’ pick later in the third round.

Rutledge was a third-team Associated Press All-America selection.

Chicago Bears select safety Dillon Thieneman of Oregon with 25th pick
BY ARNIE MELENDREZ STAPLETON

Safety Dillon Thieneman of Oregon is heading to a 2025 playoff team. The Chicago Bears drafted him at No. 25.

Thieneman had an impressive combine, running a 4.36 40-yard dash that was faster than some of the NFL’s best receivers. A three-year starter, he was a versatile part of the Ducks’ defense.

Cowboys get edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with 23rd pick

The Dallas Cowboys made Malachi Lawrence their second pick of the first round.

Lawrence is an edge rusher from UCF. He was taken 23rd overall.

Earlier, the Cowboys took Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 11th pick.

The 6-foot-4 Lawrence was an All-Big 12 selection who led the Knights with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

Edge rusher Akheem Mesidor of Miami goes to Chargers at No. 22

Steelers take T Max Iheanachor of Arizona State at No. 21

Carolina Panthers get OT Monroe Freeling of Georgia with 19th pick

Minnesota Vikings take DT Caleb Banks of Florida with 18th pick

Jets’ 2nd pick of night is tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16