16 of the nation’s top college prospects will be in attendance for the 2026 NFL draft, which will take place from April 23 through April 25 in Pittsburgh.
There is a very good chance the New York Giants’ top pick will be on stage in Round 1 on Thursday, April 23.
Big Blue currently holds the No. 5 overall selection, and many of the players rumored to be high on their draft board are among the players on the list of attendees.
Ohio State linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, safety Caleb Downs, and wide receiver Carnell Tate will all be present to hear their name called by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
So will Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Miami offensive lineman Francis Maiugoa, and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Others expected to be in attendance, but not heavily linked to the Giants at No. 5: Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, Alabama offensive tackle Kaden Proctor, Texas cornerback Colton Hood, wide receiver Makai Lemon of USC, Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk, Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to the National Championship this past January, will forgo attending the draft. He is expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The first round will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and is projected to conclude by approximately 10:30 p.m. Each team will have eight minutes to make their selections. The Giants should be on the clock within the first 45 minutes of the draft.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 2026 NFL draft: New York Giants’ top pick likely to be present on stage
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
