The NFL Draft starts Thursday in Pittsburgh. Before a single pick is made, there's already drama — and if you're a Giants fan, it's a lot to take in.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins this Thursday 23 April in Pittsburgh, and already two stories are dominating the build-up. One involves the most anticipated moment of any draft — and the man who's decided to skip it. The other is a trade that has Giants fans simultaneously excited and nervous.

If you're new to the NFL, this is actually a perfect week to start paying attention. The Draft is where teams build their futures, and understanding it tells you everything about how the league works.

What Even Is the NFL Draft?

Before we get into the drama, a quick explainer for anyone new to this.

Every year, all 32 NFL teams take turns picking the best college players to join their squad. The team that finished with the worst record the previous season picks first — the idea being to give struggling teams the best chance of improving. Think of it like a structured transfer window, except instead of paying a fee, you simply get your turn to choose.

There are seven rounds and 257 picks in total. The first round — where the biggest names go — happens on Thursday night. By the time it's done, careers will have been made, and a few will already be under pressure.

The order isn't fixed, though. Teams can trade picks — swapping their turn to choose for players, future picks, or both. Which brings us neatly to the Giants. For a more detailed explainer on how the draft works, read What is the NFL Draft? UK Fan's Guide.

The Giants Are Either Brilliant or Completely Mad

Last weekend, the New York Giants traded Dexter Lawrence — their best defensive player and a Pro Bowl defensive tackle — to the Cincinnati Bengals.

On the surface, that sounds terrible. Lawrence is 26, one of the most dominant interior linemen in the NFL, and one of the very few genuine stars on a Giants squad that went 4-13 last season. Why on earth would you sell your best player?

Because in return, the Giants received the Bengals' 10th overall pick in this Draft.

The Giants already held the 5th pick. They now have two selections in the top 10 — two chances to draft franchise-changing talent in the same weekend.

The logic is straightforward: Lawrence is brilliant, but one player cannot fix a broken roster. Two top-10 picks, used wisely, might. The Giants are essentially betting that the players they select on Thursday and Friday will, over the next decade, be worth more than what Lawrence would have given them. Lawrence is also coming off the back of his worst season last year, and had some contract negotiation break-downs.

It's a bold call still. It's the kind of move that either defines a rebuild or accelerates a collapse.

As a Giants fan, I'll be honest — watching Lawrence go is gutting. He was the one player you could point to and say, without question, he's elite. Now he's gone, and everything depends on what the Giants do with those two picks. With him, his trademark dance will go, and that might be what hurts the most.

The pressure on Thursday night is enormous. Who the Giants pick at 10 could be season-defining.

The Number One Pick Who Isn't Showing Up

Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the first name called on Thursday night. The Indiana quarterback has been the consensus top prospect for months — good enough that the Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the first pick, are expected to take him without hesitation.

Normally, the top prospects attend the Draft in person. It's a spectacle — the commissioner calls your name, you walk across the stage, you hold up the jersey, you hug your family. For most players, it's the moment they've worked towards their entire life.

Mendoza isn't going.

No detailed explanation has been given. He simply won't be in Pittsburgh when his name is called. It's unusual enough that it's become one of the talking points of draft week — the biggest story of the night, and the main character has decided not to show up.

Whether it's a personal decision, a statement, or something else entirely, nobody outside his camp seems to know.

How to Follow the Draft in the UK

If you want to watch it live, here's what you need to know:

  • Round 1 — Friday 25 April, 1:00am BST (Thursday night US time)
  • Rounds 2–3 — Saturday 26 April, 12:00am BST
  • Rounds 4–7 — Saturday 26 April, 5:00pm BST

Sky Sports Action has live coverage across all three days. If you have DAZN, you can stream it there too.

Rounds 4–7 on Saturday afternoon are the most UK-friendly session — proper daytime viewing, and honestly where some of the most interesting picks happen as teams take chances on hidden gems. For the full UK times breakdown, see NFL Draft 2026 UK Time & How to Watch.

What to Watch For

Beyond the Giants and Mendoza, here's what else is worth keeping an eye on this week:

Aaron Rodgers still hasn't told the Steelers if he's playing. The Pittsburgh Steelers — who are hosting the Draft in their own city — don't know if their quarterback is coming back for the 2026 season. He hasn't been in touch. A sixth-round pick called Will Howard is currently taking first-team reps. As football soap operas go, it's a good one.

A.J. Brown isn't attending Eagles training. The wide receiver and the Super Bowl champions are heading towards a messy divorce, with a trade possible from June. More drama to come there.

The Draft is one of the most watchable events in the NFL calendar — even if you don't follow a team yet, it's worth staying up for Round 1. Big moments, big reactions, and the occasional spectacular surprise.

If you want to follow the picks live in UK time, the Fourth & Long app will have updates as they happen.