The 2026 National Football League (NFL) Draft concluded on April 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as 257 college football players were selected in the three-day-long event.
GCSU students voiced their favorite aspect of the draft and why they watched the draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft consists of seven rounds, with each team selecting one player per round. A caveat of the draft is that NFL franchises are able to trade their draft selections for players or future draft selections.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Mendoza had an astonishing season at Indiana University, leading the Hoosiers to their first national championship victory in school history.
“Everyone knew Mendoza was going to go first, which is well deserved,” said Whit Kessinger, a senior business major. “After Mendoza went, we saw a more defense-heavy first round between David Bailey, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. Ty Simpson going 13th overall to the Rams was shocking considering Matthew Stafford signed a new contract.”
The Atlanta Falcons did not make a selection in the first round of the draft. They traded their 2026 first-round selection to the L.A. Rams in the 2025 draft to acquire defensive end James Pearce Jr.
The Falcons selected Avieon Terrell, a cornerback from Clemson University, in the second round with the 48th overall pick. Avievon reunites with his older brother, A.J. Terrell. The two are six years apart.
“Seeing the Falcons pick up A.J.’s little brother is super cool,” said Bryan Ramsey, a junior biology major. “I think our secondary got better. [Zachariah] Branch was a great pick. Speedy receiver who can really spread out the offense and become a deep-ball threat. Overall I think the Falcons had a really good draft.”
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch was selected by Atlanta in the third round with the 79th overall pick. Branch attended the University of Georgia, where he recorded 84 receptions and six touchdowns, according to the UGA football website. Branch’s 84 receptions are a UGA school record.
An aspect of the draft is the antics surrounding it. Many of these young men who were drafted grew up waiting for their moment. Years of hard work and dedication are celebrated on draft night.
“I love to watch the first round of the draft because of how cool it is to see these guys hear their name get called,” said Briggs Herber, a freshman business major. “Seeing their reactions never gets old. It is a moment in time for these guys to celebrate themselves. We don’t see enough of it in sports, especially with fans nowadays. Players will get ridiculed online.”
Heinz Ketchup partnered with the NFL in this year’s draft. The 57th overall pick, Logan Jones, will receive a lifetime supply of ketchup as the infamous Heinz No. 57 is the slogan of the company.
Jones said in an interview after being selected, “I love it! I’ll take as much as I can get. Let’s go Ketchup!”
Other news surrounding the 91st annual NFL Draft is the attendance at the event. After the seventh round concluded, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy stated that over 800,000 people were in attendance across the three-day span. It marks the most in the history of the draft.