The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Pittsburgh, making it the perfect moment to share the latest intel and insights from around the league.

Every draft brings its share of surprises, and teams across the NFL are spending this week trying to anticipate how the first round will unfold. History shows just how unpredictable things can get.

Ahead of the 2025 draft, for example, there were already signs that the Jacksonville Jaguars might shake things up. Then came the blockbuster move: shortly after the Tennessee Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick, Jacksonville traded up from No. 5 to No. 2 in a deal with the Cleveland Browns. The Jaguars ultimately used that pick to select Travis Hunter. What made it even more remarkable was that the trade had reportedly been agreed upon nearly two weeks earlier — all while remaining completely under the radar.

Similar surprises emerged in 2024. Days before that draft, there were whispers of growing support for quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix. While some teams viewed them as second-round prospects, speculation grew that Penix could land much earlier — possibly as high as No. 8. That prediction proved accurate when he was selected in that exact spot.

With that in mind, the 2026 draft is once again shaping up to deliver unexpected twists. The information gathered here comes from weeks of conversations with NFL executives, front office personnel, and coaching staffs, offering a clearer picture of what teams may be planning.

This year marks the second time Pittsburgh has hosted the NFL Draft, the first dating back to 1947, when 300 players were selected across 32 rounds. Today, the draft has evolved into a major league-wide event — a celebration of both the sport and its growth over the past eight decades. The first round begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, broadcast live across multiple platforms.

Despite the excitement, some league insiders believe this year’s class lacks top-end star power. One general manager recently noted that it may not be an ideal year to hold a top-10 pick, while another executive described the early portion of the first round as “uninspiring.” However, many believe the real value in this draft lies in the middle rounds, particularly the third and fourth, where depth and opportunity appear strongest.

Still, the draft remains one of the most unpredictable and thrilling events on the NFL calendar. As Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer recently put it, “What I love about the draft is the unpredictability.”

And while predicting outcomes is never easy, that hasn’t stopped teams — or observers — from trying. Here’s a look at the key storylines and informed speculation heading into draft week.