The 2026 NFL Draft is upon us, and as Pittsburgh prepares to host football’s annual talent selection for the first time since 1948, analysts worldwide are weighing in on which prospects are poised to rise. Among them, German football publication Kicker has released a two-round mock draft by analyst Adrian Franke, offering a European perspective on the NFL’s biggest offseason event. With the Las Vegas Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick and the draft set to begin on Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, Franke’s projections provide valuable insight into early-round trends.
According to verified draft order sources, the first round will proceed as follows: Las Vegas Raiders (1), Recent York Jets (2), Arizona Cardinals (3), Tennessee Titans (4), New York Giants (5), Cleveland Browns (6), Washington Commanders (7), New Orleans Saints (8), Kansas City Chiefs (9), New York Giants (from Bengals, 10), Miami Dolphins (11), Dallas Cowboys (12), Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons, 13), Baltimore Ravens (14), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (15), New York Jets (from Colts, 16), Detroit Lions (17), Minnesota Vikings (18), Carolina Panthers (19), Dallas Cowboys (from Packers, 20), Pittsburgh Steelers (21), Los Angeles Chargers (22), Philadelphia Eagles (23), Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars, 24), Chicago Bears (25), Buffalo Bills (26), San Francisco 49ers (27), Houston Texans (28), Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams, 29), Miami Dolphins (from Broncos, 30), New England Patriots (31), and Seattle Seahawks (32).
Franke’s mock draft, while not fully detailed in the provided source, aligns with widespread consensus that quarterback is the Raiders’ paramount require. The team has not selected a quarterback in the first round since JaMarcus Russell in 2007, and general manager John Spytek has emphasized “sustained success” through drafting a young signal-caller. Veteran Geno Smith, now 35, threw a league-high 17 interceptions in 2025, reinforcing the urgency for a long-term solution at the position.
Mel Kiper Jr. Of ESPN has highlighted two names in particular as potential QB1 candidates: Dante Moore and Fernando Mendoza. Both have garnered attention for their arm talent, mobility, and pro-day performances, though neither has secured unanimous top-prospect status across all major outlets. Franke’s take on this quarterback battle — whether he favors one over the other or projects a different player entirely to Las Vegas — remains a key point of interest for international readers seeking non-U.S. Media perspectives.
Beyond the first round, Franke’s two-round mock would extend into Friday, April 24, when Rounds 2 and 3 begin at 7 p.m. ET. The timing between first-round selections has been shortened to eight minutes for 2026 — a change from the previous 10-minute interval and the first adjustment since 2008 — while Rounds 2 through 7 retain last year’s pacing. This accelerated pace adds tension to the early selections, where trades and surprises often set the tone for the rest of the draft.
Notably, several teams have already traded away their first-round picks through prior deals. The Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Indianapolis Colts will not be picking in the first round due to previous trades. The Los Angeles Rams acquired Atlanta’s selection, the Dallas Cowboys received Green Bay’s pick, the Jets obtained Indianapolis’ choice, and the Cleveland Browns landed Jacksonville’s slot. The Kansas City Chiefs hold the Rams’ own first-round selection, further complicating the order.
These trades underscore how front-office maneuvering in the months leading up to the draft can reshape a team’s trajectory. For global audiences unfamiliar with the intricacies of NFL trade mechanics, such details explain why traditional powerhouses may appear absent from early rounds while others — like the Jets or Giants — appear multiple times due to acquired assets.
Franke’s background as a European analyst covering American football lends unique value to his projections. Unlike domestic mock drafts that often reflect team-specific media narratives or agent-driven leaks, international analysts like Franke may prioritize measurable traits — college production, athletic testing, positional versatility — over speculative fit or local media sentiment. This approach can highlight prospects undervalued by U.S. Outlets due to scheme questions or conference bias.
While the full list of Franke’s predictions isn’t available in the source material, his two-round mock would logically address pressing needs across the league. Beyond the Raiders’ quarterback hunt, the Jets (No. 2) are widely expected to address their own QB situation following inconsistent play from Aaron Rodgers in 2025. The Cardinals (No. 3) may look to bolster their offensive line or add a dynamic weapon for Kyler Murray, while the Titans (No. 4) continue their rebuild around a young core needing playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Defensive talent is also expected to be highly valued early. Franke, coming from a soccer-centric media environment, might place particular emphasis on edge rushers and defensive backs — positions that translate well across football codes due to their athleticism and spatial awareness requirements. Prospects with elite speed, length, and change-of-direction ability often resonate strongly with international evaluators.
As draft week unfolds, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh, where Point State Park and the surrounding lots will host the festivities under Acrisure Stadium’s lights. The event marks a return to the city where the NFL Draft was last held in 1948, adding historical weight to the proceedings. For fans tuning in from Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond, the draft offers a yearly window into the future of America’s most popular sport — and voices like Adrian Franke’s help bridge the analytical gap between continents.
The first round concludes on Thursday night, with Rounds 2 and 3 wrapping up Friday evening, and the final four rounds completing the 257-pick process on Saturday, April 25 beginning at noon ET. Over seven rounds and three days, franchises will attempt to address weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and — in the best cases — select the cornerstone players who define eras.
Whether Adrian Franke’s mock draft proves prescient or wide of the mark remains to be seen. But in a globalized sports landscape, his contribution represents more than just predictions: it’s a reminder that the NFL Draft, while distinctly American in execution, captures the imagination of fans and analysts worldwide — all wondering the same thing: who’s climbing the board?
Stay tuned to Archysport for continuing coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft, including real-time analysis, pick-by-pick breakdowns, and post-draft grades as the selections unfold in Pittsburgh.
Next checkpoint: Live coverage of Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET (00:00 UTC April 24).
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