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Raiders Draft Heisman Winner Mendoza; Patriots Trade for Lomu

4/25/2026

46 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Raiders Draft Mendoza

Las Vegas Raiders chose Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Second round began Friday, April 24, 2026, NFL Network, ESPN, NFL+ and ESPN+.
The New England Patriots traded up to select Caleb Lomu at No. 28, analysts naming Jermod McCoy, Caleb Tiernan, Chris Brazzell II and Zachariah Branch as prospects.
The Carolina Panthers selected Monroe Freeling and Philadelphia, via Dallas trade, drafted receiver Makai Lemon.

Summary

Bills Trade Down

Bills GM Brandon Beane traded down with the Texans, Patriots and Titans, losing a first-round pick.
Buffalo now holds No. 35 overall, the opening pick of the second round.
The three trades yielded second-, fourth- and fifth-round picks to restore draft capital.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald are top candidates for No. 35, with the Bills able to trade for former WR DJ Moore.

History

Historical Context

In April 2000 the NFL held its draft at Madison Square Garden, where the New England Patriots chose quarterback Tom Brady with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round. New owner Robert Kraft and new head coach Bill Belichick, hired that January, turned the low-profile selection into a franchise-defining move that ultimately produced seven Super Bowl titles.

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Raiders Draft Mendoza

Las Vegas Raiders chose Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Second round began Friday, April 24, 2026, NFL Network, ESPN, NFL+ and ESPN+.
The New England Patriots traded up to select Caleb Lomu at No. 28, analysts naming Jermod McCoy, Caleb Tiernan, Chris Brazzell II and Zachariah Branch as prospects.
The Carolina Panthers selected Monroe Freeling and Philadelphia, via Dallas trade, drafted receiver Makai Lemon.

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