Story perspectives

Raiders Pick Heisman First; Steelers Add Three, Bills Trade Down

5/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
Matt Miller ranked Dallas Cowboys defender Caleb Downs at No. 11 overall.
The Pittsburgh Steelers secured three Miller Top 100 selections: Max Iheanachor (No. 45), Drew Allar (No. 105) and Eli Heidenreich (No. 185).
The Buffalo Bills traded down three times, left round 1, and added ten players including T.J. Parker (No. 64), Skyler Bell (No. 65) and Kaleb Elarms-Orr (No. 77).

History

Historical Context

After the NFL-AFL merger was completed in June 1970, the league realigned into the AFC and NFC, moving the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers to balance 13 teams per conference and launching a common draft of 26 teams that selected 442 players. Today, the Las Vegas Raiders echo that legacy by taking Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick.

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Story summary

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
Matt Miller ranked Dallas Cowboys defender Caleb Downs at No. 11 overall.
The Pittsburgh Steelers secured three Miller Top 100 selections: Max Iheanachor (No. 45), Drew Allar (No. 105) and Eli Heidenreich (No. 185).
The Buffalo Bills traded down three times, left round 1, and added ten players including T.J. Parker (No. 64), Skyler Bell (No. 65) and Kaleb Elarms-Orr (No. 77).

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