NFL Draft Opens Thursday With 7 First-Round Trades Sport By lines April 22, 2026 The 2026 NFL Draft opens Thursday night in Pittsburgh with a reshaped first round. Seven first-round picks have already changed hands in trades. Dexter Lawrence Trade Headlines Pre-Draft Reshuffling The New York Giants shipped Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. The Giants received the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cincinnati Bengals signed Dexter Lawrence to a one-year, $28 million extension. The Cincinnati deal leaves the Giants with two top-10 picks. Five of the seven traded first-rounders moved in packages for veteran players. Sauce Gardner changed teams with the No. 16 pick in the deal. Micah Parsons shifted via the No. 20 selection. Trent McDuffie moved in a trade tied to the No. 29 pick. Jaylen Waddle accompanied the No. 30 selection. The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2007. The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Monday he is open to trading down. Round 1 tips Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh. Related Sports Coverage Raiders Set to Pick Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 Overall Chiefs Eye Trade-Up From No. 9 for Draft Pass Rusher Dexter Lawrence Trade Talks Break Off With Giants Sources: NFL.com, ESPN.
