2026 NFL Draft Day 3 Wraps Up: Key Picks and Analysis from Rounds 6-7 in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH – The 2026 NFL Draft concluded its three-day spectacle in Pittsburgh on Saturday with Rounds 6 and 7, capping off a draft that saw 257 picks across all 32 teams. While the early rounds grabbed headlines with franchise-altering selections like the Las Vegas Raiders taking quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 and the Kansas City Chiefs trading up for cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6, Day 3 offered teams opportunities to unearth hidden gems and address depth needs.
Eric Edholm of NFL.com provided detailed pick-by-pick analysis for every selection in Rounds 6 and 7, highlighting prospects with high upside despite their late-round status. “Day 3 is where the real scouting work pays off,” Edholm noted, emphasizing the athletic potential of players like Cleveland Browns’ pick No. 182, quarterback Taylen Green from Arkansas.[1]
Intriguing Quarterback Selections Add Depth to QB-Rich Draft
The Browns, who had already invested heavily in their lines earlier, added more quarterback intrigue with Green, a physically imposing athlete compared to a young Colin Kaepernick. “Green’s warts as a passer can be maddening in time, but they don’t build quarterbacks much better than this, physically speaking,” Edholm wrote. “He’s a tremendous athlete who could develop into a Kaepernickian-type prospect with the right development.” This pick raises questions about whether there’s room for another QB like Dillon Gabriel on the depth chart.[1]
Quarterbacks were a theme throughout the draft, with Carson Beck (Miami) going to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 65 in Round 3 and Drew Allar to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 76. The late rounds continued this trend, as teams sought developmental arms amid a class headlined by Mendoza, the Heisman winner and national champion from Indiana.[2][3]
Standout Defensive Prospects Emerge in Rounds 6-7
The Arizona Cardinals followed up their early picks – including running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, the highest-drafted RB since Saquon Barkley – with linebacker Karson Sharar from Iowa at pick No. 183. Edholm praised Sharar as an “overachieving” player who earned a starting role in his final college season. “Though he’s still developing his instincts, he offers good athletic upside. Despite a limited frame, Sharar made several plays in the backfield last season.”[1][2]
Other notable defensive selections included the Minnesota Vikings taking defensive tackle Domonique Orange from Iowa State at No. 82 (Round 3), graded a B by Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer. “Orange is a solid value at this point in the draft… He will be a valuable versatile part of their rotation.”[3]
Team-by-Team Highlights from Full Draft Slate
CBS Sports compiled a comprehensive list of all picks, revealing how teams stacked their rosters. The Kansas City Chiefs led with seven selections, starting with Delane (CB, LSU) at No. 6 after trading up from Cleveland, and Peter Woods (DL, Clemson) at No. 29. Their moves addressed a critical need at cornerback following offseason departures.[2][3]
- Arizona Cardinals (7 picks): RB Jeremiyah Love (No. 3), IOL Chase Bisontis (No. 34), QB Carson Beck (No. 65), DL Kaleb Proctor (No. 104).[2]
- Kansas City Chiefs (7 picks): CB Mansoor Delane (No. 6), DL Peter Woods (No. 29).[2]
- Cleveland Browns: QB Taylen Green (No. 182 via trade).[1]
Trades were plentiful, including the Chiefs’ move to secure Delane and the Eagles dealing with the Cowboys for wide receiver Makai Lemon. Round 1 saw nine offensive linemen selected, starting with Utah’s Spencer Fano to the Browns at No. 9.[2]
Expert Grades and Big Board Buzz
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer graded the Raiders’ No. 1 pick of Mendoza an A, calling him a “can’t-miss” pocket passer with elite arm talent, accuracy, and leadership. The Chiefs’ grab of Delane also earned top marks, positioning him as a potential shutdown corner akin to Trent McDuffie.[3]
The Ringer’s 2026 Draft Guide and NFL.com’s prospect tracker offered deeper scouting reports, noting players like edge rushers with “elite explosiveness” despite size concerns.[6][8]
| Team | Pick | Player | Grade (Sporting News) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders | No. 1 | Fernando Mendoza, QB | A |
| Kansas City Chiefs | No. 6 | Mansoor Delane, CB | A |
| Minnesota Vikings | No. 82 | Domonique Orange, DT | B |
What’s Next for Rookies?
As rookies head to minicamps, all eyes are on how Mendoza adapts to the Raiders and whether the Chiefs’ secondary overhaul pays dividends. Live streams and analysis, like those from YouTube channels covering every pick, kept fans engaged throughout.[7]
The draft, held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh and broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and the ESPN App, underscored a class heavy on offensive talent early and defensive value late.[4]
With Patrick Mahomes recovering positively, per Chiefs coach Andy Reid, the league shifts focus to OTAs and the 2026 season.[4]
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