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The two thousand twenty six NFL Draft is underway in Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas made their intentions crystal clear from the jump. The Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall pick, and Mendoza himself called it ecstatic — a word that feels just about right for a kid who just heard his name called first in the entire draft.
Right behind him, the New York Jets didn't hesitate either, grabbing Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at number two overall. Bailey was a unanimous All-American and Big Twelve Defensive Player of the Year, and the Jets are betting that kind of relentless pass rush pressure is exactly what a rebuilding defense needs to get back to relevance in the AFC East.
Meanwhile, away from the draft board, George Pickens is staying in Dallas — at least for now. The Cowboys wide receiver is signing his franchise tag Thursday, one day after the organization made clear there would be no long-term extension on the table this year. It's a complicated situation, and you can bet Pickens will be playing with something to prove every single Sunday this season.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
