Why Fernando Mendoza, Kenyon Sadiq, and other top prospects aren't at 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

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Why Fernando Mendoza, Kenyon Sadiq, and other top prospects aren't at 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

While many young football players' dreams involve shaking the commissioner's hand on Draft Night, a few top prospects will not be in attendance this year in Pittsburgh.

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Both Fernando Mendoza and Kenyon Sadiq headline this year's list of best talents to be absent on the stage. Some prospects wish to be surrounded by their families for a more relaxed outing on the couch.

Mendoza has always pledged himself as a family man, so the decision for the former Heisman winner to not attend does not come as a huge surprise.

Here's a breakdown of why Mendoza and some other top prospects will not be at the NFL Draft this year.

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Is Fernando Mendoza at the NFL Draft?

No, Fernando Mendoza will not be present in Pittsburgh for the upcoming NFL Draft. On the Rich Eisen Show, Mendoza shared his desire to live out one of his career's premiere moments at home surrounded by family, along with making it easier to travel the following day.

“It’d be a dream for a lot of guys, however, my mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did both my parents,” Mendoza said. “It was a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation, and I would have to hop on a plane the next morning anyway. For that travel, it would be a lot easier to stay at home.”

Mendoza appears to become the first No. 1 selected quarterback not to attend the draft since Trevor Lawrence abstained in 2021.

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Is Kenyon Sadiq at the NFL Draft?

No, Kenyon Sadiq was not on initial list shared by the NFL on prospects who would be attending the draft. Sadiq is one of the best, if not the best, tight-end prospect heading into Thursday and will most likely be a first-round selection. The former Oregon Duck ran the fastest 40-yard dash since at least 2003, with a blazing 4.39 pace.

According to Sports Illustrated, Sadiq is planning to rent an AirBNB with his family, friends, and potentially his former Oregon coach Dan Lanning. 

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Prospects at the 2026 NFL Draft

One of the best parts of the NFL Draft is seeing players achieve their dreams and shake Roger Goodell's hand on stage immediately after getting drafted. However, only a select few will have the opportunity to attend the draft in Pittsburgh.

After the NFL extended invitations for prospects to attend the NFL draft, 16 of those prospects accepted and will be in Pittsburgh on April 23. The league presumably expects these players to be potential first-round draft picks, so they don't have to endure a long wait in the green room.

Here's a look at who will be attending this year's NFL Draft.

PlayerPositionCollegeDavid BaileyDETexas TechRueben Bain Jr.DEMiamiMansoor DelaneCBLSUCaleb DownsCBOhio StateKeldric FaulkDEAuburnColton HoodCBTennesseeMakai LemonWRUSCJeremiyah LoveRBNotre DameFrancis MauigoaOTMiamiKayden McDonaldDTOhio StateKaydn ProctorOTAlabamaArvell ReeseLBOhio StateTy SimpsonQBAlabamaSonny StylesLBOhio StateCarnell TateWROhio StateJordyn TysonWRArizona State

Ohio State leads the pack with five draft attendees this year, which is tied for the most ever, per NFL Network. Ohio State’s five draft attendees this year are tied for the most ever. The Buckeyes also had five draft attendees in 2016, with Alabama matching this in 2012.

When is the NFL Draft?

  • Date: Thursday, April 23
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

The NFL Draft kicks off with the first round on Thursday, April 23. ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network will all have coverage of the event over the following few days.

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