The long wait is over, as the 2026 NFL Draft is set to kick off on Thursday night in downtown Pittsburgh with what’s expected to be quite the entertaining first round.It’s a virtual lock that the Las Vegas Raiders, owners of the No. 1 overall pick, select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza to begin the draft in hopes he can be their franchise man for years to come. From there, the mock drafts are all over the place, which is always a sign for some fun, and even chaos, as the draft rolls along.However, there are those who have cemented themselves as first-round talent entering Thursday night, whether it’s through the NFL Combine and Pro Day workouts, top-30 visits to different franchises, what they put on tape during their college careers, or all the above.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMEither way, the prospects have done all they can do – now it’s up to the teams to determine if they fit what they need to succeed.Fox News Digital had the privilege of speaking to some of those potential first-round picks leading up to the start of the NFL Draft, and each of them was asked the same question: “What will an NFL team be getting from you if they were to call your name on draft night?”Here are some of their answers:OHIO STATE OLB ARVELL REESE: “I think an NFL team is going to get somebody who loves the game, who loves football. Then, they’re going to get somebody who plays the game violently…. On top of that, you have to play with relentless effort. So, I think an NFL team is getting that out of me — someone who plays with relentless effort, someone who looks forward to playing violently. You have to look forward to playing it violently.”Reese is quite the physical specimen, standing running a sub-4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, and many experts believe he can still grow into his body and his game on the field. He was named an All-American in 2025, racking up 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss for the Buckeyes, though their season ended at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the College Football Playoff.Now, Reese heads into the draft looking at a potentially short night when the clock starts ticking. Some have him mocked to the New York Jets at No. 2 overall, and many believe he won’t be available when the top 10 picks are made. Either way, the edge rusher is viewed as an immediate impact player on the defensive line wherever he lands.ESPN REPORTER UNLOADS ON THE NASTY PART OF THE NFL DRAFTOHIO STATE S CALEB DOWNS: “I would describe [myself] as a very instinctual player with a great mind for the game, but also all the physical attributes that you’re going to need. A player that, wherever you feel like the ball’s at, that’s where you want him to be. Put him at the [point of attack] and he’s going to do what he does.”A defensive Swiss Army knife, Downs has simply made plays all throughout his college career, which began at Alabama before transferring to the Buckeyes and
Top 2026 NFL Draft prospects reveal what teams will be getting if they call their name Thursday night
