Sports Connections Hints: Apr 23, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Apr 23, 2026 (2026-04-23). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #786

Puzzle #786 · 2026-04-23 · sports

Step through today’s Connections hints

Start with broad themes, then reveal more detail about the groups and tiles only when you need it. The final button shows today's full group breakdown.

Puzzle reference: Connections #786 for 2026-04-23, edition sports, with a standard four-group board. Spoiler categories and tiles stay collapsed until you open the hint layers below.

Hint 1 – overall theme

There are 4 groups in today’s puzzle.

Themes include: DRAFT PICK INFORMATION, CAN PRECEDE "DRAFT", ASSOCIATED WITH FERNANDO MENDOZA and 1 more.

Hint 2 – group titles

Here are the category names for each group. Try matching the tiles in the official game to these themes before you reveal any tiles.

  • DRAFT PICK INFORMATION
  • CAN PRECEDE "DRAFT"
  • ASSOCIATED WITH FERNANDO MENDOZA
  • NON-QBS PICKED FIRST IN NFL DRAFT

Hint 3 – group tiles

Reveal the tiles for each group. If you only want a partial nudge, stop after reading one or two groups and go back to the official puzzle.

DRAFT PICK INFORMATION

ROUND
PICK
POSITION
ALMA MATER

CAN PRECEDE "DRAFT"

MOCK
FANTASY
NFL
SUPPLEMENTAL

ASSOCIATED WITH FERNANDO MENDOZA

INDIANA
CAL
QB
HEISMAN

NON-QBS PICKED FIRST IN NFL DRAFT

LONG
FISHER
MARYLAND
PACE

Reveal full answer

This is the full breakdown of today's Connections puzzle: group titles and all tiles, grouped together.

DRAFT PICK INFORMATION

ROUND
PICK
POSITION
ALMA MATER

CAN PRECEDE "DRAFT"

MOCK
FANTASY
NFL
SUPPLEMENTAL

ASSOCIATED WITH FERNANDO MENDOZA

INDIANA
CAL
QB
HEISMAN

NON-QBS PICKED FIRST IN NFL DRAFT

LONG
FISHER
MARYLAND
PACE

Looking for today's sports puzzle instead? Head back to the Today's Sports Connections hints page, or open the sports archive for another date.

Move between Sports Connections dates

Return to today, browse the sports archive, or step one puzzle backward or forward when a nearby board is available.