The 2026 NFL Draft, held in Pittsburgh, saw its share of unexpected selections and surprising slides as teams aimed to strengthen their rosters for a Super Bowl push. A record crowd attended the event.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ first overall pick was expected, but the Los Angeles Rams made a selection that shocked many. The New York Jets and Giants also seemed to have a strong draft.
The draft was a positive one for UK involvement and for the NFL. A total of 257 players were chosen over three days.
Mendoza Goes First Overall to the Raiders
Fernando Mendoza was selected as the first pick in the NFL draft. The Raiders will have their sixth head coach in seven seasons in Las Vegas. Despite the recent turmoil, the team appears to be moving in a positive direction with some smart draft choices.
The Raiders also drafted Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy in the fourth round. McCoy, considered a super talent, slipped to pick 101 after missing last season with a torn ACL. He could add playmaking ability to the secondary alongside fellow draftee Treydan Stukes at safety, if his knee is healthy.
Mendoza already has first-round picks around him.
Rams’ Simpson Pick Stuns Observers
The Rams’ selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick was a shock. Simpson was not considered a consensus first-round talent.
The Rams already have Matthew Stafford, who won MVP, at quarterback. Many considered the Rams the best team in the NFL last season and a Super Bowl contender this coming campaign.
Head coach Sean McVay’s subdued reaction to the pick went viral. He said he didn’t want to seem too excited out of respect for Stafford, but his mood reflected that of many Rams fans.
Stafford is 38 and playing year-to-year, so finding a long-term successor makes sense. However, many believed the 13th pick should have been used to add a final elite piece to the roster to maximise Stafford’s talents. A top pass rusher or another pass catcher were seen as possibilities.
Instead, the Rams used the pick on a player who likely won’t see the field in 2026. The Rams previously made notable free agency moves for cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Time will tell if the Rams’ draft strategy pays off.
The 2026 NFL Draft had the usual shock picks and surprise slides as the 32 teams attempted to reload their rosters for an assault on the Super Bowl.