Prior to the first night of the 2026 NFL Draft, the event was expected to be one of the more boring drafts in recent memory. Outside of Indiana University Bloomington quarterback Fernando Mendoza projecting to land with the Las Vegas Raiders, the rest of the draft was filled with unpredictability. With unpredictability comes excitement, and that is exactly what headlined the weekend.
After Mendoza was drafted with the number one overall pick, the New York Jets selected Texas Tech University edge David Bailey at No. 2. Following months of draft experts projecting the Jets to draft Ohio State University linebacker Arvell Reese, they zagged and selected Bailey. Bailey is older and has a solidified position, whereas Reese has more upside given his versatility as a defender and age.
With the third pick in the draft, the Arizona Cardinals made the questionable decision of selecting University of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Despite needing multiple defenders and offensive linemen, the Cardinals took one of the best running backs in hopes of using him as a true weapon. The team was 31st in rushing yards per game in 2025 with 93.1. Love will help improve the rushing offense, but prioritizing the defense and offensive line is crucial to success. The Cardinals also selected quarterback Carson Beck in round three, who could manage head coach Mike LaFleur’s play action scheme in the future.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs slid to pick 11; the Dallas Cowboys traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins to draft him. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler predicted Downs to the New York Giants at No. 5 overall, so it was a surprise to see one of the best defenders in college football fall just outside the top-10.
Two picks later, the Los Angeles Rams shocked the football world and reached for the University of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall. The pick is similar to the Green Bay Packers selecting Jordan Love at 26th overall in the 2020 draft, except Love had better arm talent and higher upside. Even with four years of college under Simpson’s belt, he has started just 31 games for the Crimson Tide, which makes the pick even more questionable. Since the Rams won Super Bowl 56, they have shouted the “F**k them picks” motto from the mountaintops. Standing pat and drafting a quarterback with a limited ceiling in the first round contradicts what the franchise has been preaching. The Rams could have easily traded pick No. 13 and drafted a player who could contribute in the present.
University of Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. fell to No. 15 overall, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him. After commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement, Bain looked like he had something to prove due to falling outside the top 10. Criticisms about Bain’s arm length combined with his falling to No.15 may have lit a fire underneath him; many players have used moments like this as a source of motivation in the past. Bain has the opportunity to show doubters he can get double-digit sacks despite having short arms under head coach Todd Bowles’ tutelage. Bowles’ zone blitz scheme could get Bain easy lanes to opposing quarterbacks.
Another shocker in the first round took place when the Minnesota Vikings selected University of Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. Banks is 6-foot-6 and weighs 330 lbs with 35-inch arms, simply put — he is a monster. He has shown potential as a pass rusher given his size and speed, but he has struggled with left foot injuries over the past year. Whenever a player injures part of their lower body, there is always a fear that the injury may linger, but when a player of Banks’ height and weight injures part of their lower body, it becomes something the team has to constantly monitor throughout the season.
The same can be said of the Raiders’ fourth round pick, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, cornerback Jermod McCoy. Prior to the draft, McCoy was considered to be one of the top corners available, but knee injuries lowered his stock. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer recently shared that teams were more concerned about McCoy’s knee staying healthy rather than his playing time next season. McCoy is healthy now and has the chance to prove to the Raiders he can be a franchise player.
The ‘26 NFL Draft was filled with oddities as well as astonishment. It is always fun to see where the top prospects land on draft day, but this year was littered with excitement as teams reached for players and consensus players fell to ideal situations. Now that the draft has concluded, it is time to see how these players contribute to their respective teams.
