Nfl Draft 2026: Mendoza Goes No 1 As Rams Surprise With Move For Qb Ty Simpson At No 13

The communicative of nan first information of nan 2026 NFL draft surrounded a backmost but it wasn’t No 1 wide prime Fernando Mendoza.

As expected, nan Las Vegas Raiders selected Mendoza pinch nan first prime connected Thursday aft he led Indiana to nan nationalist title past season. But nan daze of nan nighttime came erstwhile nan Los Angeles Rams picked different quarterback, Alabama’s Ty Simpson, astatine No 13. The Rams existent starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford, was named NFL MVP past season and Simpson was projected to beryllium a second-round prime by galore analysts. However, Stafford turned 38 successful February and nan Rams are starting to scheme for life without him, though caput coach Sean McVay insisted nan seasoned will stay nan starter for nan clip being. “This is Matthew’s team,” said McVay.

He added that Stafford had been “great” erstwhile told nan Rams were drafting Simpson. “He’s a stud,” McVay said. “I mean, he’s ever first people successful each consciousness of nan word.”

Simpson started conscionable 15 games successful assemblage but he exuded assurance aft nan Rams selected him.

“Absolutely, I americium confident,” Simpson said. “That’s why I decided to travel [to nan draught successful person]. You cognize pinch nan violative infrastructure we had successful Alabama pinch different coaches and nan violative system, nan weight room, everything was group up to amended you for nan NFL. And that’s why I stayed astatine ’Bama.”

With McVay connected his broadside and Stafford to study from for astatine slightest nan adjacent play aliases two, his caller squad are giving him a agelong leash to develop, a bully scheme for a subordinate whom galore doubted could commencement early.

Meanwhile, Mendoza wasn’t successful Pittsburgh for nan festivities, choosing alternatively to observe pinch family and friends astatine location successful Miami. He’ll beryllium heading to Las Vegas connected Friday to statesman an NFL profession that whitethorn person seemed improbable erstwhile fewer colleges were willing successful him coming retired of precocious school.

“The past 5 months person been specified a blessing by God, and I can’t convey Him enough,” Mendoza said. “I’m conscionable looking guardant to getting to work, beryllium it astatine nan adjacent level. College was fantastic. I’m truthful blessed to person that career, but now I measurement into a awesome game, nan NFL. Look guardant to proving and earning it each azygous day.”

Mendoza wasn’t moreover a salient imaginable astatine this clip past year. But he had a sensational play pinch nan Hoosiers, completing 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and conscionable six interceptions. Still, location are plentifulness of doubts astir him successful a quarterback-thin draught class. He’s wished to beryllium immoderate critics incorrect again.

Mendoza’s action was expected for months. The intrigue began astatine No 2 pinch nan New York Jets, who selected Texas Tech separator rusher David Bailey complete Ohio State separator Arvell Reese. The Jets had 2 further picks successful nan first round, utilizing them connected violative weapons. The Jets selected nan apical tight extremity successful nan draught astatine No 16, taking Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. They later traded pinch nan 49ers to return Indiana wideout Omar Cooper Jr astatine No 30, drafting large cheers from their fans successful nan crowd.

David Bailey was nan 2nd subordinate picked connected Thursday. Photograph: Gene J Puskar/AP

The Giants took Reese astatine No 5, adding a imaginable elite rusher little than a week aft trading three-time Pro Bowl protect tackle Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati. “It’s surreal to me,” Bailey said. “It’s an awesome opportunity. I conscionable want to get successful location and beryllium a sponge and soak up everything.”

Arizona took Notre Dame moving backmost Jeremiyah Love pinch nan 3rd pick. Love is nan highest moving backmost selected since Saquon Barkley went No 2 to nan New York Giants successful 2018.

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate was picked 4th by Tennessee successful a astonishment move that gives QB Cam Ward – past year’s No 1 wide prime – a apical target.

The Chiefs traded up to No 6 to return LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Kansas City sent Cleveland nan ninth prime on pinch Nos 74 and 148 to move up. Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles went seventh to Washington, improving a defense that allowed nan astir yards successful nan convention past season.

New Orleans selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson astatine No 8, giving QB Tyler Shough a 1-2 punch pinch Chris Olave. Utah’s Spencer Fano was nan first violative lineman chosen, going to Cleveland pinch nan ninth pick. The Giants followed up pinch different violative tackle, taking Miami’s Francis Mauigoa astatine No 10.

The Cowboys moved up 1 spot to prime versatile Ohio State information Caleb Downs astatine No 11. Dallas sent Miami a brace of fifth-rounders and nan 12th pick. The Dolphins took Alabama violative tackle Kadyn Proctor. Baltimore chose Penn State defender Olaivavega Ioane astatine No 14 pinch a prime they had traded to nan Raiders for Maxx Crosby but regained erstwhile they voided nan trade.

Miami separator rusher Rueben Bain Jr was selected by Tampa Bay pinch nan 15th pick, giving nan Buccaneers’ dismal walk unreserved a imaginable game-changer who was considered a top-10 talent.

“I cognize I’m nan champion successful nan country,” Bain said. “I tin do thing I put my mind to because of my mindset.”

Detroit moved up 1 spot to return Clemson violative tackle Blake Miller pinch nan 17th pick. The Lions swapped picks pinch section rival Minnesota, who chose Florida protect tackle Caleb Banks. Georgia violative tackle Monroe Freeling, erstwhile expected to beryllium a top-10 pick, was chosen by Carolina astatine No 19.

The Eagles moved up to 20th successful different prime switch involving section rivals and took USC wideout Makai Lemon. Dallas sewage Philadelphia’s 23rd prime positive 2 fourth-rounders for No 20 and a seventh. Lemon thought he was heading to nan Steelers.

“Pittsburgh called maine and I thought they were going to draught maine and past nan Eagles called astatine nan aforesaid time. I conjecture it was meant to be. I’m ace excited to beryllium successful Philly,” Lemon said.

Mendoza is nan 4th consecutive backmost selected No. 1 wide pursuing Cam Ward, Caleb Williams and Bryce Young. It’s nan 10th clip successful 12 years a QB was nan first pick. None of those 10 person won a Super Bowl, though Jared Goff and Joe Burrow each started one.