NFL Draft first-round recap: Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1, Rams take QB Ty Simpson
A wild first round saw Fernando Mendoza go No. 1 and the Rams land Ty Simpson, plus plenty of big swings and standout moments across Night 1.
Video Transcript
The 2026 NFL Draft started right on track with Fernando Mendoza going first overall, as expected, to the Las Vegas Raiders, and then the surprises started.
The New York Jets were deciding between edge rushers David Bailey and Arvelle Rees, and went with Bailey, as the late intel indicated.
Next up, the Arizona Cardinals took running back Jeremiah Love out of Notre Dame.
Then at number four, the Tennessee Titans acquired a weapon for quarterback Cam Ward, the top pick in last year's draft, by taking Ohio State wide-out Carnell Tate.
That left New York Giants with Arvelle Rees at number five, and the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to number six to take cornerback Mansur Delaney to replenish their depleted secondary.
Perhaps the Dallas Cowboys got the steal of the draft by moving up from twelfth to eleventh and snagging OSU safety Kaleb Downs.
But the biggest surprise of the night came at number thirteen overall, when the Los Angeles Rams drafted who they hope will be their QB of the future in Alabama's Ty Simpson.
Just fifteen collegiate starts for Simpson, who had some promising tape, but not necessarily the track record, and will be a project for head coach Sean McVay.
Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain, one of the most polarizing prospects due to his arm length and the revelation of his involvement in a fatal car crash two years ago, was widely projected to be a top ten pick until the last week or so, and finally came off the board at fifteen overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who desperately need some pass rush help.
But of the first twenty picks, thirteen were offensive players.
