You didn’t have to watch the draft to know that Fernando Mendoza went No. 1 overall. Everyone knew that the Las Vegas Raiders planned to select the Indiana quarterback since he declared for the draft. You porbably saw that the Arizona Cardinals took Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love third overall, the highest draft slot for a running back since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018. And maybe you heard that at 13th overall, the Los Angeles Rams picked Alabama QB Ty Simpson, now the heir apparent to NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
That’s what we’re seeing and hearing at the surface level. But this is “Sound Smart,” where I try to spin forward, dive deeper and think outside the box. If I do my job, you’ll have a better understanding of what really happened in the 2026 NFL Draft.
1. IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW
Ty Simpson was one of the only people not surprised by where he landed.
When Simpson got the life-changing phone call from the Rams, the young quarterback was in the arms of his former offensive lineman, Kadyn Proctor.
And it was because of that hug that Simpson nearly missed the call from the Rams.
The NFL put Proctor and Simpson, both Alabama prospects, next to each other in the green room during the draft in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. When the Miami Dolphins picked Proctor at 12th overall, he and Simpson locked in a massive hug. Like … literally, this hug was serious. At 6-foot-7, 360 pounds, Proctor doesn’t mess around.
“They about tore down the little divider in between them,” said Jason Simpson, Ty’s father, told me by phone on Sunday. “It was so emotional — like they’d just won a game.”
Ty Simpson goes to hug Kadyn Proctor after the Alabama defensive lineman was selected 12th overall by the Dolphins in the 2026 NFL Draft. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Speaking to everyone who knows Simpson, you hear all the time about how much he cares about his teammates. But it’s hard to quantify that dedication to his peers. Well, this was one example, with Simpson — knowing he could go to L.A. at No. 13 — making sure to celebrate with his teammate and without his phone.
That’s when Tyler Booker, Ty’s best friend and current Cowboys guard, started trying to get Simpson’s attention. Simpson’s agent, Ryan Tollner, called for the QB even louder.
“Your phone!” they said. “Pick up your phone!”
Rams GM Les Snead was waiting. He wanted a word with Simpson.
“That was about as cool a thing as I’ve probably ever seen and been a part of,” Jason said.
For most, it was the surprise of the draft. But not for the Simpsons.
Prior to entering the NFL Draft, Simpson made one thing clear to his father. He only wanted to enter the draft if he was going to be a first-round pick. So Jason, head football coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin, began to connect with NFL GMs — roughly 10 in total. Snead was one of many executives who told Jason they anticipated Simpson going in Round 1. And so the Alabama product declared for the draft with confidence, bypassing millions in NIL money to return to college.
That confidence only grew throughout the process, which led the family to attend the draft in Pittsburgh.
“We had multiple conversations with multiple teams for him to go potentially even earlier [than 13th],” Jason advised me. “After which there have been a number of alternatives behind the Rams. Matter of reality, as we had been sitting there within the draft room, I used to be getting texts: ‘Is he going to the Rams at 13? If not, that is what’s about to occur.'”
Jason wouldn’t expose which groups had been contacting him. And that’s honest, as a result of all that issues now could be that Ty is a Ram.
Ty Simpson reacts after being chosen thirteenth general by the Los Angeles Rams within the inexperienced room throughout the first spherical of the NFL Draft. (Photograph by Michael Owens/Getty Photographs)
In a technique, Simpson is like each soccer participant you’ve ever identified. He grew up writing essays at school about how he was going to develop up and play within the NFL. Even his mom, Julie Simpson, admitted she learn his third-grade essay about enjoying professional soccer and was … cautiously optimistic.
“Similar to all children, you type of say, ‘OK, that’s nice.’ You encourage them, however you realize that’s in all probability not going to occur,” she advised me.
However Ty realized that dream on Thursday night time — with that cellphone name.
“To see that really come by means of and are available to fruition, it has been unbelievable,” Julie mentioned. “It’s one thing that you really want each guardian to expertise.”
And maybe that is solely the start, with many extra particular moments to come back. For a man like Simpson, who would profit from a yr or two of improvement as a backup, the Rams are absolutely the good spot. It’s the place any QB would hope to land. Simpson will not play immediately, with Matthew Stafford there. However McVay, among the many brightest offensive minds within the historical past of the sport, could have a agency hand in guiding Simpson’s improvement.
“He’s very excited to be there with Coach McVay and part of the tradition and offensive system there in L.A.,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer texted me Sunday. “It’s an excellent match for Ty and can carry out his finest as a participant and sometime as a frontrunner.”
A lot was made from how McVay performed his press convention after Spherical 1, with the usually enthusiastic coach showing subdued. However the backside line is that McVay wished Simpson. It’s simply that McVay needed to be cautious about managing expectations — and honoring the group’s present QB1, 38-year-old Stafford.
Stafford was one of many many individuals who spoke with Simpson when he toured the Rams’ facility this weekend. Simpson additionally heard from receiver Puka Nacua. And Jason advised me he was a fly on the wall for a few of McVay’s conversations with Simpson.
“Sean — he was simply unimaginable. To see him speaking Ty by means of their totally different schemes, I’m simply elated for Ty to work with him,” Jason advised me.
Simpson will compete for the backup job with Stetson Bennett, per McVay. However in all probability not for lengthy. Simpson battled his option to the highest of the Alabama depth chart, and when Stafford decides to retire from soccer, Simpson can be prepared.
Improvement is in his DNA.
“That is a realized talent,” Jason mentioned. “Some guys can pout [if they’re not playing]. They don’t seem to be gathering data. They don’t seem to be enjoying the sport of their head till they get the chance. And that is one factor I feel Ty did very properly till he was named a starter.”
On Sunday, the Simpson household went to church collectively after which hosted a celebration to thank these in the neighborhood who helped the younger QB get the place he’s right this moment. And the place is he right this moment?
Throwing.
Simply hours earlier than his massive social gathering started, he advised his dad: “Hey, we have to go throw within the morning.”
2. PEELING BACK THE CURTAIN
Makai Lemon was on the cellphone with the Steelers when the Eagles traded as much as steal him away.
The NFL is like actuality TV. However the NFL Draft really is actuality TV.
What occurred to USC All-American receiver Makai Lemon was stranger than fiction.
Roughly midway by means of the primary spherical on Thursday, Lemon was on the cellphone with the Steelers.
“Makai, it’s Omar from the Steelers,” GM Omar Khan mentioned, through NFL Community. “How are ya?”
Spoiler: Lemon will not be carrying the Steelers’ emblem in 2026. The Eagles weren’t going to let that occur. They traded with the Cowboys, a divisional rival, to get into place to take Lemon earlier than Pittsburgh may.
So in the course of the dialog with Khan, Lemon noticed he had one other incoming name.
“Wait, why is Philly calling me?” Lemon mentioned — to Khan.
Then Lemon’s agent, Ian Grutman, got here working over.
“That is Philly. They simply traded for you,” Grutman mentioned. “Philly’s taking you proper now.”
On the finish of the primary spherical, the Eagles’ management spoke to the media in regards to the choice — and GM Howie Roseman fielded a query about leaping previous the Steelers.
“We simply felt like this was a participant we wished to go up and get,” Roseman advised reporters. “When you’ve got a participant that you just like — that’s ranked greater in your board than the place you’re choosing — you suppose in each choose that he’s going to be chosen. That’s simply how the draft is. You suppose that everybody’s considering how you might be.”
Khan additionally answered a query about Lemon — and coping with the shock of shedding his participant whereas the Steelers thought they had been on the clock.
“The draft throws curveballs at you in each spherical,” Khan mentioned. “Belief me, it occurs all through the draft, some public, some not. Issues simply type of deal with themselves.”
Pittsburgh as an alternative took Arizona State sort out Max Iheanachor at twenty first general.
3. THE FIVE LUCKIEST PLAYERS IN THE 2026 DRAFT
Each draft, there are gamers who land in spots the place they must overcome an pointless variety of obstacles to realize success. And each draft, some guys are immediately arrange for fulfillment. Let’s speak about that listing of prospects for whom issues fell into place this yr.
Rams QB Ty Simpson — See the No. 1 remark.
Chiefs CB Mansoor Delane
The Chiefs traded up from eighth to sixth general to land this yr’s prime nook. It was a transfer that, initially, some pundits didn’t like. I beloved it. Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy had first-round potential, however his knee harm made him a tough participant to decide to that prime. That meant just one CB had a first-round grade: Delane. So in a draft that lacked premium gamers at premium positions, the Chiefs moved as much as get who they wished, understanding full properly that Delane was the one participant of his caliber at his place.
Kansas Metropolis was so set on taking Delane that the Chiefs deliberately ignored him throughout the pre-draft course of, admitting to him on draft night time that they’d uncared for him as a result of they wished him. They actually wished him on Steve Spagnuolo’s protection. Delane is able to begin. And the Chiefs will slot him right into a spot the place he will do properly from day one.
Seahawks RB Jadarian Worth
The Seahawks let Tremendous Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III depart in free company. So that they pulled the set off on Worth, who backed up Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, at thirty second general to pair with Zach Charbonnet within the backfield. However it feels attainable, given Charbonnet’s inefficiencies final yr, that Worth will get to 65% (or extra) of the touches by the top of the yr.
It was a draft class devoid of working again expertise, which was why the Seahawks took him in Spherical 1, apparently involved on the drop-off previous Worth. So not solely is he fortunate to land in Spherical 1, however he’s fortunate to land with a run-first offense and Tremendous Bowl champion. He’ll be widespread in fantasy soccer circles when everybody sits right down to draft in August. That’s as a result of Worth has a novel alternative, given his draft place, his touchdown spot and — after all — his expertise.
Texans DT Kayden McDonald
He was the one prospect who attended the draft however didn’t get chosen in Spherical 1. I’m positive that damage. And so it’s in all probability bizarre for me to listing him right here. However the wait should have been price it, as a result of the draft weekend ache may spring him onto an amazing profession.
McDonald will discover himself on the identical line of defense with Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Even higher, the Ohio State product will work beneath coach DeMeco Ryans, who should love McDonald’s match within the group’s entrance. It’s a extremely good match, one the place McDonald can thrive.
Ohio State defensive sort out Kayden McDonald was emotional after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the thirty sixth choose of the 2026 draft. (Photograph by Michael Owens/Getty Photographs)
Chiefs QB Garrett Nussmeier
Presently final yr, analysts puzzled if LSU’s QB may land in Spherical 1. However Nussmeier fell all the way in which to the seventh spherical, the place he’ll compete for the Chiefs’ QB3 spot. His fall was largely because of a cyst in his backbone, per NFL Community. It’ll be a protracted path for Nussmeier. However on the very least, he may construct a profession as a longstanding backup. And if he needs extra — to be a QB1 sometime — the Chiefs are the most effective groups to assist him get there.
4. EVERYONE’S AFRAID TO SAY
The 2026 Jets’ draft class is paying homage to the Browns’ 2017 draft class.
Again in 2017, Cleveland took three gamers in Spherical 1: edge Myles Garrett (first general), security Jabrill Peppers (twenty fifth), tight finish David Njoku (twenty ninth).
Guess what number of video games they gained in 2017?
Zero. Zilch. None by any means.
The following yr, the Browns took quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 general choose. And for a time, there was some actual optimism within the constructing. In the event that they’d caught with Mayfield, possibly there would nonetheless be some optimism within the constructing. However they did not.
So this 2026 class is fascinating for the Jets, as a result of I feel it’s organising New York in an analogous method. The Jets picked edge David Bailey (second general), tight finish Kenyon Sadiq (sixteenth) and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (thirtieth). As a result of they solely made 4 complete choices, we’d as properly lump in cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, the Jets’ second-rounder who was a beloved member of the nationwide championship-winning Indiana protection.
David Bailey poses after being chosen second general by the New York Jets throughout Spherical 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. (Photograph by Emilee Chinn/Getty Photographs)
[2026 NFL Draft Winners and Losers: Jets Get to Work Changing Their Culture]
I don’t suppose the Jets will win many video games subsequent yr. They’ll win greater than zero, after all. However I think they’re going to land within the prime 10 picks once more subsequent yr. I additionally wouldn’t be stunned if the Colts land within the prime 10 picks — and Indy traded its 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to New York for cornerback Sauce Gardner. And that ought to give the Jets all of the draft capital they should get the most effective quarterbacks within the 2027 class.
The Jets will get their model of Mayfield in 2027.
At that time, it’ll be on the Jets to do what the Browns couldn’t: maintain success and … keep away from self-destruction.
5. MONDAY MORNING CONTROVERSY
49ers GM John Lynch was requested about reaching within the NFL draft yr after yr.
The information is starting to indicate that GM John Lynch has a behavior of reaching on gamers — taking prospects at a draft place that exceeds the consensus rating amongst media members.
What’s a “consensus rating”?
Effectively, there’s nobody single recipe. It’s an aggregation of the highest massive boards from draft analysts throughout print and digital media. However what number of boards must you embody? Which analysts must be included or excluded? Which analysts are utilizing league sources to information them and which analysts are merely utilizing scouting expertise? Due to all these questions, there isn’t a one singular consensus rating.
There are numerous, which is ironic — truthfully — as a result of there isn’t a consensus on find out how to make a consensus rating.
The thought is to create one thing extra goal in a really subjective course of. However it’s nonetheless removed from goal.
Statistically, Lynch has reached on 76% of his picks over the previous 4 years, taking gamers greater than consensus, per Warren Sharp. Lynch’s previous 4 drafts have additionally been significantly weak. On this yr’s class, the 49ers picked Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling at thirty third general — regardless of fielding commerce calls. Stribling’s consensus rating was eighty fifth, per MockDraftDatabase.com, a website that features 184 massive boards, 1,457 mock drafts and 1,442 group mocks.
Lynch fielded a query about why he feels assured deviating from the consensus.
“I admire that you just suppose that,” he advised reporters. “Will depend on whose consensus. We’ve received consensus on this constructing. That’s the consensus that I care about.”
Later within the press convention, whereas answering a distinct query, coach Kyle Shanahan returned to the dialogue of reaching.
“That was one of many coolest issues on this draft — simply so that you just don’t attain on someone,” Shanahan mentioned. “If there’s someone you realize you’re going to absorb that spot and your consensus from all of your homework across the league — not essentially Twitter or media stuff — simply investigating when individuals are going to go.”
It’s a debate of dogma.
There’s a contingent within the draft group that can take the gamers they fee highest, no matter the place different groups rank that very same participant. (Former Patriots coach Invoice Belichick was infamous for this, significantly on the finish of his tenure when he took, for instance, guard Cole Unusual in Spherical 1 in 2022.)
There’s a continent that feels that the league-wide (and media) rankings are an necessary piece of the puzzle.
However as groups make their boards, there are the reason why these boards would look totally different than what the media has. The sheer funds of a entrance workplace permits a GM and his workers to run counterintelligence round what the remainder of the NFL goes to do in a given draft. That might get factored into their draft board. There’s additionally the matter of chatting with the prospects — assembly them, interviewing them and taking them out to dinner. After all, some groups don’t worth that intel, with the Jaguars and Rams principally avoiding that a part of the method altogether. And eventually, there’s the matter of schematic match, with a participant plugging right into a scheme for particular causes — which may make him a misfit elsewhere.
These are outlier conditions. It looks like Lynch is making it the rule.
Actually, I do take concern with the concept of consensus. As a result of there isn’t one.
However whether or not he is “reaching” or not, Lynch’s draft picks have not produced like they need to. And that is price additional inspection.
