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 informed me. “After which there have been a number of alternatives behind the Rams. Matter of reality, as we have 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 have been contacting him. And that’s truthful, as a result of all that issues now’s that Ty is a Ram.
Ty Simpson reacts after being chosen thirteenth total by the Los Angeles Rams within the inexperienced room through 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 recognized. He grew up writing essays in class 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 taking part in professional soccer and was … cautiously optimistic.
“Similar to all youngsters, you sort of say, ‘OK, that’s nice.’ You encourage them, however you understand that’s in all probability not going to occur,” she informed me.
However Ty realized that dream on Thursday evening — with that cellphone name.
“To see that truly come via and are available to fruition, it has been unbelievable,” Julie stated. “It’s one thing that you really want each mother or father 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 excellent spot. It’s the place any QB would hope to land. Simpson will not play instantly, 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 a terrific match for Ty and can convey out his greatest as a participant and sometime as a frontrunner.”
A lot was product of 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 workforce’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 informed 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 via their totally different schemes, I’m simply elated for Ty to work with him,” Jason informed me.
Simpson will compete for the backup job with Stetson Bennett, per McVay. However in all probability not for lengthy. Simpson battled his method to the highest of the Alabama depth chart, and when Stafford decides to retire from soccer, Simpson will likely be prepared.
Growth is in his DNA.
“That is a discovered talent,” Jason stated. “Some guys can pout [if they’re not playing]. They are not gathering info. They are not taking part in 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 locally 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 large social gathering started, he informed 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 via the primary spherical on Thursday, Lemon was on the cellphone with the Steelers.
“Makai, it’s Omar from the Steelers,” GM Omar Khan stated, 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 midst of the dialog with Khan, Lemon noticed he had one other incoming name.
“Wait, why is Philly calling me?” Lemon stated — to Khan.
Then Lemon’s agent, Ian Grutman, got here working over.
“That is Philly. They only traded for you,” Grutman stated. “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 informed reporters. “When you’ve gotten a participant that you just like — that’s ranked increased in your board than the place you’re selecting — you assume in each choose that he’s going to be chosen. That’s simply how the draft is. You assume that everybody’s considering how you’re.”
Khan additionally answered a query about Lemon — and coping with the shock of shedding his participant whereas the Steelers thought they have been on the clock.
“The draft throws curveballs at you in each spherical,” Khan stated. “Belief me, it occurs all through the draft, some public, some not. Issues simply type of care for themselves.”
Pittsburgh as a substitute took Arizona State deal with Max Iheanachor at twenty first total.
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 achievement. Let’s discuss that record 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 total to land this yr’s prime nook. It was a transfer that, initially, some pundits didn’t like. I cherished it. Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy had first-round potential, however his knee harm made him a tough participant to decide to that top. 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, realizing 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 through the pre-draft course of, admitting to him on draft evening 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 Value
The Seahawks let Tremendous Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III go away in free company. In order that they pulled the set off on Value, who backed up Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, at thirty second total to pair with Zach Charbonnet within the backfield. But it surely feels attainable, given Charbonnet’s inefficiencies final yr, that Value will get to 65% (or extra) of the touches by the tip 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 Value. 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 all the way down to draft in August. That’s as a result of Value 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 record him right here. However the wait will need to have been value it, as a result of the draft weekend ache may spring him onto an incredible profession.
McDonald will discover himself on the identical defensive position 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 workforce’s entrance. It’s a extremely good match, one the place McDonald can thrive.
Ohio State defensive deal with 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 resulting from a cyst in his backbone, per NFL Community. It’ll be an extended path for Nussmeier. However on the very least, he may construct a profession as a longstanding backup. And if he desires extra — to be a QB1 sometime — the Chiefs are among the best groups to assist him get there.
4. EVERYONE’S AFRAID TO SAY
The 2026 Jets’ draft class is harking back to the Browns’ 2017 draft class.
Again in 2017, Cleveland took three gamers in Spherical 1: edge Myles Garrett (first total), security Jabrill Peppers (twenty fifth), tight finish David Njoku (twenty ninth).
Guess what number of video games they received in 2017?
Zero. Zilch. None in anyway.
The subsequent yr, the Browns took quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 total choose. And for a time, there was some actual optimism within the constructing. In the event that they’d caught with Mayfield, perhaps 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 establishing New York in an analogous manner. The Jets picked edge David Bailey (second total), tight finish Kenyon Sadiq (sixteenth) and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (thirtieth). As a result of they solely made 4 whole 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 total 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 assume the Jets will win many video games subsequent yr. They’ll win greater than zero, after all. However I believe they’re going to land within the prime 10 picks once more subsequent yr. I additionally wouldn’t be shocked 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 among the best 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 point out 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”?
Nicely, there’s nobody single recipe. It’s an aggregation of the highest large boards from draft analysts throughout print and digital media. However what number of boards must you embrace? 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 is no such thing as a one singular consensus rating.
There are lots of, which is ironic — truthfully — as a result of there is no such thing as a consensus on easy methods to make a consensus rating.
The thought is to create one thing extra goal in a really subjective course of. But it surely’s nonetheless removed from goal.
Statistically, Lynch has reached on 76% of his picks over the previous 4 years, taking gamers increased 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 total — regardless of fielding commerce calls. Stribling’s consensus rating was eighty fifth, per MockDraftDatabase.com, a website that features 184 large boards, 1,457 mock drafts and 1,442 workforce mocks.
Lynch fielded a query about why he feels assured deviating from the consensus.
“I respect that you just assume that,” he informed reporters. “Relies on whose consensus. We’ve bought 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 any person,” Shanahan stated. “If there’s any person you understand you’re going to soak up 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 neighborhood that can take the gamers they price 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 may be additionally the matter of talking to the prospects — assembly them, interviewing them and taking them out to dinner. In fact, some groups don’t worth that intel, with the Jaguars and Rams principally avoiding that a part of the method altogether. And at last, 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 as if Lynch is making it the rule.
Truthfully, I do take challenge 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 value additional inspection.
