2026 NFL Draft Winners and Losers: Ty Simpson Shocks, Raiders Play It Safe, and the NFL Wins Big

The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and it delivered everything fans have come to expect: chaos, genius, and a few head-scratching moments. Over three days, 257 players heard their names called, with a record-breaking crowd packing the stands in Pittsburgh and millions more watching from home. The event continues to grow into a global spectacle, and this year’s edition was no exception.

There were no surprises with the Las Vegas Raiders at number one overall, but the Los Angeles Rams threw a curveball that left analysts scrambling. Meanwhile, the New York Jets and New York Giants actually looked competent—a sentence rarely typed in the same breath. British involvement added a transatlantic flavor, while the host city of Pittsburgh reminded everyone why it remains a football mecca.

So, after 257 selections, which franchises and players walked away as winners, and who is left licking their wounds? Let’s break it down.

Winner: The NFL and Host City Pittsburgh

Let’s start with the big picture. The NFL continues to prove that the draft is a year-round cultural event, not just a personnel exercise. A record crowd descended on Pittsburgh, and the city delivered. From the iconic stage set against the backdrop of the Allegheny River to the fan festivals that turned the downtown area into a football carnival, Pittsburgh showed why it is one of the league’s most passionate markets.

The league also scored a major win with UK involvement. For the second consecutive year, a British prospect was drafted, and this time it was a defensive end from London who went in the fourth round to the Chicago Bears. The NFL’s international expansion is no longer a gimmick; it’s a pipeline. The global audience for the draft grew by 12% year-over-year, and the Pittsburgh crowd was notably louder than in recent years.

Prediction: Expect the 2027 draft to break attendance records again, likely in a city like Nashville or Denver. The NFL has turned draft weekend into a Super Bowl-level tourism event.

Loser: The “Consensus” Mock Drafts

If there was one clear loser from the 2026 NFL Draft, it was the collective wisdom of the mock draft industry. For months, analysts had Ty Simpson slotted as a mid-to-late second-round pick. Then the Los Angeles Rams stepped to the podium at pick No. 19 and shocked the football world.

The Rams selected Simpson, a quarterback from Alabama, in the first round. The pick was met with a mix of gasps and applause in the crowd. Simpson has the arm talent and mobility that modern offenses crave, but he was widely considered a project. Rams general manager Les Snead, never one to shy away from a gamble, saw something others missed.

Why it’s a loser moment for the experts: The draft is supposed to be predictable at the top, but Simpson’s selection shattered every board. It also puts immense pressure on the Rams’ coaching staff to develop him quickly. If Simpson flops, this pick will haunt Los Angeles for years. But if he becomes a star, Snead will be hailed as a genius. For now, the mock drafters have egg on their faces.

Bullet points on the Ty Simpson gamble:

• Risk: Simpson started only 14 games in college, with inconsistent accuracy against top SEC defenses.
• Reward: His mobility and deep-ball touch are elite. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the combine.
• Fit: The Rams have a strong offensive line and a creative play-caller in Sean McVay, which could mask Simpson’s early growing pains.

Winner: The Las Vegas Raiders (and Their Fans)

There was zero drama at the top. The Las Vegas Raiders held the number one overall pick, and they used it exactly as expected: selecting Edge rusher Jeremiah “The Hammer” Hawkins from Georgia. Hawkins is a generational talent—6-foot-5, 265 pounds, with a first step that makes offensive tackles look like they are moving in slow motion.

This pick was a win for three reasons. First, it fills a glaring need for a Raiders team that managed only 28 sacks last season. Second, it avoids the temptation to reach for a quarterback in a weak QB class. Third, it gives the Raiders a marketable star in a city that thrives on spectacle. Hawkins’ jersey was the top seller on draft night within two hours of the selection.

Expert analysis: The Raiders have been mocked for reaching in past drafts. This time, they stayed disciplined. Hawkins is the safest pick in the entire draft. He is a day-one starter who should immediately transform a mediocre defensive front. Las Vegas might still be a year away from playoff contention, but this is the foundation piece they needed.

Prediction: Hawkins will win Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is that good.

Winner: The New York Jets and New York Giants

Stop the presses. The New York Jets and New York Giants both had good drafts. This is not a typo. For a city that has endured decades of draft-day disasters (remember the Jets taking a safety in the top 10 in 2023?), this year felt different.

The Jets traded down twice in the first round, accumulating extra picks, and still landed Cornerback D.J. Montgomery from Ohio State—a top-10 talent who fell due to a minor hamstring injury. In the second round, they grabbed Offensive Guard Marcus Chen from Michigan, a mauler in the run game who will protect their aging quarterback.

The Giants also played the board perfectly. They stayed put at pick No. 7 and selected Wide Receiver Tyler “Speedy” Gonzalez from Texas. Gonzalez is a deep threat with 4.29 speed, giving their offense a vertical element it has lacked since Odell Beckham Jr. left town. In the third round, they added a versatile linebacker from Notre Dame who can cover tight ends—a massive weakness in 2025.

Why this is a big deal: The New York media market is ruthless. A bad draft can poison a franchise for years. But both teams addressed clear needs, avoided reaching for quarterbacks, and added value in the middle rounds. For once, the Big Apple is celebrating.

Bullet points on the New York turnaround:

• Jets: Three picks in the top 75, all graded as “A” by most analysts.
• Giants: Gonzalez gives them a legitimate WR1. He will immediately open up the run game.
• Shared success: Both teams avoided the “cute” picks that have sunk them in the past. They took football players, not workout warriors.

Loser: The Quarterback Class of 2026

It was a brutal year to need a quarterback. Only two signal-callers went in the first round: Ty Simpson (Rams) and Kyle Henderson (Tennessee Titans, pick No. 11). Henderson is a solid prospect—accurate, smart, but limited arm strength. He will likely be a game manager. The rest of the QB class slid deep into Day 2, with the fifth quarterback not coming off the board until the fourth round.

This is a stark contrast to the 2024 and 2025 drafts, which were loaded with top-tier passers. Teams that desperately needed a quarterback—like the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints—opted to trade for veterans or wait until next year. The Panthers, holding the No. 8 pick, traded down three times and ended up with a haul of future picks, essentially punting on the QB position until 2027.

Expert analysis: The 2026 quarterback class is the weakest since 2022. Henderson will start immediately for Tennessee, but he is a low-ceiling prospect. Simpson is the only one with star potential, but he is raw. If you are a team without a franchise QB, you are praying for a top-three pick in 2027.

Prediction: At least three teams will tank for the 2027 QB class, which is already being hyped as the best in a decade.

Winner: The Underdog Story (Late-Round Gems)

Every draft has its Cinderella stories, and 2026 delivered. The Seattle Seahawks found a gem in the sixth round: Running Back Jamal “Juice” Robinson from a Division II school in Georgia. Robinson ran for 2,200 yards last season and broke seven tackles per game. He is a bowling ball with surprising speed, and Seattle’s analytics department flagged him as a hidden value.

Another late-round winner is Kicker Ethan Walsh from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round. Walsh made 24 of 26 field goals last year, including four from beyond 50 yards. In a league where kickers win or lose games, this could be the steal of the draft.

Why this matters: The draft is not just about the first round. Championships are built in the fourth round and beyond. The Seahawks and Cowboys both added players who could contribute immediately as role players, proving that scouting depth matters more than ever.

Bullet points on late-round steals:

• Seahawks: Robinson is a physical runner who wears down defenses. He could be the goal-line back by Week 6.
• Cowboys: Walsh has a stronger leg than their current kicker. Expect a training camp battle.
• Bengals: Drafted a long-snapper from Harvard in the sixth round. Special teams matter.

Conclusion: The Draft That Defied Expectations

The 2026 NFL Draft will be remembered as the year the Rams went rogue, the Raiders played it smart, and the New York teams finally got it right. It was a draft that reminded us why we love this sport: because nothing is predictable. The record crowd in Pittsburgh, the surge in UK talent, and the sheer drama of Ty Simpson’s first-round selection all combined to make this a memorable weekend.

But the real winners and losers won’t be decided for another two or three years. The draft is just the first chapter. Now, the work begins. Training camps open in July, and the rookies will have to prove they belong. For every Ty Simpson who was drafted too high, there is a Jamal Robinson waiting to prove the scouts wrong. That is the beauty of the NFL Draft.

For the 32 teams, the Super Bowl chase is already underway. The winners from this draft have a head start. The losers? They will be back in the green room next year, hoping for a different outcome.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.