2026 NFL Draft grades: Will Rams Regret Taking Ty Simpson No. 13 Overall?

Rang: An ideal fit for the Raiders both from a physical and intangible perspective, Mendoza isn’t just the right pick, he’s the perfect one. His prototypical size, pre- and post-snap recognition and accuracy from both the pocket and on the move should make him a star in Klint Kubiak’s offense. Even better, Mendoza has composure on and off the field needed for a team based in a city with the many, varied distractions of Las Vegas. 

Grade: A

Rang: Bailey: Finishing dead last in the AFC in sacks, the Jets made the right choice to add this year’s top pass-rusher. Bailey’s burst and bend off the edge is elite. He is a realistic Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate who projects as a 10-plus sack-a-year difference-maker. 

Grade: A

Rang: Throw out the narrative about positional value, Love’s ability to immediately boost Mike LaFleur’s offense justifies this selection. Frankly, GM Monti Ossenfort needed a slam dunk and Love should provide it. His creativity, elusiveness and breakaway speed have earned comparisons to NFL superstars like Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson from scouts traveling through South Bend for the past two years. Critics, of course, have a point about the fact that drafting a running back this year comes with zero salary relief — something that typically occurs with rookies. Love could be the best running back in the NFL next year, but the Cardinals will already be paying him close to that, regardless. 

Grade: B+

Rang: It’s our first “upset” of the night, but two people certainly not upset with this selection are Titans quarterback Cam Ward and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Head coach Robert Saleh and Daboll were both fired from recent head-coaching positions because their respective offenses struggled to score. Tate isn’t an elite athlete, but his frame, speed and tracking skills help him project as a legitimate No. 1 candidate. 

Grade: B+

Rang: This is a fascinating selection for the Giants, as Reese gives the Giants as formidable a trio of edge rushers as there is in the NFL, teaming, of course, with recent top-10 selections Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Reese’s ability to play the off-ball linebacker position, as well as project as a dynamic pass-rusher gives head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson an awful lot of flexibility. And unlike some of the coaches who passed on Reese, Harbaugh has the security to give him time to develop.  

Grade: A-

Rang: I love the Chiefs’ bold decision to trade up for Delane, who would not have lasted until No. 9 overall given the way the board changed once the Titans surprisingly took wideout Carnell Tate. While the gap between Delane and the No. 2 cornerback isn’t quite as big as it is at the QB and RB positions, he is unquestionably the best corner in this class and the Chiefs desperately needed to address this position. 

Grade: A

Rang: Both in Seattle and most recently in Washington, Dan Quinn was blessed to have future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner at middle linebacker. Remarkably, Quinn will now have an even better athlete in the middle of his Commanders defense in Styles. There are only a few linebackers in NFL history with Styles’ combination of size and speed — Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher comes to mind. Washington needed to find an alpha on defense and Styles should prove to be that immediately. 

Grade: A

Rang: GM Mickey Loomis has never been one to shy from aggressive picks, and the selection of Tyson is certainly that. Critics will point out his struggles with durability, but his tape is excellent. This is a pick about potential, but also an affirmation of Tyler Shough and head coach Kellen Moore. If Tyson stays healthy, he’ll be a star — that’s a significant “if” though, capping this grade. 

Grade: B 

Rang: The Browns desperately needed to find a left tackle and a wide receiver from this draft, and with the top two wideouts already off the board, Cleveland’s choice was clear. It will be fascinating to see how well Fano plays in comparison to Tyson — who, of course, the Browns traded away the opportunity to draft. Fano’s size and agility should make him the Browns’ day one starter at left tackle. 

Grade: B

Rang: Mauigoa starred at right tackle for The U, but I believe the Giants will move him inside to right guard. His girth and power make him an ideal fit for New York, a club looking to adopt the run-heavy attack John Harbaugh preferred at Baltimore. I actually like this fit even better than Spencer Fano in Cleveland one pick earlier — despite the left tackle position being more valued than interior blockers. 

Grade: A

Rang: The Cowboys allowed an NFC-worst 35 passing touchdowns a year ago, and Downs is the player in this draft best equipped to fix that issue. His remarkable instincts and speed were obvious since his true freshman season, and they’re why I had him as the best player in this draft. Critics will argue that Downs didn’t generate enough big plays, but smart quarterbacks simply stopped throwing the ball anywhere near him. The Cowboys needed a new sheriff in the secondary and they just got him. 

Grade: A

Rang: The pending retirement of Jimmy Garoppolo meant that the Rams would be looking to this draft for a backup quarterback, but to take Simpson at No. 13 is bold, indeed. There is no denying that he is a good fit in Sean McVay’s offense — he was listed as such in my best NFL team fits for each of this year’s QBs — but this is easily the gutsiest pick of the first round thus far. This is obviously a move made for the long term. But I can’t help but wonder if the Rams, presumably Super Bowl contenders in 2026, will later wish they’d selected a player likelier to make an immediate impact. Of course, if Simpson ultimately pans out, Les Snead and McVay will once again be proven geniuses. ‘

Grade: B