The 2026 NFL Draft: Winners and Losers
Now that the 2026 NFL Draft is done and dusted, we break down the winners and losers in the aftermath.
Pittsburgh hosted the 91st NFL Draft in late April, and by the time the Denver Broncos wrapped up proceedings with pick No. 257, the landscape of the entire league had changed considerably. All 257 picks were made across seven rounds, with the Las Vegas Raiders making the first pick and the Broncos the last with linebacker Red Murdock.
The Raiders Finally Have Their Guy
The opening night got off to a predictable start, with the Raiders using their first overall pick to secure Fernando Mendoza. The Indiana quarterback had been the consensus No. 1 prospect for months, and there was no hesitation on the Raiders’ part. He arrives in the desert as the franchise’s long-term answer at quarterback, a position they’ve struggled to fill for years. Whether Mendoza can contribute meaningfully as a rookie remains to be seen.
Arizona Cardinals Gamble on Jeremiyah Love
The most debated pick of the first round was undoubtedly the Cardinals’ selection of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3. Love was considered to be one of the most talented players in the Draft, with no question marks about his ability.
The controversy is less about Love’s talent and more about the fit and value. When a struggling team uses a high pick on a running back, it almost never works out. Of the running backs selected in the top ten over the last two decades, none of them have gone on to win a Super Bowl with the team that drafted them.
Ohio State Dominates the First Round
One storyline that flew under the radar was the volume of Ohio State talent taken in Round 1. The Buckeyes placed four players in the top 11 picks. The Giants took linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5 and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa out of Miami at No. 10; the Commanders secured linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7; and the Cowboys landed safety Caleb Downs at No. 11. Meanwhile, the Jets opened the night by selecting Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2, giving them a ready-made pass rusher to build around.
The Rams Take A Chance on Ty Simpson
The Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13, hoping they had found the eventual successor to Matthew Stafford. It was widely viewed as a stunner, with most analysts projecting Simpson as a second-round prospect. It’s a bold move from the Rams, who are renowned for keeping one eye on the future. Simpson is raw, but he has a high ceiling and could develop into a starter.
Betting Implications
For those who enjoy sports betting online, the aftermath remains one of the most valuable windows on the NFL calendar. Futures markets shift quickly once personnel decisions are made, and the Draft results have already begun to shape Super Bowl and division odds. Mendoza’s arrival in Las Vegas makes the Raiders an intriguing option as a futures bet, while the Cardinals’ Love pick raises questions about how they will fare in the NFC West.
Final Verdict
With all 257 selections complete and post-draft power rankings shifting across the league, the 2026 draft looks deep if not spectacular. The Raiders got their quarterback, the Cardinals took their gamble, and several contenders also improved their rosters. The ones who win in April don’t necessarily win in February, but there’s a lot to debate about it all ahead of the season opener.