NFL Draft 2026 winners and losers: Giants, Cowboys double-down in first round; Rams stun with Ty Simpson pick
The first 32 picks are in the books, but who won Round 1? Bill Bender identifies winners and loser from Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft 2026 winners and losers: Giants, Cowboys double-down in first round; Rams stun with Ty Simpson pick originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The 2026 NFL Draft featured a handful of unexpected moves.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza was not one of those surprise picks. The Las Vegas Raiders selected Mendoza as their next franchise quarterback with the No. 1 pick in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
Mendoza led Indiana to the College Football Playoff championship and was the most decorated player in college football. Who were the other players who might have been considered the best player in the draft? We're talking about Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
The Cardinals drafted Love with the No. 3 pick, and Dallas traded up to get Downs with the No. 11 pick.
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