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Los Angeles Rams

Rams’ Sean McVay would’ve passed on Ty Simpson if it guaranteed a Super Bowl

When the Los Angeles Rams selected Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, it quite literally changed the fate of multiple other franchises. Suddenly, the Arizona Cardinals had to pivot to Carson Beck in the third round after widely being linked to Simpson as a late first-round trade-up by the […] The post Rams’ Sean McVay would’ve passed on Ty Simpson if it guaranteed a Super Bowl appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Patriots Star Recalls Michael Jordan’s Brutal Super Bowl Pep Talk

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman had a classic story about an NBA legend. He shared the story in a recent episode of the St. Brown Podcast.At this point in time, Edelman and the Patriots were coming off a successful 2014 season. They were ready to face the Seattle Seahawks and Super Bowl […] The post Patriots Star Recalls Michael Jordan’s Brutal Super Bowl Pep Talk appeared first on HEAVY.

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Rams had surprising long-term plan to draft Ty Simpson

The Los Angeles Rams surprised many by drafting quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the NFL Draft. A new report suggests, however, the team had been planning something like this for over a year. The Rams’ plans to draft a quarterback were months in the making, according to Nate Atkins of The … The post Rams had surprising long-term plan to draft Ty Simpson appeared first on Larry Brown Sports.

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Way-too-early 2027 NFL Mock Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is now complete, bringing 257 new drafted players and dozens of other undrafted free agents into the league. And we’ll have plenty of time to talk about them in the three months between now and when training camps open. For now, though, it’s never too early to look ahead to next […] The post Way-too-early 2027 NFL Mock Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Rams bold predictions for 2026 NFL Draft class during rookie season

The Los Angeles Rams are one of the most talked about teams following the 2026 NFL Draft. Los Angeles shocked the league by picking QB Ty Simpson in the first round. That selection was unpopular with Rams fans because the team already has Matthew Stafford, who is one of the best starting quarterbacks in the […] The post Rams bold predictions for 2026 NFL Draft class during rookie season appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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"Felt really bad for him because he stayed on script": Rams GM Les Snead makes his feelings known on Ty Simpson's private meetings before 2026 draft – Sportskeeda

"Felt really bad for him because he stayed on script": Rams GM Les Snead makes his feelings known on Ty Simpson's private meetings before 2026 draft  Sportskeeda

Read more"Felt really bad for him because he stayed on script": Rams GM Les Snead makes his feelings known on Ty Simpson's private meetings before 2026 draft – Sportskeeda

2026 NFL Power Rankings After The Draft — Too Early Or Already Obvious?

With the 2026 NFL Draft in the books and each team’s roster practically set ahead of training camp, it’s time to see how all 32 clubs stack up against one another. With that, let’s dive into our post-draft 2026 NFL power rankings. Which teams soared in the power rankings after the 2026 NFL Draft? 32. Arizona CardinalsJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona Cardinals helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Decide among yourselves if Jeremiyah Love was the right pick for the Cardinals at No. 3 overall. Even if he lives up to his sky-high ceiling, the Cardinals aren’t going anywhere without a quarterback. Looks like they’ll have Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II duke it out. On the bright side, the Redbirds are already in a good spot to get Arch Manning or Dante Moore next year. 31. Las Vegas RaidersAug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A Las Vegas Raiders Riddell speedflex helmet on the field at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The Raiders used the No. 1 pick on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, immediately bringing new long-term hope to Sin City. Of course, he’ll likely begin his career on the bench in favor of Kirk Cousins. Vegas also got excellent value in round four at 101, selecting Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy, who slipped because of health concerns. This rebuild is a significant work in progress, but the Raiders actually appear to be on the right track, at least in the NFL power rankings. For once. 30. Miami DolphinsAug 3, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet on the field during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, and Tyreek Hill are out. Malik Willis, Jalen Tolbert, and Chris Bell are…in? Yeah, it’s a major downgrade for now. The 2026 Dolphins are clearly tanking, and understandably so. Rookie GM Jon-Eric Sullivan reached with both his day-one picks, selecting Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and San Diego State corner Chris Johnson. Both are long-term projects and not necessarily plug-and-play Day 1 starters. Brace yourselves, Dolphins fans. It’s shaping up to be a very long year. 29. New York JetsAug 17, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets helmets during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports The Jets came away with three potential franchise cornerstones in the first round of the draft, snagging Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and Indiana wideout Omar Cooper Jr. Like the Raiders, the rebuild is on a promising track. And as mean as it sounds, having Geno Smith as the QB1 means the Jets are fully planning to tank for a quarterback in next year’s draft. For 2026, the focus is on developing the young guys and seeing if Aaron Glenn really is the right man for the job. 28. Cleveland BrownsNov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Cleveland Browns helmets on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images The Browns had an excellent draft, coming away with Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano and a pair of dazzling wide receiver prospects in Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion and Washington’s Denzel Boston. The problem is, the Browns still don’t have a QB solution. We’re not sold on Shedeur Sanders at this time. Dillon Gabriel isn’t it. And we’re as surprised as you that Deshaun Watson is still on the roster. There’s a lot to like about the young core on both sides of the ball. But the Browns will be picking in the top-10 again next year if they don’t figure out this QB conundrum under first-year head coach Todd Monken. As for now, this is where they stand in the NFL power rankings. 27. Tennessee TitansAug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Tennessee Titans helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports The Titans achieved their main offseason goal of fixing Cam Ward’s supporting cast. Though Wan’Dale Robinson was an overpay in free agency, the super-speedster can only help a passing game that was non-existent a year ago. Tennessee used the No. 4 pick on Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate, giving Ward a bona fide No. 1 receiver. They also bolstered their front seven with the Keldric Faulk and Anthony Hill Jr. selections. Two great value picks there. Tennessee won’t be a playoff team in 2026, but the group looks a lot stronger now under Robert Saleh compared to a year ago under Brian Callahan. 26. Washington CommandersSep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Washington Commanders helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Washington addressed a pressing need by selecting Sonny Styles with its top pick. He headlines a group of newcomers on defense that includes Odafe Oweh, Leo Chenal, Tim Settle, and Amik Robertson. Of course, Washington will only go as far as a healthy Jayden Daniels will take him. If he’s healthy, they’ll compete. If not, it’ll be another lost season in DC. Fingers crossed, Commanders fans. 25. New Orleans SaintsDec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a New Orleans Saints helmet during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images The Saints made Tyler Shough and Chris Olave very happy men when they took Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson with the No. 8 pick. With Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara sharing the backfield, Kellen Moore’s offense has sky-high potential. But will the new-look defense be enough to help New Orleans compete in the wide-open NFC South? Or what about their spot in the NFL power rankings? Stay tuned. 24. New York GiantsGeneral view of a New York Giants helmet (Rich Barnes-Imagn Images) On paper, at least, the Giants look like the biggest 2026 offseason winners. They got themselves a future Hall of Famer at head coach in John Harbaugh. They got Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa with their two first-round picks. More great value was found with the Colton Hood pick at No. 37 overall. New York has fixed up the terrible o-line in front of Jaxson Dart, who welcomes Coach Harbaugh and healthy versions of Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo for 2026. We don’t wanna get too carried away here, but the G-Men already have the makings of a sleeper playoff contender. 23. Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons helmet (Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) The trade-up for James Pearce Jr. a year ago left Atlanta without a 2026 first-round pick. But they found good value with Clemso cornerback Aveion Terrell at No. 48, reuniting him with his older brother, AJ Terrell. With the No. 79 selection, Atlanta brought in local Georgia product Zachariah Branch. If new head coach Kevin Stefanski can unlock either Michael Penix Jr. OR newcomer Tua Tagovailoa, the Falcons can totally make a run at the NFC South crown. 22. Minnesota VikingsJan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Vikings’ biggest offseason move was signing Kyler Murray, who could easily unseat JJ McCarthy as the starting quarterback. After releasing veteran defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, Minny reached big-time for Florida DT Caleb Banks at No. 18. We would have liked more from the Vikings’ brass this offseason, but we suppose they achieved their main objective: bringing in competition for McCarthy. 21. Tampa Bay BuccaneersNov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Widely projected to be a top-10 pick, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. wound up falling to the Bucs at No. 15. They continued adding to the front seven in round two, selecting Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter. The main question, though, is whether the Bucs can withstand the departure of franchise icon Mike Evans. They’ll need a healthy Chris Godwin and a big second year from Emeka Egbuka. Otherwise, the NFC South will stay out of their hands. 20. Indianapolis ColtsDec 1, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; An Indianapolis Colts helmet sits on an equipment case during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images GM Chris Ballard extended Alec Pierce and Daniel Jones, keeping most of the core together.  However, veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. had to be moved to Pittsburgh to clear cap space. They also lost standout edge rusher Kwity Paye and offensive lineman Braden Smith in free agency. Indy didn’t have a first-round pick this year, but they got a steal in Georgia linebacker CJ Allen at 53.  Indy lost more talent than it gained this offseason, thus its low spot in the NFL power rankings. But as we saw last year, they can win the AFC South with a healthy Daniel Jones. They just have to hope last season wasn’t a mirage, and that he’s the latest feel-good QB late bloomer success story. 19. Carolina PanthersCarolina Panthers helmet (Photo By Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) The Panthers had one of the best drafts, assuring their status as the team to beat in the NFC South. Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling fell into their laps at 19. They added another menacing defensive lineman, Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter, at 49. Great value was found with Tennessee wideout Chris Brazzell II at No. 83, too. With a better supporting cast in front of him, it’s time for Bryce Young to reach superstar status. 18. Pittsburgh SteelersSteelers helmet (Photo via Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) Even IF Aaron Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh, it’s hard to see how the Steelers maintain their hold on the AFC North.  Yes, the offense added Rico Dowdle, Michael Pittman Jr., and promising Alabama rookie Germie Bernard. But the o-line is still a question mark, and taking Max Ih eanachor at 21 felt like a massive reach. The defense is no longer in the tier of “elite”, which means more pressure on Rodgers or Mason ‘freaking’ Rudolph. Mike Tomlin may be gone, but Mike McCarthy merely inherits a mushy middle team whose ceiling is a one-and-done playoff team. 17. Cincinnati BengalsDec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the helmet of Cincinnati Bengals long snapper Cal Adomitis (48) during warmups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images After trading the No. 10 pick for ex-Giants star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, the Bengals didn’t have a pick until the top-40. Still, they got day-one value by landing Texas A&M Cashius Howell with the 41st pick. There’s a lot to like about this defense now in the post-Trey Hendrickson era. We know Joe Burrow and the offense will keep Cincy in playoff contention. But can the rebuilt D improve enough to close the gap in the crowded AFC? Or can they improve their standing in the NFL power rankings next season? 16. Los Angeles ChargersAug 12, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers helmets on the bench at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports True to form, Jim Harbaugh’s team prioritized the trenches early. They used their first two picks on Miami linebacker Akheem Mesidor and Florida center Jake Slaughter, with Memphis tackle Travis Burke getting picked up in round four. We know the Bolts are good enough to win in the regular season. Can Justin Herbert get them back to the postseason and finally pick up his first playoff win? That’s the million-dollar question. 15. Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys helmet (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) Say what you want about Jerry Jones, but it’s hard to hate his work as the GM this offseason. After adding Jalen Thompson in free agency and Rashan Gary via trade, he nabbed Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick. UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence was a reach at 23, but he at least brings more depth to the position of need. Jones also kept the offense together by retaining Javonte Williams and George Pickens. If it all comes together, Dallas could reclaim the NFC East throne. Bottom line: They’re a lot deeper now than last year. 14. Green Bay PackersJan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Micah Parsons trade left the Packers without a first-round pick. They used their first three selections on defense, grabbing South Carolina corner Brandon Cisse, Missouri defensive tackle Chris McLellan, and Penn State edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton. Not sure if any of those guys will start, but the Pack needs some contributions from the youngsters. They lost more quality starters in Elgotn Jenkins, Quay Walker, Romeo Doubs, and Rasheed Walker in free agency. Right now, it’s hard to think the Packers are any better than last year’s group that went one-and-done as the No. 7 seed. 13. Detroit LionsHelmet of Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates (not in the photo) before the NFC divisional round between Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders] at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. After using the No. 17 pick on Clemson tackle Blake Miller to replace Taylor Decker, the Lions loaded up on D. Their next three picks were Michigan’s defensive end Derrick Moore, Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder, and Arizona State corner Keith Abney II. Of course, the Lions’ hopes of returning to the postseason rest on better health luck. If it’s on their side, they will re-enter the Super Bowl contention field. 12. Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens helmet (Photo via Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) The Ravens did a good job pivoting away from the nixed Maxx Crosby trade, signing the top free agent pass-rusher in Trey Hendrickson. The pass rush was further bolstered by the selection of Missouri’s Zion Young in round two, keeping in mind that many had him going in the first round. Lamar Jackson had to be happy when the Ravens landed the best interior linemen in this draft, Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane, at No. 14. Add it all up, and Baltimore is unquestionably the team to beat in the AFC North going into 2026. 11. Philadelphia EaglesFeb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of a Philadelphia Eagles helmet during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Presumably, trading up for Makai Lemon was the first big move for the Eagles at wideout. Now, we wait for the reported looming trade that will send AJ Brown to the Patriots. Eagles GM Howie Roseman hasn’t changed his roster too much, and rightfully so. This team won the Super Bowl 15 months ago. They just have to hope the changes on Nick Sirianni’s staff will net positive results. 10. Chicago BearsNov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Chicago Bears helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Defense was the problem last year, so GM Ryan Poles went to work on fixing it. Coby Bryant and Neville Gallimore were added in free agency. Then they used their first-round pick on Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, who adds more talent to a secondary already featuring Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson. A top ten spot in the NFL power rankings is just right, for now. 9. Houston TexansAug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Houston Texans helmet sits on the sidelines during the 4th quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports We all know who the Texans are. Owners of the NFL’s best defense, and a shaky quarterback. Will the real CJ Stroud please stand up? After signing Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller to bolster their o-line, Houston used their first-round pick on Georgia Tech product Keylan Rutledge. It felt like a mega reach, but Houston had an issue there. We’ll see if the o-line makeover finally helps Stroud regain that MVP-like form we saw in 2023. 8. Jacksonville JaguarsNov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmets on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Because of the Travis Hunter trade, the Jags didn’t pick until the 56th spot this year. That pick was used on Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher, adding another much-needed weapon for Trevor Lawrence. Liam Coen led the Jags to 13 wins and a surprise AFC South division crown in year one. The hard part? Repeating that success. The talent is there. Now he’s gotta show it wasn’t a fluke. 7. San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ers helmet (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) After trading out of round one, the 49ers reached big time for Ole Miss wideout De’Zhaun Stribling at No. 33, since they already signed Mike Evans in free agency.  But hey, another receiver doesn’t hurt with Brandon Aiyuk on his way out. The 49ers reached the elite eight last year despite an onslaught of injuries, so GM John Lynch didn’t tink with his roster too much. With better health luck, the 49ers figure to be in the Super Bowl race. 6. Kansas City ChiefsFeb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Kansas City last year. Sorry haters, but a healthy Patrick Mahomes will be enough to put them back in the mix in 2026. And beyond. After trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams, KC moved up to the No. 6 spot to take LSU’s Mansoor Delane. There’s your replacement. You can relax now, Chiefs fans. Just pray there’s better health luck and your team will be just fine. 5. Buffalo BillsJan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; A detailed view of the Buffalo Bills helmet before the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Buffalo addressed its main weakness by landing star wideout DJ Moore in a trade with the Bears. They traded out of the first round but still got a quality player at No. 35 in Clemson defensive end TJ Parker. We all know the Bills always have a chance with Josh Allen. The only question is if Joe Brady is the fresh voice this team needed, or if firing Sean McDermott will go down as an all-time mistake. 4. New England PatriotsPatriots Helmet (Photo By Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports) It was hard to focus on the draft from New England’s side because of the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal. What can we say? The whole thing is just weird and cringeworthy. In case you missed it, the defending AFC champs got great value with Utah tackle Caleb Lomu falling to them at No. 28. Second-round pick Gabe Jacas from Illinois should solidify the pass rush, too. With practically the same core from 2025 returning, the Pats figure to be in the mix for Super Bowl 60. We just don’t know whether Russini will be cheering from the sidelines. K fine, we’ll stop. 3. Denver BroncosOct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports The Broncos only had one pick in the top 100, using the No. 66 selection on Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim. GM George Paton, of course, gave up his first-round pick to land Miami Dolphins star wideout Jaylen Waddle. Not much roster tinkering was needed in Denver. If Bo Nix were healthy, the Broncos would have won the AFC Championship…and potentially Super Bowl 60. This is a championship-caliber roster, and a healthy Nix makes them the team to beat in the AFC. 2. Los Angeles RamsJan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Everyone was surprised when the Rams took Alabama QB Ty Simpson at No. 13 overall. The confusion is warranted, but we suppose it’s a risk the Rams could afford. They shored up their last remaining weakness at cornerback by trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson. The Rams were this-close to reaching the Super Bowl last season. They’re neck-and-neck with every other NFL heavyweight, especially in the power rankings. It’s just about getting a few extra bounces in the postseason. 1. Seattle SeahawksDec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Seattle took Jeremiyah Love’s former Notre Dame backup, Jadarian Price, with its first-round pick. After that, they attacked the secondary by taking TCU safety Bud Clark and Arkansas corner Bud Neal. The defending champs hope that they can replace the championship DNA that Kenneth Walker, Coby Bryant, and Riq Woolen left behind. With most of the core from Super Bowl 60 still intact, the ‘Hawks remain No. 1.

Read more2026 NFL Power Rankings After The Draft — Too Early Or Already Obvious?

The 6 Biggest Reches & 6 Absolute Steals From The 2026 NFL Draft

With the 2026 NFL Draft officially in the books, the countdown is now on for NFL training camp. In the meantime, we can reflect on the 2026 NFL Draft and see which teams reached way too far for certain players, and which ones should go down as big-time steals. Here are the six absolute worst value picks from the 2026 NFL draft, and the six greatest. Who were the best and worst selections in the 2026 NFL Draft? Worst Value Pick: Caleb BanksFeb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks (DL02) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Most expected Banks’ draft stock to fall after suffering a broken bone in his left foot at the NFL Combine. But the Minnesota Vikings weren’t deterred in the slightest, using the No. 18 pick on the Florida defensive tackle. The Vikings needed help at DT after releasing veteran stalwarts Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in cap-sacing moves. Still, this is a classic case of “they could have traded down and gotten their man” later. Look at the next 10 picks after Banks. Who realistically would have targeted Banks there? Minnesota could have accumulated extra draft picks to move down a few spots and still snag Banks later. Or, they could have even taken a more polished defensive tackle prospect like Clemson’s Peter Woods. Then again, it’s the Vikings. They don’t have the best track record of getting quality talent with their first-round picks these days. Greatest Value Pick: Caleb DownsCaleb Downs (Image Credits: Imagn) Unlike the other defensive prospect named Caleb, who was drafted in round one, Mr. Downs was anything but a bad value pick. If anything, he was the best value pick of day one. Like Baltimore Ravens star Kyle Hamilton back at the 2022 NFL Draft, Downs was a consensus top-five prospect in his class. It’s just that teams rarely value the safety position enough to draft one so early. Not that Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are complaining, though. They traded up one spot via the Miami Dolphins to select Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick. For all the heat Jerry Jones gets as the Cowboys’ GM, most of it justified, how about getting a top-five prospect outside the top-10? Dallas’ main weakness coming into the draft was the secondary. They add a Swiss Army Knife who can single-handedly transform a defense the way Kyle Hamilton has in Baltimore. So in the post-Micah Parsons era, Dallas has now added Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, Caleb Downs, and Malachi Lawrence on defense. Not bad, Jerry. Worst Value Pick: Ty SimpsonTy Simpson (Image Credits: Imagn) Look, we don’t hate the idea of the Los Angeles Rams finding Matthew Stafford’s successor in the early rounds of the draft. They addressed their last main weakness at the corner by trading for ex-Kansas City Chiefs star Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson. But taking Simpson at No. 13 overall? What universe are the Rams living in here? Los Angeles could have easily traded down and nabbed Simpson later. Unless the New York Jets wanted him at No. 16, they could have moved down at least five more spots to eventually select him. Or, better yet, the Rams could have drafted a better prospect at No. 13 and waited until day two to get a QB. There’s a good probability that Matthew Stafford plays at least two more years, perhaps even more. Maybe Simpson will prove to be the ideal succession plan to Stafford, but this was too early to take a QB with a limited ceiling. No wonder Sean McVay seemed so angry when the Rams picked Simpson… Greatest Value Pick: Makai LemonMakai Lemon (Image Credit: Imagn) As most expected, Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson were the first two receivers taken off the board. Still, Lemon was widely projected to be a top-15 pick. And yet… You all know how this turned out. Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan got on the phone with Lemon, believing they were about to snag the USC wide receiver with the No. 21 pick. But in a big-time stunner, the Philadelphia Eagles moved up into the No. 20 spot via the Dallas Cowboys to take Lemon in the 2026 NFL Draft. As they say, when life gives you lemons… So, assuming AJ Brown is really done in Philadelphia? The Eagles just got their succession plan with a late first-round pick. Once again, Howie Roseman got excellent value on day one of the draft. When, oh when, will other teams learn their lesson? Worst Value Pick: Max IheanachorMax Iheanachor (Image Credits: Imagn) As if it weren’t maddening enough for the Steelers to watch their inner-state rivals jump ahead to take Makai Lemon? They added more insult to injury by reaching big-time for the Arizona State offensive tackle. For starters, we’re not sure why the Steelers went with an offensive tackle here. They used their 2023 and 2024 first-round picks on Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu. Jones has yet to put it all together, but it’s not like Pittsburgh is gonna bench him and play Iheanachor right away. Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, who went to the New England Patriots at 28, would have been a much better value pick. But, there were better prospects on the board that could have filled other weaknesses in Pittsburgh, such as safety Dillon Thieneman, defensive end Keldrick Faulk, or a wide receiver like Omar Cooper Jr. or KC Concepcion. Greatest Value Pick: Francis MauigoaFrancis Mauigoa (Image Credits: Imagn) Many thought Mauigoa would go as high as No. 3 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Draft. What about the Cleveland Browns at No. 6 before trading down with the Kansas City Chiefs? Or even the Washington Commanders at No. 7? Fortunately for John Harbaugh’s New York Giants, the teams in front of them didn’t value Mauigoa that high. After taking Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the No. 5 pick, the Giants put the cherry on top of their day-one draft performance by snagging the Miami offensive lineman. Mauigoa, surprisingly, was the second offensive lineman taken, one spot after the Browns selected Utah tackle Spencer Fano. Like we said, excellent value for the Giants. Mauigoa can play tackle or guard. Either way, Giants fans should be thrilled about the prospect of him joining forces with Andrew Thomas, who has asserted himself as one of the league’s premier pass-blockers. Throw in Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, and Cam Skattebo, and it’s awfully hard not to get excited about the Giants’ long-term outlook on offense. Worst Value Pick: Jadarian PriceJadarian Price (Image Credits: Imagn) We hate critiquing the defending Super Bowl champions, especially given John Schneider’s excellent drafting track record. But…was this really the best they could do in the No. 32 spot in the NFL Draft? Price was Jeremiyah Love’s understudy at Notre Dame. Despite playing second-fiddle to the Heisman Trophy finalist, Price finished with 674 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, averaging six yards a carry. We have no doubt that Price can succeed in Seattle’s rush-heavy offense. And yes, running back was important to address after letting Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III leave in free agency. But who would have realistically taken Price in round two? MAYBE the Carolina Panthers at 49? Or the Minnesota Vikings at 51? Seattle used its day-one pick on a backup college running back…when they already have a capable RB1 in Zach Charbonnet. Schneider could have probably traded down AT LEAST 10 spots — maybe even more — to snag Price.  Even if he becomes a multi-time 1,000-yard rusher, it doesn’t mean Seattle needed to take him this early. Greatest Value Pick: Cashius HowellNov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after a defensive play during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images The 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year was supposed to be a mid-to-late first-round pick…or at the very worst, a very-early day-two pick. Not much has gone right for the Cincinnati Bengals in their sad history. But man, they may soon owe 31 other teams a nice gift basket for letting Howell inexplicably slip to them in round two at No. 41 overall. The Bengals caught a lot of heat for letting Trey Hendrickson walk to free agency. Now they have Howell, blockbuster trade acquisition Dexter Lawrence, and free agent signings Boye Mafe AND Jonathan Allen to lead the front seven. In other words, they’ll be just fine without Hendrickson. We’ll see how much the Bengals play Howell as a rookie, but don’t be surprised if he goes down as the best value day-two pick of the NFL draft.  Worst Value Pick: Keylan RutledgeJan 29, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge (77) of Georgia Tech takes a breather during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images Nobody was surprised when the Houston Texans used their first-round pick on an offensive lineman. The position had to be addressed. But woof, did they ever misread the board here. Rutledge wasn’t supposed to be a first-round pick. Heck, some analysts and scouts had him going in the third round. Yet it didn’t stop the Texans from wanting the Georgia Tech guard so badly to the point where, gulp, they actually traded up two spots from the Buffalo Bills to take him at No. 26. Rutledge is a decent run-blocker, but his pass-blocking has a lot to be desired. And Houston needs better pass protection for CJ Stroud. Utah’s Caleb Lomu, who went two picks later to the rival New England Patriots, would have been the ideal selection here. Reaching big-time for a player is one thing. Actually, trading up to get him? Big yikes. Greatest Value Pick: C.J. AllenOct 7, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Ray Davis (1) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jonathan Jefferson (94) and linebacker C.J. Allen (33) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports Some scouts thought Allen would go late in the first round. So yeah, it was a big win for the Indianapolis Colts when the Georgia linebacker fell into their laps in round two at No. 53 overall. The 2025 consensus All-American had 3.5 sacks, eight tackles for a loss, and four pass breakups in his final college season. Allen, like former Colts standout Shaq Leonard, is a do-it-all playmaker who brings freakish athleticism and speed. He joins a Colts front seven already featuring DeForest Buckner and Laiatu Latu. He’s the perfect fit for Indy’s defense, and could be one of the final pieces needed to help them break through in a crowded AFC South. Worst Value Pick: Malachi LawrenceFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCF defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence (DL48) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images As much as we love the work Jerry Jones has done when it comes to rebuilding his defense, we really don’t get this pick. You won’t find many NFL Draft analysts who had Lawrence going in the first round, let alone inside the top-25. After trading three spots down to help the rival Eagles take Makai Lemon, Dallas took UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 selection. Lawrence’s production was good-but-not-great at UCF. He had 20 sacks over his four college seasons, never topping 7.5 in a single campaign. With glaring holes in his run defense game, this just felt like a terrible value pick by Jones. This isn’t to say that Lawrence will be a bust. But Dallas could have gotten a more NFL-ready, higher-impact player here. Or, again, at least traded down, get more picks, and select him later. Time will tell how this pick pans out for the Cowboys. But at this time, it’s just hard to comprehend Jerry’s mentality here. Oh well, at least most of his offseason moves have been excellent. Greatest Value Pick: Jermod McCoyTennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) before a college football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 20, 2025. McCoy was a consensus top-20 prospect entering the 2026 NFL Draft. His 2024 game type at Tennessee was an absolute sight to behold. Of course, McCoy unfortunately had to miss the entire 2025 season recovering from a torn ACL. It’s understandable when injury concerns scare some teams off. But at worst, McCoy should have been a late first or EARLY second-round pick. But someone had to have the role of Shedeur Sanders this year. That role ultimately fell to McCoy. The 2024 second-team All-American fell outside of the top 100 before the Las Vegas Raiders finally snagged him at No. 101 overall. The Raiders actually traded up one spot to take McCoy there. Otherwise, who knows how much more he would have fallen? Anyway, the Raiders aren’t complaining. They won the draft when they selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. Then they get another first-round talent in round four, in all places. Hey, even dysfunctional teams like the Raiders have to get lucky eventually. The Raiders have had troubles finding quality cornerbacks since Nnamdi Asomugha infamously left for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. Now, he joins a Maxx Crosby-led group that added Kwity Paye, Quay Walker, and Nakobe Dean in free agency. The Raiders aren’t close to contending for the playoffs. But if McCoy stays healthy and hits his ceiling, he could give Vegas that pure shutdown corner they need to combat Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix in the AFC West.

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Rams GM calls Ty Simpson ‘poor guy’ for staying on script after NFL Draft

One of the many surprises in the 2026 NFL Draft was the Los Angeles Rams taking Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick.  The surprise later turned into drama after Simpson said he had yet to meet Rams head coach Sean McVay following the draft. As it turned out, Simpson simply … The post Rams GM calls Ty Simpson ‘poor guy’ for staying on script after NFL Draft appeared first on Larry Brown Sports.

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Rams rumors: Insider reveals the 2 ‘impact’ players LA considered before Ty Simpson pick

The Los Angeles Rams were not afraid to rock the boat during the 2026 NFL Draft. Los Angeles invested in QB Ty Simpson instead of adding a player who could make an impact as a rookie. But the Rams reportedly came close to actually going with the consensus opinion. The Athletic’s Nate Atkins revealed that […] The post Rams rumors: Insider reveals the 2 ‘impact’ players LA considered before Ty Simpson pick appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Two-time Super Bowl champion wakes up unemployed following Seahawks cut after banking $8 million in career

A TWO-TIME Super Bowl champion is waking up unemployed. The Seattle Seahawks are cutting an $8 million star ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Cam Akers has been released by…

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2026 NFL Schedule Release: 10 Games That Must Be on ‘Monday Night Football’

Now that the 2026 NFL Draft is behind us, fans can get ready for the next major “tentpole event” — the release of the 2026 NFL schedule. The NFL is so popular that the simple announcement of the week-by-week schedule has become an annual event. The league promoted schedule-release day during ...

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Rams rookie from 2026 NFL Draft class who will make biggest impact in Year 1

The Rams rookie from the 2026 NFL Draft class who will make the biggest impact in Year 1 isn’t the surprise quarterback. Sure, all eyes naturally gravitate toward Ty Simpson as possibly the future of the franchise. However, the present belongs to Max Klare. He is the versatile tight end poised to become Sean McVay’s […] The post Rams rookie from 2026 NFL Draft class who will make biggest impact in Year 1 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Rams news: Les Snead stands by Ty Simpson pick over over win-now move

The Rams’ picking Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in last week’s NFL draft has the football world buzzing. Many people believe that the selection of the former Alabama star was to get the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford, with his career nearing its end despite his high level of play over the past few […] The post Rams news: Les Snead stands by Ty Simpson pick over over win-now move appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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