The 2026 NFL Draft has officially come to a close! After three days of evaluation and selection, the draft order is now set. Young prospects are about to step into the professional spotlight and make a name for themselves. For some, the dream moment finally arrived with a life-changing phone call—years of hard work and dedication paid off, bringing joy and excitement. For others, the selection process turned into a bittersweet wait.
Prospects spent years preparing for this opportunity. NFL scouts analyzed them for months, even years. Predictions flooded the internet. Yet, surprises and unexpected moves still emerged. The Las Vegas Raiders kicked off the draft by selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick—a decision that was widely expected. But then came the unexpected twists.
Here are the biggest surprises and disappointments of the 2026 NFL Draft.
**Surprises:**
**Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama**
The Los Angeles Rams shook up the draft by taking Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, but what really caught attention was head coach Sean McVay’s reaction. Upon learning of the selection, McVay appeared disappointed—desperate and dejected, as if hoping it was all a nightmare.
The Rams stunned the football world by betting on Simpson. Los Angeles had no urgent need for a quarterback, with Matthew Stafford still leading the team. Many expected a Super Bowl-caliber roster to reinforce another position. But the decision was controversial. McVay seemed not to want Simpson; in fact, he never spoke to him—not at the combine, not during pre-draft process, not over the phone. That’s partly why McVay was so shocked by the front office’s move.
Simpson’s early selection left nearly everyone dumbfounded. He started only one season at Alabama, is considered undersized, and questions linger about his ability to perform in the NFL. In his final college game against Indiana, he threw for just 67 yards. But if there’s a place where he can develop, it’s Los Angeles. McVay is known as a quarterback whisperer, and with Stafford showing no signs of retiring soon, Simpson can use the time to refine his skills and learn from the best.
**Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State**
Tate wasn’t the best wide receiver available, but the Tennessee Titans saw something special in him, using their top pick to land him. The front office had already invested heavily in receivers last year, so this wasn’t the most urgent need. Still, they decided to bet on Tate, and the idea of pairing him with Cam Ward is very appealing.
The former Ohio State standout caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season. He dominates his position and has a very high ceiling. His straight-line speed impressed at the combine, though it’s an area that can easily improve. In college, Tate proved his ability to get open against the best defenders in the country. Now it’s time to make the leap to the best league in the world.
**Uar Bernard, DT, Nigeria**
One of the most fascinating selections came in the later rounds. In the seventh round, with pick No. 251, the Philadelphia Eagles chose Uar Bernard. If you search for his college profile, you won’t find it. Bernard never competed in the NCAA. Astonishingly, he has never played a single snap of organized football. After shining at the 2024 NFL Nigeria camp and refining his game since then, the defensive tackle earned a spot in the NFL’s 2026 International Player Pathway program.
The Nigerian prodigy quickly made an impression. 
He possesses rare athletic ability and raw power. While he lacks game experience, his potential is undeniable. The Eagles are known for developing talent, and Bernard could be a long-term project with a high reward.