Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A record crowd watched the NFL Draft this year, where Ty Simpson was a big shock selection in the first round by the Los Angeles Rams
CommentsAnother NFL Draft is in the books and the 2026 edition had all the usual shock picks and surprise slides as the 32 teams attempted to reload their rosters for an assault on the Super Bowl.
There was no surprise with the Las Vegas Raiders' number one overall pick but a huge one was later sprung by the Los Angeles Rams, while another surprise came with the New York duo of Jets and Giants actually looking like putting a good draft class together.
It was a good draft for UK involvement and an even better one for hosts Pittsburgh and the NFL itself, with the event continuing to grow.
So after three days and 257 players being chosen, let's take a look at who made the headlines for the right, or wrong, reasons.
Published2 days agoRaiders take Mendoza with first pick of NFL Draft
Published3 days agoWere the Rams right to draft a QB?The shock of the draft was the Rams picking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick - because Simpson was not even a consensus first-round talent.
The Rams also have MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback for a team many thought was the best in the NFL last season and even more see as Super Bowl contenders this coming campaign.
Head coach Sean McVay's instant subdued reaction to the pick went viral, but he insisted he did not want to seem too excited out of respect for Stafford - but his mood was one plenty of Rams fans shared.
Stafford is 38 and playing year-to-year so getting a long-term successor makes sense, but to take full advantage of his talents many thought a pick as high as 13 should be used to add a final elite piece to the roster that could just be the difference.
A star pass rusher or another top pass catcher being two options, but instead the Rams used that selection on a player who in all probability will not see the field at all in 2026.
The Rams made eye-catching moves in free agency for cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to strengthen even further - so as usual only time will tell if they won or lost this one.
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There was no shock in Fernando Mendoza being the first overall pick of the draft - he certainly looks like a star, but top-pick quarterbacks can struggle without the right supporting cast.
The Raiders will have a sixth head coach for their seventh season in Las Vegas, but after all the turmoil they finally they look like heading in the right direction with some savvy picks.
Most notable was Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, who is a super talent but slipped down to the fourth round, pick 101, after missing all of last season with a torn ACL.
It's a flier with a big upside if McCoy's knee is right, which he insists it is. He's got tremendous ability, and with fellow draftee Treydan Stukes at safety could add some much-needed playmakers in the secondary.
Mendoza has first-round picks around him already with running back Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers at tight end, while the Raiders splashed out big money to grab centre Tyler Linderbaum to add yet more assistance.
Whisper it quietly, but the Raiders are heading in the right direction and could be the biggest winners of the draft.
The Giants have made the play-offs just twice in 14 seasons, while the Jets have the longest active play-off drought in American sports with 15 seasons on the outside looking in. So fans in the Big Apple needed a big draft.