Deadspin | New Rams QB Ty Simpson among biggest NFL draft surprises 
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number 13 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at 4
If you had a bet out on Tate being the first Ohio State player taken, you probably made some money. The Titans had many needs and committed heavily to taking wide receivers in the mid-rounds last year, so the position wasn’t really on the radar for Tennessee.
Tate fits extremely well into the wide receiver room, providing a true alpha complement to Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, who showed promise, but not quite enough to elevate quarterback Cam Ward early. Pairing their franchise quarterback with a high-level wideout early could spell promise for this offense.
Chiefs select LSU CB Mansoor Delane at 6
It’s not surprising that there was some jockeying to get higher in the draft in a class with a limited number of blue-chip players, but most assumed that if the Chiefs were going to move up it would be for an edge rusher. The Chiefs lost a chunk of cornerbacks this offseason, but moving up for Delane was unexpected.
However, head coach Andy Reid should welcome Delane to the team, given the limited outside talent on the team. The group should feel a little more solid with Delane’s well-rounded coverage ability.
Rams select Alabama QB Ty Simpson at 13
The first-year Alabama signal caller has been gifted the perfect chance to develop. With Rams head coach Sean McVay on his side and a solid starter in Matthew Stafford to learn from for at least the next season or two, Simpson looks like he’ll be able to be in prime form like we saw in the first half of his final college season. The Rams are giving him a long leash to develop, a good plan for a player whom many doubted could start early. Still, this selection was a shocker for a team many believe is ready to compete for a Super Bowl this season.
Vikings select Louisville DL Caleb Banks at 18
Without the foot injury that sidelined Banks for most of the 2025 season, this would not be much of a shock. But Banks suffered another foot injury at the NFL Combine, and many believed his stock had dropped as a result.
The Vikings, though, clearly saw the impressive movement skills Banks showed off at the combine and jumped at the chance to draft him. Time will tell if this is a major upside play or an unforced blunder, that’s between Minnesota and the doctor’s office.
–Field Level Media
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Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number 13 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at 4
If you had a bet out on Tate being the first Ohio State player taken, you probably made some money. The Titans had many needs and committed heavily to taking wide receivers in the mid-rounds last year, so the position wasn’t really on the radar for Tennessee.
Tate fits extremely well into the wide receiver room, providing a true alpha complement to Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, who showed promise, but not quite enough to elevate quarterback Cam Ward early. Pairing their franchise quarterback with a high-level wideout early could spell promise for this offense.
Chiefs select LSU CB Mansoor Delane at 6
It’s not surprising that there was some jockeying to get higher in the draft in a class with a limited number of blue-chip players, but most assumed that if the Chiefs were going to move up it would be for an edge rusher. The Chiefs lost a chunk of cornerbacks this offseason, but moving up for Delane was unexpected.
However, head coach Andy Reid should welcome Delane to the team, given the limited outside talent on the team. The group should feel a little more solid with Delane’s well-rounded coverage ability.
Rams select Alabama QB Ty Simpson at 13
The first-year Alabama signal caller has been gifted the perfect chance to develop. With Rams head coach Sean McVay on his side and a solid starter in Matthew Stafford to learn from for at least the next season or two, Simpson looks like he’ll be able to be in prime form like we saw in the first half of his final college season. The Rams are giving him a long leash to develop, a good plan for a player whom many doubted could start early. Still, this selection was a shocker for a team many believe is ready to compete for a Super Bowl this season.
Vikings select Louisville DL Caleb Banks at 18
Without the foot injury that sidelined Banks for most of the 2025 season, this would not be much of a shock. But Banks suffered another foot injury at the NFL Combine, and many believed his stock had dropped as a result.
The Vikings, though, clearly saw the impressive movement skills Banks showed off at the combine and jumped at the chance to draft him. Time will tell if this is a major upside play or an unforced blunder, that’s between Minnesota and the doctor’s office.
–Field Level Media
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