The Los Angeles Rams delivered the biggest surprise of Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft when they picked Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick on Thursday, April 2.
Sean McVay and Les Snead chose to take advantage of their positioning just outside of the top 10 thanks to a previous trade with the Atlanta Falcons to bring in the successor to reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
But that doesn't change that the Rams are still in Super Bowl or bust mode. With a well-rounded roster devoid of any true holes on both sides of the ball, LA had the luxury of drafting with the future in mind in the first round. After all, there's still plenty of players that can make an impact available in Day 2.
Here's a look at the best players who are likely to still be on the board by the time the Rams pick on Friday.
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaThe first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC
Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M