The biggest surprise selections of the 2026 NFL Draft round one

For the most part, round one of the NFL Draft went as you might have expected. You knew the top tier of talent, a grouping of players that is about 10-15 in number, and they all basically went somewhere in that range.

And then you had a dropoff in talent and value, in the late teens and beyond. And this is where things really got interesting. This is the point where your NFL mock draft got absolutely shredded, and predicting the correct selection became a very difficult enterprise.

Most Shocking Pick- #13 L.A. Rams, Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

There had been some chatter about this, sure, but for the most part, we thought Simpson was going to the Pittsburgh Steelers at #21. Or he was going to have to wait until Friday night. Simpson is a smart selection as it's clear Matthew Stafford is nearing the end of the road. While he's still clearly "got it," as he's the reigning league MVP, this pick signals that 2026 should be his last season. As for Simpson, your valuation of this pick is probably directly related to how much stock you put in his only being a one year starter vs. what advantages he brings to the table being a coach's son.

Biggest Reach- #18 Minnesota Vikings, Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Not a lot of people had a first round grade on Banks, so his slipping into the teens was quite surprising. While it is a bit of reach, we must remember that earlier on in the process, he was considered a middle-of-the-first round level prospect. The Vikings obviously saw and fully embraced that initial perception. This pick could be remembered as one of the riskiest of the entire draft. When he's healthy, which is unfortunately no enough, Banks has incredible movement skills and tremendous power in his 6'6," 327 pound frame.