Monroe Freeling's draft call with Panthers is absolutely amazing
Monroe Freeling's Joyful Draft Call with the Panthers
The 2026 NFL Draft's first round concluded with the Raiders selecting Fernando Mendoza first overall and the Rams drafting Ty Simpson 13th. The Cardinals picked running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3.
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and it wrapped up more quickly than usual thanks to the shortened pick clock. A total of 32 picks were made, beginning with the Raiders taking Fernando Mendoza first overall and the Seahawks adding a running back with the final selection of Day 1.
The Rams, as we all know, shocked the world by drafting Ty Simpson 13th overall, adding Matthew Stafford's successor to the roster. But what did the Rams' rivals do in the first round? Here's a quick NFC West recap of the happenings around the division.
No. 3 overall: RB Jeremiyah Love
The Cardinals stayed put at No. 3 and took one of the top offensive prospects in the class. After the Jets took David Bailey second overall, the Cardinals took Love, giving whoever plays quarterback for them a dynamic running back in the backfield.
Love was a player many speculated the Rams might try to trade up for, but there was no chance they'd go all the way up to No. 3 to get him. And it's unlikely the Cardinals would've been willing to move the pick if they liked Love that much.
Now, Los Angeles will have to face Love twice a year for at least the next five-plus years, assuming he pans out the way the Cardinals expect him to.
The Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Rams drafted Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Arizona Cardinals selected running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick.
Monroe Freeling's Joyful Draft Call with the Panthers
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Trade down twice
The 49ers traded down not once, but twice, bailing entirely on the first round of the draft. They moved back from No. 27 to 30 in a deal with the Dolphins, who moved up to select cornerback Chris Johnson. Then, they traded down again, taking the Jets' 33rd overall pick for No. 30. New York then took Omar Cooper Jr. out of Indiana.
The 49ers are now slated to pick first on Day 2, so they'll make their initial selection on Friday night.
No. 32 overall: RB Jadarian Price
So there are two new running backs in the division. After the Cardinals took Love third overall, the Seahawks took his backup at Notre Dame, Price, with the final pick in the first round. Price bolsters the Seahawks' backfield after it lost Kenneth Walker III in free agency, pairing him with Zach Charbonnet to maintain their one-two punch behind quarterback Sam Darnold.
The Seahawks' running backs were a handful for the Rams last year, and they could be again in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: NFC West recap for Rams' rivals