Rams select QB Ty Simpson, Mendoza first overall
A wild first round saw Fernando Mendoza go No. 1, the Rams took Ty Simpson, and there were plenty of big swings and standout moments on night one.
The 2026 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, April 25th in a subdued manner befitting the later rounds. But even if the final act in Pittsburgh could not compare to the drama of the first two days, the outcome of the event still had a notable impact.
Several promising stars who endured unexpected falls have finally reached the end of their wait. However, some players weren’t so lucky as some big names went undrafted. And it appears some teams have taken advantage of this opportunity to enrich their rosters with promising projects.
Here are the biggest winners and losers from the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Draft Day 3 Winner
Jermod McCoy
At least his painful fall wasn’t as bad as Saturday.
The Tennessee cornerback finally found clarity after the Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the third-day No. 1 pick. How McCoy can move forward could largely depend on his health, with reports that bone plugs and knee cartilage issues are scaring teams. But Las Vegas could very well be the cornerstone of a secondary that currently lacks true long-term assets.
mike mcdaniel
If anyone had any questions about how Jim Harbaugh would blend his proclivities with those of a new offensive coordinator, the third day of the draft may have provided some clues. McDaniel’s handprint appeared to be all over wide receiver Brennen Thompson, a fourth-round pick who has a legitimate claim to being the fastest player in the draft. Thompson provides a lot of offensive breadth for Justin Herbert, allowing him to be used to the fullest in both the deep game and as a run-after-catch threat. The Bolts also strengthened their support up front with huge offensive tackle Travis Burke and solid offensive guards Logan Taylor and Alex Harkey.
tyler shaw
The New Orleans Saints have put their second-year quarterback’s health at the center of their offseason strategy. After making some bold free agent acquisitions in running back Travis Etienne Jr. and offensive guard David Edwards, the Saints shifted their draft attention to their receiving corps with first-round wideout Jordyn Tyson and third-round tight end Oscar Delp.
More support arrived on Saturday. Fourth-round receiver Bryce Lance, who averaged more than 21.1 yards per catch last season, could form a dynamic connection downfield with the hard-armed Shaw. Fourth-round guard Jeremiah Wright could also strengthen his push up front and prepare for a more formidable ground game. And while sixth-round receiver Barion Brown is a game-breaking speed demon, his most valuable contribution may come in the return game.
patrick mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs have ensured their star signal-caller will be a fun addition to their new circle as he returns from a serious knee injury last season.
After revitalizing the defense on Days 1 and 2 by using cornerback Mansour Delane, defensive tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher R. Mason Thomas, the Chiefs focused on offense on Day 3. Running back Emmett Johnson will help get a totally ineffective running game back on pace with the splashy signing of Kenneth Walker III. Fifth-round receiver Silas Allen has the tools to become an instant favorite of Mahomes as a vertical threat outside the slot. And Kansas City completed a successful undrafted free agent class with Allen’s former teammate Jeff Caldwell. Although unpolished, Caldwell is a unique matchup threat at 6-5, 216 pounds and with plenty of deep speed.
tight end
Perhaps it was fitting that a rather modest draft class ended up being defined by a more journeyman position. The demand for tight ends was very high down the stretch, with 22 taken overall. Get ready for a surge in multiple tight end sets as more teams imitate Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams. They created the NFL’s highest scoring offense in 2025 by regularly deploying three players at on-field positions.
2026 NFL Draft Day 3 Losers
Garrett Nussmeyer
LSU’s quarterback ended up being this year’s Quinn Ewers, surviving until late in the seventh round before being picked up by the Chiefs.
Of course, there are worse places to sit and learn than under Andy Reid or behind Mahomes. However, it looked like Nussmeier might qualify as one of the few passers in this class who could be at least a spot starter within the next two years. NFL teams quickly rejected that idea, so Justin Fields will take on a backup role, and he’ll need to show his growth while serving as the third-stringer.
Tyren Green
That’s all for the dazzling combine performance.
Nearly two months ago in Indianapolis, Green, 6-6, 227 pounds, set himself apart from his peers by running the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds and having the best vertical jump and broad jump. Already a proven big-play dynamo as a deep ball thrower and running threat, he sparked excitement about what he could accomplish with further refinement.
But for now, the only role a player with his athletic ability can play is quarterback. Green stuck around until the sixth round, but was taken by the Cleveland Browns, a team rich in young quarterbacks. In this situation, it may be difficult to find someone in charge, which will further hinder Green’s development. Given the huge demand for tight ends and receivers, it might have been better to accept a position change that he adamantly rejected throughout the pre-draft process.
Diego Pavia
Perhaps this was a preordained outcome for Pavia, but his physical limitations and unique dynamics coupled with his playing style made him seem unfit to serve as a backup. But now, the Vanderbilt quarterback has become an unfortunate bit of trivia as the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since 2014 and the first undrafted runner-up since 2003. Pavia will have to make quite a statement throughout the spring and summer if he is to get anywhere.
Harold Perkins Jr.
The former LSU linebacker and pass rusher joined the procession of college stars who crash-landed on Day 3, with the Atlanta Falcons ending their wait late in the sixth round.
Perkins has had a pretty tumultuous life the past two years, so this result wasn’t at all surprising, especially given the difficulty of projecting a 6-1, 223-pound defender without a true spot to call home. Still, he began his college career as a legitimate playmaker with his pass-rushing talents. Perhaps he can use his talents as a hybrid playmaker for Jeff Ulbrich, but he faces an uphill battle to stick around.
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