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Rams, Chargers Pick; 49ers Trade Down, Lions Trade Up

4/25/2026

43 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Rams Draft Simpson

Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chargers drafted edge rusher Akheem Mesidor from Miami in the first round.
49ers traded down twice on Day 1, moving from No. 27 to No. 30 to No. 33, and received a third-round No. 90 pick while sending No. 138 to Miami.
Lions traded up from No. 50 to No. 44 to select Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore.

Summary

GMs Shape Draft

Rams GM Les Snead pushed for Ty Simpson because his skill set fits Sean McVay’s offense and plans beyond Matthew Stafford, informing Stafford of the plan before the pick.
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said selecting Rueben Bain Jr. addresses the sack rate, ranked 24th in 2025.
Giants drafted Arvell Reese as a linebacker-edge rusher with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, 22.58 mph speed and an 84-point production score, giving New York versatility.

History

Historical Context

In the 2000 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots chose quarterback Tom Brady with the 199th overall pick, a move later called the draft’s biggest steal. Brady’s six Super Bowl victories with the Patriots showed how late-round value can reshape a franchise. Teams such as the Rams, Chargers and Lions in the 2026 draft are now emulating that analytics-driven, low-pick strategy.

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Rams Draft Simpson

Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chargers drafted edge rusher Akheem Mesidor from Miami in the first round.
49ers traded down twice on Day 1, moving from No. 27 to No. 30 to No. 33, and received a third-round No. 90 pick while sending No. 138 to Miami.
Lions traded up from No. 50 to No. 44 to select Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore.

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