What we learned from the 2026 NFL Draft: Story on McVay's face, Raiders' Mendoza plan

No flush of quarterbacks at the top of the first round. No stunning fall, like Shedeur Sanders a year ago. No vicious prank call, either (thankfully).The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and though this year’s edition lacked the fireworks of the last few, teams spoke loudly with their decisions. For starters, a handful of clubs with needs at the most important position on the field — that’d be quarterback — resisted the urge to reach in a down year for the position, with most waiting until the later rounds to take a flier on a likely backup. And the one team that might have done the reaching, the Los Angeles Rams, happens to employ the best QB in the game, reigning MVP Matthew Stafford.Advertisement