Largest controversies and debates of the 2026 NFL Draft

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The 2026 NFL Draft , like some other, ignited blended feelings amongst followers.

Broadcasts and social media erupted in debate over a number of subjects, whereas controversies overshadowed the occasion for some this 12 months.

Right here is all the most important drama that got here out of the 2026 NFL Draft:

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The New England Patriots' newest scandal Dianna Russini, left, and Mike Vrabel, proper, are proven in a cut up composite picture that includes Russini with an ESPN microphone and Vrabel on the Titans sideline sporting a headset. (Imagn Photos)

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel left his group on Day 3 of the draft this 12 months, as he turned his consideration towards his household after a number of scandalous pictures of him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini leaked in latest weeks.

Vrabel and the Patriots introduced he could be stepping away from the group early on Thursday morning, and simply hours later a photograph that confirmed Vrabel and Russini kissing was revealed by The New York Submit.

Vrabel then had a press convention simply previous to the beginning of the first round , amid hypothesis about his future with the group.

"My earlier actions do not meet the usual that I maintain myself to," he mentioned on the press convention.

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Vrabel was requested to clarify why he initially made a press release calling photos of him and Russini at an Arizona resort "laughable" after they have been revealed by the New York Submit earlier in April.

"That is a private and personal matter . I do not assume that these feedback ... it was an try to guard your loved ones," Vrabel mentioned.

It was the final query Vrabel answered earlier than storming off the rostrum and out of the room.

The Patriots then chosen Utah offensive sort out Caleb Lomu within the first spherical, which prompted viral jokes after his draft selection profile video confirmed him doing a dance.

"This video is gonna go triple platinum when Drake Maye will get sacked for the fifth time in a half," one person wrote in a caption of an X put up of the video of Lomu.

Arvell Reese and the New York Giants Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the New York Giants chosen him with the fifth total decide within the first spherical of the NFL draft in Pittsburgh on April 23, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

The Giants shocked many once they chosen Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the No. 5 total decide.

Some followers and pundits believed the Giants would not add one other linebacker with such a excessive decide, with a number of excessive investments on the place already on the roster. Some followers have been much more pissed off once they used the tenth total decide on offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, passing on hyped security prospect Caleb Downs. Downs then went eleventh to the rival Dallas Cowboys .

In the meantime, Reese emerged as a subject of debate for different causes. Tales about how he had a 0.4 GPA in highschool, then earned a 3.7 GPA at Ohio State, unfold like wildfire on draft night time.

"I believe the key is simply effort and time," Reese told CBS Sports . "In highschool, it was a time the place I didn’t even attempt in class or didn’t actually assume faculty was necessary. So, it simply took for me to only lock in with it and take it critical."

However then New York sports activities radio host Craig Carton of WFAN went viral for commenting on Reese's tutorial curler coaster.

"How does a child who had a 0.4 GPA via highschool depart Ohio State with a 3.7 GPA?" Carton said. "I’d prefer to determine that out."

Reese additionally went viral for a collection of moments interacting with the New York sports activities media shortly after he was drafted.

Throughout his introductory press convention, Reese earned the reward and worry of followers and pundits for a remark about embracing "violence."

"Enjoying protection, you have to be violent. You have to be pondering of doing one thing violent," he mentioned.

In one other press convention second, Reese was requested an awkwardly worded query about how he would make an impression for veterans and children with disabilities.

Reese requested the reporter to repeat the query, then stuttered, earlier than responding, saying "I do not know find out how to reply that."

"Who even asks a rookie a query like this proper out of the gate?" one X person wrote in response to a clip of the interplay.

ESPN and the brand new eight-minute draft clock The NFL rolled out a brand-new, shortened decide clock this 12 months, lowering the period of time groups have to choose from 10 minutes to eight minutes.

Nevertheless, the choice appeared to garner hefty backlash on social media, particularly towards ESPN's broadcast.

A number of followers complained they couldn’t even scroll X or open their telephones with out seeing outcomes 3-4 picks forward. One person wrote: "Personally I appreciated the 8 minute clock, however it was tremendous annoying the first 10 picks that I couldn’t even open my cellphone with out being spoiled 4 picks forward."

Sean McVay and the Rams' collection of QB Ty Simpson Ty Simpson of Alabama celebrates after being chosen because the thirteenth total decide by the Los Angeles Rams in the course of the first spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Photos)

When the Los Angeles Rams drafted quarterback Ty Simpson within the first spherical of the NFL Draft on Thursday, head coach Sean McVay didn’t look thrilled, and he admitted as a lot on Friday.

McVay, whereas recapping the second day of the Rams' draft, opened his press convention acknowledging his demeanor after Simpson’s choice.

"I get my demeanor final night time, however we’re enthusiastic about it. There are various things. I all the time need to be aware of how issues come off and issues like that. I’m very enthusiastic about final night time and really enthusiastic about in the present day. Couldn’t be extra enthusiastic about us persevering with to steer collectively, however each choice that we make is collective and collaborative," McVay mentioned.

"For any of the questions or misunderstandings simply primarily based on my demeanor or disposition final night time, I did need to get that out of the way in which. That is my buddy proper right here , " McVay mentioned with a smile as he reached out to common supervisor Les Snead.

"That was delivered to my consideration as a result of I obtained so many texts. That was by no means my meant approach to have the ability to come off, however typically I could be a little grumpy."

A reporter adopted up and requested the 40-year-old coach why he was grumpy.

"Nicely, there have been different issues that had nothing to do with that, which that’s regular life," McVay mentioned.

"The principle factor was, I couldn’t be extra enthusiastic about having the ability to add him, but additionally understanding how a lot I really like Matthew Stafford , how respectful you need to all the time be and to the way in which issues may be interpreted. The demeanor would’ve been stoic by nature since you are excited, however on no account — it's Matthew’s soccer group."

The Cardinals taking a operating again with the third decide Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame celebrates after being chosen because the third total decide by the Arizona Cardinals in the course of the first spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 23, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Photos)

The Arizona Cardinals made one of many boldest and most debated alternatives on this 12 months's draft, taking operating again Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame with the third total decide. Whereas Love is undeniably gifted, the transfer has Draft Twitter in absolute chaos, with followers, analysts, and scouts calling it every thing from "dessert-first technique" to outright "unhealthy enterprise."

"Love the participant. Hate the decide the place it occurred. RB within the high 5 shouldn't occur as of late," one X person wrote.

One other person wrote, "I hope the jersey gross sales are good as a result of RB Jeremiyah Love would be the worst decide of Spherical 1. I consider possession stepped in."

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ESPN reporter Myron Medcalf wrote on X, "I believe Jeremiyah Love is an incredible RB. And I nonetheless don’t assume you may decide a RB within the first spherical within the present NFL. No. 3 looks like an unimaginable attain, primarily based on the place the sport is in the present day and the worth on the place in later rounds."

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Jackson Thompson is a sports activities reporter for Fox Information Digital overlaying crucial political and cultural points in sports activities, with an investigative lens. Jackson's reporting has been cited in federal authorities actions associated to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media shops together with The New York Occasions, The Los Angeles Occasions, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Related Press and ESPN.com.