AI predicts the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft

With the 2026 NFL Draft just a few months away, simulations are already multiplying, each attempting to predict the choices that will shape the future of the franchises.

To think outside the box, USA TODAY Sports decided to entrust the exercise to artificial intelligence: Microsoft Copilot. The result? An intriguing first round, logical in many ways… but also marked by an omission that has people talking.

With a single prompt, the AI tool generated a complete simulation of the first 32 picks in the 2026 draft. While the majority of the players selected match the trends observed by human analysts, one detail quickly caught the eye: the total absence of Rueben Bain Jr. Among the prospects most often projected in the top 10, the Miami pass rusher does not appear anywhere in the first round proposed by Copilot.

This omission raises several questions. Did the AI underestimate his profile? Did it place too much importance on certain physical criteria, such as arm length, which is often scrutinized as the draft approaches? It's hard to say, but this decision clearly contrasts with the current consensus.

Despite this surprise, Copilot delivered several consistent picks. The Raiders, with the first overall pick, are betting on quarterback Fernando Mendoza to become the new face of the franchise. The Jets, for their part, are opting for a bold strategy by drafting a quarterback later in the first round, setting their sights on Ty Simpson of Alabama with the 16th pick.

Ty Simpson and the bold bets of artificial intelligence

The choice of Simpson is a good illustration of Copilot's approach: betting on potential rather than immediate experience. Described as a quarterback with high ceiling but still raw, Simpson would be a calculated gamble for New York. A risky decision, certainly, but one that reflects modern trends in quarterback development in the NFL.

Overall, Copilot's simulation suggests a first round dominated by defensive needs, offensive lines, and versatile players. While some analyses lack nuance, the exercise demonstrates that artificial intelligence can already reproduce credible logic in a context as complex as the NFL draft.

It remains to be seen whether, between now and April, reality will match—or completely defy—the AI's predictions.

This content was created with the help of AI.