What to know about the fight over whether New York should lose $74M for not revoking immigrant CDLs

New Yorkfiled a lawsuitFriday to challenge the federal Transportation Department's decision to withhold nearly $74 million in highway money because the state refused to revoke nearly 33,000questionable commercial driver’s licensesfor immigrants since an audit uncovered problems last year.

Associated Press U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks during a press briefing on flight safety, at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner) FILE - New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, administers the oath of office to mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, center, as his wife Rama Duwaji looks on, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

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New York joins California in suing over Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's efforts to tighten up the rules for which immigrants can qualify to get a commercial driver's license and make sure the states are properly enforcing the existing rules.

The federal government didn't immediately respond to the new lawsuit, but officials have been clear about the problems they found with more than half of the 200 licenses they reviewed. Officials said they found significant flaws such as licenses remaining valid long after an immigrant was authorized to be in the country.

The issue became prominent afteran August crash in Floridainvolving a truck driver who Duffy said shouldn't have ever had a license performing an illegal U-turn that killed three people.California has lost$200 million over concerns about its non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses and whether it is enforcing English language requirements for truckers. Several other states — includingPennsylvania, Minnesota andNorth Carolina— have been warned they are at risk of losing funding.

But most states have either complied or remain in negotiations with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The federal governmenthas reviewed recordsrelated to these non-domiciled CDLs in every state.

New York officials say this is 'political payback'

New York Attorney General Letitia James said the state believes it properly followed all the rules for commercial licenses that were in place at the time they were issued, so it doesn't plan to revoke the licenses.

New York officials reviewed all those cases and found that all the recipients were authorized to be in the country when they received their licenses. The state pointed that out to federal officials in January, so James said it's unfair for the federal government to withhold money the state relies on to help provide safe roads and bridges.

“By canceling this funding, the federal government is putting jobs and communities at risk. New Yorkers are counting on these investments, and we will not let the president jeopardize our communities’ safety,” she said.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said that audits performed by the first Trump administration confirmed the state was following the federal regulations.

“Once again, New York is facing devastating federal cuts for nothing more than political payback,” Hochul said. “Ripping away money that goes toward critical safety upgrades on our roads is reckless and it is illegal.”

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Broad effort to improve safety in the trucking industry

In addition to trying to get unqualified drivers off the road, Duffy has led an effort to crack down onquestionable trucking schoolsand go aftertrucking companiesthat violate the rules and then just change their names and keep operating.

Even before that, the Trump administration announced last summer that they would begin enforcing existing rules that require truck drivers to be able tospeak English proficiently. Duffy has said those language skills could prove crucial during a traffic stop or after an accident to ensure that truck drivers can communicate with authorities about what happened and whether they are transporting hazardous chemicals.

Trucking industry groups have praised the efforts because they say that too many unqualified drivers who shouldn't have licenses have been able to get behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound (about 39,916 kilograms) truck. That jeopardizes the safety of everyone on the highways and tends to depress how much drivers can earn if companies are able to hire cheap immigrant truck drivers and pay them less.

The trucking trade groups have long been pushing for more accountability in the system and stronger standards on who can set up a trucking company. For years, anyone willing to pay a fee of a few hundred dollars and show proof of insurance could set up a trucking company.

Questionable operations might not be caught until much later when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gets a chance to audit them.

Immigrants believe they are being targeted unfairly

Immigrants account for about 20% of all truck drivers, but these non-domiciled licenses immigrants can receive only represent about 5% of all commercial driver’s licenses or about 200,000 drivers.

So immigrant groups have said they believe that many drivers are beingunfairly targeted.The spotlight has been on Sikh truckers because the driver in the Florida crash and the driver inanother fatal crashin California in October are both Sikh. Several groups sued to challenge California's plan to revoke roughly 20,000 commercial licenses.

Last fall, the Transportation Departmentproposed new emergency restrictionsthat would severely limit which noncitizens could get a license, but a courtput the new rules on holdbecause they hadn't undergone all the normal review steps in drafting a rule.

So Duffy announced a new final rule in February that had been properly vetted to tighten up the restrictions on which immigrants can qualify for a commercial license.

The only immigrant drivers who can get a license under the new rules are holders of an H-2a, H-2b or E-2 visa. H-2a is for temporary agricultural workers while H-2b is for temporary nonagricultural workers, and E-2 is for people who make substantial investments in a U.S. business.

What to know about the fight over whether New York should lose $74M for not revoking immigrant CDLs

New Yorkfiled a lawsuitFriday to challenge the federal Transportation Department's decision to withhold nearly $74 million in highw...
Full-strength PSG raring to go against Bayern in Champions League semifinal

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique joked that picking his team against Bayern Munich will be like a “lottery” because he finally has a full-strength squad to choose from.

Associated Press PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the French League One soccer match between Angers and Paris Saint-Germain in Angers, western France, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier) Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha during a training sessionin Liverpool, England, Monday April 13, 2026, one day ahead of their Champions League soccer match against Liverpool. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP) PSG's Vitinha kicks the ball during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the French League One soccer match between Angers and Paris Saint-Germain in Angers, western France, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)

France League One Soccer

That means midfielder Vitinha could start against the six-time champion in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal in Paris on Wednesday. He missed the last two Ligue 1 games with a right heel injury sustained during a2-1 loss to Lyon.

“It'll be a lottery. Everyone’s ready,” Luis Enrique said Tuesday at a pregame news conference. “But be warned, we'll need all the players who are apt to play, and on that point I think we’re more than ready.”

With so many players pushing for places, rather thanrecovering from injurylike earlier in the season, Luis Enrique was faced with a new task.

“It’s all about calming everyone down,” he said.

Midfield battle

Vitinha's presence alongside João Neves and the returning Fabián Ruiz is crucial in a contest pitting arguably the two best midfields in the competition.

Bayern boasts physicality, tactical assuredness and slick passing with Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka, allied to the goals and assists of right wing Michael Olise and the prolific scoring of burly striker Harry Kane. On the left wing is Luis Díaz, who scored both goals when Bayern won 2-1 in Paris in the league stage in November.

Holding midfield is key to stopping Bayern dictating the game like it did in the quarterfinalsagainst Real Madrid, and against PSG last time they met.

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Vitinha has been in sterling form and is on course for his best season in terms of goals, with seven so far, having scored nine for PSG two seasons ago. He was third in the men's Ballon d'Or vote last year.

Defense is the key

PSG is appearing in its third straight semifinal and faces a Bayern side which has not lost in any competition since Jan. 24 and scored 19 goals in the past five games.

“With two teams who attack so well the key will be defense,” Luis Enrique said. “Defensive statistics also matter, and these are the two best teams in Europe in that respect as well. In terms of consistency, Bayern are slightly ahead of us.”

PSG was sloppy at the back against Bayern in November, and a frustratedLuis Enrique criticized his playersafter that game.

But when PSG failed to qualify in the top eight teams and directly reach the last 16, Luis Enrique boldly predicted his team would come good later in the competition.

In an upbeat mood, he reminded journalists of that.

“There is no team better than us,” he said. “When we didn’t qualify in the top eight teams in the group stage I said I couldn’t see a team better than us.” ___

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Full-strength PSG raring to go against Bayern in Champions League semifinal

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique joked that picking his team against Bayern Munich will be like a “lottery” because ...
Two young children die in Wolverhampton house fire

Two young children have died in a house fire inWolverhamptonas police launch an investigation into the cause of the deadly blaze.

The Independent US Police investigators at the scene of the deadly blaze  (PA)

Emergency servicesarrived in under five minutes after they were called to Mason Street at about 8.30pm on Friday.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and rescued two children but they were sadly pronounced dead at the scene,West Midlands Policesaid.

A woman and two other children had already escaped the flames. They were checked over by ambulance staff but did not need hospital treatment.

Police have cordoned off the property, which was extensively damaged, while work is done to establish the cause of the fire.

Investigators wearing protective clothing were seen combing the property on Saturday (PA)

Investigators wearing protective equipment were seen combing the property on Saturday.

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Crews from Bilston, West Bromwich and Bloxwich Fire Stations attended the scene and six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to find the children.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said two ambulances, three paramedic officers, HART paramedics, a MERIT trauma team and a critical care car from Midlands Air Ambulance Charity attended.

Ambulance crews administered advanced life support but tragically they were both confirmed dead a short time later.

Crews were called to the fire on Mason Street, Wolverhampton, at 8.30pm on Friday (Google Streetview)

In a statement on their website,West Midlands Fire Servicesaid: “Our thoughts are with the children’s loved ones and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident.

“Police have cordoned off the scene as we work with other emergency service colleagues to establish the exact circumstances of the fire. We thank the community for their support with the on-going investigation. The cordon is expected to remain in place for some time at the property, which was extensively damaged, as enquiries continue.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or via live chat quoting log 5640 of April 24.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow...

Two young children die in Wolverhampton house fire

Two young children have died in a house fire inWolverhamptonas police launch an investigation into the cause of the deadly blaze. ...
Sidney Crosby, Penguins top Flyers, stay alive in playoff series

Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist Saturday as the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins stayed alive with a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

Field Level Media

Rickard Rakell also scored a goal and set up another for Pittsburgh, which had been outscored 11-4 while dropping the first three games of the series. Penguins coach Dan Muse opted to start Arturs Silovs in net instead of Stuart Skinner, and Silovs responded with 28 saves in a crisp performance.

"I thought he played great. Big saves," Muse said of Silovs. " ... I've got a lot of confidence in both guys. I'm really happy for him. ... He made sure that he was prepared. When his name was called, he was ready. Great by him."

Denver Barkey and Travis Konecny scored for Philadelphia, which will have another chance to win the best-of-seven series Monday when the teams reconvene for Game 5 in Pittsburgh. Dan Vladar, playing with a right arm injury, turned aside 17 shots for the Flyers.

"Nothing's changing for us. Still being positive," Vladar said. "They're a really good team. It's not easy to win four in a row against a team like that. We've got to fight here."

Pittsburgh opened the scoring with 5:36 left in the first period on a creative setup by Erik Karlsson. Five seconds into a power play, Karlsson's feed from behind set up Crosby's smooth one-timer that skimmed off Vladar and into the net for a 1-0 advantage.

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Crosby's 72nd career postseason goal was the only tally of the first period, but the Penguins made it 2-0 just 1:03 into the second. Vladar turned it over behind the net to Rakell, who dove into the crease to swat the puck in before the Flyers' netminder could recover.

Philadelphia got on the board with 4:20 left in the second period on Barkey's first career playoff goal. The 20-year-old got position on Karlsson in the crease and Trevor Zegras put it right on his stick for a tap-in tally.

Travis Sanheim hit the post shortly thereafter, leaving Philadelphia facing a 2-1 deficit heading into the third.

The Penguins extended their lead to 3-1 on Kris Letang's goal 4:27 into the final session. Crosby won a battle along the boards and kicked the puck to his longtime teammate, who skated in with plenty of room and blasted a slap shot past Vladar.

The Flyers got back within a goal on Konecny's one-timer with 12:57 left, but Connor Dewar's empty-netter with just under a minute remaining ended the hosts' late comeback hopes.

Silovs' best saves included a clutch stop on Zegras near the end of the first period and a pad save on Tyson Foerster's partial breakaway with about six minutes left in the second.

--Field Level Media

Sidney Crosby, Penguins top Flyers, stay alive in playoff series

Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist Saturday as the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins stayed alive with a 4-2 victory over the Philadelph...
Jeffrey Epstein housed victims of abuse in network of London flats – even after 2015 Met Police report

Jeffrey Epstein reportedly housed several women he allegedly abused in a number of flats across London, despite theMet Policereceiving a report of sex trafficking in 2015.

The Independent US Jeffrey Epstein rented four flats in Kensington and Chelsea that housed victims of his abuse  (New York State Sex Offender Registry)

ABBCinvestigation found Epstein had rented four flats in Kensington and Chelsea, with six of the women housed in them since coming forward as victims of the convicted paedophile.

Some of these women had been coerced into recruiting others, and were regularly transported to Paris by the Eurostar to visit him, including 10 times during the final six months of his life.

Several of the women had been brought to the UK from Russia and eastern Europe, even afterVirginia Giuffrereported Epstein to the Metropolitan Police in 2015.

Documents show Epstein booking Eurostar trips for women and paying for English language courses (US Department of Justice)

In early 2020, a second woman had reported the abuse to the Met, but it is unclear if this complaint was acted on.

The Met said it followed “reasonable lines of inquiry” at the time, and had interviewed Ms Giuffre on multiple occasions after she made her report.

Tessa Gregory, a human rights lawyer with Leigh Day, said that she was “staggered” that no UK police investigation had ever been launched into Epstein’s activities.

“Where there are credible allegations of human trafficking, the UK state, even if no victims come forward, has a positive legal obligation to conduct a prompt, effective and independent investigation,” she said.

The BBC was able to track down the locations of the flats through examining Epstein’s 10,000-page credit card bill, as well as following a shipment of gifts and examining the exterior of a flat that led to a tenancy agreement.

Epstein pictured with his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who has been jailed for 20 years (US Justice Department)

Despite being located in one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods, the flats could be crowded with women sleeping on sofas.

Upon being confronted with the living conditions, Epstein responded angrily and swore at one woman, telling her she had “disgusting behaviour” and was a “brat who has yet to accept responsibility”.

Documents seen by the BBC show that women were coerced into recruiting other young girls, with one sending Epstein pictures of “cute” models for his approval.

The disgraced financier also paid for at least five women to study in London, with payments for course fees at English language colleges.

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Between 2011 and 2019, he purchased at least 53 tickets to transport women between England and France on the Eurostar, sometimes taking advantage of reduced youth fares for under-25-year-olds.

One woman was transported just 16 days before his arrest, which led to his death in prison in 2019 in a suspected suicide.

The investigation also uncovered more than 120 private and commercial flights linked to Epstein arriving and departing from the UK, some of which had victims on board.

Evidence in the Epstein files show that women were coerced to recruit other victims for the sex offender (AFP/Getty)

In their attempts to track down former UK-based employees who had worked for Epstein, the BBC visited the home of a former member of his household staff who answered the door buzzer but ignored their requests to talk.

She had remained in close contact with the financier, sending him affectionate emails, which included “I always think of you. All my love always” in 2016.

A man suspected of being his driver also blocked BBC journalists on WhatsApp.

The Metropolitan Police reiterated in 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2025 that it believed “other international authorities were best placed” to investigate Epstein, and despite interviewing Ms Giuffre three times, officers found that “no allegation of criminal conduct was made against any UK-based individual”.

Scotland Yard said it was “fully engaged” alongside other forces in the National Police Chiefs’ Council group established following the release of the Epstein files.

Kevin Hyland, a former senior detective with the Met Police who was the UK’s first independent anti-slavery commissioner, said that there had been missed opportunities to investigate the serial offender.

“People are outraged that somebody came forward and said, ‘I was trafficked by this man,’ and yet he was just allowed to carry on. Who in the police made that decision?” he said.

Other British authorities had passed on details of Epstein’s activities to the FBI, including the National Crime Agency, which sent financial intelligence showing payments to a Coutts bank for the rent of a Chelsea flat where he housed victims.

Lisa Phillips, an Epstein survivor, toldBBC Newsnightlast week that “a lot of women came forward in the UK whether through their attorney, or through the Metropolitan Police, or their local police station” and is calling for a public inquiry because “we can find out what went wrong and how to prevent it in the future”.

The Metropolitan Police has been contacted byThe Independentfor comment.

Jeffrey Epstein housed victims of abuse in network of London flats – even after 2015 Met Police report

Jeffrey Epstein reportedly housed several women he allegedly abused in a number of flats across London, despite theMet Policereceiving ...
Ranking Ty Simpson, 9 other QBs picked in NFL draft by fit with new teams

The over/under on available franchise quarterbacksentering the 2026 NFL Draftwas probably around 1½ – thoughLos Angeles Ramscoach Sean McVay is most definitely taking the over …just don’t tell league MVP Stafford. Please.

USA TODAY Sports

Yet all told, despite the perceived deficit of high-grade passers on the board this year – and with a bumper crop seemingly forming ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 draft – 10 signal-callers ultimately heard their names called prior to this draft’s conclusion on the evening of April 25.

How well do this year’s rookie quarterbacks ultimately dovetail with their new employers? Let’s rank all 10 by fit, from best to worst:

2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders 2025: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.) - Tennessee Titans 2024: Caleb Williams, QB, USC - Chicago Bears 2023: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama - Carolina Panthers 2022: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia - Jacksonville Jaguars 2021: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson - Jacksonville Jaguars 2020: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU - Cincinnati Bengals 2019: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma - Arizona Cardinals 2018: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma - Cleveland Browns 2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M - Cleveland Browns 2016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal - Los Angeles Rams 2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina - Houston Texans 2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia - Detroit Lions 2008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Miami Dolphins 2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU - Oakland Raiders 2004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss - San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants) 2003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC - Cincinnati Bengals 2002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State - Houston Texans 2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech - Atlanta Falcons 2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State - Cleveland Browns 1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky - Cleveland Browns 1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee - Indianapolis Colts 1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State - St. Louis Rams 1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC - New York Jets 1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State - Cincinnati Bengals 1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State - Cincinnati Bengals 1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington - Indianapolis Colts 1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami - Dallas Cowboys 1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois - Indianapolis Colts 1989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA - Dallas Cowboys 1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn - Atlanta Falcons 1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders) 1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech - Buffalo Bills 1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska - New England Patriots <p style=1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford - Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)

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No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983

1. Fernando Mendoza,Las Vegas Raiders(Round 1, 1st overall)

Whether or not he is actually the best player in this draft is immaterial. Whether or not his potential maxes out at a Matt Ryan-adjacent ceiling – and, hey, Matty Icewasa league MVP – is immaterial. Mendoza may not be John Elway or Peyton Manning, but the position he plays rendered him thepresumptive top pick of this draftfrom the moment the calendar flipped to 2026. And the Silver and Black have been desperate for stability behind center since the 2022 organizational decision to pull the plug on Derek Carr – and even he never managed to notch the playoff victory Raider Nation has awaited for more than 23 years. Mendoza’s ability and demeanor – un-Raider-y as he is compared to, say, Kenny Stabler – seem just about optimal as GM John Spytek continues to rebuild this operation around him. And having veteran Kirk Cousins on hand, reasonably allowing Las Vegas to slow-track Mendoza into the QB1 role, is another plus.

2. Carson Beck,Arizona Cardinals(Round 3, 65th overall)

USA TODAY Sports’ NFL draft guru, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz,deemed Beck a "lottery ticket."That’s probably about right, though Beckmightpay off handsomely. His extensive college experience – 43 starts against mostly topflight competition – is impressive and potentially valuable. He’s not yet 18 months removed from UCL surgery, so his arm could conceivably generate more RPMs in the future – 49ers QB Brock Purdy certainly recovered nicely from a similar procedure. NFL Network chief draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah even compared Beck to former Cards QB Carson Palmer, high praise indeed. Indoor home games are ideal for most quarterbacks, so Beck should like Arizona’s football environs … though he might not enjoy facing NFC West defenses all that much. Regardless, this is a golden opportunity for him and the Cardinals, who might find they have a really good player on their hands – and can easily cut bait a year or two down the road if not.

3. Drew Allar, Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 3, 76th overall)

Big guy (6-5, 228), big arm, team player. But the whole was too often much, much less than the sum of the parts at Penn State, inconsistent accuracy and anticipation among the factors hindering Allar – though his vexing stay in Happy Valley, an ankle injury ending it prematurely in 2025, also coincided with a lack of offensive weaponry to help him. New Steelers HC Mike McCarthy knows a thing or two about developing QBs, and Allar and second-year passer Will Howard could earn a lot of reps this spring forhowever long Aaron Rodgers stays away. It remains to be seen how close Allar can get to reaching his potential, wherever its ceiling is. But apprenticing under McCarthy and Rodgers with little expectation he’d have to play meaningful games any time soon is about as good a situation as Allar could have hoped for.

4. Taylen Green, Cleveland Browns (Round 6, 182nd overall)

A strong arm, sub-4.4 speed, and a 6-foot-6, 227-pound frame? Green has highly uncommon physical traits for the position. He also needs to improve his accuracy while accruing more experience – so critical to the advanced decision-making he also needs to hone. Lucky for Green that he’ll be playing for first-year HC Todd Monken, who’s fresh off coaching perhaps the ultimate dual threat in Lamar Jackson. (Like Jackson, Green has been adamant he wants to play quarterback and isn't inclined to entertain a positional switch.) And who knows?If neither Shedeur Sandersnor Deshaun Watson gets an ironclad grip on the starting job this season, maybe Green gets an audition for a franchise that’s clearly weighing its options as it tries to find the right passer for a roster that’s quickly shaping up as formidable otherwise.

5. Cade Klubnik, New York Jets (Round 4, 110th overall)

The Clemson prodcut also had a disappointing 2025 campaign after it once appeared he might have first-round potential in the wake of lofting 36 TD passes in 2024, when he also did a lot more damage with his legs. Yet the smallish Klubnik (6-2, 207) can distribute the ball effectively, and the Jets suddenly appear to have a lot more pop offensively in this draft’s aftermath. And with no obvious backup for stopgap QB1 Geno Smith, Klubnik could find himself getting an opportunity to play at some point this season for a team still in search of a long-term answer at field general – maybe two long-term answers, but not if Klubnik can at least assert himself as the primary backup.

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<p style=1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.

See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.

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  • New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech

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  • Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

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  • Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

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  • New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

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  • Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

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  • Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

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  • New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

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  • Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah

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  • Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

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  • Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

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  • Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

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  • Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

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  • Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

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  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

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  • Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

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  • Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson

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  • Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida

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  • Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

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  • Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC

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  • Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

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  • Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

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  • Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida

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  • Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

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  • Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

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  • Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge

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  • Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

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  • New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

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  • Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson

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  • Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

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  • Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

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  • Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

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    See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32

    1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaThe first round of the2026 NFL Draftbrings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.

    6. Ty Simpson,Los Angeles Rams(Round 1, 13th overall)

    The decision to pick him is hardly indefensible, particularly given league MVP Matthew Stafford, 38, is in a year-to-year mode as he decides how long to continue extending his career. Good organizations – and the Rams certainly qualify – plan for contingencies. But No. 13 for Simpson, widely regarded by almost everyone (except Dan Orlovsky) as a borderline first-rounder? In fairness to coach Sean McVay and GM Les Snead, they didn’t have sufficient draft capital this year to stick and pick at No. 13andsubsequently trade back into the bottom of Round 1 without sacrificing precious 2027 assets. Yet Simpson now headlines a Rams rookie class that may not have much to contribute to a bona fide Super Bowl contender. He also seems hardly ready to step in if Stafford gets hurt, McVay still seemingly hoping Jimmy Garoppolo, L.A.'s backup the past two years, eschews retirement and decides to re-sign.

    Los Angeles Rams first-round draft pick Ty Simpson poses with his jersey during a press conference at Code Next at Hollywood Park.

    And while Stafford might be in the Favre-ian phase of his career, this whole situation feels downright – Rodgers-ian? –given McVay’s admitted(and, frankly, bizarre) public posturing Thursday night so as not to offend Stafford by expressing too much enthusiasm for Simpson’s arrival. Is the Alabama product a good schematic and cultural fit for the Rams? Possibly, maybe probably. Could a guy who barely played in college be relegated to the bench until – 2028? 2029? – while Stafford goes full-on Rodgers to make a point that he’s got plenty of gas in the tank? Stay. Tuned.

    7. Garrett Nussmeier, Kansas City Chiefs (Round 7, 249th overall)

    All things are relative, yeah? Nussmeier will never displace Patrick Mahomes as a franchise QB here. Yet as Mahomes’comeback and rehabilitation from knee surgery continue, there’s a golden opportunity for Nussmeier to get a nice chunk of bonus reps during the offseason and training camp under the watchful eye of Andy Reid. Furthermore, a franchise constantly cycling through QB2s might finally have one who can lock down the understudy spot for a while – provided Nussmeier can recover from the oblique and spinal cyst issues that ruined his 2025 season with LSU. Play in preseason the next few years, maybe perform well in a few spot starts or mop-up duty in relief of Mahomes? Then maybe Nussmeier gets spun off elsewhere for a potential QB1 opportunity.

    8. Cole Payton, Philadelphia Eagles, (Round 5, 178th overall)

    Maybe something close to a Taysom Hill clone? Maybe even Tim Tebow-esque given Payton is a southpaw? The 6-3, 232-pounder posted a 4.56 40 at the combine and can run like a bull in the open field. Payton only started one season for FCS powerhouse North Dakota State but was frequently used at running back during his five seasons with the Bison and could be a short-yardage option in Philly – he rushed for 31 TDs at NDSU – if the team continues tomove away from the Tush Pushand wants to take some hard yards off RB Saquon Barkley and/or QB Jalen Hurts. With highly regarded Tanner McKee and recently acquired veteran Andy Dalton already backing up Hurts, hard to view Payton as much more than a project given his mechanical issues as a thrower and relative inexperience. Doesn’t mean he won’t have a role on this team and might develop in time – though he’ll need to make a lot of progress to ever challenge Hurts, embattled as he might be following a disappointing 2025 campaign and preparing to work with yet another offensive coordinator.

    9. Behren Morton, New England Patriots (Round 7, 234th overall)

    He’s unremarkable physically (6-2, 221) and was frequently hurt in Lubbock. But he’s also accurate (conference-leading 66% completion rate in 2025) and tough, dealing with a broken fibula last season yet leading the Red Raiders to their first Big 12 title anyway. Morton isn’t going to remind anyone of Drake Maye. That doesn’t mean he can’t carve out a reserve job for himself on this team or any number of other ones.

    10. Athan Kaliakmanis, Washington Commanders (Round 7, 223rd overall)

    The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder split a largely pedestrian college career between Minnesota and Rutgers, barely completing more than 56% of his passes over four years. Not much of a dual threat, either, it's difficult to foresee how Kaliakmanis fits in here or anywhere beyond maybe being a third-string practice squad arm. But he’ll get a shot to displace Sam Hartman from that role even if Kaliakmanis seems like a long shot to threaten veteran QB2 Marcus Mariota, certainly in 2026.

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    This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL draft's QBs ranked by fit with teams: How did Ty Simpson fare?

    Ranking Ty Simpson, 9 other QBs picked in NFL draft by fit with new teams

    The over/under on available franchise quarterbacksentering the 2026 NFL Draftwas probably around 1½ – thoughLos Angeles Ramscoach Sean ...

     

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