2026 Draft: Red-Flag Results plus Matthew Stafford Drama
Rams upset Stafford, and the draft outcome of the medically higher-risk prospects
With the 2026 NFL Draft completed and most of the UDFA’s signed, it’s time to review the outcome of some of the more medically-concerning players in the draft.
But first, my quick thoughts on what the Rams did to Matthew Stafford…
Why the LA Rams drafted Matthew Stafford’s successor
The Lions’ star QB-emeritus, Matthew Stafford, is suspected to be none too pleased with the outcome of the 2026 NFL Draft.
That’s because the Rams surprised everyone (including possibly head coach Sean McVay, who was visibly perturbed) by taking QB Ty Simpson at #13 overall. This is reminiscent of the Jordan Love selection during Aaron Rodgers’ final years with Green Bay.
The team has an older (Stafford age 38), MVP QB who might be getting difficult to negotiate with on a year-to-year basis. Drafting a 1st-round QB helps give the general manager some leverage against that star QB.
It reminds me of the old saying: “Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Sometimes, it gets replaced.”
Now, if Stafford is not being overly demanding behind-the-scenes, then he understandably could feel blindsided, and maybe even betrayed, by a Rams’ 1st-round pick that won’t help him win another Super Bowl.
Fortunately, the Lions are a long ways away from needing a QB successor, as Jared Goff is just 31 years old.
On to the recap of the 2026 NFL Draft red-flag players…
2026 NFL Draft Medical Red-Flag Results
These were many prospects with significant medical concerns heading into the NFL draft. The medical concern levels were scored pre-draft and are from my 2026 Draft Medical Reports Page.
Here are the prospects with their draft results - starting with the most concerning…
Jermod McCoy, CB: 10/10 concern - 4th round, #101 overall to Raiders
The biggest fall of the draft was McCoy, who was a concern throughout the pre-draft process due to a knee that has already undergone a cartilage patching procedure. Both his short and long-term abilities are uncertain.
Caleb Banks, DT: 10/10 concern - 1st round, #18 overall to Vikings
Banks surprisingly went higher than expected despite his multiple recent foot surgeries. As written in my NFC North Draft Roundup, the Vikings interim-GM may be willing to roll the dice for a short-term jackpot.
Francis Mauigoa, OT: 9/10 concern - 1st round, #10 overall to Giants
Mauigoa went in the early 1st despite a spinal disc issue. He was the second OT taken behind the medically-clean Spencer Fano. It will be interesting to see if he ends up needing a disc surgery at some point.
Ahmaad Moses, S: 9/10 concern - Undrafted, unsigned
A post-combine spinal fusion has Moses still unsigned after the draft. Once he recovers from the surgery (likely later this year), he may get a tryout if he chooses to continue his career.
Devin Moore, CB: 8/10 concern - 4th round, #114 overall to Cowboys
Projected to go in the mid-rounds, Moore’s history of groin surgery, shoulder surgery, concussion, and back injuries didn’t scare off the Cowboys. The Lions had a suspected Top-30 with Moore probably to evaluate all those issues.
Mikail Kamara, EDGE: 8/10 concern - Undrafted, signed with 49ers
Bilateral shoulder surgeries, among many other injuries, may have caused Kamara to slide out of the draft.
Jalen Hunt, DT: 8/10 concern - Undrafted, signed with Jaguars
Age, knee, foot, and many other issues were of a significant concern for Hunt. The Lions had a Top-30 with him and may not have cleared him medically - instead drafting two lower-concern DT’s (Skyler Gill-Howard, Tyre West) in the late rounds.
Jalen Catalon, S: 8/10 concern - Retired from football
Catalon retired pre-draft likely related to multiple major injuries including shoulder surgeries, knee meniscus, and ACL.
Caleb Downs, S: 7/10 concern - 1st round, #11 overall to Cowboys
Downs had a potential knee concern that didn’t bother the Cowboys, who took a couple big risks in the draft. Jerry Jones earned his wealth taking big risks, and his draft philosophy seems consistent with his business philosophy.
Gennings Dunker, OG: 7/10 concern - 3rd round, #96 overall to Steelers
Multiple surgeries including sesamoid, ankle, and shoulder likely prevented this very good lineman from going higher in the draft.
Billy Schrauth, OG: 7/10 concern - 5th round, #160 overall to Bucs
Schrauth was projected to go higher but had a history of a recent MCL and bilateral ankle surgeries.
Oscar Delp, TE: 7/10 concern - 3rd round, #73 overall to Saints
Delp may not have fallen much, if at all, but a foot fracture discovered at the combine is still something to watch going forward to see if he ends up getting surgery.
Deion Burks, WR: 7/10 concern - 7th round, #254 overall to Colts
This was a steep drop for a player who ran a blazing 4.30 at the combine and could have gone in the mid-rounds. Multiple concussion/neck injuries were concerning for Burks.
Noah Whittington, RB: 7/10 concern - Undrafted, signed with Texans
Age along with toe and ACL histories may have made Whittington too risky for NFL teams.
Mason Reiger, EDGE: 7/10 concern - Undrafted, signed with Dolphins
Multiple recent leg/knee surgeries were a concern for Reiger.
Lorenzo Styles, S: 7/10 concern - 5th round, #172 overall to Saints
For a player who ran a ridiculous 4.27 at the combine, the recurrent shoulder problems may have had caused hesitation for many teams.
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE: 6/10 concern - 1st round, #22 overall to Chargers
The Chargers must have felt very comfortable with Mesidor’s age (25) and foot history, since a 1st-round pick gets a fully-guaranteed 4-year deal. If he plays well, the Chargers may have a tough decision on an extension that won’t kick in until he is 29-years-old.
Isaiah World, OT: 6/10 concern - Undrafted, signed with Chargers
A January 2026 ACL (along with any possible associated damage) must have been too much risk for NFL teams, as World plays a premium position and was projected to go in the mid-rounds.
Jordyn Tyson, WR: 6/10 concern - 1st round, #8 overall to Saints
A major knee injury in 2022 along with a lingering hamstring throughout pre-draft did not faze the Saints at all. Tyson was the 2nd WR taken behind Carnell Tate.
Chris Bell, WR: 6/10 concern - 3rd round, #94 overall to Dolphins
A November 2025 ACL likely impacts his rookie season and may have caused Bell to slip a round.
Genesis Smith, S: 6/10 concern - 4th round, #131 overall to Chargers
An active foot fracture may have caused Smith to drop a round or two. The Lions could have taken him at #118, but went with a cleaner Jimmy Rolder.
Josiah Trotter, LB: 6/10 concern - 2nd round, #46 overall to Bucs
Multiple knee surgeries including an ACL did not seem to affect Trotter’s draft slot.
For the complete Detroit Lions 2026 draft recap…
If the Lions had drafted any of these high risk guys, they likely would end up as a 2-4 year reclamation project gone bad. But I bet at least half the guys on this high risk list go on to provide some decent or even significant returns to the teams that have them on the roster or perhaps other teams if given a second chance. That's Lion's never ending luck.