NFL Power Rankings: 10 Worst Picks of the 2026 NFL Draft

May 4, 2026

NFL Power Rankings: 10 Worst Picks of the 2026 NFL Draft. Ranking the top-10 worst picks from the 2026 NFL Draft. Read the worst selections from the 2026 NFL Draft including Ty Simpson, Ted Hurst, and more.

With the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, it's time to spotlight the top-10 worst picks that were made across the three days.

While it may still be early to judge each pick, some teams opted to reach for positions of little need or select a prospect with a far more volatile profile instead of more promising options with an early pick.

What were the top-10 worst sections from the 2026 NFL Draft? Let's dive in!

Ty Simpson, QB, Los Angeles Rams

Round 1, Pick 13

The Los Angeles Rams kicked off the 2026 NFL Draft with a shocker in Round 1. Even with Super Bowl aspirations on the line, the Rams opted to go off the board and find their future QB1. Even with a top wide receiver like Makai Lemon or the class's No. 1 TE Kenyon Sediq on the board, the Rams went to look to the future.

Simpson only operated as a full-time starter for one season and needs significant time to develop as an NFL quarterback. While this pick could work out in a few years, for now, the Rams hurt the chances of competing in a loaded NFC.

The only QB prospects selected in rounds 1/2 since 2012 with a turnover worthy play rate under pressure > 5.00% and a tight window 10+ yard accuracy rate < 20.00% in their 'best' college season..

🔘 Ty Simpson, Alabama (Round 1)
🔘 Christian Hackenberg, Penn. State (Round 2)… pic.twitter.com/ST5ENja6Hn

— Adam Carter (@impactfbdata) April 24, 2026

Max Iheanachor, OT - Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 1, Pick 21

A few picks later, the Pittsburgh Steelers opted to bolster their offensive line with Max Ihenachor out of Arizona State. Per reports, the Steelers were heavily interested in drafting Lemon or Simpson with this selection, but instead had to pivot at the last minute to Ihenachor. While Ihenachor was not an awful selection here, there were far more proven players on the board with its draft capital.

Ihenachor does not have much experience playing football at a high level, as he played in only double-digit games in college twice in his career. Instead, the Steelers should have selected offensive guard Keylan Rutledge or another skill-position player in KC Concepcion.

Nate Boerkircher, TE - Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 2, Pick 56

The Jaguars went off the board in the second round by adding tight end Nate Boerkircher to their roster. Boerkircher did not have the most illustrious college career and was taken well above the projection boards. In his final college campaign, he caught just three touchdown passes with just 198 yards.

Additionally, the Jaguars did not need to use this high a pick on a position that was not in great need. Brenton Strange looked quite comfortable in the starting role last season and will likely be the clear-cut TE1 on the roster in 2026.

Caleb Banks, DT - Minnesota Vikings

Round 1, Pick 18

The Vikings selected defensive tackle Caleb Banks with their first-round selection. While Banks had shown first-round potential in his college career, he appeared in only three games in 2025 after suffering a major foot injury, which pushed him down many draft boards. However, the Vikings were willing to take the risk and select him 18th overall.

This pick was one of the major high-risk, high-reward selections of the opening round. In 2024, Banks logged a season-high 4.5 sacks with 21 combined tackles. While Banks would provide value here, the Vikings should have opted to pick more proven options at this point in the draft, such as Malachi Lawrence or Keldric Faulk.

De'Zhaun Stribling, WR - San Francisco 49ers

Round 2, Pick 33

The 49ers kicked off Round 2 of the NFL Draft with a surprising selection at the wide receiver position. While this was a major position of need for this team, especially given that Brandon Aiyuk is likely, if not certain, to part ways with the club, they may have reached for this pass catcher.

However, with Denzel Boston and Germie Bernard on the board, the 49ers may have reached for this wideout. Stribling has never put together a 1,000-yard campaign in college but has been a force in the red zone, scoring at least five or more touchdowns in four of his five seasons.

Max Klare, TE - Los Angeles Rams

Round 2, Pick 61

The Rams have another appearance on this list, this time spotlighting their second selection in this year's class. After taking a QB in Round 1, the address another position that was not of great need, tight end. Currently, the Rams have the emerging Terrance Ferguson on the roster and veteran Colby Parkinson, who turned in a career season in 2025.

Klare is coming off a 448-yard campaign with only two touchdowns. The former Ohio State starter will likely not have a major role in his debut campaign on a team that has its eyes on winning a Super Bowl.

Sam Roush, TE - Chicago Bears

Round 3, Pick 69

Like the Rams, the Bears did not have a major need at tight end, given that they selected Colston Loveland with a top pick last spring, and he is emerging as a legit superstar at the position. Additionally, the Bears have a strong No. 2 option in Cole Kmet, which made selecting Sam Roush with a Day 2 pick a head-scratcher.

Roush is coming off a strong final season where he totaled 545 yards for Stanford, but never eclipsed 300 yards in each of the last two. Roush projects to hold the third spot on the depth chart for most of the 2026 season.

Cade Klubnik, QB - New York Jets

Round 4, Pick 110

While the Jets used a Day 3 pick on this selection, Klubnik does not project to have a major role on this team going forward and will hold a spot on our list. In the opening rounds, the Jets began to lay the foundation for a strong offense by adding Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. However, their question for their future QB is expected to be answered next spring.

Klubnik is coming off a modest showing with Clemon in 2025, where he threw for just 2,943 yards and a 16:6 TD:INT. He posted a TD% under 5.0% in three of his four college campaigns. Klubnik may not even hold the backup job in 2026, which likely keeps him out of the quarterback job in 2027 as well.

Checked in with a couple of scouts on QB Cade Klubnik. One said Klubnik has "probably a backup ceiling, a quality 3 as a classroom guy...Doesn't have a particularly strong arm...overhyped as a potential first-round QB for this year...showed grit, resolve and determination" by…

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 25, 2026

Ted Hurst, WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 3, Pick 84

The Buccaneers lost Mike Evans in free agency, but enter the 2026 season with one of the strongest wide receiver rooms in the league. Last spring, they drafted Ohio State standout Emeka Egbuka in the opening round to join Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan. However, this year the Buccaneers opted to use a Day 2 pick on another wide receiver.

Hurts does not have the longest track record in college, as he logged just two seasons with Georgia State. While he scored 15 touchdowns in 24 games, he only eclipsed 1,000 yards in one season.

Drew Allar, QB - Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 3, Pick 76

Rounding out our list will be a Day 2 quarterback in Drew Allar. The Steelers addressed this position last season with Will Howard and will look to find another solution in 2026. The Steelers were linked to Ty Simpson in the opening round, but the Alabama graduate was unable to make it to their first-round selection.

Allar put together a strong 2023 season, leading the Big Ten in touchdown passes, but regressed since. In 2024, Allar threw a career-high eight interceptions and saw his TD% drop to 5.1% in 2025. He is unlikely to be the answer for the future.

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