Top 10 Weirdest Picks in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft

The first round of the draft is in the books, and it was a wild draft for sure. Some teams had great picks, while other teams, not so much.

The Top Ten

Los Angeles Rams (Ty Simpson Pick 13)

What's with teams that don't necessarily need a quarterback getting one way too high? The Rams got a high pick and a prime opportunity to get a game changer for a team in a Super Bowl-contending window, and they do that? I mean, Makai Lemon was right there, or there were plenty of offensive tackles available. I find it baffling that they essentially waste this pick on a guy who is relatively unproven and inconsistent.
They selected a project quarterback in a weak QB class at 13 that most analysts had going early in the second round at best. Simpson started 15 games in 4 years at Alabama and played well in maybe half of those games. I get why they picked him, but that high? Why not trade back for him if that was your plan? You're literally a few plays away from being in the Super Bowl, and you failed to address any needs? So much for win-now mode. You better hope he plays at the same level as 2018 Patrick Mahomes.
Arizona Cardinals (Jeremiyah Love Pick 3)

This was one of the biggest WTF picks of the draft. Obviously, Jeremiyah Love is super talented, and I like the player, but the Cardinals have much bigger needs at offensive tackle and EDGE rusher. For a rebuilding team with no long-term quarterback in place, this pick just felt so off. You address a lower-priority need just because he's the best player available? I really don't like that direction at all.
Even though Love is very good, it's a waste to not address bigger needs first. You got a luxury pick you can't afford right now. That's like getting a Lamborghini before buying a house. On top of that, drafting a running back high is risky in and of itself.
Houston Texans (Keylan Rutledge Pick 26)

I'm sorry, but WHO is this guy? Let me get this straight. You give up a 5th-rounder and swap 3rd-rounders to move up 2 picks to select a guy consensus rankings had outside the top 50? Literally nobody had this guy going round 1.
I get the offensive line has consistently been a weakness, but I feel like this guy was not the best option at 26, let alone 28. Could have easily drafted him on day 2 instead.

Why? Why him? Not the best option at 26 at all.
Miami Dolphins (Chris Johnson Pick 27)

First of all, WHO is Chris Johnson? A textbook example of a reach. This guy wasn't projected to be a first-round pick. You could have drafted him in the 2nd round.
Second, if you're gonna go cornerback, Colton Hood or Avieon Terrell were there for the taking. Seems like you overpaid to move up 3 spots to take a guy who played in the Mountain West against G5 competition. There are questions about if his skill will translate against elite NFL competition. I'm not saying he can't be good, but I'm not a fan of their pick.
Minnesota Vikings (Caleb Banks Pick 18)

This pick was a good idea in theory. When he's healthy and locked in, Banks can be one of the most talented and disruptive defensive tackles in this class. He's a load for any offensive tackle to handle.
However, it's a risky pick because of inconsistent college production and a history of lingering foot injuries. He missed nearly all of the 2025 season with a foot injury, then broke the same foot at the NFL Combine. That, and he was largely considered a mid-second to third-round pick, so this is a massive reach. You could've had Dillon Thieneman, who was a safer option. Banks just feels like a boom-or-bust project player.
Seattle Seahawks (Jadarian Price Pick 32)

I get why they went with Price at 32, but honestly, he probably would've been there well into the second round at least. You're drafting a guy who was a backup at Notre Dame and gambling that he can start right away and handle a full workload with no Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet still recovering from injury.
The problem is that, as a backup, he doesn't have much to go off of, with no proven production at all. There's no way he was projected to be a first-round pick. He fills a need, and maybe it pays off, but you arguably could've gotten a cornerback instead. I'd spend a first-round pick on a guy who at least was a starter in college if I were you.
Kansas City Chiefs (Peter Woods Pick 29)

Peter Woods was once a top talent, but his stock rapidly fell after a disappointing 2025 season. He's not necessarily a prolific pass rusher and didn't take the step forward last season that many people expected him to. You could've gotten an EDGE rusher or even a wide receiver who's a bit more proven.
Maybe Spagnuolo can get the most out of him. The value is maybe there, but it still comes off as a bit odd when there were better players available. Woods may not be the difference maker the Chiefs needed. Maybe he's the Chris Jones successor, I'm not sure. They did need defensive line help, so maybe Chris Jones can be his mentor?
Miami Dolphins (Kadyn Proctor Pick 12)

I get it. They need to rebuild their offensive line, but the Dolphins taking Proctor early was a bit of a risky investment due to Proctor being inconsistent and having weight management issues.
Proctor is a massive guy, but that's not enough on its own. He needs to become more reliable and keep his weight at a reasonable level, which was a concern at Alabama. Otherwise, I don't know if you can justify taking him that high when there were plenty of other offensive linemen still on the board.
Tennessee Titans (Carnell Tate Pick 4)

I don't mind the player. I mean, Cam Ward needs weapons, but I'd argue you had bigger needs, like EDGE rusher. I get Arizona stole the guy you wanted, so you had to pivot, but I never saw anyone predict Tate to the Titans at 4.
Reese was right there. Tate was good, but I'm not sure if he's top-5 worthy, though. You're expecting him to be WR1 material out of the gates, and he needs to be good like a Justin Jefferson or JaMarr Chase type. I'm just not sure wide receiver was the play there.
Kansas City Chiefs (Mansoor Delane Pick 6)

I have nothing against Mansoor Delane himself. I think he's a great player, and he fills a desperate need for the Chiefs. However, with that being said, the Chiefs traded up to 6 from 9 to get him, giving up a 3rd and 5th-round pick in the process. The way it looks right now, the Chiefs overpaid to get their guy.
Maybe Washington or New Orleans would have got him, but I think odds are high he would have been there at 9. If not, you could've drafted Bain, who you wanted all along anyway. Again, I don't mind the player. In fact, I'm giving an A on the player, but a C- on the trade itself. Unless this guy becomes the next Pat Surtain or something.