Sports
The 11 Worst Picks of the 2026 Draft [Ranked]
The 2026 NFL Draft is now in the books. In total, 257 college standouts found a new home in the league, with there being plenty of drama along the way.
However, some of the 32 teams involved will be happier than others with how they fared in Pittsburgh over the past three days. While some nailed their requirements exactly, others made baffling calls that still have fans scratching their heads over the decisions that were made in Pittsburgh.
Below is a look at the 11 worst selections from the 2026 NFL Draft, from the perspective of how much value they bring to the teams who made them.
11
San Francisco 49ers Picking Kaelon Black
Round 3, Pick 90
Originally tipped to be taken around the fourth or fifth round, Indiana running back went in the third round. Kyle Shanahan moved quickly to snap up the 25-year-old with the 90th pick, even though projections suggested that he could have waited and taken Black with a later draft pick. The 49ers potentially missed out on adding some of the exciting talent that was still available in the third round, but didn’t want to run the risk of missing out on Black. Time will tell if it was the right decision.
10
Chicago Bears Picking Zavion Thomas
Round 3, Pick 89
LSU wide receiver Thomas was predicted to still be available in the seventh round. The 21-year-old is tipped to have great potential as a punt returner, but the Bears took a gamble by taking him far earlier than expected in the third round. It may yet prove to be an inspired decision, although with only 488 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, his college numbers were not mind-blowing by any means.
9
Miami Dolphins Picking Caleb Douglas
Round 3, Pick 75
While most didn’t see Douglas as a top 100 draft prospect, the Dolphins disagreed. Taking the wide receiver out of Texas Tech at pick 75, Miami showed their faith in a player that has plenty of speed, despite the 22-year-old having seven drops to his name last year.
8
Houston Texans Picking Marlin Klein
Round 2, Pick 59
Expected to still be on the board in the third round, the Texans took a chance on the 23-year-old German with the 59th pick of the draft. The tight end out of Michigan has limited college experience, with 38 career catches (four touchdowns, one drop). The six-foot, six-inch 248-pounder has undeniable potential, but would likely have been available at a later stage of proceedings had Houston waited until the later rounds.
7
San Francisco 49ers Picking De’Zhaun Stribling
Round 2, Pick 33
The 49ers opened up the second round of the draft with a curious pick in the shape of Ole Miss wide receiver Stribling. Coach Shanahan had already added depth to the franchise’s wide receiver chart during the offseason, but still opted to select Stribling with what was the team’s first pick of the 2026 draft. The 23-year-old put up 811 yards and six touchdowns in his final year in college and the 49ers clearly liked what they saw.
6
Miami Dolphins Picking Chris Johnson
Round 1, Pick 27
When the Dolphins took Johnson towards the back end of the first-round, he became just the second cornerback taken off the board. Miami were keen to get their man, too, as they traded up from 30th to 27th (with the 49ers) in order to select the San Diego State alum. In making the picks, the Dolphins left the likes of Jermond McCoy and Colton Hood available for the Raiders and the Giants, respectively, to scoop up in later rounds. It remains to be seen if Miami made the right call.
5
Dallas Cowboys Picking Malachi Lawrence
Round 1, Pick 22
Some pre-draft projections had UCF edge rusher being available as late as the third round. The Cowboys, though, took the 22-year-old off the board towards the end of the first round. Dallas has been light on pass rushers ever since trading Micah Parsons to Green Bay, but the decision to pick Lawrence so early took many by surprise.
4
Pittsburgh Steelers Picking Max Iheanachor
Round 1, Pick 21
Arizona State offensive tackle Iheachor was a shock first round selection for many, given that he has only been playing the game since junior college. The 22-year-old has the speed and movement to develop into an NFL starter, but the Steelers are likely to have to be patient with the young prospect in order to get the best out of him. He’s not necessarily destined to go down as a ‘bad’ pick, but the franchise could likely have traded down and still got their man.
3
Minnesota Vikings Picking Caleb Banks
Round 1, Pick 18
Many projections had Banks, a defensive tackle out of Florida, as a second round pick. The Vikings didn’t agree with that assessment, though, selecting the 23-year-old 18th overall. The tape on Banks suggests that he lacks consistency and still has a number of technical shortcomings. However, he does possess the physical attributes to grow into a serious talent. It was a big surprise when he became the first defensive tackle taken off the board and the Vikings will have serious questions to answer if the move doesn’t pan out.
2
Miami Dolphins Picking Kadyn Proctor
Round 1, Pick 12
For a player picked 12th overall, Alabama offensive tackle Proctor has a lot to work on. With concerns from many over his playing weight as well as his technique. For a team in a rebuilding phase, the Dolphins have taken a major risk in selecting Proctor so early. However, the 20-year-old comes battle-tested having played at the SEC level and if the Miami coaching staff can arm him with the tools he needs for success, the pick could yet turn out to be an inspired one.
Canada’s 6-0 demolition of Qatar at the World Cup was overshadowed by a horror injury for Ismael Kone, who suffered a serious leg break early in the second half in Vancouver.
Jesse Marsch’s side ran riot on the pitch, but all the post-match talk centred on the midfielder, who was stretchered off after a poor challenge from Assim Madibo. The Qatar defender was sent off following a VAR review and later apologised to Kone in the dressing room.
Marsch later admitted that those close enough “could hear the bone snap,” adding that “everybody’s shaken for him.”
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Iamael Kone’s Surgery and Recovery Timeline
Canada confirmed Kone has already undergone successful surgery to repair a lower limb fracture and is expected to make a full recovery. Marsch revealed the procedure took around an hour and a half and was carried out by three top surgeons, praising the medical team for giving him confidence the situation was being handled properly.
No firm return date has been set, but the former Watford man is expected to be sidelined for up to a year.
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It’s worth noting that quick recoveries from leg breaks aren’t unheard of in football. Francesco Totti famously fractured his fibula in February of 2006, only months before that summer’s World Cup, yet defied expectations to recover in time to play a role in Italy’s triumphant run to glory in Germany.
FIFA to pay Compensation to Ismael Kone’s Club
According to The Mirror, FIFA will pay compensation to Kone’s club, Sassuolo, under the Club Protection Programme. The scheme covers accidental injuries sustained while players are on international duty, provided the absence runs beyond 28 days, though illnesses aren’t included.
Kone’s fixed salary is reported to be £22,600 per week, working out at roughly £3,200 per day. With the first 28 days excluded and Kone facing around 150 days out, Sassuolo are likely to receive close to £480,000 in compensation.
The Serie A club issued their own statement, confirming the operation on his left leg was a complete success and that his rehabilitation would begin in the coming days, wishing him a speedy recovery.
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Canada will be looking to seal their qualification to the knockout stage, albeit without Kone, when they face Switzerland in Vancouver on the 24th of June.
Manchester United are now eyeing a move to sign a forward described as the ‘best striker in the world’, according to a report from Caught Offside.
The main focus for United over the last few weeks in the transfer window has been on targeting new midfielders.
A deal has reportedly been agreed to bring Atalanta midfielder Ederson to Old Trafford, with United set to pay in the region of £38m.
West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is also a priority target, with some at the club believing that they will complete a deal to secure his signature.
Once United have solved their midfield situation, they could move on to strengthening in other areas of the pitch, including in attack.
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Man Utd Eyeing Striker Transfer Move
According to a report from Caught Offside, Manchester United are interested in signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in the summer transfer window.
Osimhen is described as a dream target for the Red Devils, but there are doubts over whether they will be able to complete a deal.
The 27-year-old, described as the best striker in the world, would cost a huge transfer fee, making him a difficult option for the Manchester club.
United do have other names on their shortlist as they look to bring in a new centre forward, but Osimhen does appear to be a priority if they can get a deal over the line.
The Nigerian forward is currently plying his trade with Galatasaray, where he scored 15 goals in the league and seven in the Champions League last season.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Man Utd Need Experienced Striker
Bringing in a striker of Osimhen’s calibre and experience would be a smart move for Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
At 27, Osimhen is in his prime years, and he could be the ideal player for Benjamin Sesko to learn from and develop alongside.
The Slovenian forward didn’t cement himself as a guaranteed starter for United last season, and considering he’s still young, he could do with an experienced player alongside him.
If United can somehow get a deal over the line for Osimhen for a reasonable fee, it would be a phenomenal coup for the Red Devils.
Scotland’s World Cup campaign suffered a setback as they were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in Boston, with Steve Clarke’s side struggling to find a way past the Africa Cup of Nations holders.
Ismael Saibari settled the contest inside the opening two minutes, lashing in what proved to be the only goal of the match and leaving Scotland chasing the game from start to finish.
Clarke’s men found it difficult to break down a well-organised Moroccan side and rarely threatened in front of goal, with clear-cut chances few and far between.
There was also drama in the box on more than one occasion, with Scottish fans believing they should have been awarded a penalty on more than one occasion. Those moments have since become the main talking point from the match, with the ITV panel left divided on whether Scotland should have had something to show for their efforts.
Christina Unkel Slams Missed VAR Call
McTominay drove into the Moroccan box before being tackled from behind by Neil El Aynaoui. VAR ruled that the midfielder had got a touch on the ball, though replays appeared to tell a different story. ITV referee analyst Christina Unkel was adamant a penalty should have been given, as quoted by The Mirror:
“The first thing you’re looking for as VAR is any touch on that ball and the answer is no.
“We saw that second replay there and exactly what I was looking for, there was no contact on that ball. There is a trip up from behind, contact on the left lower leg.
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“For this, I do think there is a missed incident from the VAR to recommend a penalty as well as the referee to not make a decision on penalty. I know this referee is calling a more physical game but it is a very clear penalty in my opinion.”
Fellow pundit Ally McCoist agreed. “I did say when I watched it second time there is a challenge on the left leg. But I did say I’m enjoying the referee allowing the game to go. However, Christina is right, he did get that one wrong.”
Roy Keane and Ange Postecoglou Disagree
Not everyone in the studio was convinced, though. Roy Keane felt McTominay went down too easily, saying:
“I don’t think it was a penalty. As simple as that. He was kind of looking to go down. I think he was looking to go down. There’s a difference.”
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Ange Postecoglou backed his fellow pundit’s view: “The Moroccan penalty gets his leg out, but I don’t think that’s enough to be a penalty. He does get across him, but not for a penalty, I think he was going down anyway.”
It wasn’t the only contentious moment of the match either. Early in the second half, John McGinn went down under a challenge from the same Moroccan defender after breaking into the box, but referee Ilgiz Tantashev again waved play on.
Scotland now face a tough task to reach the knockout stages, with Brazil up next in their final group game on the 24th of June.
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