2026 NFL Draft Best and Worst Pick of Every Round: Caleb Downs Shines in Round 1 as Ty Simpson Disappoints

The 2026 NFL Draft delivered its share of surprises, with some teams landing immediate-impact players and others leaving analysts scratching their heads. Here's a round-by-round look at the best and worst picks.

**Round 1:** The Cowboys struck gold with Caleb Downs, the elite safety from Alabama who many considered a top-5 talent. Dallas landed him at pick 28, making him the steal of the first round. On the other end, the Vikings reached for Caleb Banks, a defensive tackle with consistency concerns, at pick 23.

**Round 2:** The Ravens continued their tradition of finding perfect-fit prospects falling to them, landing a starting-caliber edge rusher. The Steelers' first draft without Mike Tomlin was hard to watch, with multiple head-scratchers.

**Round 3:** The Bears grabbed tight end Sam Roush, addressing a position of need with solid value. The 49ers took Kaelon Black in the third, a versatile defensive back who could start early.

**Day 3 Steals:** The Chiefs landed All-American running back Emmett Johnson as a potential draft steal, and the Broncos picked up undrafted Cal CB Brent Austin who could push for a roster spot.

Overall, the Cowboys, Ravens, and Chiefs had strong drafts, while the Vikings and Steelers left observers questioning their strategy.

**What This Means For You:** If you're a fantasy football player, note the landing spots for impact rookies like Downs (Cowboys), Roush (Bears), and Johnson (Chiefs). These players could be immediate contributors in IDP and flex formats.