The 2026 NFL Draft has officially wrapped up, and while some teams are still basking in the glow of a job well done, others are left staring at a red-inked report card. The Las Vegas Raiders kicked things off by selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick on Thursday night, and the action carried through Saturday with the final selections of the seventh round. But for every savvy trade-up—like the Dallas Cowboys' move to snag Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11—there were head-scratching decisions that left experts wondering what the heck some front offices were thinking.
According to Sporting News' official draft grades, three NFL teams earned the dreaded “F” for their 2026 hauls. The Los Angeles Rams headlined the list, but they weren't the only ones in the doghouse. The Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans also found themselves on the wrong side of the grading scale, and the reasons are as varied as the picks themselves. Let's dive into the mess.
The Rams' Future Gamble Backfires
Los Angeles took the biggest hit of the draft, and it's not hard to see why. With Matthew Stafford still under center and a roster built to win now, the Rams used the No. 13 overall pick on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. On paper, it's a move for the future—Simpson is a talented passer with a strong arm and good mobility. But in reality, it's a luxury the Rams couldn't afford. They have immediate needs on the offensive line and in the secondary, and passing on a plug-and-play starter for a project QB felt like a wasted opportunity. Critics slammed the pick, calling it a reach that ignored the team's win-now window. The Rams' brass might be thinking long-term, but the grade book says they blew it.
Vikings and Texans Join the F Club
The Vikings didn't fare much better. Minnesota's draft was marked by a series of reaches and questionable value picks, leaving analysts wondering if they had a coherent strategy. Instead of addressing glaring holes on defense, the Vikings went with a mix of projects and injured players, which is a recipe for a failing grade. The Texans, meanwhile, seemed to be playing a different game entirely. Houston's selections were criticized for lacking a clear direction—they reached for need in some spots and ignored premium talent in others. When you're rebuilding, every pick counts, and the Texans' draft board looked like a dartboard.
Winners and Losers on the Other Side
While three teams flunked, others aced the test. The Cowboys earned rave reviews for trading up to grab Downs, a consensus All-American who fills a critical need in the secondary. Dallas was aggressive and smart, and it paid off. The Browns also got high marks for their savvy maneuvering, turning picks into proven contributors. And let's not forget the Ohio State Buckeyes, who dominated the draft with 11 selections, tying a two-year record and proving once again that college powerhouse programs produce NFL-ready talent.
The draft also had its share of emotional moments. Tributes flooded the event for the late “Coach Mac”, as the football family came together to honor a beloved figure. And in Pittsburgh, Steel City shattered the NFL Draft attendance record with over 800,000 fans, proving that the draft is more than just a selection show—it's a celebration of the sport.
What Went Wrong for the Failing Teams?
So what exactly did these three teams do to earn their failing grades? For the Rams, it was a combination of reaching for a QB when they already have a franchise guy and ignoring immediate needs. For the Vikings, it was a lack of discipline—reaching for players who could have been had later. And for the Texans, it was a scatterbrained approach that left the draft room scratching their heads. In a league where the margin for error is razor-thin, these teams made mistakes that could haunt them for years.
The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, but the fallout is just beginning. The Rams, Vikings, and Texans will have to live with their failing grades, while teams like the Cowboys and Browns can celebrate their wins. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on these three teams to see if they can turn their draft day blunders into on-field redemption. For now, though, they're stuck with an F.
