2026 NFL Draft: Top Prospects

 A late start and poorly timed events left me behind the eight ball but I still wanted to get a write-up written on some of the top players in the draft. I stuck to players at each position that I have a Starter (S) or Expected Starter (ES) grade which are players that I feel most confident on their ability to start within the first year and three years respectively.

 

Quarterbacks

Player

Cl

Tm

Conf

Ht

Wt

BMI

ATT

AY/A

Cmp%

Prod

Role

Gr

Fernando Mendoza

RSJr

IND

B1G

76.75

236

28.85

273

14.86

72.03%

8.511

ES

6.2

 

Only one quarterback of note this year, Mendoza is the Heisman winner and lead Indiana to a national championship, he’s a good prospect but I think there are warranted concerns about transitioning from a RPO-heavy scheme to a more multi-read-heavy scheme at the next level. He needs to work on his pocket avoidance and how he handles interior pressure. On the positive side, he throws a wonderful deep to intermediate outside ball, he balled out in big moments late against both Ohio State and Miami, and he’s not afraid of a tight window.

 

Running Backs

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	Tou	AY/R	AY/T	RBP>12	40	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Role	Gr
Jeremiyah Love	Jr	ND	IND	72	212	242	8.56	7.86	12.96	4.36	1.53	x	x	x	x	S	7.3
Jadarian Price	Jr	ND	IND	70.625	203	123	7.76	12.56	9.24	4.49	1.61	4.28	x	35	124	ES	6.1

Love is the top of the class by a mile, he’s got speed, strength, vision, and production. I’m slightly lower than some but he’s a diamond that only looks better surrounded by a weak class. His running mate at Notre Dame is the only other player that I think has the ability to make a high upside impact. Price is explosive, he lacks a bit of Love’s burst but he’s dynamite in the open field as his return exploits showed and despite not having much receiving production in 2025 he has the skill set to expand on it.

 

 

Wide Receivers

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	AY/T	40	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Role	Gr
Carnell Tate	Jr	OSU	B1G	74.25	192	12.95	4.53	1.61	x	x	x	x	S	7.1
Jordyn Tyson	RSJr	ASU	BXII	74.125	203	8.92	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	ES	6.8
Makai Lemon	Jr	USC	B1G	71.125	194	10.86	4.53	1.59	x	x	x	x	ES	6.8
KC Concepcion	Jr	aTm	SEC	71.625	196	11.26	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	ES	6.5
Omar Cooper Jr	RSJr	IND	B1G	72.125	199	10.80	4.42	1.55	x	x	37.0	x	ES	6.3
Denzel Boston	Jr	WASH	B1G	75.625	212	11.04	x	x	4.28	6.80	37.5	x	ES	6.2
Germie Bernard	Sr	ALA	SEC	73.25	206	9.78	4.48	1.52	4.31	6.71	32.5	125	ES	6.1
Skyler Bell	RSSr	CONN	AAC	71.625	192	9.50	4.40	1.52	4.11	6.65	41.0	133	ES	6.1

 

Tate might be a 1B in the league but even if he does end up playing second fiddle he’s more than good enough to be a well-rounded Higgins-esque impact guy. I liked Tyson less than I thought I would but he’s fantastic after the catch and extremely athletic if he can stay healthy he’s going to be dynamic at the next level. Lemon is a jitter bug, he’s not a blazer but he’s got great hands and understands leverage well the Amon-Ra comparisons may lead to some disappointment but he fits a mainstay role at the next level. Speaking of drops Concepcion has too many lapses but he more than makes up for it by being a freak. He absolutely balled at both NC State and A&M. Cooper was Mendoza’s main target and for good reason he routinely creates separation and makes big plays, I want a bit more twitch but he’s a very good player. Boston is your big-bodied playmaker with great feet and nose for the ball. Bama was a bit of a mess this year but Bernard was the player Simpson trusted in big spots and he routinely produced and at worst he’s gonna be a fantastic big slot option. Bell is a firecracker and it shows up when you watch him his size profile say tweener but I think he’s a game breaker vertically inside or out and should be a devastating weapon in the short and intermediate middle of the field against linebackers and safeties.

 

Tight Ends

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	BMI	AY/T	40	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Role	Gr
Kenyon Sadiq	Jr	ORE	B1G	75.125	241	30.75	8.82	4.39	1.54	x	x	43.0	133	S	7.2
Eli Stowers	Grad	VAN	SEC	75.75	239	29.99	8.55	4.51	1.59	x	x	45.5	135	ES	7.0
Max Klare	Jr	OSU	B1G	76.375	246	30.36	7.05	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	ES	6.7
Sam Roush	Sr	STAN	ACC	78	267	31.60	7.48	4.70	1.61	4.37	7.08	38.5	126	ES	6.4
Oscar Delp	Sr	UGA	SEC	76.875	245	29.85	8.76	4.49	1.61	x	x	38.0	125	ES	6.1
Eli Raridon	Sr	ND	IND	78.125	245	28.90	9.45	4.62	1.60	4.38	7.16	36.0	123	ES	6.1

 

Sadiq is the standard here for me he’s got the size, he’s got the athleticism, he has the production, he played through injury, and the thing that sets him apart from Stowers is that he’s a willing and capable blocker. Stowers played in-line, at the H, and in the slot and was a dynamic part of the Vandy offense, he has enough size that he should be able to at least contribute in the run game but he just hasn’t shown a whole lot of it. Klare was the fifth option in the Ohio State offense but flashes on tape in ways that most others didn’t. Roush is the best blocker in the class but also showed a considerable amount of fluidity in the open field and that was great to see. Delp shows why he was such a highly touted recruit and shows flashes but he never quite made the impact you would have expected over the last couple of years. Raridon is fantastic in the run game and very good in the pass game, I thought he played with a bit of stiffness to his game when you watched but he’s more than capable of an impact.

 

Offensive Tackles

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	BMI	40	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Ath	Role	Gr
Spencer Fano	Jr	UTAH	BXII	77.5	311	37.28	4.91	1.72	4.67	7.34	32.0	111	1.208	S	7.2
Francis Mauigoa	Jr	MiFL	ACC	77.5	327	39.20	5.14	1.78	4.59	7.77	29.0	106	1.291	S	7.1
Caleb Lomu	RSSo	UTAH	BXII	78.25	313	36.81	4.99	1.74	x	x	32.5	113	0.509	ES	6.9
Kadyn Proctor	Jr	ALA	SEC	78.625	352	41.00	5.21	1.84	4..78	7.78	32.0	109	0.637	ES	6.7
Max Iheanachor	RSSr	ASU	BXII	77.875	330	39.18	4.91	1.73	x	x	30.5	115	0.678	ES	6.3
Monroe Freeling	Jr	UGA	SEC	79.375	315	36.00	4.93	1.71	x	x	33.5	115	0.641	ES	6.2

 

Fano was fantastic against Bailey, as was Lomu, with good feet and heavy hands. Lomu is a bit of a waist-bender/reacher but he’s a technician and was the reason Fano moved over to the right side this season. Mauigoa is as solid as they come, he’s athletic with good hands, and movement skills that make it look easy. Proctor is a freak athlete but he needs to be consistent with his conditioning at the next level, if he can do that he can be an absolute freak athletic force but there is risk around the three year LT starter from Bama. I didn’t love Iheanachor the way some do in this draft but he’s a good player with workable traits that just needs to clean up inconsistencies.

 

Guards

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	BMI	40	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Ath	Role	Gr
Olaivavega Ioane	RSJr	PSU	B1G	76.25	320	39.63	x	x	x	X	31.5	104	0.275	S	7.3
Chase Bisontis	Jr	aTm	SEC	77.25	315	38.01	5.02	1.76	4.78	7.53	32.0	105	1.310	ES	7.1
Gennings Dunker	Sr	IOWA	B1G	77	319	38.74	5.18	1.83	4.63	7.58	32.5	108	1.355	ES	7.0
Keylan Rutledge	Sr	GT	ACC	75.625	316	39.78	5.05	1.81	4.54	7.54	32.0	104	1.415	ES	6.3
Emmanuel Pregnon	RSSr	ORE	B1G	76.25	314	38.89	5.21	1.82	4.81	7.72	35.0	111	1.202	ES	6.1

 

Ioane might be the best lineman in the draft, he’s the definition of a dancing bear and is consistently explosive and violent on the move. Bisontis is a classic left guard with great movement skills and heavy hands, while Dunker is a tackle convert from Iowa who was a mauler of a RT and translatable skills to bump inside.

 

Centers

Player

Cl

Tm

Conf

Ht

Wt

BMI

40

10

SS

3C

VJ

BJ

Ath

Role

Gr

Jake Slaughter

RSSr

UF

SEC

76.875

303

36.92

5.10

1.74

x

x

32.5

110

0.573

ES

6.2

 

Slaughter is solid if unspectacular in a relatively weak center class.

 

Interior D-Line

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	TFL	Sks	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Role	Gr
Kayden McDonald	Jr	OSU	B1G	74.125	326	9.0	3.0	x	x	x	x	x	S	7.2
Peter Woods	Jr	CLEM	ACC	74.5	298	3.5	2.0	1.67	4.54	7.7	29	104	S	7.1
Christen Miller	RSJr	UGA	SEC	75.75	321	4.0	1.5	x	x	x	x	x	ES	6.3
Lee Hunter	Sr	TTU	BXII	75.5	318	11.0	3.0	1.79	x	x	21.5	100	ES	6.2
Chris McClellan	Sr	MIZZ	SEC	75.75	313	8.0	6.0	1.8	5	8.18	29.5	108	ES	6.1
Darrell Jackson Jr	RSSr	FSU	ACC	77.5	315	3.0	1.0	x	x	x	x	x	ES	6.1

 

McDonald and Woods are the cream of the crop inside. McDonald looks like just a stuffer but is consistently disruptive, while Woods is a more classic 3-tech body with a high motor.

 

Edge Rushers

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	TFL	Sks	PD	40	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Role	Gr
Arvell Reese	Jr	OSU	B1G	76.125	241	10.0	6.5	2	4.46	1.58	x	x	X	X	S	7.4
David Bailey	Sr	TTU	BXII	75.625	251	19.5	14.5	3	4.5	1.62	x	x	35	129	S	7.3
Rueben Bain Jr	Jr	MiFL	ACC	74.25	263	15.5	9.5	2	x	x	x	x	X	X	S	7.1
Malachi Lawrence	RSSr	UCF	BXII	76.375	253	11.0	7.0	3	4.52	1.57	x	x	40	130	ES	7.0
Akheem Mesidor	6th	MiFL	ACC	75	259	17.5	12.5	0	x	x	x	x	X	X	ES	6.9
Keldric Faulk	Jr	AUB	SEC	77.875	274	5.0	2.0	4	4.68	1.68	x	x	35	117	ES	6.8
R Mason Thomas	Sr	OKLA	SEC	74.25	241	9.5	6.5	1	4.67	1.63	x	7.4	34	119	ES	6.5
Zion Young	Sr	MIZZ	SEC	77.75	267	16.5	6.5	2	4.75	1.72	x	x	31	117	ES	6.4
Cashius Howell	RSSr	aTm	SEC	74.5	253	14.0	11.5	6	4.59	1.58	x	x	32.5	115	ES	6.3
Romello Height	Sr	TTU	BXII	74.75	239	11.0	9.5	1	4.64	1.62	x	x	39	125	ES	6.1

 

Reese is raw on the edge but was very impressive for someone still learning the position, he’s Parsons-esque in his role and although I hesitate to go as far as calling him the next Parsons he shows a fantastic feel for the game. Bailey is much more polished a product, he needs to sturdy up a bit in the run game but he’s not bad there either. Bain’s biggest knock is that he’s right on the cutoff for arm length but he is a consistent disruptor and beats longer tackles often enough that I don’t believe it should be a major deterrence. Lawrence can turn the corner as well as anyone in the class and while he’s not as polished as others above him his ability to bend and turn the corner should set him up to make an impact at the next level. Mesidor was bookend to Bain and productive in his own right and is a very good prospect. Faulk is a classic 4-3 end with the power to boot, he’s not as flashy or athletic as some of his peers but he’s going to have an impact in both the run and pass and be a start early for someone. R Mason Thomas exploded off the screen, he’s twitchy and running at 100 at all times.

 

Off-Ball Linebackers

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	Tkls	TFL	Sks	PD	FF	40	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Role	Gr
Sonny Styles	Sr	OSU	B1G	77	244	64.0	6.5	1.0	4	1	4.46	1.56	4.26	7.09	43.5	134	S	7.6
Jacob Rodriguez	Sr	TTU	BXII	74.375	231	95.5	11.0	1.0	10	7	4.57	1.59	4.19	6.9	38.5	121	S	7.4
Jake Golday	RSSr	CIN	AAC	76.5	239	72.0	6.0	3.5	3	1	4.62	1.59	4.32	6.89	39	125	ES	6.4
CJ Allen	Jr	UGA	SEC	72.75	230	67.5	8.0	3.5	4	2	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	ES	6.2
Josiah Trotter	RSSo	MIZZ	SEC	73.875	237	63.5	13.0	2.0	1	0	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	INJ	ES	6.1

 

I loved watching both Styles and Rodriguez, Styles has just that tick more athleticism and burst but both will be fantastic to the middle of defenses.

 

Cornerbacks

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	TFL	Int	PBU	PD	40	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Role	Gr
Mansoor Delane	Sr	LSU	SEC	71.75	182	0.0	2	11	13	4.38	1.5	x	x	x	x	S	7.3
Jermod McCoy	Jr	TENN	SEC	72.75	192	0.0	0	0	0	4.4	1.52	x	x	38	127	S	7.1
Colton Hood	RSSo	TENN	SEC	71.625	193	4.5	1	8	9	4.44	1.54	x	x	40	125	ES	6.7
Chris Johnson	Sr	SDSU	MWC	72.375	193	0.0	0	0	0	4.4	1.54	4.12	x	38	126	ES	6.6
D'Angelo Ponds	Jr	IND	B1G	68.625	180	4.0	2	10	12	4.37	1.52	4.27	x	x	x	ES	6.4
Brandon Cisse	Jr	SoCa	SEC	71.75	189	1.5	1	5	6	4.46	1.53	4.33	x	41	131	ES	6.3
Avieon Terrell	Jr	CLEM	ACC	70.75	180	4.5	0	11	11	4.67	1.59	x	x	34	123	ES	6.1

Safeties

Player	Cl	Tm	Conf	Ht	Wt	TFL	Int	PBU	40	10	SS	3C	VJ	BJ	Role	Gr
Caleb Downs	Jr	OSU	B1G	71.625	206	5.0	2	1	x	x	x	x	x	x	S	7.3
Dillon Thieneman	Jr	ORE	B1G	72.125	201	3.5	2	5	4.35	1.52	x	x	41	125	S	7.2
Keionte Scott	6th	MiFL	ACC	71.25	191	0.0	0	0	4.37	1.53	x	x	34	123	ES	7.0
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren	Sr	TOL	MAC	75.5	213	5.5	2	5	4.52	1.58	x	x	35.5	122	ES	6.9
Zakee Wheatley	RSSr	PSU	B1G	75.125	202	2.0	1	1	4.65	1.64	4.11	6.98	33	124	ES	6.2
Bud Clark	Sr	TCU	BXII	72.875	197	1.5	4	7	4.41	1.56	x	x	38	127	ES	6.1
A.J. Haulcy	Sr	LSU	SEC	71.625	215	0.5	3	4	4.52	1.62	x	x	x	x	ES	6.1

 

Downs and Thieneman are great prospects with Downs being the headier player who lacks just a little on the top end of athleticism but is just where ne needs to be all the time, while Thieneman flies around the field tested fantastically and shows great coverage skills. Scott Is a touch off those top two but he was everywhere for that Hurricanes defense and made it all work behind Mesidore and Bain, he’s so much fun to watch and is gonna be a fan favorite early. McNeil-Warren loves contact and has good instinct and is best working into the box, and while he lacks a touch of top end athleticism, he reads the offense well and consistently makes plays.