If you’re a fan of hybrid defenders and tight ends who can line up anywhere, the 2026 NFL Draft will be your paradise.
If you’re a fan of quarterbacks? Well, there’s always YouTube.
This class has been labeled “weak” by many (though I’m not sure that’s entirely fair), and there are limitations to it that go beyond Fernando Mendoza being the only no-doubt starting quarterback prospect. There are seven offensive tackles who could go in the first round, but maybe two worthy of being selected on Day 2. This is not an overwhelmingly wide receiver group at the top — none of the top three receivers in these rankings should be considered a surefire WR1 option in the NFL. Running back is also much thinner than it was a year ago.
There is, however, still gold to be mined — most of it residing on defense, with tremendous groups at both linebacker and defensive back. The edge and defensive tackle classes are solid, as well, and this year’s tight end group is one of the deepest we’ve seen.
Here’s a look at my updated top 50 prospects for the 2026 draft:
1. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
College football’s most consistent and explosive playmaker last season, Love has a blend of power, balance and acceleration that is among the best we’ve seen in years. He is a more complete prospect than Ashton Jeanty was in 2025 and is at least as good (if not better) than Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs were in 2023.
2. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The best NFL comp for Mendoza is that he’s a faster version of Jared Goff, but I also see some Cam Ward in his game. He was a nearly unrecruited high school prospect who willed his way up the ranks of college football through relentless improvement and an unmatched work ethic.
3. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Reese still has an argument for the No. 1 spot, as he’s probably the closest thing we’ve seen to Micah Parsons — on a prospect level — since Parsons himself. He’s one of the youngest players in the class, and his body of work isn’t very deep, but his flashes in 2025 were brilliant.
4. David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
The best pure pass rusher in the draft, Bailey moves like an explosive small forward. With an elite first step, tremendous body control and a growing move set, Bailey should have an instant impact as a rookie.
5. Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State
The safest prospect in the draft, Downs is one of the smartest college safeties I’ve watched. He’s more Budda Baker or Brian Branch than Kyle Hamilton or Nick Emmanwori, but he’s the best pound-for-pound tackler and run fitter in this class. A creative NFL defensive coordinator will have a field day with him.
6. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The top corner in a talented class, Delane was one of college football’s most disruptive man-coverage defenders over the past three years. He plays with outstanding eye discipline, is very difficult to stack vertically and always winds up around the football.
7. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Not only is Styles one of the most unique athletes the draft has seen in years, but he’s also coming along at a time when the NFL might actually be ready for him. A 6-foot-5, 244-pound linebacker who runs and jumps like a wide receiver, Styles has yet to play his best football. His positional versatility in the NFL could be tremendous.
8. Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami
Folks should not overcomplicate this one. Bain’s arms are short — very short. But when the ball is snapped, Bain is a 275-pound freight train with bend. His hands are jackhammers, and whether he’s rushing off the edge or inside, he’s the most physical defender in the draft.
9. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
A mutant in pads, Sadiq is the best of another great tight end class — the 6-3, 241-pounder ran a jaw-dropping 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine (and added a 43 1/2-inch vertical and an 11-foot, 1-inch broad jump). He can run any route, and his flashes as a run blocker will turn your head. A three-down weapon, Sadiq has immense potential.
10. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
A tackle who moves like a tight end, Fano had some effortless stretches in pass protection over the past two years and was downright dominant last season as a run blocker for Utah’s hard-charging offense. He’s a bit light and not very long, but he projects as an immediate NFL starter.
11. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Mauigoa (6-6, 325) is a very light-footed athlete. And though his length is limited, his hand efficiency and technical consistency made him a top-end protector throughout his Miami career. Like Fano, he’s athletic and smart enough to play either side or possibly at guard.
12. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
One of the most improved players in the country last season, Tate became more than Jeremiah Smith’s sidekick during a sparkling junior campaign, in which he showed off his deep speed and ability to win in the air. A big receiver who moves like a little one, Tate is a classic Ohio State WR prospect; he comes with very few rough edges.
13. Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The best run blocker in the draft, Ioane has power throughout his body, with efficient hands and thunderous leg drive along the interior. He’s played both guard spots, some right tackle and even a bit of center. But he looks like a Day 1 starting NFL guard who could hang in any system.
14. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Purely from an athletic standpoint, Freeling reminds me of Eagles legend Lane Johnson. A gigantic tackle with truly elite athleticism, Freeling is more traits than finished product right now, but he’s one of the most tantalizing prospects in the class.
15. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman plays with elite speed and explosion from the back end, and he’s a fearless run fitter with great feel in man or zone. He’s a bit light, but he plays like a faster version of Jevon Holland. A do-everything safety.
16. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
If Tyson stays healthy, he’ll go down as a top-10 player in this class. The draft’s most complete receiver prospect, Tyson can play anywhere on the field, plus he wins in the air, blocks and provides a reliable target. He’s also had a knee injury, broken collarbone and hamstring issues during his career.
17. Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
One of the youngest players in the draft, Faulk (6-5, 276 with 34 3/8-inch arms) is also one of the most physically impressive. He reminds me a bit of Jaguars edge and former No. 1 pick Travon Walker, who started slow before posting back-to-back double-digit sack years in 2023 and 2024.
18. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
We’ll see where teams land on McCoy, who has not played since 2024 after tearing an ACL about 15 months ago. His sophomore-season film, however, is impossible to ignore — he flashed teach tape in press and zone, as a big-bodied corner with star potential. His health remains a question.
19. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
There are size and speed limitations here, but — as was the case with former USC Trojans star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown — it might not matter. Lemon’s route savvy, feel in space and ability to win in the air should make him a factor quickly.
20. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
An almost effortlessly smooth athlete, Terrell glides on the field like one of those souped-up, zero-turn lawnmowers. He’s a smaller corner (5-11, 180), but he buzzes around receivers like a mosquito in man coverage.
21. Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami
Mesidor doesn’t have ideal length for an edge, but I don’t really care. Miami’s other “Bash Brother” alongside Bain, Mesidor is a powerful, violent defensive lineman who wins with relentless effort and physicality. The team that drafts him won’t have to wait — he’s ready to compete right now.
22. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
A highly instinctive, relentless presence inside the box, Allen was the standard for linebacker play inside Kirby Smart’s program, as both a sophomore and a junior. He’ll be a green-dot defender as a rookie.
23. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
A hiccup in a helmet and cleats, Concepcion (5-11, 200) is built a bit like a bowling ball — one that runs on race-car fuel. Extremely dangerous in open space and lightning quick off the line, Concepcion will be a creative offensive coordinator’s dream.
24. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Mendoza’s favorite target last season, Cooper (6-0, 201) was the most productive member of a very talented Indiana receiver group. He’s a versatile, physical and dependable pass catcher with above-average speed and an ability to move the sticks.
25. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
A super-sized safety with terrific hybrid potential, the 6-3, 209-pound McNeil-Warren blends good explosion with terrific body flexibility and balance in space. If he can get stronger in his lower half, he’ll be a force.
26. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
A big-bodied target at nearly 6-4 and 212 pounds, Boston doesn’t overwhelm defenders with speed but plays with great body control and incredibly consistent hands. He’s a versatile weapon.
27. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
A young, versatile interior presence capable of playing three-technique (or some nose tackle, in the right system), McDonald was extremely quick off the ball last year at Ohio State. He is a disruptive force capable of making plays outside his square.
28. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Big, sturdy and long, Lomu was the other half of Utah’s terrific tackle duo. Also a standout athlete for his position, Lomu has some consistency issues to work through but shows starting potential at left tackle.
29. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Another outstanding athlete at the tackle position, Iheanachor (6-5, 321 with nearly 34-inch arms) still moves like the basketball player he once was. He did not play high school football, which shows at times, but he has starting potential at left or right tackle.
30. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
A physical presence who is not afraid to hit, Hood is a disruptive force around the ball who plays with an above-average blend of speed and burst. He’s better in zone than man right now, but he has the talent to compete for a job right away.
31. Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
Young (6-6, 262 with 33-inch arms) boasts an ideal frame for either a strongside or weakside edge. He also moves with great body twitch and fast hands. If he improves his consistency, he’ll be a force.
32. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
A four-year starter, team captain and formerly a state champion wrestler, Miller tends to play tall and doesn’t always overwhelm opponents in the run game. But his consistency in protection could make him a starting left tackle for a long time.
33. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
A member of the first-guy-off-the-bus hall of fame, Proctor is truly an elite athlete for his size (nearly 6-7, 352) and had tremendous flashes in college. He’s also very young — and very inconsistent in protection.
34. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
As a processor, passer and an athlete, Simpson has shown first-round stuff. However, he only started one year in college — and about a quarter of it was pretty rough. We don’t know what we don’t know here.
35. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
The son of a military veteran and husband of a U.S. Army Blackhawk pilot, Rodriguez — a former college quarterback — is a model of consistency and toughness inside the middle of the defense. A complete athlete (at 6-1, 231), he’ll be wearing a green dot in short order.
36. Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M
Howell’s suddenness off the snap and ability to get to depth quickly can be a nightmare for slow-footed tackles. Despite having suboptimal size and length, Howell owns a bag of moves that makes him one of the best pure pass rushers in the draft.
37. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Long and explosive, Johnson (6-0, 193) blends ideal size for an outside corner with terrific speed and range. He covers a ton of ground and is hard to stack — and forced a combined 14 incompletions over the past two years.
38. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
A scheme-versatile nose with the ability to two-gap and push the pocket on third down, Hunter (6-3, 318) blends a big-time anchor with twitchy hands and quick feet. He’s a three-down weapon.
39. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Bernard is quicker than fast, but he’s also set-your-watch dependable as a versatile outside receiver who knows how to move the chains. A very quarterback-friendly pass catcher, Bernard reminds me a bit of Emeka Egbuka.
40. Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
At 6-4, 314 with nearly 34-inch arms, Pregnon played with NFL-caliber power and burst at the line of scrimmage for both USC and Oregon. He’s a guard-only prospect, but he’s also one of the safer offensive linemen in the class.
41. Malachi Lawrence, edge, UCF
The only edge defenders with better 40 times than Lawrence (4.52) were Reese and Bailey — and the UCF star outjumped both of them (40-inch vertical; 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump). At 6-4, 253 with nearly 34-inch arms, he could use more polish, but he’s a potential game-wrecker.
42. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Woods’ flashes during his first two seasons at Clemson reminded me of Browns youngster Mason Graham. Last year? Not so much. If you get the freshman and sophomore version, though, Woods is a top-20 player in the class.
43. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
A dynamic athlete with hybrid potential, Golday (6-4, 240) has the speed and explosion to make him a stack linebacker, with an ability to rush off the edge in the right situation. He is also an outstanding tackler — one of the best in the class.
44. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
An undersized pit bull who is always around the football, Ponds (5-8, 182) is an effortless mover with elite explosion (43 1/2-inch vertical). He also forced a combined 19 incompletions from 2024-25 and plays with swagger and physicality, no matter where he’s lined up.
45. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
One of the best athletes in the class, Dennis-Sutton (6-6, 256, 33 1/2-inch arms) brings power and burst at the line of scrimmage that are impossible to ignore. He could use more diversity in his rush approach, but he comes with big-time potential.
46. Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M
A very well-balanced athlete, Bisontis (6-5, 315) is explosive off the ball and has the ability to reach-block over multiple gaps on zone runs. Also a good puller and screener, Bisontis is more of an athlete than a technical wizard, but he has the tools to compete quickly.
47. T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
Parker is another Clemson defender who flashed high-first-round potential during his freshman and sophomore years before nearly disappearing as a junior. Teams will have to do a deep scout here, but the payoff could be huge.
48. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Banks is a first-round talent, but he fractured a bone in his foot during combine testing in early March after missing time during the season. When healthy, he’s arguably DT1, but that’s two serious foot injuries in a year for the 6-6, 327-pound havoc-creating defender.
49. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Cisse is still more of an athlete than a polished cornerback, but the 6-foot, 189-pounder is a pretty phenomenal mover. He has elite explosion and enough size to be a force on the outside, or even as a big nickel.
50. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Stowers (6-4, 239) set NFL combine records for a tight end with a 45 1/2-inch vertical and an 11-3 broad jump. He has tremendous potential as a receiver, even if he can be a liability as an inline run blocker.