2026 NFL Draft Top 50
The 2026 Draft is being held in Pittsburgh for the very first time
The serious work started on the 2026 NFL Draft in June, when I pulled together my first scouting report on draft-eligible players. That scouting report was Caleb Downs, a player I had seen quite a lot of already but never properly evaluated. I was not disappointed, and he remains the No.1 player on my board, even as we are mere hours away from the Buckeyes defending their national crown.
This is my first, but it won’t be my last Top 50 ahead of the 2026 Draft. We are 236 days from the Draft kicking off in Pittsburgh, and with arguably the most unpredictable college football season in years in flight, I am sure this list will change significantly before that first team is on the clock. With 6 QBs, 10 edge rushers and 3 OTs in the Top 10, this is clearly a draft for those looking to improve, protect and get after the QB position.
Without further ado, let’s get into it:
50) Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Lawson was part of my 10 in 10 Preseason scouting series, where I flagged him as a potential Day-2 pick. Lawson is the leader of a defense that included 4 NFL draft picks this past April and could exceed that again in 2026. He is a good athlete who moves well North-South, is solid in coverage and has strong tackle fundamentals. Some challenges breaking free of blocks, due to size limitations and streaky tackling. That, combined with a late-season ACL tear, have hurt his prospects slightly.
49) Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama
Back-to-back Crimson Tide players with Keenan appearing at No.49. He is set to miss multiple games this year, but showed enough in 2024 to be taken seriously as a 2026 draft prospect. Keenan had to be patient to wait his turn to get meaningful reps on the Alabama defensive line, but has been a force inside at Nose Tackle for the Crimson Tide. At 326 pounds, he is a load on the interior against the run and occupies double teams effectively. He has flashes of athleticism, so could be viewed as a ‘Nose plus’, but needs to watch his weight as he has had some major fluctuations during his college career.
48) Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate is an obvious contender to make a massive leap among draft-eligible receivers in 2025 with Egbuka moving on to the NFL. The Buckeyes receiver shows excellent hands, barring a few focus drops and is a high-end straight-line athlete, which bodes well for his versatility. He won't blow you away with the ball in his hands or as a blocker, but if he can improve his route nuance and physicality at the catch point, we could be talking about Tate as a high-end WR2 prospect at the NFL level. A role he will play for the Buckeyes this season behind Sophomore phenom Jeremiah Smith.
47) Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Boston had a breakout year in 2024, leading the Huskies in all major receiving categories. He will need a strong 2025 to show that wasn't a flash in the pan, and will be hoping for more consistent QB play. He wins his fair share of contested catches, which is good, as he doesn't create a ton of separation on his routes. He does challenge the technique of corners in off-man or cloud coverage, but struggles with press. Physicality bothers him on his release; however, an improvement in his ability to fight through contact, along with his hands holding up to increased volume as the clear WR1, Boston could be a riser in the class as he has some maturity to his route running.
46) Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
York is an undersized linebacker who will likely need to play Will or box safety at the next level, but has grown into a leader on the Aggies defense. He is a tone-setter despite his size limitations, with excellent closing speed and athleticism. He is overall a really strong tackler with some notable lapses vs Notre Dame and Texas, however, with some improvements in coverage and mental mistakes, York could climb even higher than his Top-50 ranking.
45) Joshua Josephs, Edge, Tennessee
Josephs is part of a Volunteers group of pass rushers that has produced NFL prospects already (Young and Pearce Jr.), and he looks to be next in line. Moved across the front-seven, he should predominantly man the LEO position this season and could significantly improve on his limited production thus far. As you'd expect for a player with minimal starts, his pass rush moves are underdeveloped, but there is no doubt he flashes high-level upside with twitch and bend.
44) Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State
Jackson Jr. broke out in 2024 after missing the entire 2023 season, minus the Bowl game, with 5 sacks and over 20 QB pressures. FSU had a down year for sure, but it wasn't down to their defensive line, which had talent, including Jackson Jr. He can play too high at times, and shows some rawness in his pass rush moves. However, I'm betting on Jackson Jr.'s size, strength and power, projecting him to take a step forward in 2025 and put him firmly in the mix for the top half of the draft next April.
43) Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
Coleman followed Coach Fisch to Washington and is now firmly on the NFL draft radar following an impressive first season for the Huskies, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 10 TDs. He has great contact balance and is tough to take down, with good vision and burst to get back to the line and find the soft spots, particularly on inside zone runs. There is more meat on the bone as a receiver, as he seems to have good hands overall, but only had 177 receiving yards in the Huskies offense.
42) Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Sarratt is a leader on the Hoosiers offense and returns as one of the most productive receivers in CFB, spanning 3 different colleges. Sarratt is the best blocking receiver I have scouted in this class, as he is willing to put his body on the line every play, whether that is making tough contested catches or springing a teammate. He lacks some elite speed and athleticism, which may be why he was so lowly recruited. The focus drops on tape need to be cleaned up, as his profile at the next level likely translates to a reliable WR3 who can step into volume when needed.
41) Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon
Uiagalelei popped in 2024 for the first time in his college career, which started in Week 1 with his first multi-sack game and continued right through to the end of the year. His prototypical size and length will make scouts stand up and take notice, and his closing speed should mean he gets looks on Day 2 at a minimum.
40) Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Let’s get the obvious out in the open; I do not have a first-round grade on Garrett Nussmeier at this stage. He was an interesting evaluation as his tape reveals a really wide variance in his potential. At times, he goes through progressions, throws with timing and accuracy with a well-above-average arm. However, on the flip side, there are moments he leaves you tearing your hair out. He had some ridiculous turnovers in the games watched, ranging from redzone picks to misplaced checkdowns.
39) Bray Hubbard, S, Alabama
Bray Hubbard burst onto the scene in 2024, replacing Keon Sabb during the Tennessee game and not looking back. He made some big plays across the final 6 games of the season and the Bowl game, including 3 picks. He has a good nose for the ball, making big hits and forcing TOs, but it is a limited sample size. He will have an opportunity to start this year and projects in my view as a possible high-end box safety and leader of the defense, using his QB background to read plays and play with instincts.
38) Trey Zuhn III, OL, Texas A&M
Zuhn may not be the athlete that some others are in the class, but he is an exceptionally consistent lineman over the last 2 years with great size and power. He struggles to coordinate his hands and feet at times and is prone to lunging or holding when off balance. However, teams coveting a solid starting offensive lineman with potential upside will consider spending a premium pick on him next April.
37) D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Ponds' lack of size may take him off draft boards, but in the right scheme, he could find a home as a starting slot corner. He competes at the catch point with excellent ball skills and timing, while battling hard on every play. Prone to penalties and not an elite athlete, but with the right coach and system, I could see Ponds sticking in the NFL due to his instincts and overall football IQ.
36) Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
For those who have read my Preseason 10 in 10 scouting series, you will not be surprised by this ranking. Drew Allar definitely improved in 2024, but had his worst performance of the year in his final game vs Notre Dame, which should leave him chomping at the bit to come back and prove he is worthy of a first-round draft pick. Allar has a good arm with great command of the Penn State offense, which took some strides last year under new OC Andy Kotelnicki, but there are still some limitations on film. His footwork can be inconsistent, and it leads to some really bad misses to the outside and over the middle, while his decision-making at times leaves you scratching your head.
35) Zane Durant, DL, Penn State
Another Nittany Lion with some question marks appears here at No.35, but I’m betting on his upside. He has some explosion to his game and should do very well in athletic testing, but won't be a fit everywhere. He is an undersized 4-tech at 6'1 and 288, which can be seen in his run game struggles at times. He will need a very productive 2025 season to vault up draft boards and prove his lack of size won't be an issue at the next level. Otherwise, he will be a scheme-dependent project, who may have to wait a while to hear his name called.
34) Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon
Another player featured in my scouting series, Hughes could rise to be in RB1 conversations with a dominant year for Oregon. He has a good combination of speed and power, but has been underutilised in the passing game. Showed good flashes in pass protection and finishes his runs effectively, which bodes well for his future prospects as he looks to improve his stock along, combined with making a run at the national championship with the Ducks.
33) Cayden Green, OL, Missouri
Already with a game under his belt at LT this year, Cayden Green is among the most versatile offensive linemen in the nation. Green started his career with the Sooners and looked like he had potential right from the off. He moved closer to home and joined Mizzou before the 2024 season, and showcased his size, versatility and nasty demeanor. His game improved across the board last year, and with anothe leap and some improved run blocking, Green could rise into Day 1 consideration.
32) Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Lemon is the best pure slot receiver I have scouted so far in the 2026 class. He showcased his full arsenal in the final regular season game vs Notre Dame, up against future NFL prospects and making 9 catches from 10 targets for 133 yards and was time and again the go-to man for Maiava. Lemon is a versatile player with kick return skills and should be a safety blanket for NFL QBs with his consistent hands, body control and route running. I do worry at times with how he deals with physical coverage, occasionally getting pushed around and won't blow anyone away as a blocker or pure deep threat. But I think Lemon has an NFL skillset.
31) Parker Brailsford, IOL, Alabama
Brailsford will have a chance to excel in DeBoer's offense once again at Alabama this coming season and has shown maturity in his two years starting. Has struggled to handle some bigger interior rushers, but flashes of mature technique and movement skills could see him as a safe prospect for teams looking for interior offensive line help.
30) Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan
Moore has had to be patient as part of the Wolverines rotation on the defensive line, sitting behind NFL talents such as Josiah Stewart, but should get his chance to shine in a more prominent role in 2025. Moore has good size and length, and flashes a mature game with solid hand usage and power to put offensive linemen in a bind. A full season should help iron out some of the kinks in his game, and he is a player we could be talking about in the Top 5 at the edge position by season's end.
29) Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman burst onto the scene as a true Freshman in 2023 with 6 picks and explosive play. Took a little step back on a terrible Purdue team in 2024, but does show excellent potential in both coverage and the ability to take the ball to the house. He does get run over a bit in run support, and his open-field tackling can leave a bit to be desired. But Thieneman should get an opportunity to show what he can do in the Ducks and have a legitimate shot at a CFP run.
28) Iapani Laloulu, IOL, Oregon
Laloulu has lived up to his billing as one of the best HS prospects to come out of the state of Hawaii in the last number of years. He has started games at Center, LG and RG, showcasing his versatility as a prospect and has not allowed a sack in over 1200 snaps. Can improve as a run blocker though, as some strength and length issues appear on tape, but another solid season inside for the Ducks should see Laloulu safely land among the best interior line prospects in the class.
27) A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
Harris got his first taste of starting action last year in the Penn State secondary and hasn't looked back. He improved almost every week, culminating in a very strong 6-tackle performance in the Big 10 championship game vs Oregon. Harris is versatile, long with strong instincts in coverage, who could take a big leap in 2025. Can work on his change of direction and physicality as he allows craftier receivers to get separation at the line too easily at times, but Harris is certainly up there with some of the better CBs in the class.
26) Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
I know there has been a lot of talk about Klubnik as the potential 1st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Personally, I think that is a little premature, as despite his strong performance vs Texas in the CFP, there are a number of areas for improvement for Klubnik. Concerns around his size and arm strength are legitimate, as his footwork is not always clean, and it leaves him having to throw his whole body into every throw. However, he doesn't lack for confidence, willing to take deep shots and is decisive in the pocket for the most part. He will get a chance to prove his draft credntials, when he takes on the No.40 player on this list, Nussmeier, in Death Valley tonight.
25) Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Singleton has been part of one of the best 1-2 punches at RB for the Nittany Lions over the last 2 seasons with both backs returning in 2025 to try and lift Penn State to a conference championship and another deep CFP run. Singleton is an excellent receiving back, quick on short yardage with deceptive burst and acceleration. Doesn't sustain deep speed and needs to improve in pass protection, as there are some really bad reps there on tape. While he likely won't be among the most explosive backs in the 2026 class, his combination of pedigree and talent should see him coveted when the clock starts next April in Pittsburgh.
24) Davd Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Bailey was one of the highest-profile players to transfer in the Spring, moving from the ACC to the Big 12 to join the Red Raiders. He brings a versatile skillset, capable of playing almost anywhere across the front seven, and has done so for the Stanford Cardinals. Some size concerns may leave some questioning his NFL fit; however, his tape reveals a tone-setting LB with a nose for the football and some pass rush maturity. He needs to put it all together in 2025 and show more consistency and durability.
23) Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
Slaughter has been Mr. Consistent for the Gators since stepping in to start at Center at the beginning of the 2023 season. He gave up only 1 sack in the 2024 season and is a smooth operator and above-average athlete. He doesn't jump off the film and struggles with length and some of the twitchier tackles he has faced in the SEC gauntlet. However, Slaughter should be viewed as a high-floor prospect who has the potential to be an above-average starter for multiple years at the Center position.
22) Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Rivers impressed me on tape both from both a fundamentals perspective and playmaking ability. At only 5'10, his lack of size might worry some scouts, as he may be too short to be a full-time outside corner. However, he plays with strong instincts, tackles well, attacking the ball in the air, snap in and snap out. He can give up inside leverage too easily, but Rivers returns as one of the best corners in the ACC and could be set for another strong year for the Blue Devils.
21) Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Muhammad has the length and movement skills to be a big riser in the draft process. There are some improvements he can make to his game, most notably in tackling and playing the run, but he has some upside in coverage, and I like him in zone or match coverage where his reading of the play can be best utilised. With another strong performance in 2025, we could be talking about a 1st-round CB in this upcoming draft.
20) Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
Dennis-Sutton came to Penn State as a highly touted 5-star recruit, and while he was outshone by Abdul Carter at times, he had a massive performance down the stretch of the 2024 season. He is now poised to take the Edge1 position for Penn State in 2025 with the necessary size and athleticism for the position, showing pass rush technique and bend. He still looks a bit raw on film and will need to improve against the run to stay on the field consistently, but a big 2025 will vault Dennis-Sutton into top of the class consideration.
19) Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Rueben Bain Jr. missed the chance to build on his impressive Freshman season with a calf injury limiting him to 8 games during his Sophomore year. A big 2025 season could propel him into Top 10 consideration, as his tape reveals a powerful rusher off the edge who has the versatility to kick inside. Some size and length concerns may mean he won't be a fit with every team for a full-time role, but he shows advanced hand usage and the motor to never give up on a play. Bain Jr. is certainly a name to watch as the Hurricanes look to go one step further this year and make the ACC championship game and CFP for the first time under Mario Cristobal.
18) Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
Leavitt is an intriguing evaluation, who ascended into national attention following a remarkable season with the Sun Devils, leading them to a Big 12 championship and CFP appearance. His tape reveals a player who has flashed almost all the necessary traits to be a starting-level QB in the NFL. He navigates the pocket well, can take off and run where needed and delivers an excellent deep ball with timing and placement. He showed some growing pains last year for sure, taking off and trusting his legs too much while also struggling with some mechanical issues.
17) LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
There is arguably no QB in the country whose stock is climbing faster than LaNorris Sellers. His 2nd half of 2024 made everyone sit up and take notice. With his combination of arm talent and dual-threat ability, he is among the preseason favourites to win the Heisman. His game is not all the way there yet, as his ball security and pocket presence can dramatically improve. But NFL teams tend to bet on potential early in the draft, and Sellers may well be the next project NFL OCs covet the challenge of developing.
16) Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Hill Jr. is viewed as the consensus best linebacker in early predictions for the 2026 NFL draft, and he certainly has the pedigree and athleticism to be considered in that regard. He covers the space with extreme athleticism, making it difficult for ball carriers or quarterbacks to avoid him on the field. He does take some questionable pursuit angles and misses his fair share of tackles, so a more consistent all-around 2025 campaign as the leader of the Longhorns' defence should solidify him as a first-round pick.
15) Tyreak Sapp, Edge, Florida
Sapp has been a mainstay in the Gators defense for 3 years, but broke out in 2024 with an 8-sack season. Sapp is a power rusher who uses strong hands, combined with an excellent motor, to overwhelm offensive tackles and interior linemen. Not a bendy player with a tweener build and should be viewed as a 3-4 DE most likely, but could be a real asset in the right situation.
14) LT Overton, Edge, Alabama
Overton has been mentioned as a Top 15 player in some circles and may continue to be a big riser in the draft process next year. His combination of athleticism and length usually equals 1st first-round pick, but the lack of production and rawness on film may leave scouts second-guessing. Has a good motor, but can get washed out in the run game. If he improves in that space, he could solidify his status in the early portions of the draft.
13) Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson had a breakout year last year, particularly in the second half of the season as he took over several games for the Sun Devils, only derailed by a shoulder injury. Tyson is an explosive play waiting to happen with 10 TDs last year and having one of the highest yards per route run in college football. Ball security can be an issue for him with 7 drops and 2 fumbles lost during the course of the year, but if he can continue to show improvement, there is little reason not to expect him to be one of the top receivers off the board in the Spring.
12) Ar’maj Reed-Adams, IOL, Texas A&M
Reed-Adams took to the SEC impressively in his first year, becoming a leader along the Aggies offensive line. He held up well in a tough opening 3 games, including Notre Dame and Florida. He has good movement skills, being deployed in pin and pull situations regularly, where those skills matched with his size, are tough to handle. He is an older prospect and fair to question his ceiling due to some athletic limitations, but despite that, another strong year in the SEC should mean he won't have to wait long in April to hear his name called.
11) Arch Manning, QB, Texas
I bet you were asking yourself, where would Arch Manning be placed on this list? He is my QB1 right now, but finds himself just outside the Top 10 overall. I should state from the outset that do not believe Manning will declare, so I am making a massive projection here, but I see NFL franchise-QB all over him. The fundamentals are there, and he showed mental toughness to respond to early mistakes. He certainly has a number of areas to clean up, including ball security and pocket awareness. His detractors will get a chance to see early what he’s made of, as he takes the trip to Columbus at 5pm today. We may know a lot more about Arch Manning at around 8pm tonight.
10) Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Proctor is the first of 3 OTs to be appear in this Top 10, and he returns to Alabama for his Junior season. Listed at 6'7 and 369 pounds, he stands out on the Crimson Tide offensive line, and while his tape has been inconsistent, the potential is undeniable. He doesn't shift his feet as well as you'd like to see and definitely struggled with some of the twitchier outside rushers in the SEC. However, he flashes insane strength and high pass pro upside and barring a really down Junior season, should hear his name called on Day 1, just as his running mate on the left side, Booker did.
9) Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell returns to a stacked Clemson defence as their best secondary player following an impressive Sophomore campaign. He is excellent in coverage, with short-area quickness and ball skills to burn; his instincts are not a surprise, given his NFL bloodline. He is slight at only 180 pounds and can get pushed around at times, while also being a bit grabby in coverage, so there are things to work on in the Tom Allen defence. With a strong season, Terrell could find himself as the top Cornerback off the board in April.
8) Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Jermod McCoy is among the best returning DBs in college football. He is an adept cover corner with the ball skills of a former receiver who should meet all the speed and athletic criteria of an outside corner. He can be handsy in coverage and won't be a huge asset in run defense, but if he can overcome his injury and play some in 2025 and test in the pre-draft process, McCoy could be the first CB off the board next April.
7) Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Spencer Fano had a great season for the Utah Utes in what was a disastrous offensive year, partially due to injury to a number of top weapons. However, Fano dominated in the run game, helping Micah Bernard to a great rushing season. He is consistent every rep and plays with good pad level, leg drive and technique. His pass blocking needs more refinement, as he is prone to the bull rush, while being very grabby on film in 2023. Another big year for Fano should keep his name in early 1st-round consideration.
6) Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love is the favourite to be the first back selected in April, ahead of the two-headed monster at Penn State. Love shows a great initial burst and is tough to take down in space, showcasing a tackle-breaking ability which has been among the best in college football since 2023. He does have some deficiencies, typically due to lack of opportunity, as he has had limited pass pro and pass catching reps. He will need to take a leap on those in 2024, to avoid being labelled as a runner only. Either way, Love has 1st round talent for sure at this stage and should be hearing his name called early among the RB class, should he declare.
5) Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
My OT1, Mauigoa took a massive step forward in 2024, particularly in pass protection, where he remained largely mistake-free across the season. He is light on his feet, and moves well in space, showing consistent technique every play. His ceiling will be a question mark, unless he can show improvement in his pad level and hand usage. But O-line needy teams looking for a plug-and-play guy from this class, Mauigoa is your man.
4) Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Faulk improved in almost every way in 2024 for the Auburn Tigers and plays with excellent length and size. He has good power in his hands and will chase down every play like it’s his last. Certainly can improve his hand usage and pad level, but could hear his name called early in April. My summer scouting comp for him was Tyree Wilson, who went on to be a top 10 pick, although he hasn't quite lived up to that rating yet in his short NFL career.
3) T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
Parker will be playing under former Penn State DC Tom Allen this Autumn, where he will look to build upon an explosive Sophomore season. Parker is reminiscent of NFL talent that has come through the Allen pipeline with the size, power and twitch to keep tackles on their toes every play. He does play a little too hot at times, overrunning plays and missing some tackles against high-end competition. If he can continue to refine his pass rush plan, don't be surprised if Parker finds a team willing to spend a top 10 pick on his talent next Spring.
2) Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The 3rd and highest-ranked Clemson defender to appear on this list, Woods has the size, strength and production entering his Junior year to be considered among the elite in the 2026 class. He plays with great leverage and motor, flashing pass rush potential, which will have defensive coaches excited about his high floor and high ceiling. He does have a bit of a tweener frame dating back to his high school, and was played out of position in 2024 on the edge with some issues defending the run. But a full year at DT in the Tom Allen defense should help solidify his stock on what could be the best defensive line in college football this upcoming year.
1) Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
No suspense here, Caleb Downs is the best defensive player in college football. He may well be the best overall player, although his teammate Jeremiah Smith could have something to say about that. Downs has the potential to be the best safety prospect in a few years, entering the 2025 season. His performance level since starting on the Alabama defense as a true Freshman has been nothing short of spectacular. He has insane range, ball skills and nose for the football with next-level versatility as he has been deployed in almost every secondary role in the Jim Knowles defense. He lacks some size and strength to be a true box safety, and it will be interesting to see how he plays in a different system under new DC Matt Patricia. Assuming Downs maintains his level at the high end of college football, he will hear his name called early next April in Pittsburgh.
