2026 NFL Draft Top 50 Big Board 1.0

It’s here: my first big board for the 2026 draft! I’ve watched film on over 80 prospects and have ranked the top 50, along with some brief scouting notes for each.

But first, a quick word on the nature of summer scouting. We’re still over 10 months away from the draft. These prospects have a full season’s worth of college football to develop and work on their games. Scouting now is a lot of projecting, and weaknesses are written in pencil, not pen. I’m much more willing to bet on upside if a prospect has shown flashes and a positive trajectory than I will be a week out from draft night. That’s not to say refined technique and complete players aren’t important, because they are. But none of these guys are finished products, and we shouldn’t treat them as such.

With that said, let’s jump right into the top 50:

1 – Texas QB Arch Manning

Many will say this is too high to rank Manning when he’s only started a handful of games. I will remind you that summer scouting is a game of projection, and Manning has flashed the high-end traits that make a player a No. 1 overall pick. His playmaking, poise, accuracy and athleticism are all NFL-caliber already. Now he just needs to go out there and prove it over the course of a full season.

2 – Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr.

Despite an injury-hampered sophomore campaign, Bain checks every box for a top-five pick at edge rusher. He possesses elite athleticism and length, with the burst to win off the snap and the strength to power through blocks.

3 – Ohio State S Caleb Downs

Downs is as close to a flawless prospect as you can get. One of the most cerebral players in this class, Downs’ instincts, range and fundamentals are top tier. He’s an elite coverage player who can mirror receivers in man and erase entire sides of the field in zone. Prepare for the debates as to how high you can draft a safety to rage all year long.

4 – Texas CB Malik Muhammad

A versatile corner in more ways than one, Muhammad is a seamless fit in zone or man schemes, on the outside or in the slot. Twitchy athleticism and smooth hips let him cover receivers of all different types of skillsets, and he’s physical in his play.

5 – Clemson DE T.J. Parker

Despite his measurables being better described as good, not elite, you won’t find a more advanced technician in this class than Parker. He’s developed a wide array of moves to win and his production speaks for itself. Listed at 6-3 and 265 pounds, he checks all the boxes for a 4-3 rush end. 

6 – Miami OT Francis Mauigoa

With the size, length and athleticism to be a franchise left tackle for a needy NFL team, Mauigoa is as projectable as they come. Dominant physicality is evident on his tape, and with a little improvement in his hand usage he’ll be a long-term NFL starter.

7 – Tennesse DE Joshua Josephs

Josephs’ tape was one of my favorites to watch this summer. He’s undersized, listed at 6-3 and 245 pounds, but has the kind of freakish length and speed to be a major problem at the next level. Tennessee must be building these guys in a lab after sending DE James Pearce to the league.

8 – Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson

Though a collarbone injury ended his 2024 season a few games early, Tyson put together a phenomenal campaign with 75 catches, 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. His route-running skills are impressive, as he gains easy separation at all levels of the field. Reliable hands and after-the-catch versatility add to his profile.

9 – Clemson CB Avieon Terrell

Incredible movement skills define Terrell’s game. He’s a bit undersized, but makes up for it with impeccable mirroring ability and the athleticism to go toe-to-toe with any receiver he faces. He’s the younger brother of Falcons CB AJ Terrell.

10 – Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor

Oversized tackles like Proctor aren’t usually the profiles I gravitate towards, but what sets Proctor apart is his athleticism at that size. Nimble feet and quick hands give him the “dancing bear” moniker for good reason. Between his length, mass and recovery ability, Proctor is an enticing prospect.

11 – Penn State QB Drew Allar

Allar is a prototypical NFL quarterback in both build and play style. He’s got a cannon for an arm and took a huge leap forward in his feel for the game as a junior. The next step for him is to play at this level against the best competition he’ll face. 

12 – Georgia WR Zachariah Branch

Branch made a name for himself as a true freshman when he was Caleb Williams’ top target at USC. Now he takes his skills to the Bulldogs, where he’ll put his burner speed to use. Branch is the best stop/start receiver in this class, creating instant separation on any route. He must demonstrate he can be more than a gadget player. 

13 – Clemson DT Peter Woods

Woods’ home in the NFL is at defensive tackle, but he’s played some edge rusher in college and can line up across the formation. He’s a reliable run stuffer with the ability to knife into the backfield and apply consistent pressure on the quarterback. 

14 – Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy

An offseason ACL tear suffered in January puts McCoy’s 2025 season in jeopardy. It’s an unfortunate development, as he was well on his way to being one of the best cornerbacks in college football. When healthy, McCoy’s combination of fluidity and technique in multiple schemes makes him a practical lock for the first round. The injury is a major complication to his stock, however, and could prompt him to return to school in 2026. 

15 – Utah OT Spencer Fano

A true road-grader at tackle, Fano is still learning the finer details of pass protection. But once he figures them out, he’s the total package. With a mauler’s mentality in the run game and the tools to be an elite pass protector at 6-5 and 302 pounds, Fano’s stock is on the rise.

16 – South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers

Sellers is very much a boom-or-bust prospect right now. With his combination of physical tools, production and competitive edge, he could put himself in the conversation to be the top pick. But first, he needs to learn to work through his progressions and improve his feel in the pocket. Teams have become a little more skittish of the uber-athletic developmental type after Colts QB Anthony Richardson‘s rocky first two years, as evidenced by former Alabama QB Jalen Milroe‘s slide to the Seahawks in the third round. 

17 – Oregon S Dillon Thieneman

A Purdue transfer and a violent, freakish athlete, Thieneman is a throwback to the Seattle Cover 3-style single-high safeties of old. He’s an eraser on the back end with positional versatility to line up across the formation and cause havoc wherever he’s deployed. On top of that, he’s proven an effective punt returner, too.

18 – Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr.

A linebacker built for the modern game, Hill has good size and elite range for the position. He flies around the field making plays, both in run defense and coverage. He led the SEC in tackles for loss (17) and forced fumbles (four) in 2024. 

19 – Michigan DE Derrick Moore

Right now, Moore is more of a theoretical player than a proven commodity. He has nine sacks over the past two seasons and was a rotational player. But his upside is that of a top-five pick and he’ll have a chance to try and showcase that as a senior. He’s versatile in his deployment and has a variety of speed-to-power moves that make him difficult to stop.

20 – Missouri G Cayden Green

Massive power guard with some quick twitch and disciplined leverage to his game. He’s a snowplow in the run game with some refinement in pass protection, though he can get overaggressive.

21 – Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love

Game-breaking speed and shifty moves make Love one of the most dangerous players in college football. He’s never handled a true workhorse role, needing just 163 carries last year to total 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns, but he’s instant offense when you get him the ball — as a runner or receiver.

22 – Penn State CB A.J. Harris

An accomplished man-cover corner, Harris is long and physical at 6-1 and 193 pounds. He struggles a bit more in zone coverages, but his ability to blanket routes one-on-one is special.

23 – South Carolina WR Nyck Harbor

This ranking is purely a bet on Harbor’s athletic upside. He is a ludicrous athlete, with rumored sub-4.3 40-times at a ridiculous 6-5, 235 pounds. What’s not rumored is his 10.11 100-meter time competing for the Gamecocks track team, roughly equivalent to a 4.2 flat 40-yard dash. His tape is impressive considering his lack of production (26 catches, three touchdowns last year), though his route tree is incomplete. If Harbor takes a step this year, he could be one of the biggest risers in the class.

24 – Florida C Jake Slaughter

Battle-tested against the best interior defenders in college football, Slaughter is a brick wall on the line of scrimmage. He’s not an exceptional athlete but he’s every bit a starting NFL center.

25 – Texas A&M G Ar’maj Reed-Adams

Reed-Adams took a major step forward in 2024. A plus athlete for the position with a great frame and the mass to hold up in the NFL, he’s a fluid mover in space despite his 6-5, 340-pound size.

26 – LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier

A gunslinger in every sense of the word, Nussmeier waited his turn at LSU and was rewarded with a productive year in the Tigers’ offense. He’s a gambler, but routinely makes big plays, is deceptively athletic and is one of the best middle-field passers in this class.

27 – Oklahoma QB John Mateer

A disgustingly effective runner from the quarterback position, Mateer comes over from Washington State to head the Sooners’ offense in 2025. He’s a little short for an NFL quarterback and needs to improve the consistency of his mechanics, but he thrives under pressure and makes all the wow plays.

28 – Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton

Penn State has a chance to produce a first-round edge rusher for the third year in a row. Dennis-Sutton is a powerful straight-line rusher who converts a lot of his pressures into sacks. His length and lower-body power make him a tough guard for any tackle.

29 – Ohio State WR Carnell Tate

Another in a long line of exceptionally developed Buckeyes wide receivers, Tate figures to step into the role abdicated by Emeka Egbuka. Tate is an accomplished route runner with easy acceleration and some wiggle after the catch.

30 – Auburn DL Keldric Faulk

Faulk’s potential is tantalizing. Between his combination of length and power, his floor is pretty high too. He sets a hard edge in run defense and has a sophisticated ability to win with his hands.

31 – LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr.

I’m still betting on Perkins. An ACL tear early last year derailed a potential breakout campaign, but you just can’t teach the kind of burst and range he has. His pass-rushing ability gives him additional utility, but he’s considerably undersized for the NFL as an edge rusher and could need to transition to off the ball.

32 – Clemson QB Cade Klubnik

Three-level accuracy is Klubnik’s greatest strength. He’s a technician under center with some mobility to boot. There are aspects of his game he needs to improve on, but the upside is there. He’s also developed over the course of his career at Clemson, which is a positive indicator. 

33 – Auburn WR Eric Singleton Jr.

A vertical burner and transfer from Georgia Tech, Singleton brings his skills to Auburn to showcase them on a larger stage. His route tree is somewhat limited, but there isn’t a better deep threat in this class.

34 – Penn State DT Zane Durant

An undersized and freakishly athletic interior pass rusher, Durant’s best moments are jaw-dropping, game-changing plays that will excite evaluators and fans alike. Playing like that more consistently is Durant’s ticket to a first-round selection.

35 – Penn State RB Nick Singleton

An elite straight-line runner, Singleton plays with power and force on every snap. He routinely surprises defenders with how quickly he can hit a hole and break free.

36 – Texas Tech DE David Bailey

A truly phenomenal athlete roaring off the edge, Bailey is bordering on the dreaded “tweener” label. But despite being undersized, he’s one of the best at pinning his ears back and pummeling the quarterback.

37 – Ohio State TE Max Klare

Another Purdue transfer, Klare is ideally suited to modern NFL schemes. He can line up in-line or flex out wide, running crisp routes and making things happen after the catch.

38 – LSU CB Mansoor Delane

A transfer from Virginia Tech, Delane is a great athlete with top-notch instincts. His upside is so enticing that it’s almost frustrating he hasn’t broken out more than he has, but the way he operates in space to erase routes or zones is excellent.

39 – Duke QB Darian Mensah

A throwback pocket passer, Mensah transferred up from Tulane for the 2025 season. His arm talent, accuracy and developed pocket game stand out to me on tape. As a redshirt sophomore, he’s eligible for the 2026 draft and a big year could put him in position to make a decision about the NFL. 

40 – Duke CB Chandler Rivers

Another smaller corner, Rivers is a bursty athlete who thrives in single coverage. He doesn’t let his size affect him, and he’s a bully at the catch point.

41 – Clemson WR Antonio Williams

A versatile route technician, Williams can make things happen with the ball in his hands. He pairs well with Klubnik, who can deliver accurate passes in the space Williams creates and let him go to work.

42 – Auburn C Connor Lew

The only thing holding Lew back is his lack of ideal length. Everything else — his movement skills, anchor strength, hand placement — is NFL-ready.

43 – Florida DL Tyreak Sapp

Strong against the run and effective as a pass rusher, Sapp has the kind of heavy hands and relentless motor that will endear him to coaches. He knows how to translate his devastating power into moves on the football field.

44 – Texas A&M LB Taurean York

York is an elite run-stuffing linebacker. Though his coverage ability lags behind, the way he routinely makes plays in the backfield and rarely gets caught out of position is noteworthy.

45 – Alabama LB Deontae Lawson

A run-stuffer who took on a lot of responsibility for Alabama’s defense last season, Lawson’s tape is better than this ranking reflects. The main question with him is his health, as a concerning ankle injury affected him in 2024.

46 – Clemson OT Blake Miller

A fluid pass protector, Miller almost declared a year ago. Functional strength is his biggest weakness, but his movement ability in his pass sets gives him solid upside.

47 – Oregon RB Makhi Hughes

A workhorse for Tulane, Hughes transferred up to Oregon and will now test himself against Big 10 defenses. Contact balance and vision are his best attributes, helping him rack up nearly 2,800 yards on the ground in his first two collegiate seasons for the Green Wave. 

48 – Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt

Even though the Sun Devils’ offense didn’t ask him to do much last year, Leavitt was impressive when he was given a chance to shine. He’s elite at protecting the football without sacrificing downfield playmaking.

49 – Alabama DE LT Overton

With the kind of inside/outside versatility that makes him a fit in any scheme, Overton is a great athlete but hasn’t yet translated that into consistent production. If he flips that switch, he’ll rocket into the first round.

50 – Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq

Buried on a deep Oregon depth chart thus far in his career, Sadiq has the kind of athletic profile that catches the eyes of NFL evaluators. He can mix it up as a blocker and is dynamic in the open field.