Published: Mar 05, 2026 at 01:53 PM
With the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror, I've updated my ranking of the top 50 prospects in this year's draft.
You'll notice there are clusters of guys who play the same position listed back-to-back, including offensive linemen, with seven of them climbing my board. The weeks between now and the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25 in Pittsburgh) will be all about trying to figure out how to stack those players when putting the final rankings together.
Some of the movement you'll see below is based on what happened at the combine, but I'm not pressing the panic on certain players, despite the chatter about Rueben Bain Jr.'s arm length and Carnell Tate's time in the 40-yard dash.
Also, there are quite a few top talents who have yet to work out after passing on a chance to do so at the combine. With a strong pro-day showing in the weeks ahead, prospects who still have some questions to answer will get a chance to move back up the board before we get to Draft Day.
Indiana · QB · Junior (RS)
Mendoza is a very accurate thrower with excellent size, toughness and enough athleticism. He operates well out of shotgun and leans heavily on the RPO game. He has fast hands, makes good decisions and is accurate on those quick throws. To see him make more NFL-type throws, it's helpful to study his pass attempts on third-and-7-plus -- that's where he shows the velocity to drive the ball in the seam and also displays pinpoint placement on back-shoulder throws. He will occasionally hold the ball too long, hunting big plays in those situations. He is insanely tough, routinely hanging in the pocket and absorbing big hits. He picks his spots as a runner, but he has logged some HUGE conversions (SEE: the national title game). His size, arm talent and competitive nature remind me of Matt Ryan coming out of Boston College.
Love is a dynamic weapon as a runner and receiver. On inside runs, he runs high/narrow, but he explodes to and through the hole. He will drop a level lower on contact and has the lower-leg drive to bounce off defenders. He doesn’t always let things develop because he can get skinny through narrow passages. He has elite speed on outside runs to capture the corner and take it the distance. He has a rare ability to make defenders miss without gearing down. His spin move is electric. In the passing game, he can run routes like a wideout. He’s smooth, polished and natural. He plucks the ball effortlessly. In pass protection, he is both aware and willing, but he’s best utilized out in the route. Overall, Love is a home run hitter and will immediately expand the playbook for his drafting team.
Styles is a tall, long and rangy linebacker prospect. He made a smooth transition from safety to linebacker during his college career and put on an epic display at the NFL Scouting Combine. In the run game, he’s quick to key, read and fill to make tackles. He uses his length to press off blocks and has outstanding lateral range to pick up production on the perimeter. He’s a firm, reliable tackler with stopping power on contact. Styles is outstanding in coverage. He can carry slot receivers down the seam and smoothly mirrors tight ends all over the field. He’s an explosive blitzer and will run over running backs who try to block him in pass pro. Styles’ performance in the Big Ten title game against Indiana answered any questions about his game, as he was the best defender on the field in that matchup. He reminds me of Fred Warner as a player. It's hard to find prospects with Styles' combination of speed, athleticism and instincts.
Texas Tech · Edge · Senior
Bailey is an ultra-explosive edge rusher with outstanding production. He operated out of both a two-point and four-point stance in Texas Tech’s scheme. His game is all about get-off and winning early in the down. He eats ground in a hurry and uses a dip/rip move before flattening quickly to the passer. He complements his speed rush with a sudden inside spin move. He flashes the ability to convert speed to power, but that is an area where he can improve at the next level. Against the run, he plays with effort and range from the back side but needs to improve his consistency and physicality when holding the point of attack. Overall, Bailey has areas to address, but his ability to create short corners to the passer is exceptional.
Ohio State · Edge · Junior
Reese is a fluid and explosive athlete. Ohio State used him as a chess piece on defense. He aligned off the ball at linebacker, on the edge as a rusher and occasionally was deployed as a QB spy. He projects best as an edge rusher at the next level. When he rushes off the edge, he flashes elite speed and bend. He can overpower OTs, TEs and RBs when he has a runway. He lacks a polished rush plan, and there are times when he’s a little late off the snap. He can match/mirror TEs and RBs in coverage. Against the run, he can generate knock-back power on the front side and has elite speed to chase from the back side. Overall, Reese reminds me a lot of 2025 first-round pick Jalon Walker.
Tate is a tall, long wideout with better play speed than timed speed and outstanding production. He has excellent suddenness to defeat press coverage, and he covers ground quickly with his long stride. He attacks the defender's leverage when they play him in off coverage. He has strong/reliable hands in traffic and tracks the ball beautifully over his shoulder down the field. He can access an extra gear when the ball is in the air. He is a loose athlete and that shows up when he adjusts to balls thrown on his back shoulder. He is efficient with his footwork when working back to the quarterback. He's not exceptionally dynamic with the ball in his hands. Overall, Tate should provide an immediate impact in the vertical passing game.
Bain is a thick, square edge rusher with short arms. His game tape is littered with disruption, destruction and dominance. As a pass rusher, he lacks an elite get-off, but he wins with leverage, power and polish. He launches out of his four-point stance, uproots offensive tackles and forces open one of their shoulders to get to the quarterback. He has a nasty chop/rip move, violent hump move and nifty Euro step. Against the run, he ragdolls tight ends and his motor to chase is unrelenting. Overall, he might lack ideal speed and length, but those shortcomings haven't stopped him from taking over big games in key moments. His drafting team is adding a certified junkyard dog, similar to former Eagle Trent Cole.
Downs is a versatile safety prospect with outstanding instincts and intangibles. He moved around in Ohio State's scheme but primarily lined up underneath as a nickel, strong safety or nickel 'backer. In the passing game, he is a smooth mover and utilizes his eyes/instincts to close and limit windows. He's physical and has enough speed to mirror tight ends in man coverage. He didn't get challenged much at the college level, which limited his ball production, though he did snag a pair of interceptions in each of his three seasons. He is an outstanding blitzer, showing timing and feel. He excels against the run. He takes proper angles, attacks ball-carriers and is a dependable tackler. He handles most of the communication for the defense and the staff raves about his intelligence and leadership. Overall, Downs lacks "wow" traits, but he's a plug-and-play starter who makes others better around him.
Delane is one of the most consistent players in this draft class. He makes everything look easy in coverage as a corner who is extremely loose and fluid in his change of direction. He is adept at press coverage, possessing the ability to re-route and mirror all over the field. In zone, he plays with instincts and awareness. He goes long stretches without getting challenged because of his tight coverage. When he is attacked, he can locate and make plays on the ball. He always looks to get involved in run defense, closing space in a hurry and operating as a physical, reliable tackler. Overall, Delane has the tools to match up with every style of receiver. He can run with the vertical weapons and play physical with the bigger ones.
Mauigoa is a big, powerful right tackle prospect. He has a massive lower body and plays with a firm base in pass protection. He has average foot quicks out of his stance, but he can bend his knees and anchor against power rushers. He’s a fluid mover and is patient with his punch. Once he latches on, he has strong hands to steer and control. In the run game, he can uproot and displace defenders with upper torque and leg drive. He’s more of a one-track player at the second level; he can swallow linebackers when he doesn’t have to adjust in space. Mauigoa should immediately be a dominant run blocker in the NFL and he has the skill set to be functional in pass protection.
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Lemon is one of my favorite players in this draft. He is a wideout with a running back's body and a linebacker's temperament. He is at his best working in the slot. He wins with quickness off the line, understands how to tempo routes and consistently wins in traffic. He doesn't waste steps and he can explode in and out of the break point. He plays bigger than his size, displaying several 50/50-ball wins on elevated throws. To see his entire repertoire, just throw on the Iowa tape. He was a craftsman in that game and couldn't be covered (10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown). He is ultra-competitive after the catch, breaking tackles and fighting for yards. Overall, Lemon is going to draw a lot of comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and they are warranted.
Penn State · IOL · Junior (RS)
Ioane was a dominant presence at left guard for the Nittany Lions. He has a thick, proportioned build and plays with outstanding strength/power. In the passing game, he can bend his knees, redirect and stay attached to defenders. He will occasionally take a loss against speed, but he handles power with ease. He is aware on stunts and games. In the run game, he latches on, runs his feet and always looks to finish. He had an epic battle against Oregon DL A’Mauri Washington in Penn State’s double-overtime loss to the Ducks last season. Ioane has tremendous upper torque to toss defenders out of the hole. He takes proper angles to the second level and can adjust in space. Overall, I love Ioane’s temperament, toughness and ability to anchor. He’ll be an impact starter from Day 1.
Sadiq is a short, muscled-up tight end with outstanding speed and athleticism. At Oregon, he primarily aligned attached or in the slot, but he also saw some reps out wide and in the backfield. He is very explosive in his release and he’s able to separate vertically on seam/wheel routes. He excels on quick screens, where he can display his dynamic run-after-catch skills. He needs to improve his dependability as a pass catcher. There were too many easy would-be catches that were dropped during the 2025 season. I love his competitiveness and tenacity as a blocker. He latches on, runs his feet and works to finish. Overall, Sadiq lacks height and consistent hands, but he is a versatile, explosive weapon with toughness.
After starting 11 games at left tackle as a freshman, Fano lined up at right tackle for the last two seasons at Utah. Not all NFL teams will view him as a tackle at the next level because of his lack of length (32 1/8-inch arms), but he does have five-position versatility on the offensive line. He took snaps at center after his workout at the NFL Scouting Combine and expressed an openness to playing inside. He has excellent strength and quickness. In the passing game, he is quick out of his stance and easily covers up speed rushers or rides them upfield. While he has short arms for the offensive tackle position, he’s still able to stall bull rushers because of his core strength and knee bend. He does occasionally overset and loses against inside counters/spins. In the run game, he can latch/turn/dump defenders at the point of attack. He’s quick to climb to the second level and wall off linebackers. I love his playing temperament. Overall, Fano is an explosive people mover with upside and probably fits best on the interior for most teams.
McCoy had an outstanding 2024 season but missed the entire '25 campaign due to an ACL tear. He is at his best in press coverage, effectively landing his one-hand jam while maintaining balance to stay on the hip and mirror. He is always under control with his movement. In zone coverage, he will set traps, knowing he can sink back and recover to make plays on the ball. His ability to elevate and play the ball is impressive. He is a capable tackler in space, but he lacks the physicality and effort to be a force player against the run. He was consistently dominant in 2024, except in the playoff game against Ohio State, where Jeremiah Smith beat him for a touchdown on a fade and drew a penalty in the end zone. Overall, McCoy has the speed, movement and ball skills to start Day 1.
McNeil-Warren is a tall, long safety prospect with fantastic production. He’s a fun player to study. Every game I examined was littered with big hits, plays on the ball and HIGH energy. He’s a very explosive player. He can range off the hash and makes plays on the sideline (SEE: his diving interception against Central Michigan). He drives on throws in front of him and runs through wideouts attempting to corral the ball between the hashes. He has very fluid/smooth change of direction in space. Against the run, he’s aggressive to the alley and explodes into ball-carriers. He can really unlock his hips on contact. Overall, McNeil-Warren is a bouncy, twitchy athlete with Pro Bowl potential.
Thieneman was a versatile chess piece in Oregon’s defense. He lined up in the box, in the deep half and over the slot. When he’s aligned in the back end, he can anticipate and range over the top to find and play the ball. He has excellent closing speed and takes good routes. He shows a fluid, smooth pedal when aligned in the slot. He’s quick to plant/drive on throws in front of him and he’s a reliable tackler most of the time. He will occasionally fail to break down and have a fly-by missed tackle. Against the run, he trusts his eyes and explodes into the alley. Overall, Thieneman does a lot of different tasks at a very high level. His skill set is highly coveted around the NFL.
Indiana · WR · Junior (RS)
Cooper is one of my favorite players to study in this year’s draft. He’s strong, reliable and explosive. He uses his lower-body strength to run through press coverage and he’s a loose/fluid route runner. He plays without fear in the middle of the field, making combat catches look easy. He can really pluck the ball and stays grounded through the catch on crossers. Also, he can elevate and play above the rim (SEE: game-winner against Penn State) when necessary. After the catch, he has the power to break tackles and enough speed to pull away. Sources at the school rave about his makeup and competitiveness. Overall, Cooper fits the exact model of wideouts finding immediate success in the NFL.
Miller lined up at right tackle for the Tigers. A high school wrestler, the iron man started 54 games at Clemson. He has ideal size, length and strength for the position. In pass protection, he has enough quickness to cover up speed rushers off the edge. He uses his length and strong hands to latch and control defenders. He can sink his weight and anchor down against power rushers. He plays with awareness to pick up twists and stunts. In the run game, he can generate movement on down blocks and he always strains to finish. When working up to linebackers, he’s effective on a single track but struggles to redirect and wall off defenders in space. Overall, Miller has the ideal profile for a starting NFL right tackle.
Freeling was the full-time starter at left tackle for the Bulldogs last season. He has ideal size, bend and agility for the position. In pass protection, he’s quick out of his stance. He bends easily and can smoothly redirect versus counter rushers. When he lands his punch, he can steer and control defenders. However, if he gives up his chest, he will get tugged/pulled. He needs to gain more core strength to eliminate that problem. In the run game, he can roll his hips, latch and control defenders. He’s excellent on combo blocks, attacking the hip of the DT before peeling off to wall off linebackers. Freeling battled through injuries in 2025, but he was playing his best late in the year. If he can continue to add strength, he has starting-LT ability.
Arizona State · WR · Junior (RS)
Tyson is an explosive receiver with a lot of "wow" plays littered throughout his tape. He is a very fluid mover, and he incorporates a variety of releases and general creativity into his route-running. He has suddenness off the line and out of breaks down the field. He will weave and get cornerbacks off balance before exploding away from them. He makes some incredible catches on deep balls; he tracks the ball with ease over the shoulder and can almost hover in the air waiting for it to come down. After the catch, he has some wiggle to make defenders miss and excellent speed to pull away. Durability was an issue throughout his college career -- that's the only factor keeping him from a higher grade/projection.
Mesidor was a highly productive edge rusher for the Hurricanes. He has an ideal frame, relentless motor and pass-rush instincts. Against the pass, his game is more about power than pure speed. He will shake/bull OTs, knock their hands off and push/pull for pressures. Once he creates some separation, he can corner and bend toward the quarterback. When he’s allowed to rush inside over guards, he wins very early in the down. He never stops working his hands and refuses to stay blocked. Against the run, he has enough length and a powerful enough base to firmly set the edge against OTs and consistently annihilate TEs. Overall, Mesidor is a better version of 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton.
Proctor is an enormous tackle prospect. He has excellent feet and agility for a big man. In pass protection, he has an explosive first step and keeps defenders off his chest. He can sink his weight and stall bull rushers. He will occasionally react late off the snap, which has led to some short-corner loses. In the run game, he can uncoil his hips on contact and displace defenders. He excels on down blocks, washing defenders down the line of scrimmage. He was used as a skill player on occasion at Alabama and even caught a quick screen against Georgia -- that speaks to his athleticism. Overall, Proctor will need to manage his weight to stay at tackle, but he has the most upside of any blocker in this draft.
Utah · OT · Sophomore (RS)
Lomu lined up at left tackle for the Utes. He has an ideal frame with room to add more weight/strength. In pass protection, he has average foot quickness and plays a little upright. Yet, he consistently stays square and does a nice job reworking his hands to avoid allowing defenders to pry open his shoulder. He has excellent feel and awareness against stunts/games. In the run game, he lacks knock-back power, but he fits up cleanly and stays attached. He takes proper angles to the second level and stays off the ground. Overall, Lomu does need to add some core strength, but he has the rest of the ingredients to be a solid starting tackle at the next level.
Washington · WR · Junior (RS)
Boston is a big-framed wideout with exceptional ball skills and production. He lines up both outside and in the slot. He uses his upper-body strength to power through press coverage. He is a long strider and understands how to use his big body to wall off defenders at all three levels. He is an outstanding ball winner. He has a huge catch radius and can play above the rim in the red zone. He makes some outstanding catches (SEE: the Colorado State and Michigan games). After the catch, he relies more on physicality than finesse to create extra yardage. Overall, Boston's skill set is very similar to Courtland Sutton's when the two-time Pro Bowler was coming out of SMU.
Allen is a productive, intelligent playmaker. He plays bigger than his listed size (6-foot-1, 235 pounds). Against the run, he has good instincts/awareness. He can thud off offensive guards or play over the top of them. He flies around the field with outstanding effort. He’s an explosive striker on ball-carriers with a high batting average as a tackler. He has some tightness, which shows up in coverage, but he has enough speed to run with TEs and RBs. He’s instinctive as a zone dropper. Sources at Georgia rave about his character, leadership and communication skills. Allen should be a steady, reliable force very early in his pro career.
