With Super Bowl LX in the rearview and the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on the horizon, it's time to look toward the next collection of talent to hit the pro ranks.
Below is my first snapshot of the top five prospects at each major position in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Tune in for live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 26 on NFL Network and NFL+.
QUARTERBACKS
The 2026 quarterback crop lacks the talent and depth of some recent classes, but there are a handful of passers with the potential to emerge as long-term starters. Presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is a pro-ready playmaker with a knack for delivering pinpoint passes in the clutch. Although his résumé includes a Heisman Trophy and a national title, the Indiana standout must prove that his high IQ and quick processing skills can translate into spectacular production at the highest level. Ty Simpson heads toward the draft as one of the biggest wild cards in the class, based on his inexperience and struggles down the stretch in his only season as a college starter. Despite his exceptional instincts and awareness as a natural pocket passer, the Alabama product will be put under the microscope throughout the pre-draft process. One notable name you do not see above: Trinidad Chambliss. That is because the Ole Miss quarterback is still seeking another year of NCAA eligibility. As a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, the undersized Chambliss could ultimately appeal to teams looking for a developmental prospect with playmaking potential. But before we include him in this ranking, we need to make sure he will be in this draft. Stay tuned ...
RUNNING BACKS
Teams looking for running backs will have some intriguing options to choose from this April. Jeremiyah Love is the clear headliner as a top five overall player in this class. The Notre Dame product is the total package as a rugged runner with soft hands and polished pass-catching skills, giving him superstar potential in the NFL. Emmett Johnson is flying under the radar in general draft discussion, but many scouts and coaches are smitten with his potential as a dynamic RB1. The Nebraska standout displays Josh Jacobs-like abilities as a runner/receiver with the potential to score from anywhere on the field. Although his "one-year wonder" production will give some evaluators pause, teams looking for an explosive lead back could fall in love. Jonah Coleman's versatile, electric game could lead to a late rise up the charts. The 5-foot-9, 220-pounder flashes the quickness, burst and wiggle to emerge as a game-changer.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The 2026 wide receiver class lacks a true WR1, but there are several explosive pass catchers with the potential to earn Pro Bowl honors within their respective roles. Jordyn Tyson is a silky-smooth route-runner with outstanding ball skills and RAC ability (run after the catch). The 6-2, 200-pounder makes a living coming down with tough catches over the middle, exhibiting the toughness and concentration of a 10-year veteran, though he did have injury issues in college. Carnell Tate is an acrobatic playmaker with exceptional ball skills and ballerina-like body control. Tate has steadily improved at Ohio State, refining his route-running skills while playing opposite a future first-rounder in Buckeyes star Jeremiah Smith. Makai Lemon is a dynamic offensive weapon with the potential to play inside or outside. As a polished route-runner with outstanding stop-start quickness and burst, the 5-11, 195-pound playmaker routinely turns short passes into big gains.
TIGHT ENDS
The NFL's transformation into a matchup league has made playmaking tight ends prized commodities in scouting circles. Kenyon Sadiq is a headache for opponents as an ultra-athletic pass catcher with the potential to align anywhere on the field. With outstanding speed and quickness at a listed 6-3, 245 pounds, the Oregon standout is a matchup problem for linebackers and safeties between the hashes. With the junior also routinely mauling defenders in the running game, the No. 1 tight end prospect in this class could come off the board as a top-20 selection. Max Klare offers a well-rounded skill set as a "Y" tight end with outstanding hands, ball skills and playmaking ability. He is an A+ route-runner who excels as a catch-and-run specialist, while also showcasing rock-solid skills as a blocker. Dallen Bentley is a productive "Y" with soft hands and the superior size to create problems on the perimeter. Although he only has one year of solid production on his résumé, the Utah product possesses all of the traits coaches covet in a pass-catching tight end at the next level.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Teams looking for trench warriors will have plenty to choose from in the 2026 class. Although questions persist on whether there is a true franchise tackle in the group, the mix of quality left and right tackles will enable teams to quickly rebuild their bookends. Spencer Fano is a barroom brawler with the athleticism and body control to thrive in any scheme. With polished technical skills as a run blocker and pass protector, the 6-6, 308-pounder is a top-10 player in this class. Francis Mauigoa is a mauler with the heavy hands and nasty temperament to dominate defenders at the point of attack. While the Miami product must play with better pad level, the 6-6, 335-pound junior is a Day 1 starter at right tackle. Caleb Lomu is a natural left tackle with the athleticism and movement skills to shadowbox elite pass rushers on the edge. The two-year starter must refine his run-blocking technique, but it is hard to find athletic bookends with elite footwork and movement skills.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS
The talent and depth at offensive guard could lead to a late-Day 1/early-Day 2 run on the position. Olaivavega Ioane excels at bully ball at the point of attack, utilizing his violent hands and superior lower-body strength to maul opponents. With few defenders capable of matching the Penn State star's toughness and tenacity, teams could rate the 6-4, 323-pounder as a top-15 overall prospect in this class. Chase Bisontis is a talented technician with textbook footwork and fundamentals. The Texas A&M standout shadowboxes defenders like a heavyweight champion, utilizing stunning jabs and power maneuvers to win his battles. Ar'maj Reed-Adams is a massive road grader who wins with toughness and tenacity instead of technique. His pass-protection flaws are fixable, and the supersized Aggie could earn high marks from scouts as the best run blocker in the 2026 class.
CENTERS
This draft will feature a nice mix of starting-caliber centers who could come off the board by the end of Day 2. Connor Lew is an athletic pivot with the quick hands and feet to dance with defenders at the line of scrimmage as a position blocker. Logan Jones is a highly experienced prospect (50 starts at Iowa) who excels in a zone-based system. With his movement skills enabling him to effectively cut off linebackers at the second level, the Hawkeye could outplay his draft status. Sam Hecht is the type of agile center offensive coordinators covet in movement-based blocking schemes.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Teams looking for an impact interior defender could find their desired run stopper or pass rusher in April. Peter Woods is an ultra-athletic defensive tackle with the athleticism and movement skills to explode through cracks in a "get up the field" defensive scheme. Despite the statistical drop-off in 2025, the Clemson standout is an athletic freak who could emerge as a superstar in the right system. Caleb Banks is a boom-or-bust prospect with the freakish talent and heavy hands to dominate opponents at the line of scrimmage. While injuries prevented him from putting together a statement-making 2025 campaign, the disruptive flashes at the Senior Bowl matched the performance from his junior season. Lee Hunter is a bit of a throwback as a supersized nose tackle with exceptional run-stopping skills. The 6-4, 330-pounder reminds me of Vince Wilfork with his heavy hands and cat-like quickness posing problems for blockers at the point of attack.
EDGE DEFENDERS
The 2026 class of edge rushers features a collection of good prospects, but the group lacks an elite QB hunter. Rueben Bain Jr. is a relentless pass rusher with a competitive spirit and a nonstop motor that enables him to overcome length shortcomings. Although he fails to match the prototype, the Miami standout's disruptive playoff run suggests he can win consistently as a pro pass rusher. David Bailey's superpowers as a speed-rushing demon will entice evaluators looking for a disruptive edge defender with sack production. While his simplistic approach and robotic moves might not translate to consistent dominance, it is hard to deal with the Texas Tech star's speed and explosiveness off the edge. Keldric Faulk is a power-centric defender with superb run-stopping skills. His subpar production does not scream elite player, but the Auburn standout's splash plays against the run could entice a team to gamble on his raw talent.
LINEBACKERS
The 2026 class of linebackers will provide defensive coordinators with several "see ball, get ball" playmakers to build around. Arvell Reese is a hybrid defender with splash-play potential as an off-ball linebacker who also possesses disruptive pass-rushing skills. As a spectacular athlete with a combination of speed, explosiveness and power that enables him to overwhelm blockers on dip-and-rip moves and violent speed-to-power maneuvers, the Ohio State star is the kind of player every defensive coordinator wants in his lineup. Sonny Styles is a slippery run-and-chase linebacker with outstanding speed, quickness and range. Although he lacked eye-popping production in 2025, plenty of defensive play-callers will be enticed by the 6-5, 243-pounder's potential to emerge as an impact player in the NFL. CJ Allen is an old-school linebacker with a rugged game built on physicality and toughness. A box-area bully with outstanding instincts and awareness who started 29 games in three years at Georgia, Allen is a plug-and-play prospect who should make his mark immediately as a Day 1 starter.
CORNERBACKS
This prospect crop offers a collection of cover corners with the instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills to play in turnover-obsessed systems. Jermod McCoy is an instinctive ballhawk with outstanding diagnostic skills and anticipation in bump-and-run and shadow coverage. Despite missing the entire 2025 season while rehabbing from a torn ACL, the Tennessee star's 2024 tape is littered with impressive flashes that showcase his ability as a feisty and physical defender with big-play potential. Teams looking for a silky-smooth cover corner with the potential to win in the slot or out wide could target Mansoor Delane as a top-20 pick. The 6-foot, 190-pounder not only possesses a scheme-versatile game, but creative play-callers could build their call sheets around the LSU star's playmaking talents. Brandon Cisse is an unorthodox technician with a fearless approach that overwhelms some perimeter pass catchers. With a playing style that evokes memories of Josh Norman, the South Carolina product could make his way into Round 1 due to his mastery of the "shuffle and scoot" technique that enables him to shadow explosive pass catchers.
SAFETIES
The NFL's transition to positionless football has forced scouts to spend more time evaluating defensive backs who are comfortable playing near the box as additional pass rushers or run stoppers. Caleb Downs is a menace near the middle of the field, displaying superb instincts, awareness and toughness, routinely taking on big backs in the hole. As Ohio State's designated traffic cop, the high-IQ safety exhibited the communication skills to run the show from the deep middle. With the 6-foot, 205-pounder boasting A+ tackling skills on the perimeter, teams looking for an impact defender should pay close attention to the rugged center fielder with NFL bloodlines, as the younger brother of Colts WR Josh Downs. Kyle Louis is the kind of hybrid box-area defender defensive coordinators covet as a sub-package centerpiece. The Pitt product plays with the violence and physicality needed to stop running backs in their tracks, while also displaying the range, awareness and anticipation to attack underneath/intermediate throws. As teams begin to narrow their focus to role-specific defenders with significant upside, Louis' reputation as a splash-play specialist could move him up the charts. Dillon Thieneman is a talented center fielder with exceptional instincts, awareness and range. The 6-foot, 205-pounder attacks the ball in coverage, routinely picking off tipped or overthrown passes in his area. With coaches placing greater emphasis on turnovers, Thieneman's superior ball skills could make him a hot commodity in scouting circles.