DRAFT TRACKER 2026

Hecht lacks ideal mass and length but it will be hard to find a center in this year’s draft with better technique. He plays with well-placed inside hands that help maximize his leverage and core strength. All schemes are available to him but his athleticism will shine when activated in space. He stays sticky to blocks once he connects, but his lack of length will put him on the wrong side of the battle from time to time in both the run and pass phases. Hecht needs to add more muscle mass to his frame but he has the consistency and tape of a future starter.

Long and rangy, Payne is a durable 42-game starter and team captain who can play inside the box, over the slot and as a split safety. His coverage tape pops more than his run support and tackling. He reads and responds with good timing from depth and uses his length to smother the catch point in man coverage when matched inside. Payne held his own against three of the Big 12’s best receiving tight ends in 2025. He will do his job as a run defender but lacks an enforcer’s conviction and gets hung up on blocks too easily. Payne’s measurables and coverage versatility improve his chances of becoming a productive pro.

Boundary cornerback with good length and catch-disruption but inconsistent instincts in coverage. Lee is better in man coverage than he is in zone, but he can handle both. Pure speed can break away from him, so he’ll need help on the roof as a pro. He has the length and timing to make plays on the football. However, he needs to play with more anticipation to match breaks and trigger more quickly from depth. As a run defender, he must beat blocks faster and replace the ankle-diving with more committed wrap finishes. Lee has traits and scheme versatility, toggling between quality backup and eventual starter as a prospect.

Willis’ run-blocking tape is impressive. He's quick out of his stance, gets into run fits with good pop/aggression and is a consistent block finisher. However, he lacks the length and anchor associated with pro tackles. He also doesn’t have the broad frame and core strength of a guard. His pass protection can be spotty due to oversets and the aforementioned anchor issue, but he has the quickness/grip strength to compete. Willis can fit as a zone-scheme guard and could be considered as a swing tackle who might need protection help.

Bradley struggles to play through route contact and lacks footwork/short-area burst as a route-runner. He’s primarily a zone-beater underneath with value as a long target in the red zone. His athleticism will become a plus with a position change from wide receiver to tight end, but he’s not much of a blocker right now. Bradley will need to prove he can uncover at a better clip for consideration as a pass-catching tight end in the league.