DRAFT TRACKER 2026

Twitched-up rush linebacker whose lack of size and length at the point of attack could be offset by his rush talent. Thomas has added good mass over the years but still gets engulfed and displaced by big, downhill blockers. He’s more dangerous on the move, slipping into gaps and disrupting edges before they’re set. He’s an explosive speed rusher with the ability to shave the edge tightly or create surprising push with leverage and speed-to-power conversion. He needs to improve his hand work to create openings and counter long, athletic tackles with quick pass slides. Thomas should benefit from a wider alignment as an odd-front edge with the potential to earn a starting job within his first two seasons.

Fifth-year slot receiver who is savvy against zone coverage and crafty after making a catch. Burks does a good job of utilizing his straight-line speed when the ball is in his hands. He struggles to win on vertical routes, though. He creates windows underneath by crisply breaking off short routes. He’s a compact, short-armed target who secures catches through contact. However, his production left something to be desired during his time at Purdue and Oklahoma. Comebacks and curls are often swallowed. Coaching and route work could lead to improvement in those areas. Burks lacks standout measurables, but better quarterback play could unlock a more productive player.

An undersized 3-technique with disruptive attributes, Halton is best suited for a rotational role in a movement-based front. He plays with synced hands and feet and good lateral agility. His initial quickness makes him quite slippery but a centered block can clear him from the run lane due to his lack of mass/anchor. He’s an energetic, gap-to-gap rusher who can threaten guards on their edges or play his role as an effective twister. Finding the right scheme fit will be critical for Halton in the NFL.

Spears-Jennings is a two-year starter with NFL traits. He has the size and toughness of a pro safety. He’s quick to dive in and fill the run near the line. He’s a sound tackler once he’s lined up but inconsistent tracking angles and a lack of body control cause him to mistime his target. He has plus coverage tools but lacks feel in man coverage and suffers from a lack of awareness playing from depth. The traits and special-teams talent should buy him time to prove himself a competent backup playing near the line.

Rotational interior defender capable of playing either tackle spot. Williams is on the short side but possesses good length and an ability to stack and shed blocks as a two-gapper. He lacks lateral quickness and playmaking ability beyond smaller spaces, though. He needs to do a better job with his block take-on against down blocks and double teams. While Williams is capable against the run, his ineffectiveness as a pass rusher could limit his draft stock.

Safety-turned-linebacker with outstanding length and athleticism but lagging behind in instincts/fundamentals. Daniels is a step slow to diagnose and flow ahead of the blocking scheme. He lacks the take-on and physicality to leverage his gap. His quickness makes him a menace in the gaps and he has good pursuit speed, but he must improve his tackling technique. He’s proficient in zone and man coverages, and he can be used to blitz or spy the quarterback. Daniels’ traits and potential could raise his profile, but he currently projects as a sub-package linebacker with special-teams value.

Nwaiwu is reliably active with good length. After a bumpy first season with the Sooners in 2024, he displayed improvement in both phases. He centers opponents in front of him to stay connected and uses good technique to displace down-block targets. However, he is inconsistent finding his foe on move blocks. Chronic leaning and slow initial hand strikes can render his massive wingspan useless against two-gappers and in pass protection. Nwaiwu’s snaps at center offer a peek into what might be his best spot, but his position flexibility is a positive regardless.

Kanak went from run-first high school quarterback to college linebacker, then flipped to tight end for his final season. He’s undersized and his run blocking isn’t on a functional level yet. As a receiver, there is plenty of room for improvement as a route-runner, but he already shows the toughness, hands and catch focus of a veteran at the position. A lack of size and versatility makes him a niche prospect, but the production, special-teams value and likely improvement as a route-runner could get him drafted.

Ott offers solid vision and a feel for setting up his blockers for success. His athletic profile, however, is lacking and his production declined sharply in his final two college seasons. He’s tight-hipped with slow change of direction and lacks the foot quickness/acceleration needed to elude closing tacklers in the NFL. He’s an adequate pass-catcher, but he’s not trustworthy in pass protection. Ott’s feel for lane choices along the interior doesn’t make up for his lack of quickness and burst.

Jones is a former five-star recruit who played at three schools (Georgia, Florida State, Oklahoma) over the last three seasons. He has good size and comes from NFL bloodlines. His play strength and aggression at the point of attack are average, but his hands stay active and he gets off blocks when needed. So far, Jones has not been able to convert his traits into high-level production. His rush plan and toolbox do not stand out on tape.