DRAFT TRACKER 2026

Mendoza is a precision-based pocket passer whose game is built on rare accuracy and steady command in high-leverage moments. He lacks improvisational talent but proved to be a maestro playing the notes on the page with excellent rhythm and few mistakes as the season wore on. Mechanically sound and intensely accurate, Mendoza is fearless in attacking pre- and post-snap reads. He can feather throws into deep windows or between levels. He consistently hits moving targets in stride on digs, slants, outs and crossers. However, he needs plays to stay on schedule as his arm talent and velocity are fairly average. Third-and-long and red-zone execution stand out. Mendoza is big and tough but moves around the pocket with heavy shoes and limited escapability, which could invite excessive hits on Sundays. He can make life easier on his receivers and his play-caller, but above-average pass protection feels like a non-negotiable. He’s still young with football to learn and adversity to face, but his character, competitiveness and rapid ascension make it easier to project he will be a very good starter within his first three seasons.

Sixth-year senior and team captain who went from walk-on to unquestioned leader of his defense. Stukes combines his infectious passion with hours of preparation that allow him to play fast. He communicates well from zone and works quickly from route to route. He has work to do in man coverage but possesses an excellent feel for disrupting catch-points at optimal angles despite a lack of ideal length. Stukes is an older prospect and has an ACL tear in his background (2024), but the football has a magnetic pull for him. Coaches will love his football character and versatility as a big nickelback or split safety.

Crawford is a stand-up rush linebacker prospect with plus athletic traits, but he’ll need more seasoning to reach his potential. He started playing football in his senior year of high school and is still developing both instincts and technique. The former high school basketball player has toughness to match his athleticism but isn't ready to set an NFL edge yet. He’s twitchy and rushes with ideal energy as a hungry quarterback-hunter. However, he might benefit from dialing back his constant acceleration and becoming more intentional with his rush. Crawford has special teams and situational rush value now, but his best football is still to come.

A four-year starting left tackle with deep family ties to Texas A&M, Zuhn will likely slide inside to center or guard as a pro due to a lack of functional length. He has first-step quickness to reach lateral landmarks but lacks ideal athleticism to play in space and is more consistently effective working double-teams and combo blocks. His anchor and savvy help mitigate his lack of length, but he could struggle to mirror and recover quickly enough when beaten by athletic rushers or twists. Zuhn projects as “solid” more than “standout” but he could have a long career as a starter at center or guard while offering emergency help as a tackle.

McCoy is a toolsy outside corner with CB1 flashes, but an ACL tear robbed him of a much-needed third season. Hips and feet are smooth, allowing for quality lateral transitions and efficient gathers to match hard-breaking curls. He’s athletic in his recoveries but average acceleration leaves him chasing too often on go routes. More focused, physical press disruption should make the rep easier to control. He’s opportunistic with strong ball skills at the catch point. His route squeeze and zone awareness should improve with more reps. We should expect McCoy’s athletic traits and instincts to help him make up for lost time once he gets into camp.

Washington made stops at three different colleges and showed improvement with each move to a new school. He’s fast with loose hips and adequate agility. He’s not very sudden in tight quarters and is a step slow to see it and go when the hole opens. He can glide and swerve around interior traffic once he’s on the move, though. He has breakaway speed in the open field and is capable as an inside/outside runner. Running to his size with a greater degree of aggressiveness will be the key as he makes the jump. Washington has the traits and talent to become a solid rotational back.

Johnson might be a little light in the measurables department, but his play is tough, twitchy and instinctive. He excels playing in short-zone coverage. He has the athletic ability for man coverage near the line and is quick to read/react to throws in front of him. He’s not an ideal fit as a deep-zone defender, though. Johnson could struggle against vertical speed and big slot receivers in man coverage. He can be swallowed by big blockers as a down safety but has the ability to pile up tackles if they don’t get to him first. Johnson is a Day 3 value as a backup nickelback/safety hybrid with core special-teams talent.

Masses has taken a lot of snaps but his FBS-leading ball production came out of nowhere. He plays with a ball-hawking mentality, keeping his eyes forward. He’s able to mirror and match releases while disrupting route timing with well-placed jabs from press. He has an innate feel for challenging throws at optimal angles and plays ball over man most of the time. He’s fairly effective at anticipating route breaks but frequently mauls and invites penalties when the route doesn’t go as expected. Masses lacked explosiveness in his NFL Scouting Combine workout, which will need to be balanced against the competitiveness he showed on tape.

Benson, formerly the No. 1 JUCO prospect, made his mark with Oregon in 2025 after less productive stints at Alabama (2023) and Florida State (2024). He combines electric, track-caliber speed with above-average ball skills to create a real deep threat on every snap. He needs to diversify his releases and his route-running won’t impress, but his speed forces open easy hitches/slants underneath. He has a plus catch radius and rare toughness for a speed demon. He’s unflinching working into the middle. Benson can turn slants and over routes into long scores against certain looks but isn’t a natural on manufactured touches. Shell coverages could limit his value, but his ability to create explosives is undeniable.

Stubby but stout, Cleveland fights hard to muddy the A-gaps. He has heavy hands that shock on impact and he’s capable of quickly controlling/shedding. His lack of length requires him to gain an early advantage or risk being neutralized by big, long guards. Limited range as a run defender and an inability to pressure the pocket cap his draft slotting and upside. Cleveland’s strength and anchor should help him clog interior lanes as a rotational nose tackle.