The final 2026 NFL Draft big board is now finalized! Months of watching games, studying tape, learning about injuries and backgrounds, athletic testing and more finally congeal into a list. They are ordered by grade. Ties in grades--there are many--are settled by my view of the likelihood of the player achieving his NFL ceiling. 

This is not a projection of draft order. More advanced breakdowns of the quarterbacks, offensive tackles and wide receivers are available 

  1. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State. High-end, do-it-all playmaker with an incredible football IQ. 

  2. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State. Converted safety is bigger than some EDGEs and still moves like a safety. 

  1. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame. Compares favorably to Saquon Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs as a prospect. 

  2. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU. Instinctive, reactive cover man with no real holes in his game. 

  1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana. Consummate field general with mobility and the valued clutch gene. 

  2. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami FL. Short arms be damned, Mauigoa is an agile wall of a blocker. 

  3. Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami FL. Short arms be damned pt. 2, Bain is a great all-around player in both the run and pass game. 

  4. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State. Loads of untapped potential as a pass rusher from a very impressive off-ball backer. 

  1. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah. Left tackle with sky-high ceiling, still working at being more than a pass protection specialist. 

  2. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon. Playmaking weapon of a tight end with explosive athleticism and steadily improving blocking. 

  1. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State. Smooth, polished, pro-ready wideout with a very high floor, if not a lower ceiling than some recent Buckeye wideouts. 

  1. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon. A little linear of an athlete, but his speed and reactionary quickness are elite. He’s where the NFL wants to move to with the safety spot. 

  2. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson. Run stuffer extraordinaire with some pass-rush upside and freaky movement skills for a guy his size. 

  1. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah. Excellent quickness for someone hellbent on sustaining blocks. Might be a better center than tackle, but he’s a great OT prospect too. 

  2. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech. Pass-rushing specialist with bend to burn and a bevy of moves he can use to get to the QB. 

  3. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo. Big, playmaking box safety with coverage upside and hybrid S/LB/slot skills. 

  1. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson. Smart, power-based pass rusher with best-in-class hands and eyes for the ball. Parker earned the final grade commensurate with a first-round status. 

  1. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia. Precociously skilled big man with high ceiling but a need for some technical refinement and reps, part one…

  1. Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson. Sticky, plucky cover corner who lacks size but isn’t aware of that fact. Echoes of Denzel Ward. 

  1. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn. Powerful, athletic base end whose production hasn’t matched his considerable potential. 

  2. Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
  3. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
  4. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
  5. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
  6. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
  7. K.C. Concepción, WR, Texas A&M
  8. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
  9. Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
  10. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
  11. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State. Precociously skilled big man with high ceiling but a need for some technical refinement and reps, part two.

  1. Chase Bisontis, IOL, Texas A&M
  2. Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
  3. C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
  4. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami FL
  5. Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
  6. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
  7. R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
  8. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
  9. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State. Tyson’s film grade lands in the top 10, but durability issues drop him significantly.
  10. D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana. Exceptional fight/size-of-dog ratio in an extremely undersized playmaking slot corner.
  11. Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
  12. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
  13. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
  14. Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
  15. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
  16. Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
  17. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
  18. Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
  19. Anthony Hill, LB, Texas
  20. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M. Freakishly short arms curb the enthusiasm on a bendy pass rusher who finishes well. 

  1. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
  2. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
  3. Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
  4. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
  5. Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
  6. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
  7. Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
  8. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
  9. Keionte Scott, CB, Miami FL
  10. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri. All-or-nothing, twitchy pass rusher with size and decent bend but questions about his maturity both on and off the field. 

  1. Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
  2. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
  3. V.J. Payne, S, Kansas State
  4. Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
  5. Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
  6. Bud Clark, S, TCU
  7. Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
  8. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
  9. Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
  10. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington. Powerful, high-energy bowling ball of a runner with good vision and contact balance. 

  1. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
  2. Kaleb Elams-Orr, LB, TCU
  3. Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M
  4. Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
  5. Justin Joly, TE, North Carolina State
  6. Connor Lew, IOL, Auburn
  7. Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
  8. Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
  9. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
  10. Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson. YAC merchant who gets open quickly and can thrive underneath in the NFL. 

  11. Travis Burke, OT, Memphis
  12. Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
  13. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
  14. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
  15. Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
  16. Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina
  17. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
  18. Jalen Farmer, IOL, Kentucky
  19. Brian Parker, OL, Duke
  20. Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M. Bright, instinctive striker of a MIKE but questionable size and coverage skills. 

  1. Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona
  2. Jaishawn Barham, EDGE, Michigan
  3. Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
  4. Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
  5. Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
  6. Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
  7. Devin Moore, CB, Florida
  8. Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State
  9. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
  10. Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas. Arrow pointing up for the Fresno State transfer with ideal size and decent run defense.

  1. Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
  2. Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
  3. Will Lee, CB, Texas A&M
  4. Kaleb Proctor, DT, SE Louisiana
  5. Jack Endries, TE, Texas
  6. Markel Bell, OT, Miami FL
  7. Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
  8. Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
  9. Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
  10. De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
  11. Kage Casey, OL Boise State
  12. Logan Jones, IOL, Iowa
  13. Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
  14. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
  15. Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M
  16. Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
  17. Sam Hecht, IOL, Kansas State
  18. Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
  19. Mason Reiger, EDGE, Wisconsin
  20. Tim Keenan, DT, Alabama. Immovable object of an interior presence who gets off blocks decently for a short-armed body. 

  1. Jeremiah Wright, IOL, Auburn
  2. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
  3. Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
  4. Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
  5. Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
  6. Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss
  7. Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
  8. Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
  9. Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
  10. Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
  11. Adam Randall, RB, Clemson. Converted WR with impressive power and significant passing game upside. 

  1. Max Llewellyn, EDGE, Iowa
  2. Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
  3. Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
  4. J.C. Davis, OT, Illinois
  5. Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State
  6. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
  7. Jager Burton, IOL, Kentucky
  8. Caden Curry, DL, Ohio State
  9. Devon Marshall, CB, North Carolina State
  10. Zacariah Branch, WR, Georgia. Elusive, dynamic but tiny slot receiver who offers bonus value as a return man. 

  11. Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
  12. Febechi Nwaiwu, OL, Oklahoma
  13. Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
  14. Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
  15. Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
  16. Ceyair Wright, CB, Nebraska
  17. Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss
  18. Trey Zuhn, OL, Texas A&M
  19. Ar'maj Reed-Adams, IOL, Texas A&M
  20. Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo. Throwback, Parcells-style ILB who set the NCAA record for forced fumbles. 

  1. Landon Robinson, DT, Navy
  2. Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky
  3. Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
  4. Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC
  5. Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson
  6. Wesley Williams, EDGE, Duke
  7. Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
  8. Matt Gulbin, IOL, Michigan State
  9. Josh Moten, CB, Southern Miss
  10. TJ Hall, CB, Iowa. Quicker-than-fast but physical outside CB who is a real asset in run defense. 

  1. Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
  2. Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
  3. Jake Slaughter, IOL, Florida
  4. Luke Altmeyer, QB, Illinois
  5. Collin Wright, DB, Stanford
  6. Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan
  7. Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
  8. Keagan Trost, OL, Missouri
  9. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
  10. Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame. Long but inconsistent, somewhat stiff right tackle with power and a nice first step. 

  1. Brandon Cleveland, DT, North Carolina State
  2. Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan
  3. Billy Schrauth, IOL, Notre Dame
  4. Jacob Thomas, S, James Madison
  5. Chase Roberts, WR, BYU
  6. Austin Barber, OT, Florida
  7. Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Texas Tech
  8. Dae'Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss
  9. Eric O'Neill, EDGE, Rutgers
  10. Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo. Size/speed outside CB fits best in a zone scheme that masks his average instincts and reactionary quickness. 

  11. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
  12. LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
  13. Owen Heinecke, LB, Oklahoma
  14. Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan
  15. Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
  16. Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
  17. Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
  18. Avery Smith, CB, Toledo
  19. Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
  20. Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan. Hyper-productive one-year wonder with an advanced age makes him a pass-rush specialist with average traits but fun potential.  

  1. Louis Moore, S, Indiana
  2. Carson Beck, QB, Miami FL
  3. Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana
  4. Cameron Ball, DT, Arkansas
  5. Jaylon Guilbeau, DB, Texas
  6. Eli Heidenreich, WR, Navy
  7. Michael Heldman, EDGE, Central Michigan
  8. Karson Sharar, LB, Iowa
  9. John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
  10. Fa'Aili Fa'Amoe, OT, Wake Forest. Giant right tackle with power but inconsistent feet and technique. 

  1. Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
  2. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
  3. Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech
  4. Jack Pyburn, EDGE, LSU
  5. Micah Morris, IOL, Georgia
  6. Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma
  7. Matt Hibner, TE, SMU
  8. Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati
  9. Bryson Eason, DT, Tennessee
  10. Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama. Instinctive but undersized, downhill off-ball backer with elite special teams potential. 

  1. Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah
  2. Tyreak Sapp, EDGE, Florida
  3. Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
  4. Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
  5. James Thompson Jr., DT, Illinois
  6. David Gusta, DL, Kentucky
  7. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
  8. Reggie Virgil, WR, Texas Tech
  9. Nate Boekircher, TE, Texas A&M
  10. Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama. Track star athlete who inconsistently translated those skills to the football field. 

  11. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
  12. Cam Dorner, WR, North Texas
  13. Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
  14. James Brockermeyer, IOL, Miami FL
  15. Lander Barton, LB, Utah
  16. Namdi Obiazor, LB, TCU
  17. Riley Mahlman, OT, Wisconsin
  18. Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati
  19. Alan Herron, OL, Maryland
  20. Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa. Tiny, gimmicky but dynamic slot receiver whose primary value is as a return specialist, where he could thrive for years in the NFL. 

  1. Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana
  2. Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll
  3. Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State
  4. Sawyer Robinson, QB, Baylor
  5. George Gumbs, EDGE, Florida
  6. Caden Barnett, IOL, Wyoming
  7. DeMonte Capeheart, DT, Clemson
  8. DJ Campbell, IOL, Texas
  9. Xavian Sorey, LB, Arkansas
  10. Scooby Williams, LB, Texas A&M. Smooth-moving WILL with cover skills but durability and frame concerns. 

  1. Curtis Allen. RB, Virginia Union
  2. Logan Fano, EDGE, Utah
  3. Toriano Pride, CB, Missouri
  4. Keyshawn James-Newby, EDGE, New Mexico
  5. Wade Woodaz, LB, Clemson
  6. Parker Brailsford, IOL, Alabama
  7. Kendal Daniels, S, Oklahoma
  8. Cole Brevard, DT, Texas
  9. Riley Nowakowski, TE, Indiana
  10. Rahsul Faison, RB, South Carolina. Slash-and-burn runner with decent juice but will be 26 as a rookie. 

  1. Malik Benson, WR, Oregon
  2. Quintayvious Hutchins, EDGE, Boston College
  3. Jackson Kuwatch, LB, Miami OH
  4. Latrell McCutchin, CB, Houston
  5. Aidan Hubbard, EDGE, Northwestern
  6. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami FL
  7. Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama
  8. Marcus Allen, CB, North Carolina
  9. Deven Eastern, DT, Minnesota
  10. Ahmaad Moses, S, SMU. High energy, high football IQ but lacking speed and twitch

  1. Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky
  2. Fernando Carmona, IOL , Arkansas
  3. J'Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia
  4. Mikhail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
  5. Alex Harkey, OL, Oregon
  6. CJ Daniels, WR, Miami FL
  7. Jalen Husky, DB, Maryland
  8. Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU
  9. Eric Gentry, LB, USC
  10. Nyjalik Kelly, EDGE, UCF. Developmental-type pass rusher with length and attitude to work with. 

  1. Robert Henry, RB, UTSA
  2. Ahmari Harvey, CB, Georgia Tech
  3. Kevin Coleman, WR, Missouri
  4. Tamarion Crumpley, CB, UAB
  5. Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College
  6. Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
  7. Rene Konga, DT, Louisville
  8. Jam Miller, RB, Alabama
  9. Miles Scott, S, Illinois
  10. R.J. Maryland, TE, SMU. H-back/slot receiving specialist type of TE with elite speed but blocking and durability concerns. 

  11. Bryan Thomas Jr., EDGE, South Carolina
  12. Lorenzo Styles Jr., DB, Ohio State
  13. Wydett Williams, S, Ole Miss
  14. DeShon Singleton, S, Nebraska
  15. Max Tomczak, WR, Youngstown State
  16. Jeffrey M'Ba, DT, SMU
  17. Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas
  18. Colbie Young, WR, Georgia
  19. Joe Fagnano, QB, UConn
  20. Carver Willis, OT , Washington, Tough, smart guard/tackle with decent feet but lacking power and length. 

  1. David Blay, DT, Miami FL
  2. Pat Coogan, IOL, Indiana
  3. Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech
  4. Chip Trayanum, RB, Toledo
  5. Jaeden Roberts, IOL, Alabama
  6. Chris Adams, OL, Memphis
  7. Gunner Maldonado, S, Kansas State
  8. Nolan Rucci, OT, Penn State
  9. Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh
  10. Enrique Cruz, OL, Kansas
  11. Beau Stephens, IOL, Iowa
  12. Austin Brown, S, Wisconsin
  13. Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
  14. Harrison Wallace, WR, Ole Miss
  15. Jalen Stroman, S, Notre Dame
  16. Ricardo Hallman, CB, Wisconsin
  17. Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
  18. Aaron Graves, DT, Iowa
  19. Skyler Thomas, S, Oregon State
  20. Bruno Onwuazor, OT, Virginia State. D-II standout with incredible length and developing technique for a Nigerian-born former basketball player. 

  1. Athan Kalikmanis, QB, Rutgers
  2. Jordan van den Berg, DT, Georgia Tech
  3. Aaron Anderson, WR, LSU
  4. Behren Morton, QB, Texas Tech
  5. Erick Hunter, LB, Morgan State
  6. Gary Smith, DT, UCLA
  7. Khalil Dinkins, TE, Penn State
  8. Mark Gronowski, QB, Iowa
  9. Ethan Onianwa, OL, Ohio State
  10. Caullin Lacy, WR, Louisville
  11. Micah Pettus, OL, Florida State
  12. Tony Grimes, CB, Purdue
  13. J Michael Sturdivant, WR, Florida
  14. Dane Key, WR, Nebraska
  15. Kobe Baynes, IOL, Kansas
  16. Jack Velling, TE, Michigan State
  17. Miller Moss, QB, Louisville
  18. Jack Stonehouse, P, Syracuse
  19. Trey Smack, K, Florida
  20. Dominic Zvada, K, Michigan
  21. Vinny Anthony, WR, Wisconsin
  22. Lake McRee, TE, USC
  23. Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
  24. Jeadyn Lukus, S, Clemson
  25. Bauer Sharp, TE, LSU
  26. Joey Aguilar, QB, Tennessee
  27. Squirrel White, WR, Florida State
  28. Giovanni El-Hadi, OL, Michigan
  29. Sieh Bangura, RB, Ohio
  30. Anez Cooper, IOL, Miami FL
  31. Jalen Catalon, S, Missouri. Well-traveled, instinctive hitter with major durability concerns.