NFL Draft 2026: Top Prospects by Position and Players to Watch

Preliminary Analysis of the 2026 NFL Draft: Players to Watch

There are still ten months until the start of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, but it’s the perfect time to start analyzing college prospects. Matt Miller and Jordan Reid have compiled their lists of the top five players at each position, based on what they’ve seen and conversations they’ve had with college football and NFL experts. In addition, they have identified players with complex situations and those who could surprise. Here’s a look at each group of positions in the class of 2026.

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Tackles
• Guards
• Centers
• Edge Defenders
• Defensive Tackles
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks
• Safeties

Quarterback

Miller’s Top 5:

1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
2. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
3. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
4. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
5. Drew Allar, Penn State

Reid’s Top 5:

1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
2. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
4. Drew Allar, Penn State
5. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The hardest player to rank: Allar. Although all the quarterbacks in this class are difficult to rank, the Penn State passer is the most complicated. He shows flashes of brilliance with a strong arm and good mobility for his size, but his decision-making is very inconsistent, especially against the best opponents. His ability to correct mental errors will determine where his value will be as a senior. Allar could be the best quarterback in the class… or fall to the third day.

Miller

Player outside the top 5 to watch: John Mateer, Oklahoma. Mateer has the potential to rise. He had a great season at Washington State, throwing for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, while also rushing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. He will have the opportunity to prove his worth on a bigger stage after transferring to Oklahoma. If Mateer excels against the SEC, his value will increase rapidly.

Runners

Miller’s Top 5:

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
2. CJ Baxter, Texas
3. Makhi Hughes, Oregon
4. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
5. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Reid’s Top 5:

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
2. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
3. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
4. Quintrevion Wisner, Texas
5. Jonah Coleman, Washington

The most difficult player to classify: Baxter. The sophomore college running back returns after missing the 2024 season due to a torn right ACL. Although he will be fresh, will he be able to regain the form that allowed him to run for 659 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman in 2023? He will share carries with Wisner, who ran for 1,064 yards last season, which could create an interesting dynamic.Player outside the top 5 to watch: Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma. Ott entered last season with high expectations for the 2025 draft after rushing for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns at Cal in 2023. But his 2024 campaign was marred by a right ankle injury in Week 1 that persisted throughout the season, limiting him to 385 yards and four touchdowns. Ott has transferred to Oklahoma and is looking to bounce back as a senior.

Cal surprises Miami with a 66-yard touchdown on 4th and 1. Cal executes a perfect pass where Fernando Mendoza finds Jaydn Ott for a 66-yard touchdown.

Open Receivers

Miller’s Top 5:

1. Antonio Williams, Clemson
2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
3. Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn
4. Denzel Boston, Washington
5. Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Reid’s Top 5:

1. Ja’Kobi Lane, USC
2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
3. Antonio Williams, Clemson
4. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
5. Denzel Boston, Washington

The most difficult player to rank: Lane. I have the 6-4, 195-pound junior college player ranked higher than everyone and will stay in that position. But he is a polarizing prospect who needs more testing according to many scouts. Despite the 12 touchdowns last season, Lane only had 528 receiving yards and stayed under 50 yards in eight of USC’s 13 games. There is still no true WR1 in this class, so with a little more consistency, Lane has the opportunity to move up and be the first receiver selected.

Reid

Player outside the top 5 to watch: Elijah Sarratt, Indiana. Sarratt, 6-2, 210 pounds, has a lot of explosive potential, especially with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who transfers from Cal. Sarratt had 53 receptions for 987 yards and eight touchdowns last season and fits the mold of Texans star receiver Nico Collins, with excellent body positioning and strong hands in traffic.

Closed Wings

Miller’s Top 5:

1. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
2. Jack Endries, Texas
3. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
4. Max Klare, Ohio State
5. Joe Royer, Cincinnati

Reid’s Top 5:

1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
2. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
3. Max Klare, Ohio State
4. Jack Endries, Texas
5. Joe Royer, Cincinnati

The most difficult player to classify: Sadiq. His touches were limited last season behind eventual second-round pick Terrance Ferguson, with Sadiq finishing with 24 receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns. But he showed flashes of his potential, especially his route-running ability and his skills in motion after the reception. With Ferguson in the NFL and the returning leading receiver, Evan Stewart, likely out for the season with a knee injury, Sadiq will step into a significant role.Player outside the top 5 to follow: Luke Hasz, Ole Miss. Hasz transferred from Arkansas in the offseason and will play in an offense much more favorable for TEs at Ole Miss. Hasz had great moments for the Razorbacks, but the inconsistent play of the quarterback and an unproductive scheme made it easy for opposing defenses to focus on him. It will be fun to see what plays Lane Kiffin designs for Hasz to open up.

Offensive Tackle

Miller’s Top 5:

1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami
2. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
3. Austin Barber, Florida
4. Spencer Fano, Utah
5. Caleb Lomu, Utah

Reid’s Top 5:

1. Spencer Fano, Utah
2. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
3. Isaiah World, Oregon
4. Caleb Lomu, Utah
5. Drew Shelton, Penn State

The most difficult player to classify: Proctor. There are mixed feelings about the 6-7, 360-pound junior. On the one hand, he’s a massive tackle prospect with otherworldly blocking strength. But his moments of brilliance are offset by many disappointing stretches. He tends to float against lesser competition, losing attention to detail and not using his power advantage. Scouts want to see more consistency from Proctor in 2025, and many believe he can be a top-15 pick if he shows it.

Reid

Player outside the top 5 to watch: Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame. I had a hard time keeping Wagner out of my top five after he played 16 very solid games in 2024. The 6-6, 293-pound junior right tackle flourished as a run blocker, with impressive agility and awareness in space. He has the opportunity to move up the draft boards if his second season as a full-time starter is as good as the first.

Guard

Miller’s Top 5:

1. Cayden Green, Missouri
2. Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
3. Jaeden Roberts, Alabama
4. Joshua Braun, Arkansas
5. Davion Carter, Texas Tech

Reid’s Top 5:

1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami
2. Cayden Green, Missouri
3. Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
4. Jaeden Roberts, Alabama
5. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

The most difficult player to classify: Roberts. After an impressive 2023 campaign, Roberts entered 2024 with expectations of being in the top 75 for the 2025 draft. But his game declined last season, so he returns to Alabama. Did the change from Nick Saban’s scheme to Kalen DeBoer’s cause problems for Roberts, or was it something else? He has the potential to be a top guard prospect, but which player will appear this season?

Miller

Player outside the top 5 to watch: DJ Campbell, Texas. Campbell is the only returning interior starter for the Longhorns and is expected to take on a larger role in 2025. He started all 16 games last season and excelled as a run blocker due to his strength at the point of attack. He needs to continue improving his technique and hand timing in pass protection. If he does, he could climb the guard rankings.

Center

Miller’s Top 5:

1. Jake Slaughter, Florida
2. Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
3. Logan Jones, Iowa
4. Connor Tollison, Missouri
5. Pat Coogan, Indiana

Reid’s Top 5:

1. Connor Lew, Auburn
2. Jake Slaughter, Florida
3. Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
4. Logan Jones, Iowa
5. Connor Tollison, Missouri

The most difficult player to classify: Tollison. Despite getting ratings from the scouts I’ve spoken to for the second day, Tollison decided to return for his senior season. He fell a bit towards the end of last season due to a knee injury. Although the 2026 center class looks deep, Tollison is a player to watch, especially if he returns to his pre-injury form. He has started 35 games, with every snap at center.

Reid

Player outside the top 5 to watch: Bryce Foster, Kansas. Foster made a big jump in 2024, which leads me to believe that there’s still more to come in 2025. The 6-5, 330-pound player is a demolisher in the running game with the agility to make blocks in space. Don’t be surprised to see him paving the way for the now healthy quarterback Jalon Daniels, winning postseason awards and climbing up the draft boards.

Edge Defenses

Miller’s Top 5:

1. T.J. Parker, Clemson
2. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
3. Keldric Faulk, Auburn
4. David Bailey, Texas Tech
5. Patrick Payton, LSU

Reid’s Top 5:

1. Keldric Faulk, Auburn
2. T.J. Parker, Clemson
3. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
4. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
5. Gabe Jacas, Illinois

The hardest player to classify: Payton. After a brilliant 2023 season at Florida State, Payton, 6-5 and 250 pounds, entered last season with All-American expectations. But his season mirrored the Seminoles’ disappointment, as his sack total fell from seven to four. Payton, whose flashes remind many of Giants defensive end Brian Burns, has the potential to get back on track at LSU. If he does, great things are possible.

Miller

Flashback: Patrick Payton tallies 3 sacks in FSU victory. Take a look back at new LSU transfer Patrick Payton’s best game of the season in Florida State’s victory over California.

Player outside the top 5 to watch: Cashius Howell, Texas A&M. The Bowling Green transfer had to wait his turn in 2024 behind Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton. But with those two players now in the NFL, it’s Howell’s turn to lead the Aggies’ defensive line. He gave a glimpse of his potential in his only start last season, with five tackles, a sack, and an interception in the Las Vegas Bowl. Continuing that production would place Howell among the best players in another group loaded with defensive ends.

Defensive Tackle

Miller’s Top 5:

1. Peter Woods, Clemson
2. Tim Keenan III, Alabama
3. Keanu Tanuvasa, BYU
4. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
5. Zane Durant, Penn State

Reid’s Top 5:

1. Peter Woods, Clemson
2. Caleb Banks, Florida
3. Christen Miller, Georgia
4. Zane Durant, Penn State
5. Tim Keenan III, Alabama

The most difficult player to classify: Banks. The 6-6, 325-pound player finished last season on a hot streak, with 3.5 sacks in his last two games. Banks is a quick-footed interior defensive lineman with power and hand speed at the point of attack. Florida’s defense should improve, and Banks is a top-tier important part of that unit. He has first-round potential, but will need to stay healthy and build on his strong finish to 2024.Player outside the top 5 to watch: Rayshaun Benny, Michigan. One more year, another defensive lineman from the Wolverines to watch. Benny, 6-4 and 296 pounds, will have the task of replacing first-round pick Mason Graham. The senior, in his fifth year, only had 1.5 sacks last season as a rotational player, but has explosive potential. He finished the season playing his best football, sharing Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping Michigan beat Ohio State