Zak Drapeau's 2026 NFL Prospects Big Board: a Sportz Nation Special Report

by Zak Drapeau

1/11/2026

Sportz Nation

1. Caleb Downs

Safety 1

6'1" 204 lbs.

Ohio State

Strengths:

- Great Special Teams Returner

- High Production at both Ohio State and Alabama

- Great processing speed when in deep and medium zone coverage. Uses zone IQ and athleticism to constantly threaten passing lanes.

- Elite at sniffing out run plays and making plays in backfield.

- Versatility. Can be deep Safety, Nickel corner or blitzer.

Weaknesses:

- A bit too small to play at line of scrimmage in NFL

- Has shown to drop down at tackling instead of driving his feet sometimes.

Bio:

Caleb Downs is the most complete Safety prospect I've studied in my 8 years of NFL Draft scouting. A fearless and intelligent tackler who excels at making plays in the backfield, Downs has also made so many plays in coverage. He literally checks off 99% of the boxes for a Safety, the only thing you could critique him on is not being the 6'3", 220 lbs. prospect that has commonly described high Safety prospects.

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2. Jeremiyah Love

RB 1

6'0" 216 lbs.

Notre Dame

Strengths:

- 2 years of elite production at Notre Dame.

- Great size and speed for NFL running back

- Elite agility including jumping ability

- Constantly falling forward through tackles.

- Reliable in pass blocking and block and release routes. Third-down running back at next level is good to great.

Weaknesses:

- Struggles when running intricate passing routes.

- Could use more mass to successfully play every down in NFL

- Can rely too heavily on agility. Can do too much at times and be caught behind line of scrimmage trying to make defenders miss

Bio:

Jeremiyah Love is the next great Running Back of the NFL in the mold of Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley. After a sensational sophomore season last year, Love came back to Notre Dame and improved ultimately sealing his pedigree and draft stock at the same time. Rarely if ever have we seen a Running Back with the hurdling ability as Love and he combines that with elite speed and vision.

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3. David Bailey

Edge 1

6'3" 250 lbs.

Texas Tech

Strengths:

- Great productions in SO and JR season followed by Elite production this year

- Has elite speed and bend when working around the edge

- Uses hands well to set Tackles then explode past them

- Great size for 3-4 OLB

- Multiple pass rush moves makes him unpredictable down-to-down

Weaknesses:

- Not very strong

- Tends to extend to the edge before locating ball. Can make him susceptible to runs especially draw plays.

- Needs to fill out. 250 lbs.-listing might be generous

Bio:

David Bailey is the best pure pass rusher in a loaded pass rushing class. Even though he may be a bit small at the NFL-level and not particularly elite against the run, Bailey will immediately be one of the best speed rushers the moment he gets drafted. If he goes to a team with a 3-4 defense and is used to rush the passer 60-80% of the time, he will be a double-digit sack guy right away.

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4. Jordyn Tyson

WR 1

6'2" 200 lbs.

Arizona State

Strengths:

- Elite jump ball receiver

- 2 years of high production at Arizona State

- Running ability and strides makes him a vertical threat against anybody

- Great hands

- reliable red zone threat

Weaknesses:

- Injury history is a concern

- Hasn't shown ability to consistently win against pressing corners at line of scrimmage

- Great, not elite size

Bio:

Jordyn Tyson is a very interesting prospect who could be the best example of "high ceiling, low floor" in this class. His injury history of knee and collarbone injuries have resulted in him missing significant time and could become a problem. When he is on the field he is a game changer. A fluid route runner, if Tyson is able to create any separation he is such a good athlete that rarely will a corner close that gap. When they do, Tyson has also shown a jump ball ability so unique I've never seen it. While he has good jumping and soft hands, it's his hangtime that is truly special as he floats in the air to create the perfect angle to pull in overthrown balls or deep balls.

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5. Arvell Reese

6'4" 243 lbs.

LB 1

Ohio State

Strengths

- Elite size and length

- Special athlete

- Great against the run

- Very versatile. Great OLB and Good Edge

- Played under Matt Patricia (Has Feel for NFL Defenses)

Weaknesses:

- Only 1 year of production

- Needs work in zone coverage

- Man coverage against NFL TEs might be sloppy

- Strength and length causes him to take blocks too square and tall

Bio:

Arvell Reese is probably the best athlete in this class and that's why he tops a lot of Big Boards right now. I have him a bit farther down at 4 but he's still an amazing talent. Reese can be a do it all-Sam LB in the league who stuffs run holes and rushes the passer on 3rd downs. Reese has a sky high potential based on his size, athleticism and lengthy arms but also because he won't turn 21 until just before next season starts.

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6. Rueben Bain Jr.

6'3" 275 lbs.

Edge 2

Miami

Strengths:

- 5-star High school recruit and multiple years of college production

- Tremendous speed for his size

- Vicious strength when rushing the edge

- Rises to occasion when playing the best teams

- Multiple pass moves including bend and bull rush

Weaknesses:

- "Tweener" body casts doubts to scheme versatility in the NFL.

- Average first step

- Not patient against the run and can often leave assignment gap

Bio:

Rueben Bain has been one of the best prospects of this class ever since his Senior season at Miami Central High School 4 years ago. Bain's outstanding blend of power and speed will shock Tackles and his pass rush moves will expose them. While he isn't the quickest Edge you'll see, he more than makes up for it with his moves. Bain's measurements will be very key to watch for at the Combine as his 6'3", 275 lbs. frame is often too small for a 4-3 DE and too big for a 3-4 OLB in the NFL. Bain's ranking falls because of his stature but his play will overcome that.

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7. Fernando Mendoza

QB 1

6'5" 225 lbs.

Indiana

Strengths:

- Winner

- Great mobility

- Keeps his eyes down the field until the last moment showing great poise and comfort in pocket

- Outstanding postseason run in 2025

- All accounts have him as an Elite locker room leader

Weaknesses:

- Could be a product of phenomenal 2025 Indiana roster

- Good not great arm strength

- Shows dependency on top 2 receivers

Bio:

I've been more sour on Mendoza then most this season but I've bumped him up more recently. His last 3 games in the 2025 College post season have been ridiculous and I have to admit his mobility is better than I expected. I can't shake the feeling that he won't be able to carry an NFL team at the top of the draft order after coming from such a dominant college roster. Mendoza has the poise and character of a Franchise QB in the NFL but could really damage his development if he's expected to start Week 1 on a 3-win team.

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8. Makai Lemon

WR 2

5'11 195 lbs.

USC

Strengths:

- Speed and Toughness make him one of the toughest WR prospects to tackle

- Versatility. He might be better in the NFL as a slot but can absolutely play the boundary as well

- Sharp cuts at the top of routes

Weaknesses:

- Shorter height and wingspan

- Struggles against good press corners

- Will never be elite jump ball catcher

Bio:

The biggest riser in the latest round of my rankings thanks to watching film. Lemon excels at two things: getting open and getting yards after the catch, (arguably the two most important traits of a WR.) I've bever seen a WR so willing and tough to get yards after contact and drive his feet through tackles. Add his blazing speed and you have one of the best YAC prospects I've seen. He is limited as a boundary receiver thanks to his 5'11" height but has every other tool a team could want.

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9. Carnell Tate

WR 3

6'4" 195 lbs.

Ohio State

Strengths:

- Height and length

- Elite Coverage IQ

- Ohio State WR pedigree

- Long fluid strides in deep routes

Weaknesses:

- Average cuts

- Play strength

Bio:

The latest product of Wide Receiver U, Carnell Tate is a big bodied, sure handed and reliable receiver with great strides making him an incredible deep throw target. Tate's length will limit some of his cuts, but his elite IQ when it comes to defensive coverage and how to find holes will make up for all of that. As a fast and great sized receiver, learning how to play the position at Ohio State makes Tate an ultra-high ceiling prospect that should have a very long career in the NFL.

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10. Jermod McCoy

CB 1

6'0" 193 lbs.

Tennessee

Strengths:

- Elite ball hawk

- Very sticky man coverage

- Fast and long athlete

Weaknesses:

- Missed all of 2025 season with Torn ACL

- Could improve press ability

- Could use a bit more play strength

- Needs to cut down on holding penalties

Bio:

McCoy is my favorite Cornerback prospect by a lot but I'm also not mad at anyone putting Delane over him either. McCoy's medical will be the biggest hurdle of the draft process after his Torn ACL last January. Before his injury though, he was a brilliant man cover Corner with a great nose for the ball. McCoy has the best Corner instincts in this class while also being the likely second-best athlete. I told everyone that Will Johnson shouldn't be knocked because of his injury last year and was right when most NFL teams were too scared to draft him. McCoy is the same story albeit with a slightly smaller frame.

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11. Sonny Styles

LB 1

6'5" 235 lbs

Ohio State

Strengths:

- Converted Safety makes him an elite coverage Linebacker

- Tremendous Speed and twitchiness

- Length makes him a great edge setter against the run

- Very smart and quick processor pre-snap

Weaknesses:

- Shows he can be faked out by play action passes

- Needs more mass to be a consistent threat to plug running lanes

- Can rely on his length too much when tackling, "arm tackles"

Bio:

Sonny Styles may never be a great run stuffing Linebacker in the NFL but he will be lightning fast both physically and mentally. With an uncanny ability to read passing plays pre snap, Styles can also cover any player based on his Safety-background. A legitimate force when allowed to cover the middle of the field or be used as a spy, Styles will be as lethal a coverage-linebacker as we've seen in a long time and could give NFL defenses the ability to use him as a Nickel and add another D-lineman to their personnel groups.

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12. Spencer Fano

OT 1

6'6" 305 lbs.

Utah

Strengths:

- Hand placement and quickness make him a perfect lead blocker.

- Ability and willingness to hit secondary defenders and drive them

- Shows good pass blocking potential with his hand placement and body control

- Has that nasty attitude you want from a run blocking lineman

- Should be used at Tackle but would be a MONSTER Guard in the NFL

Weaknesses:

- Had a bad game against Texas tech when faced against two NFL-caliber pass rushers

- Not elite in pass pro yet

- Could use more mass to thicken his frame

Bio:

Spencer Fano is a prospect I am still out on. Fano is a special run blocker even if his mass wouldn't indicate it. His ferocious play style and violent hands make him a threat to D-lineman in his way and secondary defenders he runs into. His pass blocking is good but still needs a lot of work especially if he wants to be anything more than a RT in the NFL. He is a solid prospect nonetheless, just not quite at the mark of others that have been the best O-lineman of their classes.

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13. Mansoor Delane

CB 2

6'0" 190 lbs.

LSU 

Strengths:

- Elite athleticism

- Great zone coverage with room to grow

- Twitchiness gives him potential as an NFL ball hawk

Weaknesses:

- Likely will never be a good run defender

- Yet to get man coverage instincts

- Struggled against Alabama and Texas A&M in 2025

Bio:

Mansoor may become the top cornerback of his class after the NFL Combine where he should be one of the events' top performers. As of now, he is far from a polished player but has potential bursting out of him because of his athleticism. Fast and quick as anyone regardless of position, Delane has also shown a propensity for understanding zone coverage. If he can develop his man coverage instincts, his speed should allow him to cover anyone in the league. He could try to increase his mass to help with some tackling issues but not if it would have any effects on his speed.

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14. Peter Woods

DI 1

6'3" 310 lbs.

Clemson 

Strengths:

- 4 Star Recruit and Top DI Prospect Before 2025 season

- Great Strength and Hands

- Size and athleticism allow him to be used at any position in the D-line

- Elite in moving laterally to plug run holes

Weaknesses:

- Junior season regression

- Average pass rush moves

Bio:

Peter Woods is definitely the best of a weak defensive line class and has been going all the way back to High School. Woods is more of a run stuffing specialist but has the right size and athleticism to pressure the Quarterback at the next level. Woods has flashed everywhere he's been and even if his entire Clemson team had a bad 2025, watch for Woods to immediately make an impact in the NFL specifically against the run

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15. Keldric Faulk

Edge 3

6'6" 285 lbs.

Auburn 

Strengths:

- Elite size for NFL edge rusher

- Elite 2024 season

- Great at shedding blocks with hand placement and length

- Top recruit before 2025 season

Weaknesses:

- 2025 season regression

- Average first step

- Using his length can often cause him to have a high ped level

Bio:

Keldric Faulk came into the 2025 season as my top edge rusher but had a significantly worse 2025 then 2024. Faulk has a prototypical size to play a 4-3 D-End in the league with great hand usage and length to do so. He does lack top end athleticism but has shown multiple pass moves to rush the QB and great length and patience when setting the edge against the run.

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16. Franics Mauigoa

OT 2

6'6" 315 lbs.

Miami 

Strengths:

- Strong hands neutralize pass rushing moves

- 3 year starter

- Great technique and hip flexibility

Weaknesses:

- Arm length

- Footwork and agility are good but may not be good enough for an NFL Tackle

Bio:

Francis Mauigoa is heading to the College National Champion game as Miami's premier O-lineman. Mauigoa has spent 3 seasons starting as Miami's Right Tackle and is one of the best pass blockers in the nation. Mauigoa may stand 6'6" tall but his arm length and agility may be a problem at the next level where he seems to fit better as a Guard.

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17. TJ Parker

Edge 4

6'3" 260 lbs.

Clemson 

Strengths:

- Elite 2024 season

- Elite twitch and agility for size

- Great hands

- Great motor means he plays through the whistle on every snap

Weaknesses:

- Lacks explosive first step or shocking punch

- Pad level is too high when facing a O-lineman that engages

- 2025 season regression

Bio:

TJ Parker has a lot in common with the Edge rusher right above him Keldric Faulk, both were top recruits before the season started but had disappointing 2025 seasons. Parker, like Faulk has shown great pass rush moves but can often get shocked by a strong lineman's initial first punch. Parker definitely has better speed and bend then his larger competition. I do believe Parker is one of those guys that has a higher floor but not an especially high ceiling. I think he will be a 5-6 sacks getter his rookie season and likely maintain that level for years to come.

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18. Cashius Howell

Edge 5

6'2" 248 lbs.

Texas A&M 

Strengths:

- His Dip move is the best in the class and one of the best I've seen in a college prospect.

- Elite speed when rushing a Tackle's edge

- Decent pass coverage makes him an NFL ready 3-4 OLB

Weaknesses:

- Needs to add mass to be an effective 3-down edge against NFL teams

- Will use his speed to cheat and often won't set the edge against runs

- Average run speed

Bio:

Howell has one of the higher potentials of this Edge rusher class because of his brilliant agility especially in his dip move. He could use some mass on his frame so he can be effective against the run but his ability to cover the middle of the field should make him a Linebacker at the next level anyway if on the right defense. Howell has a chance to be a 10+ sack guy early in his career but will have to be on the right team and gain some weight to do so.

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19. Kenyon Sadiq

TE 1

6'3" 245 lbs.

Oregon 

Strengths:

- Elite strength for his size

- Willingness and viciousness when blocking LBs and DBs

- Great speed

- Versatility to line up inline or slot

Weaknesses:

- Undersized for inline TE

- Needs to develop better understanding of defensive zone schemes

- I have doubts in his ability to block NFL D-lineman

Bio:

Kenyon Sadiq is a rare athlete with the speed of a 240 pounder and the strength of a 260 pounder. He showed that he can handle an NFL workload as a Tight End this year in Oregon as Dante Moore's safety net. I have my doubts about him being an above average blocker of D-lineman but when used in pull blocks or blocking the second level, Sadiq may become one of the better blockers at his position.

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20. Kadyn Proctor

OT 3

6'7" 366 lbs.

Alabama 

Strengths:

- Elite size and strength

- #2 on Bruce Feldman's Freak List

Weaknesses:

- Average agility with a low ceiling

- Overextends when lead blocking

Bio:

Proctor is one of my favorite prospects of the entire draft except for the fact that he didn't show me the progression this season that I'd hoped for and his size comes with agility limitations. Nonetheless, Proctor is a massive human being with shocking strength that can pass block well but projects best as a RT in the NFL. He also showed the ability to stay on the field, playing in all 15 games at Alabama this season and even showcased his athleticism with 5 rushes this season. If Proctor can test even a little above average in the Combine agility portions, he has a definite shot in going Top-10 come April.

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21. Denzel Boston

WR 4

6'4" 209 lbs.

Washington 

Strengths:

- Great size for NFL jump ball receiver

- Good speed for size

- Very good agility for jump balls and after catch

Weaknesses:

- Lacks top-end speed to run past deep safeties

- Lacks quickness and sharp cuts to consistently separate from good man corners

- I've noticed certain celebrating and jawing after plays that could make him a stereotypical "diva receiver" in the future

Bio:

Boston is a great prospect who looks to follow in the steps of Bears' receiver Rome Odunze as a big bodied, Washington boundary receiver. Boston doesn't have the top-end agility and speed that made Rome Odunze a #9 pick in 2023 but he does have tremendous body control and good speed to make an excellent downfield threat in the NFL. I have my concerns watching his tape about his attitude and flashiness on the field but that seems to be par for the course these days for great receivers.

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22. Avieon Terrell

CB 3

5'11" 180 lbs.

Clemson 

Strengths:

- Very smart; great pre snap communicator and zone coverage IQ

- Leader on and off the field

- Great hip technique and fluidity

- twitchy reactions in man coverage

Weaknesses:

- Small size and athleticism makes his potential as NFL boundary corner unlikely

Bio:

Terrell is the best nickel corner of his class and a player any team will love to have in the locker room especially. Without great athleticism or ball hawking, Terrell won't be an outside corner in the NFL like his brother A.J., but he should be a great Nickel that can captain a defense someday with his communication and maturity.

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23. Anthony Hill Jr.

LB 3

6'3" 238 lbs.

Texas 

Strengths:

- Has been a top prospect for years

- Perfect size and speed for NFL Mike LB

- Still young at only 21 years old

- Good, reliable tackling mechanics

Weaknesses:

- JR season regression

- Only average in zone coverage

- Gets too handsy with lineman

Bio:

Anthony Hill has been one of the best Linebacker prospect over the last 10 years heading into 2025 but really fell short of expectations when it mattered most. Hill has almost everything you want as a MLB that could captain an NFL defense with some coverage instincts lacking behind, and while some draft experts don't even have him as a first-round talent anymore, I still love his potential and skill. He has full blown-Top 10 prospect potential but I had to drop him a few spots.

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24. K.C. Concepcion

WR 5

5'11 190 lbs.

Texas A&M 

Strengths:

- Elite speed

- Very good at punt returns

- Top-end speed and routes make him a reliable go route artist

- Very good with ball in his hands after catch

Weaknesses:

- Didn't show extensive route tree in college, mostly just slant and go routes

- Several drops show he often looks to make ball carrier moves before securing catch

- Slim build and short wingspan

Bio:

Concepcion is one of those prospects that has so much good to his game but a lot of concerns as well. KC is you prototypical slot receiver that has boundary limitation due to his size. His shiftiness makes him very good with the ball in his hands, both after the catch and in return duty. Concepcion has shown some concerns with his concentration drops in the past and seems to rely on vertical routes or quick slants from inside the slot but at only 21 years old has plenty of time to expand his repertoire.

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25. C.J. Allen

LB 4

6'1" 235 lbs.

Georgia 

Strengths:

- Athleticism helps when in man coverage and moving laterally behind D-line

- Good hand usage against lineman

- Still very young, turning 21 just a month before the draft

Weaknesses:

- Gets caught biting on play action

- Not an aggressive tackler means low potential for forced fumbles

- Average coverage anticipation to receivers' routes

Bio:

One of the larger risers on my board, C.J. Allen is an incredible athlete at the Linebacker position. As much as Hill Jr has the prototype and Arvell Reese has the athleticism and frame, CJ Allen probably has the best potential in the class. His biggest, (and some would say only) knock is that he's undersized for the NFL but his speed, tackling and instincts for the position coupled with being only 21-years old really makes me believe he could be an All-Pro at the next level even if it takes him 3-5 years to get there.

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26. Christen Miller

DI 2

6'4" 305 lbs.

Georgia 

Strengths:

- Versatile. Has mass for 1-tech and speed and strength for 3 and 5-tech

- High motor has him play through the whistle and make plays downfield

- Quick lateral movement

- Great against the run

Weaknesses:

- Doesn't have a pass rush repertoire

- Shoulder injury in 2024. Didn't miss time in 2025

- Hasn't shown consistent ability to shed blocks

Bio:

Miller has freaky athleticism for a man his size and is very good against the run. He can be used at any D-lineman spot and is a matchup nightmare for most Centers especially. His pass rush will need to be refined once he's in the league. For his first season or two he should be used to stuff run holes on 1st and 2nd down and substituted for 3rd downs.

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27. Olaivavega Ioane

OG 1

6'4" 328 lbs.

Penn State 

Strengths:

- Elite and shocking power

- Vicious hands usually stop defenders before they can counter

- Great pass pro footwork

Weaknesses:

- Can allow faster D-lineman to get around his edge

- Only average athlete

Bio:

- Ola or Vega Ioane is a can't miss prospect in my eyes with a lower ceiling of being a perennial Pro Bowler. He has the power, viciousness and size to have a long career in the NFL without the elite pass blocking or athleticism that will allow him to cross that "great" threshold. Ioane's draft stock may take a hit at the combine especially if Tackles Mauigoa, Dunker and even Lomu are looked at more as Guards. Still, in terms of prospects in this class that virtually "can't bust", I have Ioane as high as any lineman.

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28. L.T. Overton

Edge 6

6'5" 278 lbs.

Alabama 

Strengths:

- Tremendous SEC experience while only being 21

- Very versatile as DE, Edge or OLB

- Sets Edge against the run

- Good bull rush and bending rush moves

Weaknesses:

- "Tweener" body type

- Not exceptional with hand usage

- Average release

- Never "lived up to expectations"

Bio:

Overton has been a feared SEC pass rusher for two seasons now and even if he is a "Tweener at 6'5" and 270, he could easily play both positions at NFL. I really thought Overton would become the top-end prospect we all hoped for these past two season but he has done enough to show me he has a very high floor when it comes to the NFL. Great size, speed and strength along with great college experience against the SEC and a few great pass rush moves makes Overton a very solid prospect.

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29. Matayo Uiagalelei

Edge 7

6'5" 272

Oregon 

Strengths:

- Versatility

- Elite length

- Will be still 20 years old on draft night

- Great 2024 season followed by very good 2025

Weaknesses:

- "Tweener" body type

- No great rush move

Bio:

Uiagalelei has elite length for an NFL pass rusher and was one of the reasons he was so productive at Oregon over the last two seasons. While Matayo was able to use his size and speed to throw College lineman off balance, he will have to improve his hand usage and find at least one particular pass rush move he can specialize. Likely to be a 3-4 OLB in the NFL, if used well on the right team he could be a very dangerous hybrid at the next level.

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30. Caleb Lomu

OT 4

6'6" 306 lbs.

Utah 

Strengths:

- High agility

- Has tremendous recovery if beaten to impact initially, uses length and speed to stay in the battle

- Uses his frame and balance well to rarely be thrown aside

Weaknesses:

- Average strength causes limitations as a lead blocking Tackle

- Very often causes stalemates rather than winning blocks

Bio:

Lomu may be my biggest leap of the class so far but I actually have him making a change to Center in the NFL. He may be a lot bigger than the position normally dictates but his quickness and footwork make me think he would be excellent at the position. As it stands now as a Tackle, Lomu is still a fringe First-Round lineman but I really believe as a Center, he's closer to Top-20.

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31. Romello Height

Edge 8

6'3" 240 lbs.

Texas Tech 

Strengths:

- Elite 2025 season

- Elite "Dip" pass rush move

- Pass rush speed from 3-4 OLB translates directly to the NFL

Weaknesses:

- One of the oldest prospects in the draft (will be 25 at the NFL Draft)

- Size limits his versatility in NFL to just 3-4 OLB

Bio:

We will see this with Akheem Mesidor as well who is just a bit further down my list but if Romello Height was 21 or 22 he would be Top-20 in this class. Height's speed rushing ability as an OLB is insane and is the reason why he got 10 sacks in 2025. Even if his "Dip" move is one of the single best pass rush moves of anyone in this class, he relies on it too much and could really use a secondary or counter option. With his size, repertoire being a factor, he will be a prospect teams either fall in love with or cross him off their board immediately.

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32. Caleb Banks

DI 3

6'6" 330 lbs.

Florida 

Strengths:

- Massive frame

- Great speed and lateral movement for size

- Ability to play 3-tech at his size is very rare

Weaknesses:

- Obvious agility limits

- Plays too tall

- Average pass rush

- Foot injury in 2025 could be a slight concern

Bio:

Caleb Banks is a prospect I'm not as high on as others but I do see the obvious upside of such an athlete. He doesn't have refined pass rush moves or hand technique yet but he is a rare specimen at 6'6" and around 330 pounds. If he tests as well as I think he could he should absolutely be a First-Round pick even if he is not ready to play 50+ snaps in an NFL game for a little while.

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33. A'Mauri Washington

DI 4

6'3" 330 lbs.

Oregon 

Strengths:

- #4 on Feldman's Freaks List

- Freaky size and speed combo

- Great progression in JR season

Weaknesses:

- Lack of pass rush

- Average first step

Bio:

Featured as Number 4 on Bruce Feldman's Freak List this year, Oregon's A'Mauri Washington has all the tools of a rock solid D-lineman in the NFL. His size and athleticism show that even if he doesn't have a pass rush yet he could easily build one in the NFL. I don't love his explosiveness, often getting beaten to the first punch and having to use his athleticism to work around the lineman. I have concerns that he won't be able to do that consistently at the next level.

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34. Ty Simpson

QB 2

6'2" 208 lbs.

Alabama 

Strengths:

- Elite accuracy in clean pocket

- Very quick processing

- Lots of room to grow

Weaknesses:

- Caves to pressure quickly, either throwing errant throws or bailing before he has to

- 1 year as a starter

Bio:

Ty Simpson could definitely be one of these "Mac Jones" type guys who is a backup for a while and becomes a full starter years down the road. For now, he will need time to adjust to NFL defenses especially against their pass rush. Simpson has the arm talent both in power and accuracy but is just not quick enough mid play RIGHT NOW to be a starter.

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35. Chris Brazzell II

WR 6

6'5" 200 lbs.

Tennessee 

Strengths:

- Freakish size and speed combination

- Likely to be a Combine top performer

- Great body control for size when making cuts at top of routes

Weaknesses:

- Very few ball carrier moves after catch

- Doesn't use body well when attempting jump ball catches

Bio:

A fascinating prospect even if he's not yet polished, Chris Brazzell has a lot to like around him. Brazzell is another player I expect to shine at the combine and if he does so could put him in serious conversations around the First Round. He will need to fill out more and improve on his strength if he wants to be a premier jump ball guy which should be no problem for him. At the end of the day, Brazzell could sink if drafted to a weaker NFL team but if he goes to better team... look out.

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36. Gennings Dunker

OT 5

6'5" 315 lbs.

Iowa 

Strengths:

- Raw power is at the top of his entire class

- Good mechanics

Weaknesses:

- Mediocre Agility projects him to Guard at NFL

Bio:

Dunker is a throwback O-lineman that would belong in the 1970's Soldier Field mud games. Dunker will likely have to move into Guard at the next level but will show mean streaks and freakish power to make the change seamlessly. His strength and hand usage should make him a feared Guard in rub blocking eventually, but as a pass blocker from Day 1.

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37. Conner Lew

OC 1

6'3" 303 lbs.

Auburn 

Strengths:

- 3 year Starter at Auburn

- Incredibly smart and captains an O-line pre snap

- Very tough

Weaknesses:

- Average strength

- Torn ACL in 2025

- Repetitive blocking techniques cause D-Tackles to adjust mid game

Bio:

As I said earlier, I would have Caleb Lomu as a my OC1 but as it stands now Lew narrowly beats out Alabama's Parker Brailsford. Even though Lew missed most of the 2025 season due to a Torn ACL, as a prospect and more importantly a leader, he is another "can't bust" prospect. Lew may be a bit slender at his position for today's game but he's quick, tough and experienced and will be like another Quarterback for the O-line pre snap..

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38. Dillon Thieneman

Safety 2

6'0" 205 lbs.

Oregon 

Strengths:

- Brilliant pursuit of Running Backs

- Good to Great tackler

- Very productive at Purdue and Oregon

Weaknesses:

- Tends to look into the backfield too much

- Average processing of routes

- Lacks physical presence for premier NFL downhill Safety

Bio:

Thieneman is a good Safety prospect with a bright future in the league. Behinds Caleb Downs, Thieneman is the best Safety prospect among a very deep group of them expected to go in Rounds 2 and 3. As a Center Fielder and downhill Safety Thieneman is very good but he lacks physicality to stand up to lineman blocks or be effective pressing receivers at the line. He should be a great player in the league even if he doesn't excel at everything.

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39. Akheem Mesidor

Edge 9

6'3" 280 lbs.

Miami 

Strengths:

- Great size for DE

- Good strength

- Great leverage and body control

- Lots of experience and production

Weaknesses:

- Oldest prospect in his class

- Torn ligament in foot made him miss most of 2023 season

Bio:

If you just look at Mesidor's traits, he could be as high as a Top-15 player in this class. Headlined by a great ability to use his size and strength to get Tackles off balance, Mesidor's draft stock should be heavily weighted against his age as he will turn 25 years old before the draft. A top-3 edge prospect as far as their skills right now, Mesidor's first contract after his rookie deal will happen when he is either 29 or 30 and can cause NFL teams to heavily scrutinize his long-term potential.

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40. Colton Hood

CB 4

6'0" 195 lbs.

Tennessee

Strengths:

- Great Man Coverage instincts and reactions to route cuts

- Very good in Cover 2 both in flat and curl zones

- Great recovery speed

Weaknesses:

- Below average against the run

- Lack of physicality in tackling

- Locating ball in deep zone coverage

Bio:

Colton Hood is an above average but not elite athlete that has great coverage instincts. We'll have to see how he does in the combine with his draft stock probably becoming parallel with his performance. Hood is a sound Corner that may never become an NFL-CB1 but should be very useful to a defense that specializes in zone coverage. Adding some mass or tackling drills would definitely help him reach his potential.

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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2026 NFL dRAFT

-Z.D.