Zak Drapeau's Final 2026 NFL Draft Big Board

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 4/21/2026

Click here for Full Positional Rankings

1. Caleb Downs

Safety Ohio St

Best Safety Prospect I've scouted either in the box or in deep zone. The only knock on him is that he's not 6'4" like Kyle Hamilton but to me, his instincts and fearlessness are even better.

2. Jeremiyah Love

Running Back Notre Dame

The biggest home run hitter in the class both on the ground or through the air. Love may not be the biggest back like Jeanty or Bijan, but his speed and athleticism are close to Barkley and Gibbs.

3. Sonny Styles

Linebacker Ohio St

The most athletic Linebacker by far in the class and is an elite coverage Mike linebacker. Styles isn't the most physically imposing, but will go sideline to sideline with no problem in the NFL.

4. David Bailey

Edge Rusher Texas Tech

A pure edge rusher with power and finesse tools and able to line up as OLB or DE. Many like Reese's upside more but Bailey is right now the best Edge threat and it's not close.

5. Arvell Reese

Edge Rusher Ohio St.

Maybe the best athlete in the class, I'm not sure he'll be an elite rusher at the next level but he'll be very good at either the Edge or as a Will linebacker.

6. Fernando Mendoza

Quarterback Indiana

The Heisman and Natty winner, Mendoza isn't the perfect Quarterback, but he is a very good prospect among a very weak class and will undoubtedly be the #1 pick.

7. Jordyn Tyson

Wide Receiver Arizona St

Tyson's injuries concern me but he is the best of the top three in his position when healthy. Tyson is versatile, uber athletic with great hands and breakaway speed.

8. Rueben Bain Jr.

Edge Rusher Miami

Bain's size is the only thing keeping him out of my Top-5. His arm size and weight won't do him any favors but as the saying goes... tape don't lie.

9. Kenyon Sadiq

Tight End Oregon

If Sadiq was 20 pounds heavier he would be in the Tyler Warren or Brock Bowers tier of TE prospect but even still, he's the most athletic Tight End I've ever seen and likely an elite slot receiver for whatever team drafts him.

10. Makai Lemon

Wide Receiver USC

I had Lemon as my WR1 for a long time before Tyson performed at his Pro Day. Lemon is a slot receiver with the best YAC ability in the class and is as shifty as he is tough in the middle of the field.

11. Jermod McCoy

Cornerback Tennessee

McCoy too has quashed some injury concerns against him and is the premier ball hawking corner in the class. A better zone than man corner, McCoy has as big a potential to be a game changing defender as anyone in the class.

12. Carnell Tate

Wide Receiver Ohio St

Tate is a bit of a one-tricky pony to me but is elite at that level. A superb X-receiver on the boundary and in intermediate to deep routes, Tate is the next great Ohio State receiver even if he's not as athletic as others before him.

13. Francis Mauigoa

Tackle Miami

Mauigoa is a solid right tackle with some left side potential and a great pass blocker. Like Mendoza, he is the best of a bad positional class and that will have him drafted higher than he would otherwise.

14. Mansoor Delane

Cornerback LSU

Delane is the best man corner in the class. He didn't test as well athletically at his pro day as I'd like but when it came to press man coverage, he didn't shy away from anyone in 2025.

15. Spencer Fano

Tackle Utah

I believe Fano is the best line prospect of this class but I have real concerns if he can ever play Tackle in the league because of his size. Likely will never be a great pass blocker, Fano is a nasty run blocker who will be a great Guard or a good RT in the right system.

16. Olaivavega Ioane

Guard Penn St

Like Fano, Ioane is a nasty run blocker that has his place at Guard and is one of the safest picks in the entire class. At some points he can be rigid in pass pro, but will easily improve that in a year or two and be a complete Guard in the NFL.

17. Dillon Thieneman

Safety Oregon

Athleticism and attitude. Thieneman is a box safety with major Zone upside thanks to his recovery speed. He'll need to work on his hip movement and not locking eyes in the backfield but overall will be a good Safety or a great Nickel.

18. Caleb Banks

Defensive Tackle Florida

I'm higher on Caleb Banks than most and have tentatively given him a Chris Jones comparison. At 6'7" and 330 pounds, he moves like someone 70 pounds smaller and is one or two rush moves away from becoming elite.

19. Keldric Faulk

Edge Rusher Auburn

I love Faulk's size and fluidity at the Edge, likely DE in the NFL. Faulk has knocks in his pass rush game but could easily be coached after getting 11 sacks just 2 seasons ago. His ability to set the edge against his run is his calling card.

20. Peter Woods

Defensive Tackle Clemson

Woods may have fallen drastcially on a lot of boards for his 2025 season but I'm still a huge fan of his hand usage and versatility on the dfeensive line. Able to line up at the 1, 3, 3i or even 5 and smother running lanes, Woods could easily be a top D-lineman in the league in 2 or 3 years.

21. C.J. Allen

Linebacker Georgia

Allen may be inexperienced and just an okay tackler, but as a 21-year old his potential is sky high. His play rec and IQ are years ahead of his time and his athleticism is elite enough to recover from any missteps he may have until he grows into being a defensive leader at the Mike.

22. Cashius Howell

Edge Rusher Texas A&M

Howell is an intriguing prospect as one of the best speed rushers in the draft with an upside in zone coverage. A terrific 3-4 OLB prospect, Howell needs to improve on tackling and run defense but could be terrifying in the right system in a Disguised 3-4.

23. T.J. Parker

Edge Rusher Clemson

Parker was once the top prospect of this class so I still believe he can be a nasty pass rusher in the NFL but his floor has fell out from under him. Parker needs to play through the whistle more and thus has some of the highest highs and lowest lows.

24. Kadyn Proctor

Tackle Alabama

Talk about high highs and low lows... that's Kadyn Proctor. If Proctor goes to the right team he could be the best Tackle in the league in 2-3 years. If he doesn't he could become a draft bust just as easily.

25. Monroe Freeling

Tackle Georgia

Freeling is a project Left Tackle with major upside especially in a class without a premier pass blocker.

26. K.C. Concepcion

Wide Receiver Texas A&M

Concepcion is a poor-man's Makai Lemon, able to be shifty after the catch and with amazing versatility at receiver.

27. Caleb Lomu

Tackle Utah

Lomu has great versatility to play Tackle or Guard at the next level. He isn't the most athletic Tackle in the world but his pass blocking is very good for the class.

28. Avieon Terrell

Cornerback Clemson

Terrell is a premier slot corner at the next level. His play IQ and zone is as good as it gets but will need to improve his tackling to play every down in the NFL especially when his boundary ability is hampered by his size.

29. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

Safety Toledo

McNeil-Warren is a very big and hulking box Safety. Not especially equipped to handle deep zone in the NFL yet, his ability to learn routes and backpedal will be crucial to deserving a First Round pick.

30. Omar Cooper Jr.

Wide Receiver Indiana

Cooper is a good athlete and a good receiver but he is a great leader. Cooper isn't great at any one thing but is very good at EVERYTHING and should be a long time contributor in the NFL.

31. Chris Johnson

Cornerback San Diego St

One of my personal favorites in his class, Johnson struggles at defending the deep ball and contested catches but will lock players up in man coverage and press them into the ground before they even get going.

32. Colton Hood

Cornerback Tennessee

Hood is in the thick of the second tier of corners and is a lightning fast, boundary corner. His speed will help in recovery even if his man coverage isn't top notch but he is known for making plays on the ball in zone coverage.

33. Emmanuel Pregnon

Guard Oregon

Pregnon is my kind of Guard; nasty and violent. Pregnon wants to drive every Defensive Tackle into the dirt and while that's great for the run, can get him into trouble in the run game.

34. Denzel Boston

Wide Receiver Washington

The premier, big-bodied receiver of his class, Boston is a dog in the red zone and can make contested catches over anyone. His agility and hooking ability give me concerns and pigeon hole him to a limited route tree at least early on.

35. Derrick Moore

Edge Rusher Michigan

Moore is the guy I'm most against the grain in this class and I love his game. A savage power rusher who plays the game like he hates the Tackle across from him, He will need to learn some patience and counter moves but I believe he could be one fo the best Edges in the class.

36. Anthony Hill Jr

Linebacker Clemson

Hill is more of an athlete than a brainiac at the position which is sometimes great but more times a disadvantage. In the NFL, Hill will have less responsibilities to run the defense than at Clemson and I believe that will be for the better.

37. Christen Miller

Defensive Tackle Georgia

Christen Miller can be described as a bowling ball. Neutralizing offensive lineman at the line and able to plug most holes that come his way, Miller won't be much of a pass rusher and should go to a team that doesn't need him to be.

38. Ty Simpson

Quarterback Alabama

There's become a much bigger question of who becomes QB2 of the class but I believe I saw enough of Ty Simpson in his first year of starting to say that he will become a good starter in the league after several years of learning from the bench.

39. Akheem Mesidor

Edge Rusher Miami

Mesidor had such a good film last year at Miami but to me as too many red flags to put him higher than this. At 25-years old and much smaller than Miami had him listed, he could be a guy that gets 8 sacks his rookie season and never improves that total.

40. Blake Miller

Tackle Clemson

Miller is just a solid Tackle in this class. He doesn't do anything great but doesn't do anything bad and in a class of such inconsistent Tackle play, that might be what teams covet most.

41. Brandon Cisse

Cornerback South Carolina

Cisse is a physical corner that will look to press corners early and often. He may struggle to stay with speedier receivers especially the longer the play goes but in time could turn into a great zone corner.

42. Max Iheanachor

Tackle Arizona St

Iheanachor is big and long and gave up just 3 pressures and no sacks in 2025. His run blocking isn't very good and play rec is lacking behind most prospects but should be able to get snaps early because of his pass blocking.

43. Romello Height

Edge Rusher Texas Tech

Romello Height is a prospect just like Akheem Mesidor but even smaller. Height's dip move and speed rushing was elite at Texas Tech but may need some polishing to be as good in the NFL and at 25-years old, that may come right before he has to get paid.

44. Gennings Dunker

Guard Iowa

Dunker's best trait is versatility, (and his mullet). He is a VERY strong blocker who will neutralize most defenders when he puts his hands on him but his agility is so that he can't get a grasp consistently enough to be higher on this list.

45. Jacob Rodriguez

Linebacker Texas Tech

Rodriguez is all will and determination and was the Captain and Nagurski winner of the best defense in college last year. Unfortunately as a prospect, being 6'1" - 230 and with average athleticism, he might not get a shot to show his heart for at least a year.

46. Chase Bisontis

Guard Texas A&M

Bisontis is an athletic and quick Guard who will out-position most interior defenders in the NFL. I'd like to see him add some mass to his frame as to not get bullied by bigger Nose Tackles on those reps he doesn't get inside of them first.

47. Keith Abney II

Cornerback Arizona St

Abney is a gamer who will stick with most receivers in man coverage through athleticism and sheer competitiveness. His instincts and temper are his best qualities, but penalties and a lack of top-end speed are going to keep him further down the board.

48. Mike Washington Jr.

Running Back Arkansas

The best athlete among the Running Backs of his class, Washington is a home run hitter almost to the level of Jeremiyah Love and he's 225 pounds of muscle to boot.

49. D'Angelo Ponds

Cornerback Indiana

Ponds is a savvy, quick and feisty man corner who could be Top-15 in his class if only he wasn't 5'9" and 170 pounds. He is someone that has the tools and mentality to make it in the NFL but on an island and against bigger receivers is severely outmatched.

50. Jadarian Price

Running Back Notre Dame

The consensus #2 RB in the class is my #3. He's shifty, he can catch the ball he has low milage and he averaged 6 yards per carry but I haven't seen him take a full workload so I have him just a bit lower.

51. Skylar Bell

Wide Receiver UConn

52. Jonah Coleman

Running Back Washington

53. Kamari Ramsey

Safety USC

54. Lee Hunter

Defensive Tackle Texas Tech

55. Chris Brazzell II

Wide Receiver Tennessee

56. Germie Bernard

Wide Receiver Alabama

57. Connor Lew

Center Auburn

58. A.J. Haulcy

Safety LSU

59. Kayden McDonald

Defensive Tackle Ohio St

60. Dani Dennis-Sutton

Edge Rusher Penn St

61. Zion Young

Edge Rusher Missouri

62. Malachi Lawrence

Edge Rusher UCF

63. Eli Stowers

Tight End Vanderbilt

64. Malik Muhammad

Cornerback Texas

65. Logan Jones

Center Iowa

66. Zachariah Branch

Wide Receiver Georgia

67. Roman Hemby

Running Back Indiana

68. Genesis Smith

Safety Arizona

69. Treydan Stukes

Safety Arizona

70. Keionte Scott

Cornerback Miami

71. Drew Allar

Quarterback Penn St

72. Deontae Lawson

Linebacker Alabama

73. R. Mason Thomas

Edge Rusher Oklahoma

74. Parker Brailsford

Center Alabama

75. Chandler Rivers

Cornerback Duke

76. Chris Bell

Wide Receiver Louisville

77. Joshua Josephs

Edge Rusher Tennessee

78. Julian Neal

Cornerback Arkansas

79. Gabe Jacas

Edge Rusher Illinois

80. Emmett Johnson

Running Back Nebraska

81. Tacario Davis

Cornerback Washington

82. DeMonte Capehart

Defensive Tackle Clemson

83. Keyron Crawford

Edge Rusher Auburn

84. L.T. Overton

Edge Rusher Alabama

85. Zakee Wheatley

Safety Penn St

86. Max Klare

Tight End Ohio State

87. Daylen Everette

Cornerback Georgia

88. Bryce Lance

Wide Receiver North Dakota St

89. Davison Igbinosun

Cornerback Ohio St

90. Isaiah World

Tackle Oregon

91. Malachi Fields

Wide Receiver Notre Dame

92. Michael Taafe

Safety Texas

93. Caleb Tiernan

Tackle Northwestern

94. Keylan Rutledge

Guard Georgia Tech

95. Jalon Kilgore

Safety South Carolina

96. Seth McGowan

Running Back Kentucky

97. Jake Slaughter

Center Florida

98. Josiah Trotter

Linebacker Missouri

99. Nicholas Singleton

Running Back Penn St

100. Elijah Saratt

Wide Receiver Indiana

101. Sam Hecht

Center Kansas St

102. Charles Demmings

Cornerback Stephen F. Austin

103. Antonio Williams

Wide Receiver Clemson

104. Garrett Nussmeier

Quarterback LSU

105. Devin Moore

Cornerback Florida

106. Jalen Farmer

Guard Kentucky

107. Zane Durant

Defensive Tackle Penn St

108. Domonique Orange

Defensive Tackle Syracuse

109. Jadyn Ott

Running Back Oklahoma

110. Markel Bell

Tackle Miami

111. Jake Golday

Linebacker Cincinnati

112. Bud Clark

Safety TCU

113. Le'Veon Moss

Running Back Texas A&M

114. Kage Casey

Tackle Boise State

115. Will Lee III

Cornerback Texas A&M

116. Sam Roush

Tight End Stanford

117. Carson Beck

Quarterback Miami

118. Brian Parker III

Tackle Duke

119. Kaytron Allen

Running Back Penn St

120. Tyreak Sapp

Edge Rusher Florida

121. Billy Schrauth

Guard Notre Dame

122. Trey Zuhn III

Center Texas A&M

123. Jeff Caldwell

Wide Receiver Cincinnati

124. Gracen Halton

Defensive Tackle Oklahoma

125. Rayshaun Benny

Defensive Tackle Michigan

126. Kyle Louis

Linebacker Pittsburgh

127. Dametrious Crownover

Tackle Texas A&M

128. Darrell Jackson Jr.

Defensive Tackle Florida St

129. Mikail Kamara

Edge Rusher Indiana

130. Anthony Lucas

Linebacker USC

131. Jaishawn Barham

Edge Rusher Michigan

132. Ted Hurst

Wide Receiver Georgia St

133. Jude Bowry

Tackle Boston College

134. Louis Moore

Safety Indiana

135. Kaelon Black

Running Back Indiana

136. Dontay Corleone

Defensive Tackle Cincinnati

137. Keyshaun Elliot

Linebacker Arizona St

138. Jager Burton

Guard Kentucky

139. Chris McClellan

Defensive Tackle Missouri

140. Nadame Tucker

Edge Rusher Western Michigan

141. Taurean York

Linebacker Texas A&M

142. D.J. Campbell

Guard Texas

143. Max Llewellyn

Edge Rusher Iowa

144. Ephesians Prysock

Cornerback Washington

145. Oscar Delp

Tight End Georgia

146. Austin Barber

Tackle Florida

147. J.C. Davis

Tackle Illinois

148. Deion Burks

Wide Receiver Oklahoma

149. Harold Perkins Jr.

Linebacker LSU

150. Zxavian Harris

Defensive Tackle Ole Miss

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

-Z.D. (@DrapeauZak)