The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching, with Fernando Mendoza expected to be the first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. The draft features a diverse pool of talent, making predictions challenging for all 32 franchises.
Key points
2026 NFL Draft is approaching
Fernando Mendoza expected to be first overall pick
All 32 franchises value this year's crop of emerging young pros differently. There are thousands of different ways to process and analyze hours of game film, pre-draft workouts and personal interviews to determine which players will be stars and contributors on Sunday.
That's one of the best things about the NFL Draft; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some teams will make what look like reaches in order to lock in a prospect they can't go without. Others will hope their sleepers slide to less expensive picks only to be sniped by an aggressive rival. And some hyped player will linger on draft boards significantly longer than anyone thought (though it's unlikely we'll get another Shedeur Sanders situation).
That makes it impossible to know what the consensus prospect ranks are this, or any, spring. But after a season of watching games, then an offseason of digesting film, workouts and analysis from trustworthy sources, I've got my wish list set. Behold, FTW's 2026 NFL Draft big board.
Where do my biases shine hardest? I'm higher on productive college players and may over-value interior linemen after Tyler Lindenbaum's record-setting contract this spring. I'm lower on bigger wideouts with questions to be answered about their separation skills. And receivers named "Bell" got a boost because I love their film even if they (Chris and Skyler) have huge boom/bust capabilities.
With that out of the way, let's look at my top 79.
1. EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 04: Zeon Chriss #2 of the Houston Cougars is sacked by David Bailey #31 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the game at TDECU Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Q&A
Who is expected to be the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Fernando Mendoza is anticipated to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
What factors influence NFL teams' draft decisions?
Teams analyze game film, pre-draft workouts, and personal interviews to evaluate prospects differently.
How many players are listed on the 2026 NFL Draft big board?
The big board features the top 79 players available for the 2026 NFL Draft.
What trends are noted in the evaluation of draft prospects?
There is a tendency to favor productive college players and interior linemen, while concerns exist about the separation skills of larger wide receivers.
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 04: Zeon Chriss #2 of the Houston Cougars is sacked by David Bailey #31 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the game at TDECU Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Who is he? Twitchy, uber-productive pass rusher capable of making an immediate Pro Bowl impact.
2. LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Who is he? Versatile, athletic linebacker who can serve as a pass rusher or off-ball menace.
3. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Who is he? Explosive tailback who can give you prime Le'Veon Bell reps.
Who is he? Uber-athletic off-ball presence who fills holes violently and has the turn-and-run to be a passing down deterrent.
9. WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Who is he? The latest link in a chain of trustworthy, all-around solid Ohio State wideouts capable of being a reliable chain-mover on Sundays.
10. CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Who is he? The smoothest cornerback in this draft (and probably a few others in either direction).
11. WR Makai Lemon, USC
Who is he? Instinctive route runner who understands the moment a cornerback is over-extended and immediately makes him pay.
12. EDGE Rueben Bain, Miami
Who is he? Uber-productive edge rusher whose arm length probably won't affect his stock but off-field concerns -- namely a reckless driving citation after a crash that left a passenger dead -- may.
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) runs the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) runs the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Who is he? A wideout who runs like lightning crackles and splits across the sky.
22. DL Caleb Banks, Florida
Who is he? Enormous interior lineman with the foundation to shrink pockets from the inside-out.
23. OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Who is he? Utah's other athletic, experienced edge protector with quick feet and solid recovery skills.
24. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Who is he? A.J. Terrell's little brother, who plays like it.
Who is he? Beefy edge presence who lacks elite speed but makes up for it in his ability to thrive through contact.
39. IOL Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Who is he? Interior stalwart with experience playing tackle in the SEC and versatility to be an asset at multiple positions.
40. OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Who is he? Inexperienced, high-ceiling blocker who didn't play organized football until junior college but has the athleticism to be a problem (complimentary).
41. OL Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67), center, stands with teammates for the national anthem Nov. 8, 2025 before a Big Ten Football game against the Oregon Ducks at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67), center, stands with teammates for the national anthem Nov. 8, 2025 before a Big Ten Football game against the Oregon Ducks at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Who is he? The ideal of what you'd expect from an Iowa lineman with All-Pro capabilities, short arms be damned.
Who is he? End with a great first step and great cardio but a smaller-than-ideal frame.
50. LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Who is he? Do-everything off-ball linebacker who can handle duties in coverage or crash to the line of scrimmage to erase run plays or bring value on a blitz.
51. WR Chris Brazzell, Tennessee
Who is he? Long, lean and stupid-fast wideout with boom/bust potential who needs to add more tools to his box.
52. CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
Who is he? Slot/nickel presence who will fight you every step of the way once you're in his line of sight.
Who is he? Angry-running mutant with breakaway speed and a penchant for falling forward.
61. RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Nov 29, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jadarian Price (24) runs with the football against Stanford Cardinal safety Darrius Davis (29) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jadarian Price (24) runs with the football against Stanford Cardinal safety Darrius Davis (29) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Who is he? Very good running back emerging from Jeremiyah Love's shadow, capable of beefing up a platoon or earning true RB1 reps.
62. EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan
Who is he? Relatively limited pass rusher who wins enough with speed and power for it to work on Sundays.
63. IOL Connor Lew, Auburn
Who is he? Grittier than rock salt center who understands pre-snap analysis and adjusts accordingly, but is coming off a torn ACL.
Who is he? Twitchy, reliable wideout who creates space and can thrive as a WR2/WR3 type right away.
78. DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Who is he? Wide-bodied, long-armed anchor in the middle who battles into the backfield (31 TFLs the last three seasons) but may lack the explosiveness to be a constant NFL threat.
79. WR Skyler Bell, Connecticut
Who is he? Shifty run-after-catch merchant capable of pumping up a flawed quarterback with big gains.
