2026 NFL Draft final big board: 4 defenders rank in top 5, and perhaps a surprise WR1

4. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Assuming the Raiders do what’s expected, they have a shot to get their hands on a real deal franchise quarterback prospect. Mendoza has high-end arm talent and helped Indiana’s offense run at machine-like efficiency en route to the first undefeated season and national championship in school history.

5. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Styles caught the eyes of the national public with an absurd performance at the NFL scouting combine, but he’s more than a workout warrior. Styles, the third Ohio State defender in this top five, has the range and power that teams need from off-ball linebacker prospects. Elite LBs have become a dying breed in the NFL, but Styles has a rare enough skill set to get them back on track.

6. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Bailey might be the best pass rusher in the draft. He has a combination of get-off, bend, creativity and technical skills that should immediately allow him to be a productive player off the edge in the NFL. Bailey has some worrisome reps against the run, but there’s enough flashes that it’s reasonable to believe he can be an average player in that regard. His pass rush skills are enough to take him high.

7. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Freeling likely cemented his status as a top-10 pick after an incredible workout at the scouting combine, but his rise to the start of the draft has been in play since Georgia’s loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff at the end of the 2024 season. Over the past year, Freeling might be the most improved player in college football moving from a struggling starter to a stalwart piece of one of the most physically imposing offenses in the country. His upside is through the roof.

8. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Clemson’s offense struggled at times last season, but it wasn’t due to its offensive line play. For the first time in his entire tenure, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has an offensive tackle prospect who drew the attention of NFL scouts in the first round of the draft. Miller has primarily played on the right side of the line, but he has the athleticism to cleanly make a move over to the left side if his future team wants that.

9. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

This is pure planet theory stuff here but Banks has a combination of size, athleticism and smarts to grow into an impact NFL defender. He played in only three games this season, but his ability to be disruptive off the snap and affect offensive lines is already impressive. The tackling has a long way to go, but everything else is NFL-ready.

10. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The premier running back in this draft and in college football this past season, Love is expected to be one of the first offensive skill players selected. His agility and true home-run ability have teams excited about what he could add to their offense. He’s not a bruising back, but he’s got the big-play ability to be a positive asset outside of it.

11. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Caleb Lomu hasn’t gotten as much fame and praise as his teammate Spencer Fano, but he might have a more NFL-ready body and game. He’s a big, powerful explosive run blocker with a nasty mean streak and has upside to continue improving as a pass protector.

12. Kenyon Sadiq, TE Oregon

The unequestioned, consensus top tight end in this year’s class. He doesn’t have prototypical size for the position, but his athleticism will immediately make him a matchup nightmare for linebackers and slot defensive backs. Sadiq isn’t necessarily a road grader in the run game, but he gives enough effort to at least be a functional asset toward the run game.

13. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Peter Woods is an athletic, versatile defensive lineman who has the ability to be disruptive from multiple alignments. He didn’t have the dominant season many were projecting  for him coming into the year, but he still showed enough to keep teams intrigued that he might be able to live up to the sky-high potential that his athleticism gives him.

14. Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami

Mauigoa is one of the most highly touted offensive linemen in this year’s draft class, with an outrageous size at nearly 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, but he may have to kick inside to guard in the NFL. He’s a little slow on the edge at times and doesn’t have the greatest technique, but he’s so strong and powerful that he can make up for it in other ways.

15. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Tyson has struggled with injuries over the past year, but when he’s at his best he’s an explosive downfield threat with legit speed and contested catch ability. Tyson has the potential to be a real WR1 in the NFL with his ability to be a game-breaking “X.” He just needs to be healthy in the NFL.

16. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Smooth coverage skills are the name of the game when it comes to LSU’s Mansoor Delane. He’s got legitimate man coverage ability and ball skills to immediately be a capable starter. Size, length and ball skills all play in the NFL and Delane has the tools to keep growing in that facet.

17. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Carnell Tate isn’t a burner at wide receiver, but he does just about everything else at a high level. His ability to run routes and win on contested catches and overall body control should, at worst, make him a high-end WR2 in the NFL. He’s a player that instantly raises the floor of whatever passing game he’s in.

18. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Fano is a highly skilled technician at left tackle for Utah and should slide in as a capable blindside protector immediately for his new team. He’s not always the most forceful mover of people, but his baseline traits make for a quality starter right away.

19. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Jermod McCoy missed the 2025 season with an ACL injury, but he’s got the skills to still warrant first-round consideration. McCoy has nice deep speed and an ability to play the sideline that should get him drafted fairly early.

20. Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

Keldric Faulk is a bit of an enigma. He is arguably the best run-defending lineman in the draft, but his pass rush skills leave a lot to be desired. Still, he’s young enough (21 years old) where that can be developed. At worst, he will be a high-floor run defender that puts his defense in advantageous positions. He legitimately has some of the best technique against the run in the entire class, which should solidify his status as a first-round pick.

21. Olavaivega Ioane, G, Penn State

Ioane is one of the few high-end interior offensive line prospects in this draft. Ioane is largely a consistent player at guard and even though he struggles at times with his consistency, there aren’t many players that appear to project as a Day 1 starting offensive lineman in the NFL. That alone should get the physical, athletic guard locked in as a top-40 selection.

22. T.J. Parker, Edge/DL, Clemson

As it has for many years, Clemson is sending multiple highly touted defensive linemen into the draft. The athletic, heavy-handed T.J. Parker joins defensive tackle Peter Woods in the top 25 of this big board. Parker might not have the super athletic traits to end up as a perennial 10-sack player in the NFL, but he does have the chance to at least be a plus starter on quality defensive lines in the future. At 263 pounds, Parker’s frame gives him the option to either be a true defensive end in a four-man front or get a little heavier to be a flex player in more creative defenses.

23. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The only thing Allen might be missing is elite speed as far as his draft profile goes. Allen earned time as a true freshman on Georgia’s talented defense and was able to ascend to a leadership role quickly. His smarts, physicality and willingness to do the dirty work helped make him a star in Athens and should help him get into the starting lineup quickly in the NFL.

24. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Like his older brother A.J., a star cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons, Avieon Terrell has a chance to be a first-round pick and a longtime starter in the league. He might not be the most athletic corner in the draft, but he’s got the movement skills that should translate in a big way at the next level. Terrell might not ever be a true lockdown cornerback in the NFL, but he does have enough skills to be considered early in the draft.

25. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Another offensive lineman? No way! Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor showed his skills in a great back-and-forth between himself and Texas Tech star pass rusher David Bailey last season. Despite being a little lesser known, Iheanachor has a high floor and even higher upside as someone who just started playing football in JUCO just a few years ago. Even though he’s a redshirt senior, he’s got loads of untapped potential as a newer football player.

26. R Mason Thomas, DL/Edge, Oklahoma

Every defense could use a dirty work edge defender and R Mason Thomas fits that bill easily. He doesn’t necessarily excel in every single task that he’s asked to do, but he is at least competent as an all-around player and shows real flashes of brilliance throughout his film. He was a big reason why the Sooners’ defensive line was one of the most feared in the country and should be a high-end rotation player at worst in the NFL.

27. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

It’s fairly impressive Ohio State exited the playoffs so quickly with as many Buckeyes that have appeared on this list, but Kayden McDonald is another player that should hear his name called fairly early in the NFL Draft. McDonald is a classic nose tackle that can clog up holes on the interior and help put his defense in advantageous spots by hunkering down and winning the early down plays. There’s some pass rush upside here, but the main thing is the main thing — stopping the damn run.

28. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

LSU had a bit of a strange season and that extends to quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who was once projected to go at the top of the draft. Injuries really thwarted what could have been a strong campaign for him as a senior and he had some poor performances as a result. However, he did remind people that he has some physical skills and upside to tap into during a very strong performance in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. It’s doubtful that he ends up in the first round of the draft at this point, but he still may end up being a quality starter if he ends up in the right spot.

29. Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

Scott is an older prospect, who will be 25 at the start of his rookie year, but he’s got the playmaking ability to immediately be a weapon in the secondary moving forward. Scott really made his presence felt during the Hurricanes’ run through the playoffs en route to the national championship game. As an older slot defender, maybe this is a bit high for him, but the ability to win in multiple ways and get his hands on the ball as an aggressor in the secondary will be key for Scott moving forward.

30. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Washington is putting yet another wide receiver into the NFL, this time with Denzel Boston. Boston is a big, physical wide receiver that knows how to beat tougher zone coverages and excels at making himself an easy target for his quarterback. Boston hasn’t run the 40-yard dash yet, but he might still be able to solidify himself as a first-round pick.

31. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The second Volunteers corner on this list has some similarities to his teammate. Hood has some solid ball skills and the ability to play man-on-man coverage that will boost his draft stock. Hood had an impressive combine workout, running a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and jumping over 40 inches on the vertical leap.

32. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Texas A&M had a smashmouth offense this year that led them to a College Football Playoff berth, but they still threw the ball just enough to be able to get stud wide receiver KC Concepcion into first round status. The former N.C. State standout slid right in to be one of the best wide receivers in the SEC and a consistent source of production through the air (as long as the quarterback play gave him a chance).

33. Zion Young, DL/Edge, Missouri

Zion Young is a fun prospect to watch. He’s not the most explosive or bendiest pass rusher in the world, but he’s got a rugged approach to the game that should endear himself to teams that are looking for high-end depth on the edge of their defense. Young excels at stuffing the run and appears to have the upside to keep progressing as a pass rusher.

34. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Anthony Hill Jr. is like the opposite of CJ Allen. He has the speed, size and physicality that teams desperately want in the middle of their defense, but his attention to detail in terms of where he was supposed to be wasn’t always his strongest suit. He was banged up a bit during his final season with the Longhorns, but in a class that lacks defined star power at many positions, he may end up a beneficiary of teams taking a bet on his athletic upside.

35. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt was on the national stage this year and they might have a highly drafted prospect in tight end Eli Stowers, who is one of the most athletic pass catchers in the draft. Stowers set a record for tight ends with a 45.5-inch vertical leap and he continued his strong workout by running a 4.51 40-yard dash. The athleticism transfers to the field as well, giving some proof of concept that he’s not just a workout warrior.

36. Christen Miller, DL, Georgia

Miller is not the most dynamic defensive lineman that Georgia has had during the Kirby Smart era, but he’s a steady player that should be a quality piece on the interior in the NFL. He runs hot and cold, but his best tape is good enough to land him on this top 50 in what is perceived to be a weaker class.

37. Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Lemon will likely end up getting drafted way higher than this ranking when it’s all said and done — and there’s a lot to like. Lemon is a skilled receiver that was productive in Lincoln Riley’s offense for the Trojans, but his smaller frame (5-11, 192) gets him knocked down the big board a bit because he’s lacking prototypical size for the position.

38. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Toledo is putting a big, physical safety in the league this year with the turbo-sized McNeil-Warren, who projects as a prototypical  strong safety that plays in the box and dishes out punishing hits whenever possible. He might not be the rangiest player in coverage, but he’s fairly good at what he will be asked to do in the NFL.

39. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman made plays all over Oregon’s defense following his transfer to the Ducks from the University of Minnesota and has a chance to sneak into the late first round of the draft after a strong performance at the combine. While Thieneman played just about everywhere in terms of possible safety alignments for Oregon, his speed and ball skills might make him a serious asset as a top-down safety.

40. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State

Another Penn State edge has dominated the combine, stop me if you’ve heard this before. Dani Dennis-Sutton has been a longtime contributor for the Nittany Lions’ defenseand cemented his status as at least a Day 2 pick by having an outrageous combine workout relative to his size (6-5, 256). Sutton had nearly a 40-inch vertical leap and was one inch away from 11 feet on the broad jump, firmly cementing him as one of the most explosive players in his draft class. He has a solid all-around game to give him credence beyond the athletic results.

41. Connor Lew, G, Auburn

Connor Lew was a tough player for Auburn’s offense and has a chance to be a high-floor interior starter on teams that need offensive line help. Lew tore his ACL in October, but he did put up enough solid tape beforehand to possibly end up as a Day 2 pick in the upcoming draft.

42. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Like most players that worked out at the combine, Brandon Cisse helped himself by having some incredibly explosive jumps that match the tape of a feisty, athletic cornerback who should be able to step in and play in a variety of schemes moving forward. He fell underneath the radar a bit playing for an underachieving Gamecocks team, but he has a chance to flourish in the NFL.

43. Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

Howell is a bit more of an idea than a solidified edge prospect that should be starting early on in his NFL career. He ran fast at the combine, but had some poor scores in the jumps that highlight a bit of the concern with him: the ability to be a stout, explosive player at the point of attack while not sacrificing the integrity of the defense. Howell feels like the ultimate boom-bust defensive lineman in this year’s class.

44. Zachariach Branch, WR, Georgia

Branch set the Bulldogs’ record for receptions in a year during his lone season at Georgia, showing off the elite athleticism and agility that made him such an exciting player at USC beforehand. Branch is not the biggest wide receiver (5-8, 188) who will win at the catch point, but it’s going to be difficult to find many players in this class who are more dynamic than Branch once he gets the ball in his hands.

45. Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

Pregnon is not the flashiest guard out there, but he gets the job done. The former Wyoming and USC transfer was a mainstay in Oregon’s offense last season and should be a capable starter at the next level. He has some issues to fix in terms of leverage, but a potential starting guard is going to get drafted highly in this class. He’s probably going to be best in a gap scheme that utilizes his ability to be explosive in short areas.

46. Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Mesidor was the “other” edge rusher on the Miami defense, racking up 12 sacks on one of the toughest defenses in all of college football. Mesidor can be a bit streaky in terms of down-to-down play and doesn’t always play within the structure of the defense, but he still has a chance to be a strong piece of a pass rush rotation in the NFL, which are always hard players to find.

47. Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

Another player who played a huge role in Oklahoma’s defensive resurgence under Brent Venables. Halton is not the biggest interior player out there, but he makes up for being a 290ish-pound defensive tackle with strong technique and considerable athleticism to get up the field and wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Depending on what weight he plays at in the NFL, he may just be a high-octane rotational piece, but that’s valuable by itself.

48. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

While Fernando Mendoza got a ton of the praise for Indiana’s offense (rightfully so), he wasn’t exactly throwing to nobodies out there. Omar Cooper Jr. had an incredible season for the Hoosiers and should have a fairly high floor as a slot receiver. He should continue to fit into that role in the NFL and he did just enough as an outside wide receiver when he got his reps there to add some flexibility to his game.

49. D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Indiana’s defense had some incredible moments of high-end play throughout their run to the national title and it wouldn’t have been possible without the play of cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. Ponds is on the smaller end at 5-9 and 180 pounds, but his 43.5-inch vertical jump shows that he should have the athleticism to make up for it in tough situations in the NFL. He’s going to be a slot-only player, but those guys tend to be more important in the practice of real, live football reps rather than how much they get paid or where they get drafted.

50. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

Like his teammate Omar Cooper Jr., Elijah Sarratt had a very consistent season playing for Indiana and launched himself into consideration for being drafted within the first couple rounds. Sarratt is a smooth, big-bodied receiver that immediately built strong chemistry with Fernando Mendoza and can potentially profile as a dirty work, starting WR2 in a good NFL offense.

51. Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois

Jacas should smoothly fit the role of a dirty work defender in an NFL team’s edge rotation moving forward. He gets a bit too buried in winning his assignment and becoming disconnected from what’s happening in the play, but that’s not a fatal flaw and can be viewed as a positive for some teams. The upside here is likely a quality EDGE2 for a team with a true leadoff pass rusher.

52. Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri

Trotter could be a steal on Day 2 of the draft. He hasn’t been able to work out during the evaluation season due to a nagging knee injury, but he presents a lot of upside as a 21-year-old linebacker prospect that shows a ton of physicality. The son of former Eagles great Jeremiah Trotter could be one of the better linebackers from this draft class in a few years.

53. Chase Bisontis, OL, Texas A&M

Chase Bisontis is another potential early starter in this offensive line class, showing off an incredible amount of upside and talent while locking down one of the guard spots for one of the best rushing teams in college football. He’s a player that still has room to grow physically, which may get him drafted closer to the top of the second round.

54. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Proctor has all the talent in the world to be a franchise tackle at the NFL level, but weight struggles (352 at the combine) have kept him from being the best version of himself throughout his collegiate career. He’s not quite the same level athlete that Mekhi Becton was coming out of Louisville, but for his size he’s still in the upper echelon among all players that play the position. This is admittedly low on Proctor, but there just aren’t many productive players at his weight that have stuck as long term, down-to-down starters recently.

55. Keylan Rutledge, OL, Georgia Tech

Keylan Rutledge was one of the anchors of Georgia Tech’s offense last season, which leaned heavily on their run game. Rutledge excelled both in the run game and in pass protection, while showing off impressive athleticism in the open field. Rutledge should be an early starter in the NFL.

56. Bryce Lance, WR, NDSU

Like his brother Trey, Bryce Lance is a physical freak that has some promise as a starting wide receiver in the league. He’s got some nice nuance to his game and isn’t just a deep threat that wins with physicality and speed. This is an upside swing on the second day of the draft.

57. Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan

Derrick Moore brings a high level of functional strength that gives him a chance to develop into a quality front seven player if he lands with the right team. He’s a bit slow to react to blocking schemes and where the ball is, but the physical profile and ability to be productive make him a bit more of an appealing profile.

58. Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona

Stukes is an athletic freak that has the movement skills that teams love at cornerback. He’s a sixth-year college player that finally put it all together last season with four interceptions as a starter for the Wildcats’ defense. His age (25 in September) complicates things a bit, but he still has a lot of room to grow with the right defensive back coach.

59. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Rodriguez is well known to college football fans and presents an intriguing profile for the NFL. He’s not always great at playing physically in the box, but he’s a good athlete, smart and a strong tackler. He probably needs a strong defensive line in front of him to be the best version of himself in the NFL.

60. Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa

Gennings Dunker is the classic Iowa offensive lineman. He can play right tackle but might have his skill set maximized as a guard in the NFL, where he can be a bit more scheme-diverse. Regardless, he has high upside as yet another offensive lineman who showed out at the NFL combine.

61. Keyron Crawford, Edge, Auburn

Like his teammate Kendric Faulk, Keyron Crawford is a disciplined defender that plays with a high level of awareness. He’s got a good burst off the edge as well, which helps him in his duties as both a pass rusher and a run defender. Crawford could very well find himself as a solid value pick on Day 2 as a standup player on the edge.

62. Caleb Tiernan, OL, Northwestern

Caleb Tiernan has an unusual build considering he’s 6-8, 323 pounds with 32-inch arms, but he’s a quality blocker that might have a future at guard if the length issues inhibit him at tackle. He’s not the smoothest mover, but he’s explosive in short spaces and can generate a lot of force on first impact.

63. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

The “other” Notre Dame running back has a chance to be a starter in his own right. Like Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price was a source of big plays for the Fighting Irish. He showed a nice ability to work through tight spaces while being elusive in the open field and could be the leading rusher in a backfield at the next level.

64. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

Haulcy transferred his way from New Mexico to Houston before settling in as an impact starter on LSU’s defense last season. Haulcy was a great all-around playmaker, racking up 88 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble. He showed a lot of versatility at both safety spots and can cleanly slot in as a single-high safety depending on the scheme.

65. Chris Johnson Jr., CB, San Diego State

Chris Johnson Jr. is a scrappy, aggressive cornerback that’s not afraid to get dirty in the run game. He’s going to get beat in the NFL with his style of play, but he should provide enough positives as a playmaker to remain startable.

66. Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech

Romello Height isn’t the star prospect that his teammate David Bailey is, but he still has the profile of a productive role player in the NFL. There’s a lot of room to grow for him physically and he’s a solid run defender despite his frame. He’s ideally an EDGE3 that can play a lot of snaps on a deep defensive line.

67. Zane Durant, DL, Penn State

Zane Durant was a star of the combine and shows high end athletic traits with just enough of a floor to see an outcome where he’s able to put things together and become a capable NFL player. He’s likely a 3-technique only in the NFL, but every team can use a disruptive presence at that spot.

68. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia

Oscar Delp didn’t always get the usage he looked destined for as a freshman at Georgia, but he still has a solid profile as a prospect. He confirmed his elite athleticism at Georgia’s Pro Day, running a 4.48 40-yard dash and leaping 38 inches in the vertical jump. He’s also a productive blocker that was key for Georgia’s run game over the years. This is a guy who could see a big jump in the NFL.

69. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State

Klare was more of a background passing option for Ohio State with the elite talent that they have at wide receiver, but he was still a productive player, totaling 94 catches for 1,133 yards and six touchdowns over the past two seasons. He had some nice reps as a blocker that give him a chance to be an all-around tight end in the NFL.

70. Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State

Domonique Orange has the ability to grow into a startable nose tackle in the NFL, even though he’s a bit raw right now. He doesn’t always play with great explosion and violence off the snap, but part of that is due to the nature of Iowa State’s more conservative style of defense to defend the Big 12 offenses that they see.

71. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Germie Bernard doesn’t project as a star, but he looks to be the competent wide receiver that every offense can use nowadays. He’s got nice size at 6-1, 206 and has solid enough speed to continue to be a capable receiving threat in the NFL.

72. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Jake Golday isn’t the most physical linebacker out there, but his athleticism and playmaking will certainly have teams intrigued on Day 2 of the draft. He’s probably a classic weakside linebacker in the NFL, but will be an asset as a run-and-chase type of player.

73. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Ty Simpson may wind up in the first round of the draft when it’s all said and done, but he doesn’t have a skill set that’s hard to find in the NFL. When healthy, he can be accurate with the football and make some plays with his legs, but he doesn’t have the high-end traits that have become a consistent trend among the top quarterbacks in the league. This isn’t to say he can’t be a starter, but the question with this archetype will always be what to do when that rookie contract is up.

74. Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

Lawrence is a nice straight line athlete, but lacks the bend that would project him as a high-end, leadoff pass rusher in the NFL. Still, there’s a role for him in defenses that want their ends to penetrate and get up the field rather than eat blocks at the line of scrimmage.

75. Daylen Everette, CB/S, Georgia

After a shaky start to his career as a Bulldog, Daylen Everette evolved into one of their more reliable players, excelling as a downhill playmaker as a blitzer and pass defender. He played cornerback at Georgia, but his best position moving forward might be safety given some of the struggles he’s had in man-to-man coverage throughout the course of his college career.