2026 Draft Board

While every draft is different, drafts average 5-7 quality starters or better per year (defining “quality starter” as 70th percentile value which would cut off around players like Zyon McCollum, Brandon Stephens, and Kyler Gordon) – as context, quality starters typically come from the top ~75 picks

Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
He reminds me of Will Johnson – both incredibly smooth in coverage, both had some concerns on long speed and injuries. He has incredible short area quickness and fluidity and one of the rare guys that is good in both man and zone. He did have a tough day vs. Jeremiah Smith in 2024 but most do. I didn’t see speed issues show up and I’ll take his stickiness in coverage. If he drops for some reason, you take him.

Mansoor Delane, LSU
Smooth, very good (and willing) tackler. Stays attached to receivers although one (small) complaint is he does it often with hands. Very good in press man, think he’s better there than zone. It’s a small difference between McCoy and Delane and I wouldn’t argue if you had them flipped, but I give McCoy a slight edge in natural corner movement, connectivity to receivers, and a bit more aggressiveness.

Colton Hood, Tennessee
He’s aggressive and runs well. I like him in press, he’s around the receiver all the time, and tackles well. His movement isn’t quite as fluid as most will give him and he doesn’t get his head turned around consistently enough (UGA touchdown he gave up right after the deep sideline throw where I don’t know how he wasn’t called for DPI). Also at times won’t look immediate in zone choices (Zachariah Branch TD). His off coverage today will give up a lot of completions against NFL QBs. I wouldn’t hate it if he returned for another year as he would be well served improving his zone coverage.

Avieon Terrell, Clemson
He has the speed, the hips, the feet, and the competitiveness. He’s better in man (and off man with the ball in front of him) than zone where he is good but can look hesitant at times. He will pursue everybody, lot of snaps where he ends up on the other side of the field. My issue is his size – he is listed at 5’11” and 180 lbs but seems smaller, especially at the catch point. He’s a willing run defender but often needs help and while around the ball. Lot to like but could see his size getting exposed in the NFL. Others will have him higher than me which is fine, but I think he’s a slot and as a slot, you better tackle well and he doesn’t when 1-on-1 (and this shows up in his YAC allowed which isn’t great).

Kelley Jones, Mississippi St
If you follow me, you know I don’t love tall corners… at a reported 6’4″, Kelley is a rare exception. He has a suddeness few at his size have, he changes direction well, and has good speed. He is willing tackling but it’s not a strength. My biggest issues are he doesn’t turn his head around enough – when he does, he’s very good but when he doesn’t, he may still succeed due to his length but he also gets very grabby. He’s a redshirt sophomore and he’s a guy that could return for another year but I think he still goes early or mid day 2.

Julian Neal, Arkansas
He’s a guy I normally don’t like – probably 4.55 speed and tall, but I’m going to have him higher than I should. He presses all game, is physical, probably the best run defender and tackling CB in this class. At a reported 6’2″, he moves and changes direction better than you’d expect. He’s smart in coverage and pursures. He gets the absolute most out of his talent. I often will watch interviews of guys to get a feel for who they are and he’s just a great kid that you want on your team.

Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
He’s fast but has the lack of fluidity that taller corners often will have – he just doesn’t have that smooth CB look, but does get where he needs to be. I wish he played more press as he’s better there. The main concern is ability to change direction and stay with receivers on multiple moves – this next point will scare Eagles fans off, but Kelee popped into my head watching him. I actually think Davison is a better Kelee. Like Hairston last draft, he’ll go higher with his testing than I probably would take.

Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
A guy I will come back to and re-watch (film is limited right now). He’s pretty consensus R1 grades and I just don’t see it – his speed is adequate but his short area burst is limited (Vanderbilt goal line TD allowed). Plays the run a lot but his tackling is inconsistent. With CBs, the hit rate is one of the lowest and sometimes you have to look at the upside / downside risk – I think Cisse has a wide range in the NFL.

Keith Abney, Arizona State
He will open up early when at the line and lacks closing speed when he needs it – he’s a guy that gives up enough separation for the NFL but gets away with it in college. In off coverage and zone, he will be ok, but I don’t think he survives when needing to play man. Another guy I wanted to like more than I did but think he is just lacking the innate traits.

AJ Harris, Penn St
He’s puzzling – the question you have to answer is are you drafting 2024 AJ or 2025 AJ? His 2024 (where he’s probably a R2 pick) was much better than his 2025 (on 2025 alone, he’s a day 3 pick and it wouldn’t surprise me to me UDFA). I don’t think he had an injury, the one thing I could see was he did play much more zone in 2025 than 2024 and I really don’t like him there – he’s so much better when he has a man to stay with, in zone he often is too far away and too slow to the play. But that isn’t the whole story as he wasn’t as great in man either – he rarely got his hands on the ball and was so often disconnected from his receiver. His pursuit and tackling is good. He’s young, and I think he will test well. But with positions with low hit rates like CB, you have to evaluate how much risk there is a with a pick and there’s a good amount here.

Chris Johnson, San Diego St
A guy I wanted to like more than I did and thought could be a day 2 value, he has good fluidity but he lacks speed and ability to quickly close from off coverage are concerns. He has gaudy numbers (16 passer rating allowed, 5 PBUs and 4 INTs on 43 targets) and he feasted jumping routes, but I think on contested balls at the catch point he doesn’t get turned around often enough and several of his big plays I question if he makes against an NFL QM arm. I think he could be good depth in the NFL and I could very well be wrong, but there is enough risk on his tape when you look at him projected against NFL talent. He’s a guy that really could raise his draft slot at the Senior Bowl.

Daylen Everette, UGA
Will just turn 22 after the draft and played 4 years at Georgia. He’s got speed that shows up with ease. He’s known as a zone corner but my concern is he loses track of his man or ball and too often seems to settle in the wrong spot in zone – given 4 years of experience at Georgia, this is concerning given it is supposedly his strength.

Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Will be 23 at the draft, doesn’t have the speed for the NFL and when he is required to plant and come back, will have an extra step or two that gives up separation.

Jyaire Hill, Michigan
On paper, he should be interesting with his size, speed, and ability to get hands on the ball. But watching him, he just is a mess tackling (vs. USC it was one after another missed tackle). Has some character concerns in his past. Wouldn’t be a target for Philly.

Damari Brown, Miami
He only has 56 targets in his college career, with over half of the coming in the 2023 season. If you just gloss over his stats, they are impressive – no TDs allowed in two seasons, one of the lowest target and reception rates, but his lack of speed is going to be an issue (VT game). I’m guessing he will be a high 4.5 or low 4.6 guy and they rarely work out.

David Bailey, Texas Tech
Explosive and consistently disruptive. Can play a hybrid role, although he has the skills to be full time EDGE. His 22% pressure rate and 18% run stop rate are truly elite numbers that rarely miss in the NFL.

Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
Smaller (240 lb) but has explosiveness and very twitchy. Can win multiple ways. One of the better run defenders in this class due to his discipline and speed. 16% pressure rate and 13% run stop rate.

Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Stocky frame that lacks length, but very effective slipping under OTs, will lose discipline on run containment. Not an EDGE you are dropping into coverage. I like him but remembering the low EDGE hit rates, I worry about his success in the NFL a bit.

Clev Lubin, Louisville
I guess he will return for another year as his current draft projection is too low given his talent. But if he comes out, he should go higher than projected. He won’t be an elite tester, but he has a good initial step, non-stop effort, and very good discipline that benefits him on run defense and containment. Only he and David Bailey are above a 20% pressure rate and only one of four with an above 14% run stop rate.

Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
He’s a smaller EDGE but unlike Nolan Smith (who on film you saw how he could consistently play the EDGE and win there), Cashius is more in the Jalon Walker / Zack Baun mold who could be EDGE or off-ball. He’s really good dropping into coverage and setting an EDGE, disengaging and making a stop. You just don’t see too many true 1-on-1 wins against OTs. I like the player, I don’t love the fit to the Eagles.

Derrick Moore, Michigan
If he had a quicker initial burst, he’d be a R1 EDGE. A larger EDGE at 260+lbs, he has good power which he usually used to win with, but has added good side-stepping to cut inside. Good in coverage when asked to. With a 17.5% pressure rate and 10.4% run stop rate, his production is in the area that projects good pros. He’s not as explosive as Nolan or Jaelan Phillips, but should be a solid EDGE.

Romello Height, Auburn
If he was younger, I would have him higher – he will turn 25 in his rookie year. He’s explosive and you see it – he has the 3rd most quick pressures in college this year behind only David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. He’s smaller and will get greedy at times, losing contain against the run. Likely a DPR but if that’s what you want and don’t care about his age (it’s hard ot keep EDGEs past their first contract), he could be good value.

Keldrick Faulk, Auburn
He’s an edge-setting, run defending EDGE that can move inside given his size. At his size you would expect more bull rush but he almost tries ot play like a smaller EDGE – he just isn’t going to give you anything for pass rush (his 9% pressure and 9% run stop rates haven’t projected to the league well). I kept thinking Mykel Williams (who I was also low on last year), the league keeps talking themselves into these profile of EDGEs and they just don’t work out (and definitely not R1 capital that is consensus on Faulk right now).

Carnell Tate, Ohio St
He will get knocked by some as lacking explosiveness, but he does everything well – he’s the best route runner in this class, he’s big (6’3″), separates, catches everything. He won’t be a YAC generator but he is good anywhere on the field. Will only turn 21 in Jan 2026. To me he is clearly WR1.

KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Will be viewed as a slot, but that’s a disservice as he lines up all over, separates quickly (but needs to do it more consistently). Good speed and has plus elusiveness, has an explosiveness Makai doesn’t. Generates lot of YAC. Put up good numbers vs. everybody. Some added value on punt returns where he was solid.

Makai Lemon, USC
Gives me such Golden Tate vibes – he’s dangerous with the ball and breaks tackles / forces misses, doesn’t quite have the explosiveness you would expect. Think he will need to be slot only.

Antonio Williams, Clemson
Like his release. Suddenness in breaks, was continually creating separation vs. UGA. Couple tough catches one contested over middle and next over shoulder. Could be a better blocker, doesn’t hold blocks long enough. Catches everything. He’s probably only a slot and has had some durability issues. The consensus on him is too low though.

Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Big (reported 6’5″). Deep threat with over half his yards coming from 20+ yards. Not a burner but probably mid 4.4s speed, doesn’t gain as much separation downfield as you would like. Catches everything with only 2 drops this year. Think a slightly bigger Troy Franklin. I like him and his size is tantalizing but I worry about his ability to win in NFL.

Jordyn Tyson, Arizona St
Incredibly sharp breaks, speed looks good but not special, seems to anticipate contact and go down often (which probably explains a lot of his low YAC). Lot to like, but also a lot of injuries in his past and 2025 looked down from 2024. There’s risk with this pick which is why I have him lower.

Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
He’s not a separator and not an elite contested catch guy. Limited routes. I don’t see an NFL-winning trait with him.

Chris Bell, Louisville
Lacks explosiveness and an ability to separate – over and over, you see his receptions are crossers where he can run after the catch. Tore his ACL late in 2025 so will be out a lot of rookie season which drops him some.

Blake Miller, Clemson
The best mover in this class, he has quick feet, gets into space, and has the initial lateral quickness to seal off blocks. Over 3500 snaps at right tackle. Would like to see a bit better anchor.

Max Iheanachor, Arizona St
I’m higher than I should be and there’s clearly projection in my grading. He’s such an Eagles pick – extremely athletic, one of the few OTs in this class with length and quick feet / movement, but needs development. May have the best film vs. David Bailey who is this year’s EDGE1. He needs to develop a better anchor and loses leverage too often, but he’s 6’6″ 330lbs and looks to have great length (reported 34+ inch arms). His backstory is interesting – grew up in Nigeria, played soccer and basketball and didn’t start playing football until 2021. He needs to develop but if you look to draft him, sit him and let him develop under Stoutland for a year, you really could have something.

Carter Smith, Indiana
Above average movement, Good power, stays balanced, feet always moving. Needs to improve hands, it’s how he is usually beat – sitting and developing a year could be great for him. Could be quicker handing off blocks. Better pass protector than run blocker, would like to see more displacement in run game.

Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
He’s tall and light for his size, moves ok, no remarkable trait or skill but solid. Better pass protector than run blocker.

Spencer Fano, Utah
Really wanted to be high on him but there’s enough to have some concern on. He has good hands and moves really well in space but doesn’t redirect to stay square on inside / outside moves consistently enough. Anchor looks average. I’m just nowhere near where consensus is on him.

Trevor Goosby, Texas
He’s young and has a lot of development ahead of him. He’s got good broad movement skills, but lacks the quick, small adjustments (which is a lot of the reason for his high penalty rate). Balance issues at times. Decent movement, but underwhelming power.

Isaiah World, Oregon
Like him when he is kick stepping to depth and pass blocking… anything else, he leaves a lot to be desired. His power in the run game is lacking, especially given his size and he really isn’t an effective run blocker – you wonder how much this will develop.

Francis Mauigao, Miami
He’s a guy I watched as an OT and really didn’t like, but if you look at him as an OG, you can see where he would fits. He has good power. He doesn’t move well enough for OT, will fail to get deth and will waist bend too often. But if he can focus on the inside, he becomes interesting.

Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Really great active hands and feet are always moving. Much better pass protector than run defender. Supposedly incredibly strong but don’t see it in run blocking consistently. Only a junior, with some development, he could be a great upside pick.

DJ Campbell, Texas
Heavy footed, probably doesn’t meet the athleticism and mobility the Eagles will want. For his size, was surprised seeming moved off his spot so often. Think he’s a guy where the difference when watching against top IDLs is more apparent.

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
He may be the only real NFL QB prospect in this class. One of only that is very good under pressure which typically translates to NFL. Good arm talent, strong in pocket, not a dual-threat guy. 2nd best EPA vs. P4 opponents.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Needs an RPO offense, not as effective when just dropping back. Fast, gambles but makes plays. Not sure his reads are where they need to be yet. Still only 22 years old. Has an insane fumble rate on runs (9%). Could have more upside than Mendoza but also way more risk.

Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
He’s small (listed at 6’0″) which will bring normal challenges, but he has consistently put up big numbers in the SEC. With Mendoza, probably the only other QB good under pressure – he put up a silly 9.3% big time throw rate under pressure vs. an only 1% turnover worth play rate, along with an 88 passer rating. Mobile and an exceptional playmaker. He’s projected mid day 3 but I’d take him over most of the guys ranked ahead of him.

Ty Simpson, Alabama
Has not declared year and I think he’d be making a mistake not returning for another year – he only has 525 career pass attempts, almost all this year.

Cole Payton, North Dakota St
NDSU has several NFL QBs and none have been great (Wentz is the most successful obviously but was only good for a couple of years), so you have to grade Cole on a curve. But I think he’s pretty interesting compared to them. First, he’s a better dual threat. Second, he is really good under pressure (which I think is one of the most translatable skills to the NFL). There’s some projection here but his ceiling is better than several of the top-rated guys. And at worst, you have an interesting backup.

Drew Allar, Penn St
Yes, he’s got an NFL arm and he’s still young (still 21, will turn 22 right before the draft). But he makes a lot of questionable throws and he’s not good under pressure. His numbers noticeably dropped against good opponents, it’s hard to point to a marquee game of his.