The 2025 NFL draft may be only two months in the rearview mirror, but that puts the 2026 NFL draft squarely in the windshield — and it’s drawing closer with each passing day.
This is an early pre-season primer for the 2026 NFL Draft. The purpose is not to be a mock draft or a final board. This is a first-look, tree-top view of the top prospects heading into the season.
We’ve evaluated All-22 tape from 2024 and 2025, analyzed advanced metrics, and projected year-over-year growth to help set the early landscape. Each position group is graded as a projected strength, weakness, or average, and we’ve included early summer rankings to serve as a watchlist throughout the 2025 college football season.
2026 NFL Draft: Summer Primer
Quarterback — Projected Strength
Summary
The strength of this class is rooted in projection due to uncertainty at the top. Names like Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, and Sam Leavitt could all return for the 2026 college season, and that would reshape the board entirely. Even if some of them stay, the remaining group — Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier, and Drew Allar — would still form a strong foundation.
The variety of skill sets will appeal to NFL teams. You’ve got the blue-chip upside of Manning, a mobile high-end game manager in Klubnik, a gunslinger in Nussmeier, a prototypical athlete in Sellers, and a big-armed pocket passer in Allar. Whatever your flavor at QB, this class has something to offer, assuming everyone declares.
Summer Scouting Quarterback Rankings
- Arch Manning
- Cade Klubnik
- Garrett Nussmeier
- LaNorris Sellers
- Drew Allar
Honorable Mentions: Sam Leavitt, John Mateer, Carson Beck, Nico Iamaleava, Sawyer Robertson
Running Back — Projected Average
Summary
After a 2024 season that produced two first-round backs and elite depth in 2025, this class has a tough act to follow. The 2026 group isn’t quite as deep or dynamic for the NFL, but there’s still intrigue, especially at the top of the draft.
Jeremiyah Love profiles as a high-end, three-down back with the tools to be a future NFL starter. Meanwhile, Nicholas Singleton has rare size and speed combo, and shines as a straight-line athlete. However, he’ll need to improve his ability to force missed tackles in space to cement his stock. Together, they form a solid top tier, but depth beyond them will need to emerge.
Jaydn Ott is my favorite to challenge breaking into the top two at the position. Battling injury last year at California, Ott has a chance to reset his draft stock with John Mateer at Oklahoma.
Summer Scouting Running Back Rankings
- Jeremiyah Love
- Nicholas Singleton
- Jaydn Ott
- Jonah Coleman
- Makhi Hughes
Honorable Mentions: Kaytron Allen, CJ Baxter, Darius Taylor
Wide Receiver — Projected Average
Summary
After seeing four wide receivers go in the first round of 2025 and two in the top eight, this group feels underwhelming in comparison. With WR contracts surging, the NFL continues to prioritize early-round receivers, but 2026 may not meet the moment.
At the top is Jordyn Tyson, who was heating up before an untimely injury during the playoff push. He’ll look to rebound in 2025 with QB Sam Leavitt.
Makai Lemon, Denzel Boston, and Antonio Williams are all intriguing, but none have separated yet.
One receiver I am not going to be as high on early as consensus is going to be Eric Singleton Jr. He has a strong track background, but it shows up too much on the football field in a negative way. I need to see him take more strides and develop as an all-around receiver rather than a track star with a helmet. It will be interesting to see how this list changes over the 2025 college football season.
My final note is to not overlook Ohio State’s Carnell Tate — that WR pipeline continues to deliver.
Summer Scouting Wide Receiver Rankings
- Jordyn Tyson
- Makai Lemon
- Denzel Boston
- Carnell Tate
- Antonio Williams
Honorable Mentions: Eugene Wilson III, Eric Singleton Jr, Elijah Sarratt, KC Concepcion
Tight End — Projected Average
Summary
Tight end value is on the rise, and the 2026 NFL draft class follows that trend. While it may not reach the elite top-end of 2025 (which saw two taken in the top-14), it matches up well in terms of depth.
Eli Stowers currently leads the group thanks to his athleticism and receiving upside, but he’ll need to continue improving as a blocker and adding functional mass to remain on top of the class. The rest of the group — Kenyon Sadiq, Max Klare, Jack Endries, and Joe Royer — are all close enough to challenge for TE1 status with strong 2025 campaigns.
Summer Scouting Tight End Rankings
- Eli Stowers
- Kenyon Sadiq
- Max Klare
- Jack Endries
- Joe Royer
Honorable Mentions: Tanner Koziol, Oscar Delp
Offensive Line — Projected Strength
Summary
The offensive line class for the 2026 NFL draft brings versatility, top-end talent, and depth — especially at tackle and center. If your team needs bookend tackles or interior anchors, this is the class to watch.
Francis Mauigoa and Kadyn Proctor headline the tackle group, with Jake Slaughter and Iapani Laloulu leading a strong center class. While guard is a bit thinner, names like Cayden Green and Ar’maj Reed-Adams keep it respectable.
Offensive Tackle Rankings
- Francis Mauigoa
- Kaydn Proctor
- Spencer Fano
- Gennings Dunker
- Blake Miller
Guard Rankings
- Cayden Green
- Ar’maj Reed-Adams
- Jaeden Roberts
- DJ Campbell
- Emmanuel Pregnon
Center Rankings
- Jake Slaughter
- Iapani Laloulu
- Logan Jones
- Connor Lew
- Parker Brailsford
Interior Defensive Line — Projected Strength
Summary
Recent drafts have delivered dominant interior defensive linemen (Jalen Carter, Byron Murphy, Mason Graham), and 2026 looks poised to continue the trend.
Peter Woods leads the class and could command top-5 draft capital with continued development. He’s explosive, versatile, and disruptive — though he’ll need to refine his rush plan. Names like Caleb Banks, Tim Keenan III, and Zane Durant offer additional upside and will all make a hard push for IDL 2.
Summer Scouting Interior DL Rankings
- Peter Woods
- Caleb Banks
- Tim Keenan III
- Zane Durant
- Christen Miller
Honorable Mentions: Dontay Corleone, Rayshaun Benny, Lee Hunter, Domonique Orange
Edge Defenders — Projected Strength
Summary
Edge remains one of the most valuable positions in the draft, and this class brings both technicians and traits freaks to the table.
TJ Parker headlines the group with a polished skillset and elite processing. While not the most athletic of the bunch, his consistency and technique stand out.
Behind him, Keldric Faulk, Rueben Bain Jr., LT Overton, and Dani Dennis-Sutton all have the potential to rise into the top half of Round 1 with strong 2025 tape.
Summer Scouting Edge Rankings
- TJ Parker
- Keldric Faulk
- Rueben Bain Jr.
- LT Overton
- Dani Dennis-Sutton
Honorable Mentions: Mikail Kamara, Derrick Moore, Joshua Josephs
Linebacker — Projected Average
Summary
Linebacker value has dropped in recent years, with athleticism now prioritized over traditional enforcers. That’s resulted in few linebackers being selected on the first day of the NFL draft. Anthony Hill Jr. might buck the trend as a top-15 talent, but positional value could push him down boards, much like what happened to Jihaad Campbell last year.
Day 2 options like CJ Allen, Deontae Lawson, and Taurean York offer starter potential, and Whit Weeks is another high-upside name to monitor.
Summer Scouting Linebacker Rankings
- Anthony Hill Jr.
- CJ Allen
- Deontae Lawson
- Taurean York
- Whit Weeks
Honorable Mentions: Harold Perkins, Drayk Bowen
Cornerback — Projected Strength
Summary
In my opinion, the 2025 cornerback class was underrated. This year’s cornerback class is will not have the same issue. The 2026 NFL draft class is well-rounded, athletic, and deep. At the top sits Jermod McCoy, a CB1-type talent with shutdown traits.
Avieon Terrell may ultimately prove better than his brother, A.J. Meanwhile, Malik Muhammad, AJ Harris, and Chandler Rivers all have the tools to climb up draft boards. It’s a good year to need a corner.
Summer Scouting Cornerback Rankings
- Jermod McCoy
- Avieon Terrell
- Malik Muhammad
- AJ Harris
- Chandler Rivers
Honorable Mention: D’Angelo Ponds
Safety — Projected Strength
Summary
Enter Caleb Downs, potentially the best player in the draft regardless of position. Downs can line up at free safety, strong safety, box, slot, or return kicks. He’s versatile, physical, and instinctive.
Behind him, there’s great depth in Dillon Thieneman, Kamari Ramsey, Michael Taaffe, and Rod Moore — all of whom could start early in their careers.
Summer Scouting Safety Rankings
- Caleb Downs
- Dillon Thieneman
- Kamari Ramsey
- Michael Taaffe
- Rod Moore
Honorable Mentions: Bray Hubbard, Terry Moore, Jalon Kilgore
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