2026 NFL Draft: 36 prospects to watch
Sun Apr 27 11:04am ET
Field Level Media
That's a wrap on the 2025 NFL Draft. For scouting departments and general managers across the league, the mindset is "on to 2026."
Maybe the March for Arch will be fruitful, bringing fortune to an NFL team that flops early and never recovers in 2025.
Arch Manning is the No. 1-ranked player projected to be available in the 2026 draft next April. But the spring preseason draft board and the version nailed down approximately 11 months from now won't be carbon copies.
Not only is Manning a massive projection given his relative inexperience, there is more than enough time for another quarterback -- or playmaker, a la Travis Hunter -- to emerge as the best of the Class of 2026.
Here are names to know entering the 2025 college football season:
1. QB Arch Manning, Texas
Junior in 2025
Bloodlines for days with a pair of uncles in Eli and Peyton who were drafted No. 1 and a grandpa picked No. 2 by the Saints in 1978, the cameo appearances we've witnessed at Texas point to potential greatness from the next Manning progeny. He's the best athlete of them all and shares the QB bloodhound instincts of his famous uncles with athletic traits reminiscent of grandpa Archie. Need we say more? Inexperience stands as the lone question. But we'll have an answer very soon as Arch Manning replaces Quinn Ewers in Austin. In a nutshell, he can make every throw and run a little, too.
2. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Junior in 2025
"Special" only starts to tell the story with Downs, our top-ranked defensive player in 2026 entering the upcoming season. We can keep up the talk about bloodlines with Downs, too. Dad, Gary, was a running back in the NFL. Caleb is the nephew of former NFL cornerback Dre Bly and younger brother of Colts WR Josh Downs. Caleb Downs transferred from Alabama after a standout freshman season to play at Ohio State. The do-it-all safety grabbed the spotlight. His football IQ and processing are uncanny. He can dominate in single-high with physicality and playmaking or win in the box. He's a potential top-5 pick.
3. OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Junior in 2025
Squarely built right tackle prospect with a blend of explosive power, body control and rare athleticism for a 6-6, 320-pound force of nature. Former five-star recruit has met expectations since starting for the Hurricanes as a freshman. Coaches praise his drive, rapid development and attention to detail. If he's not the first offensive tackle selected with the No. 1 pick since Eric Fisher in 2013, we're positive he won't be waiting long.
4. DL T.J. Parker, Clemson
Junior in 2025
Menacing pass rusher (16.5 career sacks) ended the season with seven sacks in the Tigers' final six games. Parker gives the Tigers an anchor on one of the best defensive lines in the country. Had he been available in 2025, Parker would've been in the conversation as the top pass rusher in the draft. He should reign terror on opposing quarterbacks for years to come.
5. DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Junior in 2025
Bain has 11 sacks in his first two seasons and didn't play four games last season because of a calf injury. His upside is undeniable and practice reps head-to-head with the top-ranked OT on this list won't hurt his development as a power end with potential to duck inside in some schemes.
6. Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Junior in 2025
Cloaked in huge expectations and already a physically imposing monster for a defensive end, Faulk is listed at 6-6, 275, and is only 20 years old entering the college football season. He had 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2024.
7. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Senior in 2025
Another Clipboard U graduate in the Southeastern Conference, Nussmeier waited for his opportunity for what seemed like ages at LSU. He'll be 24 in February 2026, which some teams might overplay as a downside. Most of them would've loved to have Nussmeier's predecessor, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels in 2024. He turns 25 in December.
8. CB Ashton Stamps, LSU
Junior in 2025
He's a do-it-all cornerback the Tigers trust on an island because of his ability to lock down any assignment. Excellent physicality and mirroring ability to handle press or man coverage with the speed and instincts to make plays in zone. Should be highly touted and climbs this list by simply maintaining current trajectory.
9. DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Junior in 2025
Another force up front for the Tigers, Woods played most of last season at defensive end and was unblockable at times. He weighs over 300 pounds but only the scale knows. Clemson uses him anywhere and everywhere on the front seven, underscoring rare athleticism at his size. His pro potential is through the roof. With Woods playing alongside T.J Parker., Clemson has one of the scariest tandems in football.
10. RB Nick Singleton, Penn State
Senior in 2025
Singleton could have been among the top three at running back in the 2025 draft had he declared, but he stayed to chase a championship. His combination of acceleration and power helps the Penn State offense thrive.
--Here's a couple of dozen more intriguing prospects we'll be studying before the 2026 draft:
DL Aaron Graves, Iowa
Senior in 2025
Film junkies should rewatch the Washington game from 2024. Strong and anchored in the lower half, his background in wrestling is evident in an uncanny ability to maintain ground. Add his name to the long list of hard-nosed and disciplined defenders out of Iowa City.
DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
Redshirt Senior in 2025
Massive nose tackle prospect has production and athleticism to ace pre-draft tests. He contributes in the passing game, which means scheme diversity to be a fit for every team. With more refinement, Jackson has the traits to be a playmaker inside.
LB Harold Perkins, LSU
Senior in 2025
Undersized but scrappy player who can win as a pass rusher with the athleticism to make plays in space. One of the most dominant defenders in the FBS with a knack for making an impact. Coming off of a torn ACL last season, he should be back healthy and dominant in 2025.
DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
Redshirt junior in 2025
Google Corleone to confirm: his hulking arms are nearly the same circumference of his massive legs. Or ask Chat GTP to show you the strongest defensive tackle in college football. Corleone's name percolated with evaluators for a few years, but he returned to school rather than cash in a Top 100 spot in April. He's quick with superhero power -- squat is over 600 pounds and deadlift of 700 -- and he's faster than you think. Where does he fit in the NFL? Pro teams always check on serious medical matters and Corleone's blood clot diagnosis in June 2024 will be scrutinized by doctors.
CB Domani Jackson, Alabama
Senior in 2025
After two seasons at Southern California, one year at Alabama made a notable difference in Jackson's play. He has elite traits, high-caliber athleticism and could get even better with another year of development. Jackson has a chance to go from potential first-round pick to a possible top-10 selection.
DT Bear Alexander, Oregon
Junior in 2025
Georgia to USC to Oregon, Keithian Alexander -- known as Bear -- was largely in hibernation with the Trojans in 2024. A one-time top recruit, he's a pass-rushing defensive tackle with can't-lose traits in one-on-one matchups inside. He has a combination of size and athleticism to be a top-10 pick if he's locked in during the 2025 season, which will be his first at Oregon.
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Senior in 2025
Safety convert added some weight and moved toward the line of scrimmage. Instinctual player with the speed to cover running backs and tight ends on passing downs. Fun chess piece could be dangerous as he advances technique-wise.
CB Tacario Davis, Washington
Senior in 2025
Arizona transfer with plenty of hype and three seasons as a starter for the Wildcats. Long-limbed and can erase receivers on the outside but isn't shy about moving over the middle.
QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Junior in 2025
If you don't know Sellers' name, it's time to get SEC Network. He has a rocket for a throwing arm and enough athletic ability to be much more as he enters his second season as a starter.
S Rod Moore, Michigan
Senior in 2025
If Moore had entered the 2025 draft, he'd likely would have squarely in the first-round conversation. Athletic and intelligent, he can drop down to cover in the slot and handle man responsibilities. High praise regarding his leadership and splash play ability comes from coaches and opponents. He'll have some proving to do after he was injured in 2024.
DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Senior in 2025
Dennis-Sutton opted to return in the role of Nittany Lions' star pass rusher. A great run defender with an impressive frame, he has power to get through any blocker. Dennis-Sutton will be out to prove he was more than a beneficiary of playing opposite 2024 No. 3 pick Abdul Carter.
CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Senior in 2025
A key piece of the Ohio State secondary in 2024, he also drew a whopping 13 penalties. Grabby corners get benched in the NFL. Igbinosun has the size, physicality and athleticism teams are looking for if he breaks the handsy habits.
QB Carson Beck, Miami
Grad transfer in 2025
Beck spent years behind 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett IV and took advantage of his opportunity as a starter before injuring his right elbow in the SEC title game. A modern-day pocket passer with good accuracy, quick release and instincts to anticipate windows, he'll keep himself in the draft mix if health isn't a setback.
WR Nic Anderson, LSU
Redshirt junior in 2025
Anderson was a stud as a freshman at Oklahoma with 10 TD catches. But he has only six starts (17 games) under his belt. A 6-foot-4 target with a track background, he'll pair with a pro-caliber QB at LSU with a chance to prove his high ceiling and first-round projection.
TE Tanner Koziol, Wisconsin
Senior in 2025
Ball State transfer is built like a power forward with extremely long limbs. Exciting pass catcher with quick feet and solid awareness. Moving up in competition to the Big Ten will give him a chance to prove he's the top tight end in college football.
WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
Junior in 2025
Smooth route-runner with 17 career TD grabs. He opted to return for another season with Cade Klubnik.
RB Makhi Hughes, Oregon
Redshirt Junior in 2025
Hughes' choice to move up to Oregon from Tulane could make him a highly touted prospect as he replaces Jordan James. Great power and vision make him a true RB1.
DE Damon Wilson II, Missouri
Junior in 2025
Working rotationally at Georgia, Wilson opted to hit the portal after the 2024 season for a chance to be a primary defender in Missouri's pass rush. The versatile lineman can drop into coverage, set the edge, or break into the backfield on any given snap.
OG DJ Campbell, Texas
Senior in 2025
It was hard to acknowledge all the talent Texas had on the offensive line, but watch a few snaps and No. 52 stands out at right guard. Campbell has a great frame and body control to win at the point of attack and keep his jersey clean.
RB Anthony Hankerson, Oregon State
Senior in 2025
Hankerson is the ideal goal-line back. He runs with energy and contact balance reminiscent of Cowboys RB Javonte Williams.
S Michael Taaffe, Texas
Senior in 2025
An under-the-radar riser in 2024, Taaffe chose to return to the Longhorns to help the team's chances of claiming a national title. A former walk-on turned second-team All-American, his constant playmaking ability comes up big for the Longhorns.
LB Kyle Louis, Pitt
Junior in 2025
High-motor defender operates all over the field and always finds the football. Utilized as a pass rusher, run stopper, slot defender and much more and never looked out of place.
RB Eli Sanders, USC
Senior in 2025
Sanders lit up the competition at New Mexico and figures to do the same for the Trojans. He currently projects as a second- or third-round pick.
OG Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
Senior in 2025
Great blend of flexibility and power to match speed or strength on the interior. Tremendous frame with excellent body control. Another year developing his technique could have Reed-Adams as one of the top guard prospects in the class.
TE Max Klare, Ohio State
Junior in 2025
Purdue transfer consistently found ways to contribute in the quick passing attack. With defenses looking to limit Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate downfield, Klare should see opportunities to produce underneath.
TE Oscar Delp, Georgia
Senior in 2025
Had high expectations entering 2024 but Brock Bowers left enormous shoes to fill. With another year as the lead guy and a new QB, Delp has the tools to emerge as a top-50 prospect.
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The Paur Report
Dynasty | The Texans drafted USC running back Woody Marks in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: It's a solid landing spot for Marks, who will battle the likes of Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale for snaps behind current workhorse Joe Mixon. While seeing a path to early season playing time looks tough, Marks looks like a decent late round stash in rookie drafts for managers willing to play the long game.
Dynasty | The Rams drafted Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: This is an interesting pick as the Rams have made a living of making running backs fantasy viable and Hunter could be next in line. While Kyren Williams will remain the starter for the Rams, Hunter looks like a player who could challenge Blake Corum for the RB2 job. The Rams clearly like Hunter as they traded up to get him. He looks like a solid dart throw in the middle rounds of rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Tennessee Titans drafted Texas tight end Gunnar Helm in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: He should slot in behind starter Chig Okonkwo, but dynasty managers were clearly hoping he'd go to a team without an established young pass-catching option at the position. Still, Okonkwo hasn't exactly dominated in his time in the league and patient dynasty managers who take Helm late in rookie drafts could have a good bargain.
Dynasty | The Cleveland Browns drafted Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: One of the bigger value losers this year, Sampson dropped into the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Even worse, he was taken by Cleveland, who also took Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins this season, making this pick a whole lot better in reality than in fantasy. Sampson has ability but he's going to need to show a lot in camp to get any kind of early playing time. His draft stock fell quite a bit over the weekend.
Dynasty | The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Royals dropped all the way to the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft before the Chiefs scooped him up at #133 overall. He landed in a good spot, but this also isn't the Kansas City offense we all loved for fantasy purposes a few years ago, either. A pre-draft top 20 player, he's going to fall a few spots because of the draft capital used (or not used), but he's certainly going to be a decent stash in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | The Titans drafted Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Ayomanor was a pre-draft top-15 dynasty prospect, but that won't hold after he fell all the way to the bottom of round four before being taken by the Titans. There were some questions about his overall ceiling and it seems a lot of teams just didn't think he was special in any way. Still, it only took one and Tennessee will give him a solid shot in camp to earn some early career playing time. He'll fall down a round or so in rookie drafts, but he's a solid mid-round gamble in rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Cleveland Browns drafted Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: There were a lot of value losers in the 2025 NFL Draft, then there's Sanders, who at one time not too long ago was considered the favorite to be top overall selection. Instead, he not only fell out of the first round, he fell out of the top four rounds, finally taken by the Browns with pick #144 in round five. It was made crystal clear by what amounts to the entire NFL that the attention that inevitably was going to come with drafting Sanders just wasn't worth it. In the end, Sanders will compete not with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett to start, but with Dillon Gabriel for an active roster spot and avoidance of the practice squad. Sanders looks like a player who will be overdrafted in rookie drafts based on his name alone, but his career is now no sure thing.
Dynasty | The Jaguars drafted Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: There were hopes that Tuten could slip into the second or third round of the draft, but he fell to the Jaguars in the fourth. With Tank Bigsby and Travis Ettiene likely locked into the top two spots, Tuten is going to need to show some pass catching ability and develop his game quickly to get time. Still, this is an unsettled team with a new Head Coach, so anything can happen. Tuten looks like a late second or third round pick in rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Giants drafted Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: This is an interesting pick as Skattebo should provide another solid option, perhaps making the backfield a bit of a three-headed monster with Tryone Tracy and Devin Singletary. Skattebo is an absolute road grader but has surprising receiving ability as well. He's going to make for an intriguing middle round pick in rookie formats.
Dynasty | The Raiders drafted Tennessee wide receiver Dont'e Thornton in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: A late addition to the pre-draft version of our Rookie Draft Guide, the buzz we heard Thornton getting proved to be real as he was taken by the Raiders towards the top of round four. He's a speedster and obviously needs to add more bulk to his frame, but there could be something to like here in the late rounds of rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Panthers drafted Georgia running back Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: There were hopes he could land in a spot where he could carve out an initial role, but it may be tough in Carolina with Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle currently on the depth chart. Etienne will be taken in a lot of rookie drafts, but managers need to make sure they're not just doing that on name recognition alone.
Dynasty | The Las Vegas Raiders add Montana State WR/QB Tommy Mellott and North Dakota QB Cam Miller with the respective 37th and 39th picks of the sixth round. Dynasty Analysis: Mellott will be transitioning to wide receiver at the NFL level, but as a college QB, the team could end up using him in a lot of interesting packages on top of traditional out-wide snaps. Miller will operate as a developmental QB option behind Geno Smith and 2023 fourth-rounder Aidan O'Connell. Neither addition should have any tangible impact on Geno's immediate Dynasty value.
Dynasty | With the 17th pick of the sixth round, the Cincinnati Bengals select Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks. Dynasty Analysis: Brooks' stocky, powerful running style is likely more of a short-term negative to Zack Moss than it is to Chase Brown. There's not much of a chance that the rookie takes away third-down snaps from the RB1, but he could eventually end up absorbing more of a short down-and-distance role than Khalil Herbert was able to earn in 2024. Brown remains a fringe RB1/2 in Dynasty, while Moss is still sitting down in roster-clogger territory.
Dynasty | With the seventh pick of the seventh round, the Seattle Seahawks select RB Damien Martinez. Dynasty Analysis: Martinez finally comes off the board here in the seventh round, but he's going to have a difficult timing finding the field ahead of Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. Regardless, the rookie profiles as a nice Dynasty stash who could become an early-down volume play should either of the backs in front of him miss any time.
Dynasty | With the 11th pick of the seventh round, the San Francisco 49ers select Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke. Dynasty Analysis: The 49ers obviously have history with a certain seventh-round quarterback, but we shouldn't be worried about Brock Purdy's Dynasty value after this pick. Jones should also be just fine as the next man up, should Purdy miss any time.
Dynasty | With the 12th pick of the seventh round, the Kansas City Chiefs selected SMU RB Brashard Smith. Dynasty Analysis: Isiah Pacheco should keep his early-down role perfectly intact, but it will be interesting to keep an eye on Smith for potential third-down snaps. The former receiver will have a hard time seeing consistent production, but an early career role as a special teamer could get him on the field in a fantastic offense.
Dynasty | With the 15th pick in the seventh round, the Miami Dolphins select Texas QB Quinn Ewers. Dynasty Analysis: Ewers has enough upside to legitimately push Zach Wilson as the potential QB2 behind Tua Tagovailoa. Though he still needs some development to hit that upside, he is worth a stash in Superflex Dynasty leagues, particularly when considering Tua's lengthy injury history.
Dynasty | With the 17th pick of the seventh round, the Chicago Bears add Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai. Dynasty Analysis: After all the speculation that the Bears could be spending a top-10 pick at the position, D'Andre Swift coming out of the NFL Draft with a new backfield mate all the way back in the seventh round is incredible news for his Dynasty value. Additionally, Monangai is not a risk to steal third down snaps any time soon, which helps the veteran maintain a receiving role.
The Miami Dolphins have selected Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers with the 231st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ewers was previously the top recruit coming out of high school in 2022. He originally committed to Texas, flipped to Ohio State, and then transferred to Texas a year later. Ewers was benched for Arch Manning during a game against Georgia last October, but for the most part, he was the Longhorns' starter. He finished his final collegiate season having completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. In Miami, he'll offer depth behind Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson. The Dolphins' No. 2 quarterback role has long been a topic of discussion due to Tagovailoa's history of serious concussions.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | With the ninth pick of the sixth round, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio State QB Will Howard. Dynasty Analysis: This will all be moot if the Steelers end up signing Aaron Rodgers, but as it stands, the QB depth chart consists of Rudolph, Howard, and Skylar Thompson. Doesn't inspire a lot of confidence for DK Metcalf, George Pickens, and the rest of Pittsburgh's pass-catchers. The National Championship-winning rookie will have plenty of opportunities to dethrone Rudolph, regardless of Draft capital, but this is still the best case scenario for the veteran's Dynasty value, should they avoid Rodgers.
