NFL Draft

Top 10 wide receivers of the 2026 NFL Draft:

We enter week two of our positional draft rankings series, and already I had to push the release of this iteration back, because of sheer number of draftable wide receivers in this class. I will have watched 35-40 guys when this comes out, and I still feel like I should run through a few more names.

Once again, all these rankings are based on my personal evaluations, not taking current injuries or any potential off-field issues into account, considering I don’t have insights into medical reports and other such information. And of course, since I’m not operating for a singular team, these projections don’t scheme fit or team-specific guidelines/benchmarks into account.

Although we don’t have that true number one receiver who has checked all the boxes in the pre-draft process, my number one guy has top ten ability, there are four other names with first-round grades, and even beyond the 13 total that I’ll discuss here, including three that I listed as “just missed the cut”, there are prospects worthy of hearing their names called on day two.

This is how they stack up for me:

 

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NFL Draft

Top 10 linebackers of the 2026 NFL Draft:

This year’s positional NFL Draft rankings series is underway, and we switch over to the defensive side of the ball for the first time, with a highly intriguing linebacker class. All these rankings are based on my personal evaluations, not taking current injuries or any potential off-field issues into account, considering I don’t have insights into medical reports and other such information. And of course, since I’m not operating for a singular team, I’m trying to be “scheme agnostic” in my projections, while the 32 NFL front offices will study these players through the lens of what they value in their buildings and maybe even non-negotiables they have for size/testing measurables.

You can make a strong case that the breadth of talent within this linebacker class is as good as any other position. There are two names that’ll most likely end up within my personal top five overall prospects, two guys would be worthy of going somewhere else in round one, and then five more linebackers firmly have day two value based on my evaluations. Even beyond that, depending on the role and profile you’re seeking, there are interesting names that could make an impact to some capacity, potentially even with a couple of other true starters.

This is how they stack up for me:

 

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NFL Draft

Top 10 running backs of the 2026 NFL Draft:

It’s time to kick off this year’s positional rankings series for the NFL Draft, and as always, we’ll start with running backs. For the next six weeks, we’ll alternate between offense and defense, sort of going by who would go up against each other in actual games – meaning linebackers as the contrast to this on Friday, offensive tackles and edge defenders, etc.

These lists are based on my personal evaluations, not taking current injuries or any potential off-field issues into account, since I simply don’t have insights into medical reports and other such information. And of course, this isn’t put together for any specific team or scheme, since all 32 NFL front offices will have these names stacked up differently, with regards to the people in-house.

Although we have a blue-chip prospect at the top, who will end up inside the top five of my own big board, this running back class unfortunately doesn’t have the same quality beyond that as we’ve seen in years past. I only view two other names as worthy of going in the second round and only three additional ones in the third. The rest of the top ten is rounded out by names you can make a case for early on day three, depending on your preferred flavor. Beyond that, there are intriguing rotational players and guys who can fill specific roles, but not the type of diamonds in the rough as I’ve highlighted at different points previously.

Let’s get into these names:

 

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NFL Draft

Biggest risers and fallers coming out of the 2026 NFL Combine

The 2026 NFL Scouting combine is in the books and it’s time to talk about which prospects helped/hurt their draft stock the most! Although the film remains the main piece for their evaluation, having official measurements, comparable testing numbers and seeing them together on the same field, provides helpful context. I’ll give you one riser and faller at each position, along with a few additional relevant names.

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NFL Draft

College all-star game standouts for 2026:

With the Patriots/Seahawks being crowned Super Bowl LX champions, we turn the page and are ready to dive into draft season. I still have a video coming out next week on some of my favorite fits for pending free agents, but some key events on the calendar for this next crop of young talent have already taken place.

So today, I want to talk about upcoming draft prospects, who stood out at the East-West Shrine and the Senior Bowl – ten on offense and defense each. I’ll talk about what I saw from each player throughout the week, some questions they might’ve answered while being asked different things in practice than what they did during their college career, and how it’ll help boost their draft stock. Plus, I listed twice as many names as honorable mentions at the end, since just showing up and competing gives all these guys another chance to stand out to scouts and other NFL personnel.

Let’s talk about it!

 

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NFL Draft

Early risers for the 2026 NFL Draft:

Usually, at this point of the calendar, I publish my current list of the top five college players. Yet, with how fluctuant that can be based on the ups and downs of the season, the fact that I can’t watch every single game – like I do for the NFL – and my heavy focus on their journey to the pros, I decided to write about something more draft-centric.

I also thought about simply doing a top five by position, but with how I structure my schedule, I typically haven’t more than 15 names for each of those. So instead, I opted for a different approach, as I’ll outline my ten biggest risers a month into the college football season (five on offense and defense each). Please bear in mind that this won’t be complete list, and feel free to put some more names in the comments.

Therefore, you won’t see stalwarts like LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs listed, who I already viewed as top-five prospects coming into the year. Rather, I will outline ten players who have stood out to me, watching the games, and either have really gotten onto my radar or have already moved up my rankings, based on scouting them during the summer. Some of them may have transferred or earned a starting role, now having the opportunity to prove themselves (against a higher level of competition).

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NFL Draft, NFL Offseason

Second- and third-year breakout candidates for the 2025 NFL season – Defense edition:

We’re back for the second half of yet another two-part series, only this time in written form, as we switch sides of the ball and talk about some of my favorite second- and third-year defenders, who I expect to take the next step. Just like we did in the offensive edition last week, we’ll discuss seven players today.

Once again, to identify what would qualify a “breakout” or rather players excluded in this discussion, I’m largely relying on statistical measurements that they haven’t reached yet – no front-seven defenders who recorded double-digit sacks or tackles for loss, players who intercepted 4+ passes, earned a Pro Bowl/All-Pro nominations or are just generally considered one of the better performers at their respective positions. I also generally stay away from players who have barely seen action in the pros yet. That makes names like Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson and Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo, for example.

Daiyan Henley emerged as one of the best linebackers in all of football after making the list a year ago, but I’m still waiting on names like B.J. Ojulari and JuJu Brents to stay healthy and show if they can justify me putting them up there in the most recent version of this. Let’s get into these next few names for 2025:

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NFL Draft, NFL Offseason

Second- and third-year breakout candidates for the 2025 NFL season – Offense edition:

These last two months have been loaded with video content, discussing basically every single offseason move made by all 32 teams and, most recently, going through one burning question for each of them. So now it’s time for one of my favorite projects in written form every year – breakout candidates. Split up into offense and then defense next week, we’re looking at seven players on each side of the ball, coming off their rookie or second season, who I project to make a leap in 2026.

Since it’s tough to set the guidelines for what would qualify a “breakout” for the purposes of this exercise, I’m relying mostly on statistical metrics that the players in question haven’t reached yet – no 1000-yard rushers or receivers, players that have scored double-digit touchdowns, earned a Pro Bowl/All-Pro nominations or are just generally considered one of the better performers at their respective positions already. I also generally stay away from players who have barely seen action in the pros yet. That makes names like Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu ineligible, for example.

Chase Brown, Khalil Shakir and Cam Jurgens all delivered on the lofty expectations I set for them last July, while Anthony Richardson is someone I’m still rooting for to reach his sky-high potential. Here’s this year’s list:

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NFL Draft, NFL Offseason

AFC West Draft & Roster Review 2025

We’ve reached the final episode of our divisional draft & roster review series for 2025! And we’re closing things out with the AFC West, who just sent three teams to the playoffs and saw the other one make some drastic changes to the key figures of their organization!

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NFL Draft, NFL Offseason

NFC West Draft & Roster Review 2025

We’re entering the final week of our divisional draft & roster review series, as we head West, starting off on the NFC side with the Cardinals, Rams, 49ers and Seahawks!

(This was recorded prior to the 49ers trading for Bryce Huff, hence why he wasn’t mentioned at all)

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