The 2026 NFL Draft player rankings are constantly evolving — I regularly adjust my list throughout the college football season, resisting the urge to overreact to individual games or standout performances. Instead, I base changes on a more comprehensive body of work, allowing players to prove their consistency or reveal ongoing struggles. Sometimes a player might not do anything wrong to drop in the rankings; rather, it’s because someone else at their position has stepped up and showcased a higher level of play, occasionally emerging unexpectedly.
As we approach the midpoint of the college season, it's the perfect moment to revisit and refresh the positional rankings before I release an updated top 50 in the upcoming weeks.
Quarterbacks
At quarterback, there’s a new leader at the top despite a relatively small sample size. Dante Moore from Oregon has been outstanding, boasting a 14-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio over just five starts this season. His highlights, especially in clutch moments like the game against Penn State, reveal an NFL-ready talent who can elevate his team with both arm strength and mobility.
LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina and Fernando Mendoza from Indiana hold steady at second and third. Sellers may not flood the stat sheet, but his unique playmaking ability stands out on every tape, marking him as a special prospect who would benefit from another year of college development. Mendoza, a transfer from Cal, impressed enough last summer to be a top-20 prospect, and he’s lived up to that promise with consistent accuracy and a high football IQ, even if his physical attributes aren’t eye-popping.
Others to watch include LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, whose status is uncertain due to injuries, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson, who — with only five career starts — could break into the top three by season’s end. As for Drew Allar (Penn State) and Cade Klubnik (Clemson), neither earned first-round grades before the season, so their absence from these rankings isn’t surprising. Meanwhile, Arch Manning is best viewed as a prospect for 2027 or even 2028 at this stage.
Running Backs
The running back rankings remain largely unchanged, with Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame firmly at No. 1. After him, Justice Haynes of Michigan and Jonah Coleman from Washington are battling for the next spots. Both have improved their stock through the early season with solid performances, reflecting their strong builds and smart running styles that utilize excellent vision, balance, and low pad level to maximize yardage on each carry. Their reliability extends to catching passes out of the backfield and ball security — crucial traits when ranking this position.
Their dependability and toughness — Coleman’s relentless running style is a fan favorite — further indicate why these backs are highly valued.
Wide Receivers
Originally, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the caliber of draft-eligible wide receivers during the offseason, but six weeks into the season, my perspective has brightened considerably. Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State comfortably holds the No. 1 spot. He’s shown even more growth, displaying excellent spatial awareness and the knack for gaining yards after the catch, which makes him a potent weapon on offense.
Makai Lemon from USC, previously in my top 50, has stepped up his game. Though he possesses average size and speed, his ability to consistently gain extra yards after receptions is reminiscent of Emeka Egbuka’s style in this draft.
Ohio State’s Carnell Tate claims the third spot, currently leading the FBS in six catches exceeding 40 yards. Tate’s long, fluid strides make him a significant threat on sharp routes and double moves, and his standout hand strength has been an important asset this season.
I also remain impressed by players like Louisville’s Chris Bell, Alabama’s Germie Bernard, and Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell, though Tate’s explosive plays grant him the edge for third place.
Tight Ends
At tight end, Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon remains the clear frontrunner. Behind him, Joe Royer from Cincinnati and Michael Trigg of Baylor are battling it out for the next spots. This position group is very fluid, with talents like NC State’s Justin Joly, Texas’ Jack Endries, and Ohio State’s Max Klare all capable of sneaking into this tier.
Royer’s versatility shines in both receiving and improved inline blocking, while Trigg is a fascinating prospect—a former basketball athlete with impressive speed, body control, and catching ability. The only lingering question about Trigg is whether teams will trust his maturity and readiness for the NFL.
Offensive Tackles
The offensive tackle rankings have shifted slightly since the summer but remain largely consistent. Spencer Fano of Utah leads, followed by Francis Mauigoa of Miami and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. Proctor’s performance has been somewhat inconsistent; some games, like those against Florida State and Wisconsin, were underwhelming, while he shined against Georgia and Vanderbilt, showing more consistent technique and execution.
Evaluators will be closely watching Proctor’s performances in October, as he faces challenging matchups against Missouri, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Similarly perplexing is Penn State’s Drew Shelton — despite obvious talent, inconsistency has hindered his progress. A strong finish could boost his NFL draft outlook.
Interior Offensive Line
Leading the interior offensive line group is Connor Lew from Auburn, though he still needs to show NFL teams that he deserves a spot within the top 50 picks. Vega Ioane from Penn State stands out as the premier guard this season, proving reliable in both run blocking and pass protection.
Brian Parker II of Duke plays right tackle in college but projects to move inside, probably to center, at the next level. Despite being undersized, Parker’s refined technique and sharp football IQ help mitigate concerns about his physical stature.
Edge Rushers
Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami tops the edge rusher list, a position he has dominated in 2025 with elite abilities in both run defense and pass rushing. His combination of power, speed, and flexibility allow him to consistently pressure quarterbacks and disrupt offenses.
The third slot was a tough call between Bain’s teammate T.J. Parker and Texas Tech’s David Bailey, who leads the FBS in pressures. While Bailey offers raw pass-rush explosions, Parker’s more complete game gives him the nod here.
Bain has indisputably been the standout defensive player this year, turning heads with his relentless pressure and stout run-stopping skills.
Defensive Tackles
Clemson’s Peter Woods remains the top defensive tackle, although he hasn’t quite lived up to some early lofty expectations. Behind him, the ranking depends on team needs: if a nose tackle who can anchor the line is desired, Iowa State’s Domonique Orange — affectionately nicknamed “Big Citrus” — fits perfectly. Other promising players include Georgia’s Christen Miller, Florida State’s Darrell Jackson, and Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, who has quickly become disruptive as a first-year starter.
Currently, my preference leans toward the potential of Oregon’s A’Mauri Washington and Florida’s Caleb Banks, despite Banks being sidelined with a foot injury.
Linebackers
Ohio State’s Arvell Reese is a no-brainer at the top of the linebacker rankings. His rare combination of length, power, and fluid athleticism allows him to blitz, cover, and run down ball carriers effectively. Reese isn’t just an athlete; his football intelligence plays a huge role in his lead on the team in tackles and pass breakups.
CJ Allen from Georgia and Sonny Styles from Ohio State also have first-round potential. The linebacker conversation extends further to include standouts like LSU’s Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr., Texas’ Anthony Hill, and Cincinnati’s Jake Golday, who continues to climb draft boards thanks to his athleticism and game impact.
Cornerbacks
Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy holds onto the No. 1 cornerback spot, even though he’s still recovering from an ACL injury and hasn’t been medically cleared to return yet. Avieon Terrell of Clemson, known for his fiery competitive spirit, remains a bright spot on a struggling Tigers defense.
LSU’s Mansoor Delane sits third, thanks to his solid understanding of the position. While critics might target his shorter arm length and average speed during the pre-draft process, Delane’s ability to anticipate routes makes him a disruptive force in coverage.
Safeties
Ohio State’s Caleb Downs continues to dominate as the top safety prospect without much debate. Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren deserves more recognition; standing 6-foot-3½ and weighing 210 pounds with close to 4.5 speed, his instincts and anticipation increasingly match his physical gifts.
USC’s Kamari Ramsey has battled injuries this season—his absence was clear during USC’s loss to Illinois—but he is expected to return for the upcoming game against Michigan.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Are we entirely confident that some of these players, especially those with limited sample sizes or injury histories, will maintain their trajectory through the season? How much weight should we place on emerging talents versus established consistency? Do you agree with these rankings, or do you think other players deserve more attention at this stage? Share your thoughts and let the debate begin!
