The official kickoff of the 2025 college football season is also the beginning of 2026 NFL Draft season. Although it's a long time before the end of August until next April 23, it's important to see the prospects with the best stock going into the fall.
The 2026 class has plenty of quarterbacks near the top but also offers early impact players across all positions.
From the pedigreed prize to some potential risers to watch closely, here's a second updated look at the 2026 draft rankings.
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NFL Draft prospects 2026: Top 50 players
1. Arch Manning, QB, Texas (6-4, 219 pounds)
Manning will work to join uncles Peyton and Eli as No. 1 overall picks. He has the asset of a strong arm and cerebral passing on top of athleticism they would have dreamed of possessing. The only question is whether he will come out after starting only one college season.
2. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (6-3, 315 pounds)
Woods is a dominant, powerful run stopper who also has great quickness as an inside pass rusher, making him the easy top defensive prospect in the class.
3. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 205 pounds)
Downs is the ultimate triple-threat playmaker with his outstanding ball-hawking skills in coverage, cleanup instincts against the run, and return-game juice. He will be everywhere on the field for the Buckeyes.
4. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (6-6, 302 pounds)
Fano is a nasty, powerful run blocker for the outside who has pass-protecting upside. He could be dominant at either guard or right tackle in the NFL.
5. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn (6-6, 285 pounds)
Faulk is a power-based pass rusher (look at that frame), who is exceptional vs. the run. He will garner some Myles Garrett comparisons in the pre-draft process.
6. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (6-7, 366 pounds)
Proctor has off-the-charts athleticism for his massive size and can often engulf defensive linemen, especially in pass protection.
7. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-3, 265 pounds)
Parker is an instinctual, quick, and highly productive pass rusher who is also a major asset against the run.
8. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (6-1, 205 pounds)
Nussmeier is an aggressive and dangerous pure pocket passer who surveys the field with great quickness and accuracy.
9. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson (6-2, 210 pounds)
Klubnik is a strong-armed, accurate downfield passer who also can push Manning and Nussmeier for the top QB spot in the draft with a big all-around season.
10. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 214 pounds)
Love is a powerful, explosive runner with the athleticism, strength, and vision to become a reliable workhorse in the NFL, much like he is for the Fighting Irish.
11. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (6-0, 193 pounds)
McCoy is capable of moving around well to handle all types of receivers in coverage. He has a strong nose for making big plays on the ball.
12. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-3, 275 pounds)
Bain is a versatile pass-rushing defensive lineman who is also a growing force vs. the run.
13. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 200 pounds)
Tyson is a smooth route-runner all over the field who can deliver as a downfield threat and a reliable intermediate target.
14. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (6-6, 304 pounds)
Lomu is a well-rounded, big-framed blocker who can keep rising up draft boards if he can put it all together with his power and athleticism.
© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
15. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (6-6, 315 pounds)
Mauigoa keeps tapping into his big upside as a pass protector and is learning how to use his frame as a run blocker.
16. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 180 pounds)
Terrell is the younger brother of fellow Clemson star A.J., now a top starter for the Falcons. Avieon plays very physical for his size to help his coverage, and that also makes him a rare back-end run-stopping force.
17. Connor Lew, C/G, Auburn (6-3, 300 pounds)
Lew is a technically sound mauler who will start for a long time in the NFL, rolling in the running game.
18. LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama (6-5, 278 pounds)
Overton is an experienced, versatile pass rusher with his size, power, and athleticism. He can thrive in any NFL scheme.
19. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas (6-3, 238 pounds)
Hill is the classic active all-around linebacker with his ability to stop the run, make plays in coverage, and get to the quarterback on blitzes.
20. Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn (6-7, 348 pounds)
Chaplin is getting more attention for his size and power, as he boasts high developmental athletic upside.
21. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 245 pounds)
Sadiq can be the latest smooth route-running TE to land in the first round with a big season for the Ducks.
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
22. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State (6-5, 235 pounds)
Allar is a seasoned big-armed passer with natural deep-throwing ability and leadership.
23. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida (6-6, 330 pounds)
Banks moves very well for his size and is working toward raising his overall stock as a run stopper and inside pass rusher.
24. C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia (6-1, 235 pounds)
Allen is a classic Bulldogs linebacker with his speed, playmaking instincts, off-the-charts intangibles, and sound, physical tackling.
25. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina (6-3, 240 pounds)
The arm and athleticism are there to land Sellers in the first round as a dual-threat QB. He just needs to work on polishing his all-around game this season for the Gamecocks.
26. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas (6-7, 312 pounds)
Goosby is another tall, smooth, athletic tackle to watch, especially if he can get a little stronger in the running game.
27. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 195 pounds)
Tate is the classic, strong route-running receiver with big-play ability and quickness in the open field after the catch.
28. Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon (6-5, 272 pounds)
Uiagalelei's pass-rush production and upside are immense, and he also has the size to be an NFL asset vs. the run.
29. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 250 pounds)
Bailey has some natural explosive qualities as a pass rusher and can grow more into that potential after transferring from Stanford.
30. Will Lee III, CB, Mississippi State (6-1, 189 pounds)
Lee looks the part of a well-rounded cover corner who uses his size well against bigger receivers
31. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 225 pounds)
Mendoza, the Cal transfer, is showing some prototype promise with his blend of arm, accuracy, athleticism, and awareness of pressure.
Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
32. Isaiah World, OT, Oregon (6-8, 318 pounds)
World maintains the theme of tall tackles who have the potential to dominate in the NFL. He just needs to hone his all-around technique and become more consistent.
33. Makai Lemon, WR, USC (5-11, 195 pounds)
Lemon is loaded with savvy athleticism and route-running skills. He can be a dominant slot receiver in the NFL in the mold of former Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown.
34. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State (6-5, 243 pounds)
Klare can be the new Colston Loveland coming out of the Big Ten with his athletic pass-catching and ability to get open on downfield routes.
35. R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma (6-2, 249 pounds)
Thomas is a natural explosive pass rusher with high upside, but he'll need to work on being less situational by improving technique and run work.
36. Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State (6-5, 265 pounds)
Dennis-Sutton decided to return to school to improve overall as a pass rusher and get a season to break out of Abdul Carter's shadow.
37. Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC (6-4, 200 pounds)
Lane's size and strength for the outside give him the potential to be this year's Tetairoa McMillan.
38. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (6-0, 205 pounds)
Thieneman is a solid all-around veteran safety with the ability to make plays everywhere vs. the run and pass.
39. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia (6-4, 305 pounds)
Miller is best suited for 3-4 or 4-3 work up front because of his natural run-stopping frame, but he also has the quickness to quickly develop as an inside pass rusher.
40. Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State (6-0, 224 pounds)
Singleton has some workhorse potential because of his unique blend of power and speed as a runner and quickness as a receiver.
41. Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State (6-2, 205 pounds)
Leavitt is a smart pocket passer who surveys the field well and has upside with his downfield accuracy.
42. Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern (6-4, 265 pounds)
Saka is one player to watch to shoot up boards with his pure explosive pass-rush upside in a favorable defensive scheme.
43. A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State (6-1, 191 pounds)
Harris is getting borderline first-round attention for being a fundamentally sound cover man for his pleasing frame.
44. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke (5-10, 185 pounds)
Rivers covers a lot of ground in coverage and is intriguing because he plays like a reliable safety vs. the run, too.
45. Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College (6-6, 311 pounds)
Bowry has all the physical and size attributes to thrive as an NFL right tackle, but he needs to put it all together to get better in both run and pass blocking.
46. Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama (6-2, 290 pounds)
Brailsford can be a long-term star in the middle with his smarts, strengths, and compact power blocking.
47. Whit Weeks, LB, LSU (6-2, 225 pounds)
Weeks is a naturally instinctive linebacker who covers a ton of ground and is great at getting upfield vs. the run and both downfield and lateral vs. the pass.
48. Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State (6-5, 337 pounds)
Jackson can keep boosting his stock with more production vs. the run and pass.
49. Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn (5-10, 180 pounds)
Singleton is a dynamic big-play receiver who also can play bigger than his size outside.
50. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)
Styles is strong at leading and covering plenty of ground vs. the run, and he can rise up boards with more impact in coverage for the Buckeyes.
2026 NFL Draft prospect rankings by position
Quarterbacks
- Arch Manning, Texas
- Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson
- Drew Allar, Penn State
- LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
- Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Running backs
- Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
- Nick Singleton, Penn State
- Makhi Hughes, Oregon
- Jonah Coleman, Washington
- Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Wide receivers
- Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
- Carnell Tate, Ohio State
- Makai Lemon, USC
- Ja'Kobi Lane, USC
- Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn
- Germie Bernard, Alabama
Tight ends
- Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
- Max Klare, Ohio State
Offensive tackles
- Spencer Fano, Utah
- Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- Caleb Lomu, Utah
- Francis Mauigoa, Miami
- Xavier Chaplin, Auburn
- Trevor Goosby, Texas
- Isaiah World, Oregon
- Jude Bowry, Boston College
Guards/centers
- Conner Lew, Auburn
- Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Edge rushers
- Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- T..J. Parker, Clemson
- Reuben Bain Jr., Miami
- Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
- LT Overton, Alabama
- David Bailey, Texas Tech
- R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
- Anto Saka, Northwestern
Defensive tackles
- Peter Woods, Clemson
- Caleb Banks, Florida
- Christen Miller, Georgia
- Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
Linebackers
- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
- C.J. Allen, Georgia
- Whit Weeks, LSU
- Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Cornerbacks
- Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
- Avieon Terrell, Clemson
- Will Lee II, Mississippi State
- A.J. Harris, Penn State
- Chandler Rivers, Duke
Safeties
- Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- Dillon Thieneman, Oregon