In the NFL Draft, outliers come in all forms, shapes, sizes and position groups. Some are looked upon with a raised eyebrow; others get viewed as potential franchise cornerstones.<\/p>\n
The 2026 NFL Draft<\/a> is littered with outliers, from the short-armed pass-rushing prowess of Rueben Bain Jr., to players such as Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs \u2014 blue-chip prospects who will surely go higher than the positional value chart says they should.<\/p>\n The tallest prospect in the 2026 class is UCF tackle Paul Rubelt at nearly 6 feet 11 inches. The shortest prospect? Berry College RB Josh Rogers (5-4). The heaviest is Minnesota tackle Aluma Nkele, who checks in at 6-6, 424 pounds; the lightest: 5-foot-5, 128-pound Troy receiver Tray Taylor.<\/p>\n But how about the most intriguing outliers? Here are a few of my favorites in 2026:<\/p>\n Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State<\/p>\n 6 feet 5 inches tall, 244 pounds | 32 7\/8-inch arm length | 10-inch hand size<\/p>\n Key testing numbers: 4.46-second 40-yard dash (1.56 10-yard split), 43 1\/2-inch vertical, 11-foot-2 broad, 4.26 short shuttle, 7.09 three-cone<\/p>\n The ultimate physical outlier in this class, Styles is the type of prospect who \u2014 if everything goes right \u2014 has the athletic potential to redefine a position. Styles could wear a limitless number of hats defensively, and his combine performance was among the best we\u2019ve ever seen. (Styles also was the rare projected top-10 prospect who wasn\u2019t afraid to participate in every on-field test in Indianapolis). Per Dane Brugler\u2019s \u201cThe Beast\u201d<\/a> draft guide, one team even gave him a standing ovation when he arrived at a meeting that week.<\/p>\n Everything about Styles is rare, including the fact he\u2019s a 21-year-old who played four full years of college after skipping his senior year of high school. We could honestly put both Downs and fellow Buckeye Arvell Reese on this list, too, as both are incredibly unique prospects in their own rights.<\/p>\n Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon<\/p>\n 6-3, 244 | 31 1\/2-inch arm | 10-inch hand<\/p>\n Key testing numbers: 4.39 40 (1.54 split), 43 1\/2-inch vertical, 11-1 broad<\/p>\n A 6-foot-3, 244-pound tight end with a rocked-up frame and almost zero body fat, Sadiq is a complete mutant (who just turned 21 last month). Like Styles, he has a chance to help redefine the prototype for his position.<\/p>\n In addition to being a true Y tight end capable of lining up anywhere, Sadiq can also play the X or the Z, in addition to working as a big slot. His route agility and work after the catch are on par with players 40 pounds lighter. Sadiq ranks No. 16 on Brugler\u2019s final big board<\/a>; he\u2019s No. 9 on mine<\/a>.<\/p>\n Markel Bell, OT, Miami<\/p>\n 6-9, 346 | 36 3\/8-inch arm | 9-inch hand<\/p>\n Key testing numbers: 5.36 40 (1.84 split)<\/p>\n Bell will be one of the biggest humans in the NFL as soon as he arrives \u2014 his pre-draft measurements rank in the 99th percentile among tackles in height, 97th in wingspan (87 1\/8 inches) and 96th in weight. His height and weight are obvious outliers, but it is Bell\u2019s length \u2014 and his ability to harness it \u2014 that makes him a legit draft prospect. Bell is the only player in this class who might take up more space in an elevator than hulking Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor.<\/p>\n Bell is pretty stiff at that size and will bend at the waist from time to time, but he\u2019s also quicker than you\u2019d think and does a great job keeping his upper half under control against quicker edge rushers. If he can keep his weight south of 360, Bell might surprise NFL teams with his durability as a functional starting right tackle. I\u2019d be a bit surprised if he makes it to Day 3 of the draft.<\/p>\n Travis Burke, OT, Memphis<\/p>\n 6-8, 325 | 34 1\/4-inch arm | 10 1\/8-inch hand<\/p>\n Key testing numbers: 5.17 40 (1.79 split), 27-inch vertical, 8-11 broad<\/p>\n Another gigantic tackle, Burke is one of 11 tackle prospects for the 2026 draft who stands 6-8 or taller. He\u2019s a versatile tackle with starting experience on both ends of the line and above-average movement skills for a man his size. He\u2019s also quick enough to block in a zone scheme and powerful enough to make an impact on gap runs. Burke plays through the echo of the whistle, too, and is unafraid to finish through the ground.<\/p>\n The usual concerns for a man this size apply here \u2014 we\u2019ve seen players of similar builds have issues with nagging joint and\/or foot injuries over the years. But if Burke can stay healthy, he\u2019ll be a potential long-term starter who, at worst, can serve as a quality NFL swing tackle for a while.<\/p>\n Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State<\/p>\n 6-3, 204 | 32 1\/8-inch arm | 9 1\/4-inch hand<\/p>\n Key testing numbers: 4.34 40 (1.49 split), 41 1\/2-inch vertical, 11-1 broad, 4.15 short shuttle, 7.0 three-cone<\/p>\n The younger brother of NFL quarterback Trey Lance, Bryce shares many of the elite athletic traits that made his brother a top-five pick. Bryce Lance\u2019s combination of speed, burst and agility at his size helps make him one of this draft\u2019s best overall deep threats.<\/p>\n Lance made 24 contested catches over the last two seasons at NDSU, going for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back years with a combined 25 touchdowns. His athletic profile is similar to that of former NDSU and current Packers WR Christian Watson \u2014 only Lance was more productive and consistent at the college level.<\/p>\n Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin<\/p>\n 6-1, 193 |\u00a0 32-inch arm | 10 1-8-inch hand<\/p>\n Key testing numbers: 4.41 40 (1.55 split), 42-inch vertical, 11-0 broad, 4.25 short shuttle, 7.28 three-cone<\/p>\n