When I released my top 50 preseason big board in August, Arch Manning was QB1 (and No. 9 overall), Garrett Nussmeier was QB2 (No. 11 overall), and Fernando Mendoza, who had yet to win the Heisman or lead Indiana to a national title — feats that, in retrospect, hardly feel improbable — was 15th overall on my board.
Arch returned to school, Nuss battled injuries and probably wished he hadn’t returned to school after the 2024 season, and Mendoza is now the top player on my updated big board with the season and college all-star games behind us and the NFL Scouting Combine and pro days still to go.
(Note: Below, as you might expect, is my top 125 big board, from 1 to 125. Scroll to the bottom to see these players broken out by position.)
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
3. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
4. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
5. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
6. Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
7. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
8. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
9. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
10. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Seven defensive players find their way into the top 10, and it starts with Arvell Reese. He’ll draw comparisons to Abdul Carter and Micah Parsons because of his versatility. Carter was a better edge rusher coming out of college, and Parsons was a better off-ball linebacker. But if Reese had decided to return to Ohio State for 2026, a year from now, he might have turned out to be a better college player than both.
I know that we live in a world of hyperbole and “LOUDEST PERSON GETS HEARD NO MATTER WHAT THEY’RE SAYING,” but Caleb Downs is as close as we’ve gotten to Troy Polamalu in as long as I can remember. And if he ends up being, say, 65% of Polamalu at the next level, he’s still a top three player.
Meanwhile, David Bailey went from Day 2 projection after his 2024 season at Stanford to a top five talent because the flashes from summer scouting turned into weekly dominance at Texas Tech. Once a rotational spark plug, he became a full-time problem and was arguably the best player on the field in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Oregon.
We’ve talked for months about Rueben Bain Jr.’s short arms and less-than-ideal size for a prototypical NFL edge rusher, but one of the things that I like to repeat to myself when going through these exercises is don’t overthink it — because few things are more enjoyable than watching Bain work.
If you’re just grading the work, he’s one of the best players in this class. And in a world where Sam Darnold is the latest proof that fit matters, it’s up to the team that drafts Bain to put him in position to dominate because we know he’ll do it, no matter who lines up across from him.
Sonny Styles is another example of a player making enormous strides from 2024 to 2025. The former safety looked like, well, a safety when he was moved to linebacker, and I had questions about his instincts and vision. He made tremendous progress, and he’d be the best draft-eligible player on that Ohio State defense — and maybe entire roster — if not for teammates named Reese and Downs.
While the knock you may hear on Mansoor Delane is that he’s not as athletic as some other cornerbacks in this class, or previous CBs who were top 15 picks … I don’t care. First, he’s plenty athletic — athletic enough to dominate the SEC in his first year in the conference after transferring from Virginia Tech. Second, the scrap heap of former high-round picks is filled with guys who ran 4.35-second 40-yard dashes and couldn’t cover the water cooler, never mind come downhill and play the run like a strong safety.
Wilson’s 2026 NFL mock draft 6.0: Senior Bowl standouts Caleb Banks, Lee Hunter change Round 1 conversation
Ryan Wilson
11. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
12. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
13. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
14. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
15. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
16. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
17. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
18. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
19. Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
20. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
21. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
22. Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
23. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
24. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
25. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
You might be wondering why Jeremiyah Love is No. 11 on my board. A lot of that comes down to positional value, even as running back has regained some importance in recent years. For context, I had Ashton Jeanty at No. 10 last spring, and he ultimately went sixth overall. In 2023, Bijan Robinson went eighth and Jahmyr Gibbs went 12th.
Based on where I ranked those backs entering their drafts, the order would be Robinson, Gibbs, Jeanty and then Love. That’s not a knock — Love is a special talent and firmly in the top-10 conversation — but landing at No. 11, in that same range, feels reasonable.
Carnell Tate’s development has been fun to watch because what was once projection became production. In summer scouting, he looked like a high-end No. 2; in 2025, he played like the engine of that Ohio State offense. He wins with speed, strength and effortless hands, turning difficult catches into routine plays. The biggest leap was consistency, showing he can tilt coverage, punish defenders after the catch and carry an offense — not just complement one (and I say that fully realizing he had Jeremiah Smith on the other side of the formation).
Following a dominant 2024 season with a quieter-by-his-standards 2025, T.J. Parker understands how narratives can change when production does not meet expectations.
“Honestly, in 2024 I made a lot more plays that in 2025 a lot of other guys made,” Parker told me at the Senior Bowl. “That just comes with having great talent around you. Sometimes the ball just rolls that way.”
All he did was dominate three days of Senior Bowl practices and remind folks why he’s among the best pass rushers in this class. Some team could end up getting a late-Day 1 bargain if he’s still on the board.
What I learned from candid conversations with Taylen Green, T.J. Parker and others during Senior Bowl week
Ryan Wilson
26. Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
28. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
29. Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
30. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
31. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
32. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
33. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
34. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
35. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
36. Kendal Daniels, LB, Oklahoma
37. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
38. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
39. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
40. Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
41. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
42. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
43. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
44. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
45. R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
46. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
47. Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State
48. Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona
49. Beau Stephens, OG, Iowa
50. Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Kayden McDonald is one of the most reliable run defenders in the class. The limitation — for now, because he’s going to get a lot better — is pass-rush upside, which keeps him out of the top tier, but his floor is extremely high.
Monroe Freeling is a mix of reliability and upside at a premium position. He’s smooth and athletic and consistently finishes blocks, especially in the run game, and there will be plenty of top-40 buzz about him and Max Iheanachor (who was Arizona State’s right tackle and didn’t even start playing football until he got to junior college) over the next couple of months.
Jadarian Price is RB2 and, it turns out, Love’s running mate at Notre Dame. Remember when Bijan and Roschon Johnson were a backfield tandem at Texas? This is better than that (and I was higher on Johnson than others at the time). Price is a dependable, explosive runner who adds value as one of the best kick returners in this draft class (he had two kick returns for touchdowns last season).
Ted Hurst blends size, movement skills and play strength in a way that consistently shows up on tape. He’s one of the best contested-catch receivers in the class, and any concerns about the level of competition he faced at Georgia State were eliminated with a solid week of Senior Bowl practices.
As for Devin Moore, I’m just going to steal from my scouting report: “A long-limbed, physically imposing perimeter cornerback with elite tracking skills and the versatile athleticism to patrol both the boundary and centerfield. If he can stay healthy, he could be a draft-day steal.”
Anonymous NFL scout feedback: Players with rising stock coming out of Senior Bowl week
Matt Zenitz
51. Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State
52. Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
53. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
54. Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
55. Jeremiah Wright, OG, Auburn
56. Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech
57. Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
58. Keagen Trost, OT, Missouri
59. Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
60. Nick Barrett, DL, South Carolina
61. Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
62. Keyron Crawford, EDGE, Auburn
63. Fernando Carmona, OG, Arkansas
64. Pat Coogan, OC, Indiana
66. Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
67. Trey Zuhn III, OC, Texas A&M
68. Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
69. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
70. Gracen Halton, DL, Oklahoma
71. David Gusta, DL, Kentucky
72. Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
73. Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M
74. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
75. Devon Marshall, CB, NC State
I’m not as high on Lee Hunter as others (and that’s OK!), but I do like his game, which is rooted in power, effort and disruption. He’s tough to move, plays with heavy hands and consistently impacts the run game. He’s also older (he’ll be 24 this summer), which could affect how high he’s drafted.
Pat Coogan is incredibly fun to watch. He consistently finishes blocks, is comfortable in space and leads with purpose. And I know that because that’s what his Indiana teammate, Kaelon Black, told me at the Senior Bowl:
“Man, I love Pat Coogan,” he said. “He’s a warrior. He’s relentless. His pregame and halftime speeches — you feel it in your chest. You just feel like it’s time to go.”
Senior Bowl 2026 practice standouts: Top performers at every position in NFL Draft showcase
Dave Richard
76. VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
77. Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
78. Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
79. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
80. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
81. Jalen McMurray, S, Tennessee
82. Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
83. Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU
84. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
85. Chris McClellan, DL, Missouri
86. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
87. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
88. Rayshaun Benny, DL, Michigan
89. Christen Miller, DL, Georgia
90. Sam Hecht, OC, Kansas State
91. Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
92. Keionte Scott, S, Miami
93. Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
94. Kage Casey, OT, Boise State
95. Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
96. Deven Eastern, DL, Minnesota
97. Anez Cooper, OG, Miami
98. Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
99. Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
100. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Three years from now, Jacob Rodriguez could end up being one of the best players in this class. He’s a plus athlete, just not in the same rarified air as Reese or Styles, and Day 2 is typically where you find value at off-ball linebacker. That said, Rodriguez is as instinctive as any player — at any position — consistently around the football, and all he does is make plays.
Kyle Louis, the Pitt linebacker-safety hybrid, embraces the label of a high-energy defender who can do a little bit of everything.
“That’s exactly what my game is,” Louis told me at the Senior Bowl. “I feel most comfortable in the slot because that’s where most of my snaps were. I feel like I’m great when it comes to space.”
He’s as good a “tweener” in space as you’ll find in the class. He’s a thumper coming downhill, too, even if he’s just 220 pounds.
101. Jake Slaughter, OC, Florida
102. Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
103. Xavian Sorey Jr., LB, Arkansas
104. Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor
105. Carson Beck, QB, Miami
106. Connor Lew, OC, Auburn
107. Gennings Dunker, OG, Iowa
108. Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor
109. Logan Jones, OC, Iowa
110. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC
111. Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
112. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
113. Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
114. Terrance Carter Jr., TE, Texas Tech
115. J’Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia
116. Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan
118. Austin Barber, OT, Florida
119. Emmanuel Henderson Jr., WR, Kansas
120. Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
121. Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama
122. Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
123. LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama
124. Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
125. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
It’s here, in slots 100-125, that you’ll finally come across QB3 and QB4. I’m higher on Sawyer Robertson than others — in part because when he’s in rhythm, he can light up a defense (though he has to minimize the turnovers) and in part because I think he can get a lot better.
I spoke with him at the Senior Bowl about whether he had “top-end arm strength” (I wasn’t sure that he did, based solely on seeing him on tape), and here was his response:
“I think I have a strong arm. I’m definitely confident in my arm and my ability to throw. But you’ve got to know the situations to use it. Sometimes you can get a little arm-arrogant and force balls into tight windows. That’s when it can get hairy.”
Robertson is a great processor — before and after the snap — and can have success at the next level in the right system.
I give Carson Beck a lot of credit for the way he played after transferring to Miami. I know he soured some folks with his 2024 season at Georgia, but I’ll just go ahead and let you know now — a lot of NFL teams will have Day 2 grades on him when it’s all said and done, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go in Round 2.
And for all the knocks against him as a team leader at Georgia, his center at Miami, James Brockermeyer, couldn’t speak highly enough about what Beck brought to the locker room.
“Carson was awesome. I loved playing with Carson,” Brockermeyer told me at the Senior Bowl. “He’s one of my close friends. … He’s a very intelligent quarterback. He understands protections at a really high level. He understands IDs in the run game, understands how to check out of certain looks. … I think he’s going to be a stud at the next level.”
Finally, keep an eye on Nadame Tucker, the edge rusher out of Western Michigan. JP Acosta couldn’t talk him up enough during our Senior Bowl recap. NFL teams have taken notice beyond his standout 2025 season (he transferred from Houston, where he struggled for playing time). Tucker is just scratching the surface because, although he’ll be 26 years old as a rookie, he hasn’t played a lot of ball — he didn’t step on a field until his senior season of high school — and he might already have the best inside-counter pass-rush move of anyone in this draft class. Just something to monitor as we work our way to the draft.
Here’s the top 125, broken down by rank and position:
OffenseQBRBTEWROTOGOC1. Fernando Mendoza11. Jeremiyah Love31. Kenyon Sadiq13. Carnell Tate5. Francis Mauigoa19. Olaivavega Ioane64. Pat Coogan33. Ty Simpson38. Jadarian Price112. Eli Stowers16. Makai Lemon10. Spencer Fano22. Emmanuel Pregnon67. Trey Zuhn III104. Sawyer Robertson42. Jonah Coleman114. Terrance Carter Jr.21. Denzel Boston12. Caleb Lomu49. Beau Stephens90. Sam Hecht105. Carson Beck66. Emmett Johnson124. Joe Royer24. Jordyn Tyson18. Kadyn Proctor55. Jeremiah Wright101. Jake Slaughter
115. J’Mari Taylor
28. KC Concepcion32. Monroe Freeling63. Fernando Carmona106. Connor Lew
122. Mike Washington Jr.
40. Chris Brazzell II34. Max Iheanachor97. Anez Cooper109. Logan Jones
43. Omar Cooper Jr.35. Blake Miller102. Keylan Rutledge
46. Ted Hurst 58. Keagen Trost107. Gennings Dunker
72. Antonio Williams69. Caleb Tiernan
77. Malachi Fields73. Dametrious Crownover
83. Jordan Hudson91. Jude Bowry
87. Elijah Sarratt94. Kage Casey
100. Germie Bernard118. Austin Barber
108. Josh Cameron
111. Brenen Thompson
119. Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
DefenseEDGEDLLBCBS2. Arvell Reese6. Peter Woods8. Sonny Styles9. Mansoor Delane3. Caleb Downs4. David Bailey15. Caleb Banks27. CJ Allen14. Jermod McCoy37. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren7. Rueben Bain Jr.26. Kayden McDonald36. Kendal Daniels20. Brandon Cisse44. AJ Haulcy17. Keldric Faulk47. Darrell Jackson Jr.80. Jacob Rodriguez23. Colton Hood76. VJ Payne25. T.J. Parker51. Domonique Orange82. Deontae Lawson29. Julian Neal81. Jalen McMurray39. Akheem Mesidor56. Lee Hunter86. Anthony Hill Jr.30. Avieon Terrell84. Zakee Wheatley41. Cashius Howell60. Nick Barrett95. Taurean York48. Treydan Stukes92. Keionte Scott45. R Mason Thomas70. Gracen Halton98. Jaishawn Barham50. Devin Moore93. Genesis Smith59. Malachi Lawrence71. David Gusta99. Kyle Louis52. Malik Muhammad110. Bishop Fitzgerald62. Keyron Crawford85. Chris McClellan103. Xavian Sorey53. Chris Johnson113. Jalon Kilgore116. Nadame Tucker88. Rayshaun Benny121. Justin Jefferson54. Ephesians Prysock117. Bud Clark120. Gabe Jacas89. Christen Miller
57. Davison Igbinosun
123. LT Overton96. Deven Eastern
61. Hezekiah Masses
65. TJ Hall
68. Tacario Davis
74. D’Angelo Ponds
75. Devon Marshall
78. Will Lee III
79. Chandler Rivers
125. Keith Abney II