A preseason top-50 board is an optimistic exercise, one framed through an idealistic lens in which each prospect lives up to their talent profile. Some players match the hype, some exceed expectations and plenty fall short.
As part of my post-draft wrap-up, I like to revisit my initial draft board from August to take a transparent look at the trajectory of prospects and better understand what went right or wrong.
The list below follows the initial top-50 ranking, plus notes where each prospect landed on my final top-300 board and their ultimate draft outcome (for those that turned pro):
Final ranking: No. 35
Where he was drafted: No. 29 (Kansas City Chiefs)
This didn’t age well.
Based on exciting flashes in his 2024 season, Woods was trending toward becoming a top-five pick, which was my opinion and shared by many around the NFL. Unfortunately, Woods not only fell short of those expectations in 2025, but he also appeared to regress. That he still ended up a first-round pick speaks to his raw talent and potential, even if it is still unrealized at this point.
2. Arch Manning, QB, TexasFinal ranking: N/A (returned to school)
This was an aggressive starting spot for a quarterback who hadn’t yet become a full-time starter. Despite a rocky start in 2025, Manning showed gradual improvement and played his best ball over the final month of the season (11 total touchdowns and zero turnovers in the final three games).
Had he declared for the 2026 draft, Manning would have competed with Fernando Mendoza to be the No. 1 pick. Instead, he returned to Austin, where he will enter the season as the 2027 NFL Draft’s expected top pick.
Final ranking: No. 19
Where he was drafted: No. 12 (Miami Dolphins)
With rare explosiveness for a 350-plus-pounder, Proctor would have been in the conversation to be the first non-quarterback drafted had teams felt better about his consistency. Despite Proctor’s 2025 season not always matching his talent, most teams still considered him a top-20 pick because of his exceptional physical traits.
Final ranking: No. 5
Where he was drafted: No. 11 (Dallas Cowboys)
Downs was a top-five talent in the class, from start to finish. Although it was always a long shot that he would be drafted that early because of his position, I feel comfortable that Downs will live up to his ranking when we look back at this class.
Final ranking: No. 15
Where he was drafted: No. 31 (Tennessee Titans)
Like Woods and Proctor, Faulk teased immense talent that earned him sky-high grades from NFL teams last summer. However, his final evaluation relied far too much on traits and upside, rather than consistent tape and on-field production.
Also like Woods and Proctor, though, Faulk’s ability was too great to push him out of Round 1.
Final ranking: No. 2
Where he was drafted: No. 3 (Arizona Cardinals)
Love made evaluating the entire process the easiest. It took about five plays last summer to understand he was going to be one of the best draft-eligible players in college football, and he never gave evaluators any reason to question that.
7. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South CarolinaFinal ranking: N/A (returned to school)
Sellers makes for a talented yet complicated evaluation, and this high ranking reflects an optimistic view. He was on track to be a top-10 draft pick based on his 2024 season, but his 2025 season produced mixed results. His uneven supporting cast has complicated the evaluation even further, and NFL scouts are worried it will be more of the same this season.
Final ranking: No. 8
Where he was drafted: No. 9 (Cleveland Browns)
Fano started No. 8 in my rankings, finished No. 8 and was drafted No. 9. He was the best offensive line prospect throughout both the 2025 season and the draft process. Fans and media were too caught up with his arm length after the combine (remember how many mocks put Monroe Freeling at No. 6?). Still, NFL teams were buzzing about how Fano separated himself in Indianapolis.
Final ranking: No. 31
Where he was drafted: No. 35 (Buffalo Bills)
Parker never boasted the difference-making traits you ideally target for a pass rusher in the top 10. However, with 19 1/2 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2024, his disruption earned him this high spot going into last season. Parker’s impact returned to earth during the 2025 season, which knocked him out of the first round. However, he’s still a quality player.
Final ranking: No. 81
Where he was drafted: No. 249 (Kansas City Chiefs)
What a strange path for Nussmeier. He started building buzz during the 2024 season as a future NFL starter, and several teams gave him first-round grades last summer. He was the highest-graded senior by BLESTO scouting service. However, an injury that never properly healed sidetracked his 2025 season, affecting his productivity and development.
Finally healthy again, Nussmeier was the best quarterback at the Senior Bowl. However, according to multiple team sources, his predraft interviews were less than stellar. Still, considering how many fans he had around the league a year ago, it was shocking to see him free-fall on draft weekend.
Final ranking: No. 14
Where he was drafted: No. 101 (Las Vegas Raiders)
McCoy was a potential top-10 pick in 2024, but an offseason knee injury clouded (and continues to cloud) his football future. When I put together my preseason top 50, Tennessee was hopeful that McCoy would return to the field by midseason, but that never happened.
Now, the Raiders are crossing their fingers that McCoy can get on the field and stay there, despite long-term concerns about his knee.
Final ranking: No. 20
Where he was drafted: No. 8 (New Orleans Saints)
Tyson entered the season as the clear WR1 and was a top-12 prospect in all my rankings until the end, when I dropped him a little bit because of durability concerns. But teams were much more optimistic about his injury outlook.
Had the Saints not selected him at No. 8, the Browns and Giants both might have been ready for Tyson at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively, depending on how the offensive line options played out.
13. Xavier Chaplin, OT, Auburn (transferred to Florida State)Final ranking: N/A (returned to school)
While talking with a scout last summer, he told me his team had given Chaplin a preliminary first-round grade. And after watching Chaplin against Virginia Tech, I could see the path, because of his size and ability. However, Chaplin was up and down in 2025 after transferring to Auburn, and he made the smart choice by returning to college for further development.
Final ranking: No. 11
Where he was drafted: No. 10 (New York Giants)
While watching his 2024 clips, it didn’t take a trained eye to see Mauigoa had an NFL future. He continued to play at a high level throughout the 2025 season and cemented himself as a prospect who belonged in the top half of Round 1. As with Fano, his trajectory played out exactly as expected.
Final ranking: No. 25
Where he was drafted: No. 28 (New England Patriots)
Given his footwork and body control, Lomu entered the season with high expectations. His athletic traits lived up to the hype, although his lack of play strength remained an issue, knocking him down the board a tad. Regardless, Lomu was too talented to fall out of the first round.
Final ranking: No. 27
Where he was drafted: No. 48 (Atlanta Falcons)
Running in the mid-4.6-second range in the 40-yard dash is not what you want. However, even with that performance, Terrell was too good a player to fall as far as he did in the draft. On the plus side, he landed in Atlanta with his brother, A.J — a pick that gave us one of the best moments of draft weekend.
Final ranking: No. 16
Where he was drafted: No. 16 (New York Jets)
I was consistent with my Sadiq evaluation throughout the process. Even before he became a full-time starter for the Ducks, his athletic traits popped during the 2024 season. I went out on a limb a tad by putting him this high last preseason, but Sadiq lived up to expectations.
18. Matayo Uiagalelei, edge, OregonFinal ranking: N/A (returned to school)
Uiagalelei played well in 2025 (52 pressures) but wasn’t a slam-dunk top-32 pick. He returned to Eugene for his senior season to convince NFL teams he belongs in the first round.
Final ranking: No. 52
Where he was drafted: No. 18 (Minnesota Vikings)
Before the draft, I asked an NFL scout for a draft range on Banks. His answer was “15 to 100,” which summed up the high-risk, high-reward nature of Banks’ evaluation. My preseason ranking was based on his exciting raw traits, while his final ranking highlighted the concerns about his injury history.
The Vikings were willing to roll the dice on the best-case outcome.
Final ranking: No. 3
Where he was drafted: No. 1 (Las Vegas Raiders)
Based solely on his game versus Cal, I was comfortable calling Mendoza a future NFL starter and a player deserving of the first round. But the No. 1 pick? I wasn’t ready to go that far last summer. However, that changed in the 2025 season, given Mendoza’s play.
From my first mock draft around Thanksgiving to the final projections on draft day, Mendoza was the clear pick at No. 1.
Final ranking: No. 102
Where he was drafted: No. 128 (Cincinnati Bengals)
With his athleticism, Lew drew plenty of early buzz from NFL teams last summer. However, he got off to a rocky start in 2025 and then suffered a torn ACL, which prevented him from getting back on track before the draft. Lew had a discount sticker on his draft tag, and the Bengals found excellent value in the fourth round.
22. CJ Allen, LB, GeorgiaFinal ranking: No. 46
Where he was drafted: No. 53 (Indianapolis Colts)
Did Allen take a major jump in 2025? Probably not, which is why he ended up as more of a mid-second-rounder than a late first-rounder. But his 2025 season reinforced his projection as a reliable NFL starter, with the talent on and off the field to be a stabilizing force.
For a team without a top-50 pick, the Colts did very well.
Final ranking: No. 124
Where he was drafted: No. 137 (Dallas Cowboys)
Overton finished more than 100 spots lower than he started because the same questions we were asking about him over the summer persisted throughout the entire process. Though he is a long, balanced mover for a 275-pound athlete, Overton is a good example of a prospect with appealing individual traits that don’t add up to an impactful player. He was worth the gamble on Day 3 of the draft.
Final ranking: No. 4
Where he was drafted: No. 7 (Washington Commanders)
Over the summer, Styles looked like an enticing size-speed athlete but had only one year of linebacker experience (and it showed in 2024). However, he took a substantial jump from his junior to his senior year, which — along with his rare traits and intangibles — vaulted him into the top 10.
Final ranking: No. 47
Where he was drafted: No. 94 (Miami Dolphins)
Bell’s spot this high in my preseason rankings reflected the rare acceleration he has for a pass catcher of his size, with hopes that he would continue to polish his routes and improve his consistency. He made positive strides throughout 2025, although he is still more of an idea than a fully formed player.
A late-season ACL tear put his draft projection in limbo, but it was still surprising to see Bell fall near the bottom of the top 100.
Final ranking: No. 176
Where he was drafted: No. 112 (Dallas Cowboys)
With his movement skills and upside, Shelton was poised to be a riser throughout the 2025 season. However, his lack of functional strength did not improve, and questions about his toughness lingered, causing him to stumble in the rankings.
Final ranking: No. 106
Where he was drafted: No. 76 (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Allar entered the 2025 season with a chance to compete for the first round, but an inconsistent September and midseason ankle injury forced him out of the top 50. There are plenty of “what could have been” questions about Allar’s draft trajectory.
Final ranking: No. 199
Where he was drafted: undrafted (Los Angeles Chargers)
After drawing NFL eyes at Nevada, World received a lucrative NIL package to play his final year at Oregon. He was poised for a breakout season for the Ducks, but it didn’t materialize. An ACL injury suffered during the College Football Playoff sealed his draft fate.
Final ranking: No. 7
Where he was drafted: No. 2 (New York Jets)
Bailey wasn’t even a full-time player in 2024 at Stanford, but his pass-rush reps were so enticing that he earned a high spot in my early rankings. I wasn’t quite as bullish as others in my final rankings, but it’s safe to say Bailey more than lived up to the flashes he teased.
Final ranking: No. 202
Where he was drafted: No. 110 (New York Jets)
I never understood the top-10 talk surrounding Klubnik last summer, let alone his candidacy for the No. 1 pick. Had everything gone right in 2025, though, the second round would have been possible. However, not much consistently worked for the Clemson offense throughout Klubnik’s final season. It was a surprise that he went as early as he did on Day 3.
Final ranking: No. 10
Where he was drafted: No. 4 (Tennessee Titans)
Although he was overshadowed in 2024 by Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, Tate is a former five-star recruit who was considered “next up” in Ohio State’s rich wide receiver pipeline. Tate exceeded expectations in 2025, becoming a top-five pick (and the first Buckeyes player drafted).
32. DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado (transferred to Notre Dame)Final ranking: N/A (returned to school)
After a promising 2024 season opposite Travis Hunter, McKinney began to receive second-round grades from pro scouts. However, his 2025 season, which included late-season injuries, wasn’t nearly as consistent. McKinney will look to revive his NFL projection.
Final ranking: No. 50
Where he was drafted: No. 60 (Tennessee Titans)
Despite the early buzz, Hill was never in the first-round conversation among NFL teams. However, given his athleticism, it was clear he would be a Day 2 target.
Final ranking: No. 43
Where he was drafted: No. 42 (New Orleans Saints)
Miller was the classic “not a difference-maker, but everybody likes him” type of prospect, from start to finish. The top half of Round 2 was always his projected landing spot.
35. Whit Weeks, LB, LSUFinal ranking: N/A (returned to school)
Weeks was considered a potential Day 2 pick during the 2025 season, but he missed a month because of injury and decided to return for his senior year.
Final ranking: No. 13
Where he was drafted: No. 20 (Philadelphia Eagles)
Despite lacking high-level size or speed, Lemon was already on the NFL radar over the summer as a potential top-40 pick. His Biletnikoff-winning junior campaign catapulted him into the top 20.
37. Max Klare, TE, Ohio StateFinal ranking: No. 66
Where he was drafted: No. 61 (Los Angeles Rams)
Before suiting up for the Buckeyes, Klare was a dynamic weapon at Purdue in 2024 and started last season as a worthy TE2 candidate behind Sadiq. He was more of a role player than a needle-mover for Ohio State, but his talent put him squarely in the Day 2 mix.
38. Trevor Goosby, OT, TexasFinal Ranking: N/A (returned to school)
Similar to his quarterback (Manning), Goosby didn’t quite live up to his immense potential early in the 2025 season. However, he continued to stack strong performances and looked like a first-round pick by the end of the season. Instead, Goosby returned to Austin. He will have a chance to be a top-10 pick in April.
Final ranking: No. 9
Where he was drafted: No. 15 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Bain put himself on the NFL radar as a true freshman, but he was very inconsistent in his sophomore season, which is why he started the 2025 season with a second-round projection. However, Bain quickly announced himself as a first-round prospect last season despite questions about his size.
Final ranking: No. 118
Where he was drafted: No. 141 (Houston Texans)
Ramsey was one of the top coverage safeties in 2024. His performance in 2025 after he moved to the nickel was mixed, though, which dropped his projection into Day 3.
Final ranking: No. 33
Where he was drafted: No. 21 (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Iheanachor was considered a Senior Bowl/pre-draft riser, but he started the season relatively high in the rankings, especially considering his inexperience. The raw talent is enticing and ultimately made him a top-25 pick.
Final ranking: No. 37
Where he was drafted: No. 45 (Baltimore Ravens)
From start to finish, Young hovered in the early-to-mid-second-round range in my rankings. He is a good example of “what you see is what you get,” which isn’t meant to be a criticism. The Ravens landed a violent and consistent player on the defensive line.
Final ranking: No. 172
Where he was drafted: No. 129 (Carolina Panthers)
At 6 foot 1 with 32 3/4-inch arms, Lee stands out with the size to take away passing windows. However, I was expecting better consistency from him in 2025, which is why he dropped.
Final Ranking: No. 44
Where he was drafted: No. 40 (Kansas City Chiefs)
Thomas finished exactly where he started and was drafted very close to that ranking. His lack of size was always going to make the first round a tall order, but NFL teams felt great about his value in Round 2.
45. AJ Harris, CB, Penn State (transferred to Indiana)Final ranking: N/A (returned to school)
As was the case with several Penn State prospects, the 2025 season did not go as planned for Harris, and he wisely returned to school for his senior year. However, he entered the portal and will be looking to revive his draft stock at Indiana.
46. Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State (transferred to LSU)Final ranking: N/A (returned to school)
With his mobility and “gamer” qualities, Leavitt put plenty of promising things on his 2024 video. However, his accuracy remained inconsistent in 2025, and then injuries prematurely ended his season.
Leavitt transferred to LSU for the 2026 season, so scouts will quickly learn how seriously to take him as a potential early-round prospect.
47. Kenyatta Jackson, edge, Ohio StateFinal ranking: N/A (returned to school)
Jackson likely would have been drafted in the top 50 had he declared, but he opted to return to Columbus for his senior year. The Buckeyes’ defense will look very different in 2026, and it will be imperative for Jackson to establish a veteran presence.
48. Jude Bowry, OT, Boston CollegeFinal ranking: No. 142
Where he was drafted: No. 102 (Buffalo Bills)
Bowry has always had the tools, but can he take the next step and use his talent more cohesively? That was the key question, which felt unanswered, while studying his 2025 tape and Senior Bowl practices. It is understandable why the Bills rolled the dice on his talent on Day 3, though.
49. Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Auburn (transferred to Florida)Final ranking: N/A (returned to school)
With 4.3 speed, Singleton was one of the top NIL earners among receivers last season, even if his production (534 receiving yards, three touchdowns) was underwhelming. He transferred to Florida, where he will be part of one of the deepest receiver depth charts in the country.
50. Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida StateFinal ranking: No. 125
Where he was drafted: No. 103 (New York Jets)
Jackson has the size and talent that need to be cultivated. Concerns about him ever taking that next step dropped him into Day 3. Still, it is hard to find players with his toolbox.