- Caleb Downs on the prime: The Ohio State security is the highest prospect on this way-too-early 2026 NFL Draft huge board.
- Arch Manning QB1: Despite solely beginning two video games, the Texas signal-caller is the highest quarterback prospect in subsequent yr’s class.
- Get a head begin on the 2026 class: Try PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and find out about 2026’s prime prospects whereas buying and selling and drafting on your favourite NFL group.
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The 2025 NFL Draft might have simply concluded, however that doesn’t imply it’s too early to sit up for subsequent yr. Here’s a way-too-early take a look at the top-25 prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft.
1. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Downs, who transferred from Alabama final offseason, has been probably the most helpful security in faculty soccer over the previous two seasons, in line with PFF’s Wins Above Average (WAA) metric. His 91.7 total PFF grade in that span is second amongst all FBS safeties, whereas his 91.2 PFF protection grade is third. Downs can also be a unbelievable run defender, main all gamers on this record with 35 run-defense stops and an 88.5 PFF run-defense grade since 2023.
Downs is an extremely versatile participant who can thrive at free security, slot nook or within the field. Not to say, he’s additionally a dynamic punt returner.
2. ED T.J. Parker, Clemson
Parker’s 12 sacks in 2024 led all returning Power Five edge rushers, and he’s one in every of three in that very same group who posted 80.0-plus PFF grades as each a cross rusher and a run defender.
Parker has a devastating bull rush due to his energy at 6-foot-3, 265 kilos. He has all of the makings of a top-10 choice subsequent April if he can put collectively a equally sturdy junior yr.
3. DI Peter Woods, Clemson
Between Parker and Woods, Clemson initiatives to have two top-five picks alongside its defensive position subsequent yr. The latter spent nearly all of his sophomore yr enjoying out of place at edge defender and nonetheless earned an 83.3 total PFF grade on the season. Over his first two seasons of faculty soccer, he’s each the highest-graded and most beneficial returning Power Four defensive deal with, in line with PFF’s wins above common metric.
Woods leads that very same group with an 89.7 PFF run-defense grade and 14.9% pass-rush win charge since 2023. His energy and agility at 6-foot-3, 315 kilos make him a nightmare for any offensive lineman.
4. QB Arch Manning, Texas
Manning’s placement on this record was probably the most tough to find out. Even although he’s solely began two video games in his profession towards dangerous competitors (Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State), the rising redshirt sophomore remains to be the betting favourite to take dwelling the Heisman Trophy (+700 on DraftKings Sportsbook).
His 88.1 total PFF grade was thirteenth amongst FBS quarterbacks who performed at the very least 200 snaps, and Manning was sixteenth in each big-time throw charge (6.4%) and turnover-worthy play charge (1.9%) as effectively. Manning is a significantly better athlete than both of his legendary uncles, Peyton and Eli, speeding for 4 touchdowns on simply 21 makes an attempt final yr, together with a 67-yarder.
5. QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
There may not have been a extra improved quarterback in faculty soccer than Klubnik this previous season. After putting 102nd amongst FBS signal-callers in 2023 with a 63.9 PFF passing grade, he was fifth in 2024 with an 87.7 mark. Only Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders threw extra touchdowns than the junior (36), and people two have been thought to be two of the perfect quarterbacks within the 2025 NFL Draft. Klubnik was additionally fifth amongst all quarterbacks in America with 28 big-time throws.
The former prime quarterback recruit within the 2022 highschool class is lastly beginning to stay as much as the hype and has the potential to take a loaded Clemson roster to the promised land as a senior.
6. OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Proctor was tasked with defending Jalen Milroe’s blindside in every of his first two seasons. While he took his lumps as a real freshman in 2023, the previous five-star recruit confirmed critical enchancment down the stretch of the season, which carried over into his sophomore marketing campaign.
Since Week 8 of 2023, Proctor has earned a 76.5 total PFF grade, which is eighth amongst SEC tackles. Some of his greatest performances have come towards some elite defensive traces as effectively. Across three video games towards Georgia and South Carolina, the Iowa native recorded a 90.4 PFF pass-blocking grade with just one stress allowed on 96 pass-blocking snaps.
Proctor is a dancing bear at 6-foot-7, 369 kilos with preposterous athleticism at that monstrous measurement. If he can play at a extra constant stage, he has the upside of being a top-10 choose within the 2026 NFL Draft.
7. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish’s elite run sport and stellar protection led all of them the best way to the National Championship Game this previous season, and the previous ought to nonetheless be current in 2025 due to the return of Love.
The sophomore was the second-most-valuable again within the nation, in line with PFF’s wins above common metric, whereas his 91.0 total PFF grade was fifth. Love’s 38% compelled missed deal with charge additionally ranked second amongst Power Four operating backs this previous season, whereas his 6.9 yards per carry sat third. His unbelievable athleticism permits him to run by or hurdle defenders, making him a menace to attain from anyplace on the sector.
8. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
The present favourite to be the highest nook chosen within the 2026 NFL Draft, McCoy was a lockdown participant for the Volunteers after transferring in from Oregon State. His 89.6 PFF protection grade in 2024 is second amongst returning Power Four corners, whereas his 4 interceptions have been tied for second in that very same group.
McCoy possesses distinctive ball abilities and phenomenal motion capability, scoring a near-perfect 99.9 in PFF’s Game Athleticism Score metric.
9. OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
Mauigoa has been beginning at proper deal with for the Hurricanes since his true freshman season. The former five-star recruit confirmed marked enchancment as a cross blocker throughout his sophomore marketing campaign, permitting simply two mixed sacks/hits on 534 pass-blocking snaps. He was the one FBS deal with with two or fewer knockdowns allowed on 500-plus pass-blocking snaps.
Mauigoa’s 71.4 PFF run-blocking grade since 2023 can also be tied for fourth amongst ACC tackles. There’s nonetheless some total refinement wanted in his sport, however he’s one of many favorites to be OT1 within the 2026 NFL Draft.
10. OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Fano led all FBS tackles with a 93.0 total PFF grade this previous season. That’s primarily as a consequence of his dominance within the run sport, because the Utah native’s 93.6 PFF run-blocking grade was the perfect within the nation by over three factors. He additionally completed because the second-most-valuable Power Four deal with in line with PFF’s wins above common metric, trailing solely top-10 choose Kelvin Banks Jr.
Fano is not any slouch as a cross protector both, incomes a top-30 PFF pass-blocking grade amongst Power Four tackles (79.5). While some size issues might push him inside to protect within the NFL, he’s nonetheless an elite athlete with dominant tape as only a true sophomore.
11. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
The youthful brother of present Atlanta Falcons nook A.J. Terrell, Avieon is projected to observe in his brother’s footsteps from Clemson to the primary spherical of the NFL Draft. The youthful Terrell is a significantly better run defender than his brother, putting fourth amongst all cornerbacks with a 90.7 PFF run-defense grade this previous season, and his three compelled fumbles tied for second. Terrell remains to be glorious in protection as effectively, main all Power Four corners with 14 compelled incompletions in 2024.
While not the largest at simply 5-foot-11, 180 kilos, Terrell performs with excellent physicality for the place and has the velocity to stay with receivers in man protection.
12. ED Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
A calf harm saved Bain from taking a big soar in his sophomore yr like many have been anticipating, however he nonetheless deserves a spot towards the highest of this record for a way good he’s been over his first couple of seasons.
Bain’s 73 pressures since 2023 stand third amongst returning Power Four edge defenders, whereas his 16.9% pass-rush win charge is fourth. His 82.7 run-defense grade this previous season can also be fourth in that very same group. Bain can line up anyplace on the defensive position at 6-foot-3, 275 kilos and may remind many why he’s a first-round caliber expertise now that he’s totally wholesome.
13. LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Hill entered faculty as a five-star recruit and instantly lived as much as the hype, beginning instantly as a real freshman. He’s consistently across the soccer, whether or not that’s as a run defender, cross rusher or in protection. Since 2023, his 32 protection stops are tied for probably the most amongst FBS linebackers, whereas his 10 sacks and 5 compelled fumbles are tied for probably the most amongst these in Power Four. Hill has had 127 performs the place he’s made first contact on the ball service in that very same span, probably the most of any returning Power Four linebacker.
Hill is a flexible athlete who wears many various hats for the Longhorns’ protection and will discover his means into the primary spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft.
14. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Tyson loved a large breakout yr with the Sun Devils, tallying 1,098 yards as a redshirt sophomore. The solely returning Power Four receiver who posted extra was Smith.
Something clicked for the Colorado switch within the second half of the season. In Arizona State’s closing six video games of the common season, Tyson led the nation with 729 receiving yards, whereas his 4.03 yards per route run have been second amongst Power Four wideouts. Unfortunately, he suffered a shoulder harm within the closing regular-season sport, which saved him out of the Big 12 title sport and College Football Playoff quarterfinal — the latter of which the Sun Devils misplaced in double additional time.
15. C Jake Slaughter, Florida
Slaughter was the one Power Four heart with 80.0-plus PFF grades each as a cross blocker and as a run blocker. Making that much more spectacular is the truth that he confronted a assassin’s row of defensive tackles like Walter Nolen, Alfred Collins, Shemar Turner, Deone Walker, Omarr Norman-Lott and Joshua Farmer, all of whom have been picked within the first 4 rounds of this yr’s draft.
Slaughter’s 85.8 total grade since 2023 trails solely Jackson Powers-Johnson amongst Power Four facilities. He strikes very effectively at 6-foot-4, 308 kilos, which permits him to dominate in a zone-blocking scheme.
16. ED Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Faulk has been one in every of Auburn’s beginning edge defenders in every of his first two seasons and took a serious step ahead as a sophomore. His 83.8 total PFF grade was greater than 16 factors higher than what he posted as a freshman and is the fifth-best mark of any returning Power Four edge rusher.
The former four-star recruit is at his greatest within the run sport, tying for eighth amongst Power Four edges with 23 run-defense stops final yr. Faulk remains to be growing his strikes as a cross rusher, however he did present enchancment on this space with 9 sacks and 45 pressures final yr. Both these figures stood within the prime 20 of the Power Four.
17. QB Drew Allar, Penn State
While his efficiency within the closing sport of the season was tough (36.6 PFF passing grade), Allar quieted many critics by quarterbacking the Nittany Lions all the best way to the College Football Playoff semifinals this previous season. He completed because the nation’s sixth-most helpful signal-caller within the course of, in line with our wins above common metric. His 21 big-time throws have been a top-20 mark in America, whereas Allar’s 2.1% turnover-worthy play charge was twenty first.
He confirmed off his rifle proper arm much more as a junior, growing his common depth of goal by over a yard. There are nonetheless some issues to scrub up when it comes to his footwork and accuracy and loads of questions surrounding Penn State’s huge receiver room, however Allar will enter his senior season as one of many prime quarterback prospects within the 2026 NFL Draft. With a loaded roster surrounding him, he has the potential to take the Nittany Lions on a fair deeper run subsequent yr.
18. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
After sitting on the bench for 3 years, Nussmeier lastly obtained his likelihood to start out for the Tigers as a redshirt junior. He prolonged the flashes of brilliance he had as a backup over a full season and completed the yr with the fifth-most passing yards within the nation (4,043) and tied for seventh in big-time throws (26).
Nussmeier remains to be a little bit of a gunslinger, as his 18 turnover-worthy performs have been among the many 20 most within the nation. He additionally provides just about nothing as a runner, as his 93 speeding yards in 2024 have been simply the fewest of anybody on this record. But he’s nonetheless a tricky quarterback who’s fearless within the pocket and is able to making nearly any throw on the sector.
19. S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Thieneman’s sophomore season at Purdue wasn’t practically pretty much as good as his freshman yr. He posted only a 72.4 total PFF grade after incomes an 89.5 total PFF grade in 2023. Much of that may be attributed to the Boilermakers lining him up at free security far much less, a task he excels at together with his elite velocity and ball abilities.
Dillon Thieneman’s Snaps at Free Safety by Year
| Year | % of snaps at free security |
| 2023 | 86.4% |
| 2024 | 57% |
His 89.4 total PFF grade since 2023 remains to be fourth amongst returning FBS safeties, and he has 80-plus PFF grades in protection and run protection in that span. Thieneman is arguably the perfect heart fielder in faculty soccer and can also be one of many nation’s prime athletes. Dan Lanning ought to have a number of enjoyable incorporating his vary into his protection.
20. ED LT Overton, Alabama
Overton was a top-15 total recruit within the 2022 class however didn’t stay as much as the hype throughout his first two seasons at Texas A&M, posting a 61.5 total PFF grade in that span.
A switch to Alabama did wonders for his improvement, as he ended the yr as one of many 15 most beneficial edge defenders in America. Overton’s 18% pass-rush win charge was a top-30 mark within the nation, whereas his 81.7 PFF run-defense grade was twenty fifth. He blurs the road between an edge rusher and defensive deal with at 283 kilos and might line up anyplace alongside the defensive position and succeed.
21. LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama
The Crimson Tide is dropping a stud linebacker in Jihaad Campbell, however they nonetheless have one other stud patrolling the center of the sector in Lawson coming again.
His eight compelled incompletions since 2023 are tied for probably the most amongst all returning linebackers within the nation, whereas his 56 run-defense stops in that very same span stand third amongst returning Power Four ones. Lawson takes on blocks very effectively as a consequence of his sturdy construct at 6-foot-2, 239 kilos, and does an excellent job at studying the quarterback’s eyes in zone protection.
22. QB Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
After spending one season at Michigan State, Leavitt transferred to ASU and was one of many largest explanation why the Sun Devils went from back-to-back 3-9 seasons to profitable the Big 12 and making the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
The redshirt freshman’s 89.1 total PFF grade was ninth amongst FBS quarterbacks, and he was the one Power Four signal-caller with 80.0-plus PFF grades each as a passer and as a runner. Leavitt was fourth amongst all quarterbacks in America with a 1.1% turnover-worthy play charge, whereas his 34 compelled missed tackles on the bottom have been fifth amongst Power Four ones. With famous person operating again Cam Skattebo off to the NFL, there’ll be much more stress on Leavitt to hold Arizona State’s offense to comparable heights.
23. LB Taurean York, Texas A&M
Like Anthony Hill Jr., York has been a starter in every of his first two seasons. But in contrast to Hill, he was only a three-star recruit popping out of highschool.
York has confirmed these rankings improper to date, main all returning Power Four linebackers with 59 run-defense stops since 2023. His 122 first contacts on the ballcarrier are tied for fourth amongst that very same group. York has a stocky construct, standing at 6 toes, 235 kilos, and is a superb tackler.
24. WR Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn
Singleton is now with the Tigers after two seasons at Georgia Tech.
His 1,468 receiving yards throughout his two years with the Yellow Jackets stands second amongst returning Power Four wideouts. He additionally scored above the 99th percentile in PFF’s Game Athleticism Score metric. As that determine would possibly counsel, Singleton has monitor velocity with the power to hit a house run at any level. His 664 receiving yards on deep balls since 2023 lead all returning Power Four receivers.
25. CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
The Longhorns might have misplaced a first-round cornerback in Jahdae Barron, however they’re nonetheless in an amazing spot with Muhammad returning for his junior season. Only three returning Power Four corners have been extra helpful than him during the last two seasons, in line with our WAA metric. He has 17 compelled incompletions in that span regardless of solely being focused on 12.1% of his protection snaps.
While not an elite athlete, Muhammad wins together with his instincts and skill to click on and shut in protection.