At the very top, the 2026 NFL Draft class is shaped by defensive talent, particularly a good group of edge defenders and a nice crop of wide receivers and cornerbacks that occupy a significant share of the top 50.
Overall, this class blends blue-chip defensive playmakers, a deep perimeter talent pool and a more meaningful cluster of quarterbacks worthy of early consideration than last cycle.
For the full ranking of draft prospects — including three-year player grades and position rankings — click here. And if you want to go hands-on with the class, check out the PFF Big Board Builder to create your own rankings or fire up the PFF Mock Draft Simulator to run full mock drafts in seconds.
Editor’s note: The analysis included here comes from Trevor Sikkema’s preseason scouting series, while the rankings themselves have been fully updated. This analysis is provided to give readers context on how these players were viewed entering the season.
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1. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Big board rank: 1
Bain Jr. is a strong, dense edge player with a versatile build, capable of playing as a 3-4 defensive end all the way to a 4-3 outside linebacker. He is also versatile in rushing from the left or right. His length appears to be below average for the NFL, but he avoids getting locked up against longer tackles with powerful and fast hand movements, led by a strong two-hand swipe as a go-to. He shows the baseline and skill to be a starting-caliber defensive end, preferably in a 4-3 front.
2. T.J. Parker, Clemson Tigers
Big board rank: 9
Parker is an exciting underclassman edge rush prospect who has the body type, athletic ability and snap-count experience to line up anywhere from an interior 4i to a stand-up 6/7-tech. His first step and fluidity make him a high-potential player, as evidenced by an ascending win percentage. He doesn't have rare or elite bend and twitch, but it is plenty good enough to start and win at the NFL level.
3. Keldric Faulk, Auburn Tigers
Big board rank: 10
Faulk brings ideal length and strength to the defensive end position. His wingspan seems to match his listed height, which would be well above average for the pros. He does his best work as a 4i or 5-tech defensive end, where he can start with his shoulder down in a 3-point stance. He utilizes a long arm and push-pull moves to win with strength, though his win percentage has been relatively low. He is a plus defender in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
4. David Bailey, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Big board rank: 12
Bailey is a good all-around athlete for an on-ball linebacker. His first-step explosiveness is impressive and the root of his pass-rush efficiency. Through this, he converts speed to power with an effective bull rush as a go-to. But, he doesn't show much pass-rush diversity beyond that and must master more moves. He is fluid enough to be a spot-drop coverage player, but his PFF run-defense grades have been low. Bailey is exciting in flashes, but not a complete player yet.
5. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M Aggies
Big board rank: 17
Howell is a bit undersized overall for edge rushers in the NFL, but when you limit the percentile to just outside linebackers, his size checks out. He's a competitive player in both the run and pass game, and as the 2024 season went on, he became more confident with a variety of pass-rush moves, including a nasty inside spin counter. He has a false step that can be cleaned up, which could make him even faster out of his stance, but he seems to have limited flexibility to threaten the outside shoulder with speed. Even in his current form, he's a rotational edge option for a 3-4 front as an outside linebacker.
6. Romello Height, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Big board rank: 26
Analysis Coming soon!
7. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma Sooners
Big board rank: 30
Thomas is a designated-pass-rush type whose measurables likely limit him to 3-4 schemes as an outside linebacker/edge defender. He gets off the ball like a bat out of hell; he's high-energy, twitchy and explosive with natural leverage and very fast hands. To this point, his career has shown he won't give you much in run defense or in coverage. But in pass-rush situations, he can be an impactful player.
8. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee Volunteers
Big board rank: 37
Despite 2025 being his fourth season as a contributing player for the Vols, Josephs is still a developing player, though a good one to bet on. His arm length is a major plus and should be well above the 50th percentile. However, he needs to use it more to his advantage and get stronger with it. That opens the door to a broader request for him to become a more technically refined and precise pass rusher. He gives good effort in run defense, which suggests he can play a three-down role. He needs to take that next step in his growth and development, but if he can, Josephs has the tools to be a contributor in the NFL — in odd or even fronts.
9. Quincy Rhodes, Arkansas Razorbacks
Big board rank: 38
Analysis Coming soon!
10. Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon Ducks
Big board rank: 49
Uiagalelei, the younger brother of DJ Uiagalelei, brings an adequate frame to an NFL defensive end profile. At 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, he possesses long arms that he prioritizes for his go-to pass-rush plan of attack. He is a powerful player, especially with momentum, and his PFF run-defense grades should improve over time. He doesn't win with bend much, and he has some stiffness when getting low pre-snap and when changing direction. Uiagalelei possesses the skill set and body type to be an early-down 4-3 defensive end with some extra pass-rush potential.
11. Gabe Jacas, Illinois Fighting Illini
Big board rank: 52
At 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, Jacas not only has the size, but also the wrestling background every defensive line coach loves he was a two-time state champion in high school. He has a well-built, dense frame and is a decent all-around athlete for his size. He has mostly lined up in a 2-point stance as an outside linebacker, but his best plays often come from a 4i or 5-tech alignment, where his hand is in the dirt (good leverage and power combo). His hand speed is slower than ideal, as are his first few steps changing direction. A move from outside linebacker to defensive end is likely in his future in the pros.
12. LT Overton, Alabama Crimson Tide
Big board rank: 57
Overton has a thick, compact build and uses good leverage and impressive speed-to-power conversion to defend the run with high efficiency. As a pass rusher, his win percentage is high due to disruption, but he often fails to win cleanly with haste. His length is limited, but what he does best seems to lend itself to a 3-4 defensive end role with some inside-out alignment flexibility. However, he can be a contributing player in a 4-3 scheme as a power defensive end. He just might struggle to threaten the outside shoulder as a pass rusher with a lack of stride length and bend.
13. Anthony Lucas, USC Trojans
Big board rank: 67
Analysis Coming soon!
14. Derrick Moore, Michigan Wolverines
Big board rank: 74
Moore is an athletic, stand-up pass rusher who shows promise as an impact player in the league. He is conscious of the importance of leverage and consistently uses it, maximizing a good first step and effective speed-to-power. He seems to have below-average arm length and shorter strides in pursuit, but aside from some slight physical drawbacks, he looks like a rotational 3-4 outside linebacker.
15. Zion Young, Missouri Tigers
Big board rank: 76
Young is a long and strong defensive end prospect whose best spot in the league may be more inside as a 3-4 defensive end. He has good arm length with a strong upper body to stack and shed as well as finish tackles. He has a decent first step but is slow to change direction and has limited top speed in pursuit. His pass-rush win percentage and sack totals have been low throughout his career. He could benefit from adding some weight and finding a home between the tackles as a primary run defender.
16. Mikail Kamara, Indiana Hoosiers
Big board rank: 88
Kamara is a densely built pass rusher who comes from humble beginnings as a zero-star recruit. He worked his way to a scholarship and starting role with head coach Curt Cignetti at James Madison, eventually following him to Indiana. He is a high-effort player whose hands are always working to get clean off blocks, though his lack of length forces him to work every rep to do just that. He will be a big outlier for the position in height and length, even as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and could benefit from losing some weight and becoming a designated pass-rusher type of off-ball linebacker.
17. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan Wolverines
Big board rank: 100
Barham is built like an NFL linebacker. He also has the combination of speed and strength of one. He's a strong and reliable tackler with long arms and an explosive first step toward the ball carrier. He can also convert speed to power well as a blitzer. However, he doesn't have much coverage production at all. More impact in that area could lead to a mid- to early-Day 2 selection.
18. Tyreak Sapp, Florida Gators
Big board rank: 106
Sapp is a stout run defender with an NFL defensive lineman's frame. He is more than just strength, as he defends the run with good stack technique, sound eyes for the ball and solid anticipation for when to rip off a block. He takes pride in taking on pullers and is experienced in odd and even fronts. The 2024 campaign was his best season as a pass rusher, but his wins still lacked a plan and more just looked like crashing into bodies. He'll need more in the finesse game to garner a full-time role in the NFL.
19. Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Big board rank: 117
Traore is a twitchy, savvy young pass rusher with a lot of potential as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He is built well enough to be versatile from a 2- to a 3-point stance, but his high-cut build makes getting lower in a 3-point stance tougher. His explosiveness from a standstill or when changing direction is impressive. He also already shows a high pass-rush IQ as just a true junior. His go-to move is the long arm, which he uses effectively in pass-rush and run-stopping situations. Getting back to athletic form after his knee injury will be key for a potential split in the 2026 class.
20. Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Big board rank: 119
Analysis Coming soon!
21. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State Nittany Lions
Big board rank: 121
Sutton has the build of a versatile NFL defensive lineman at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds. His massive arm length gives him an advantage when executing long-arm and bull-rush moves with a speed-to-power pass-rush emphasis. His first step shows flashes of NFL-caliber, but he can struggle mightily when changing direction, though that has improved after trimming his weight. He projects best as a 3-4 defensive end with some 4-3 flexibility to maximize strengths (length and size) and mitigate weaknesses (agility in space).
22. Anto Saka, Northwestern Wildcats
Big board rank: 139
Saka is one strong son of a gun for being listed below 250 pounds. As an outside linebacker edge defender, he can line up in 2- and 3-point stances, with most of his production coming with his hand in the dirt. He is an athletic player with a good first step, helping him dictate rushing battles. His arm length appears shorter than his height would indicate, and he struggles to keep blockers from getting their hands inside. And once they do, he has a difficult time getting free. He has yet to become a full-time starter at the college level and, thus far, has struggled to produce against legit offensive linemen. There is potential, but 2025 needs to be a major breakout season.
23. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Ohio State Buckeyes
Big board rank: 146
Jackson is a built-in-a-lab-looking pass rusher who has yet to blend the technique with the talent. He has the natural arm length, flexibility and bend to consistently win in advantageous areas. His playing time has been limited behind Ohio State‘s veteran defensive line over the last few years, and because of this, his game lacks refinement, specifically with his hands. His aiming points, timing, and ability to keep offensive linemen's hands off him have been the root causes of limited college production and efficiency. Improved handwork could hold the key to Jackson Jr. becoming one of 2026's most impressive players.
24. Trey Moore, Texas Longhorns
Big board rank: 151
Moore was very under-recruited in the 2021 high school class, but he has made up for lost time quickly. After redshirting his first year at UTSA, he became a full-time starter in 2022 and 2023, leading the FBS with 14 sacks in 2023 before transferring to Texas to start every game on the edge in 2024. He's small for an NFL edge defender, which limits him to 3-4 schemes as an outside linebacker. At that size, he's nimble with quickness and fluid movements to slip between and under blockers or cross their face to hit a gap. His quickness is better than his explosiveness and top speed, but he's tough to stay in front of, which will always garner a chance in the NFL.
25. Clev Lubin, Louisville Cardinals
Big board rank: 155
Analysis Coming soon!
26. Malachi Lawrence, UCF Knights
Big board rank: 167
Analysis Coming soon!
27. Will Heldt, Clemson Tigers
Big board rank: 174
Heldt has an alluring frame at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, though he could and should put on even more weight. Through his first two years, he has played as a stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 front, but he seems like someone who should gain weight for a defensive end role in a 3-4 instead. He has decent fluidity at his weight, but he is moved off the ball more easily than you'd like, and he fails to maximize his gift of arm length. Both must improve at Clemson for a legit NFL projection.
28. George Gumbs Jr., Florida Gators
Big board rank: 185
Analysis Coming soon!
29. Suntarine Perkins, Mississippi Rebels
Big board rank: 195
Perkins is a fantastic athlete, even when adjusting those expectations to his lower weight — he could play off-ball linebacker or maybe even safety. But his projection is very difficult right now. He has only played 49 total snaps as an off-ball linebacker in two years, with most of his snaps coming as an edge rusher in a 2-point stance. He severely lacks the size to play as a full-time edge defender in the NFL. Any projection for him right now is based on what we haven't seen yet (and might not see in his college career).
30. Max Llewellyn, Iowa Hawkeyes
Big board rank: 209
Llewellyn's evaluation for the NFL really begins this season, as he has yet to start a game in his four-year college career. That's not to say we don't know what he can do from rotational work, though. He has a high pass-rush IQ and knows techniques for a variety of moves, with plans to set them up throughout the game. He has some good pop in his hands, though he needs to learn how to anchor the run better. His biggest weakness right now comes from his pad level. He stands straight up the second the ball is snapped, neutralizing any leverage advantage of a 3-point stance. He must play with better pad level to stick around as an NFL pass rusher.
31. TJ Guy, Michigan Wolverines
Big board rank: 221
Guy is on the smaller side, but has some quality traits for 3-4 outside linebacker work. He loves to set up the inside move, typically a club-arm over and swim combination, after threatening the outside shoulder, which shows good understanding of pass-rush planning. He is a strong run defender when he maintains his leverage, but his lack of weight means he's more easily moved off the ball if his technique isn't sound. He has limited starting experience as a fifth-year player, but he has a lot of special teams snaps under his belt.
32. Damon Wilson II, Missouri Tigers
Big board rank: 223
Analysis Coming soon!
33. Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke Blue Devils
Big board rank: 233
Analysis Coming soon!
34. Patrick Payton, LSU Tigers
Big board rank: 255
Payton is a good all-around athlete at adequate NFL size; however, he lacks the precision for impact play. His attack speed can be somewhat hesitant and slow; his body control can be lacking; and he tends to give up leverage easily, which isn't ideal with a leaner frame. All of that to say, he is a smooth mover with a nice long-arm pass-rush base with higher potential as a 3-4 edge rusher.
35. Eric O'Neill, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Big board rank: 269
O'Neill has been on a long journey to becoming an NFL prospect — he was an under-recruited player who went from FCS to James Madison to Rutgers. He'll be one of the older prospects in the 2026 class, but that experience comes with a good baseline of pass-rush IQ and both alignment versatility and comfort. He has good body control and flexibility to get low in his stance, explode off his quads and can move laterally with cross-body pass-rushing as his go-to. Overall, his length, strength and speed appear to be below average for the pros, but he can be a solid depth player in multiple schemes.
36. John Henry Daley, Utah Utes
Big board rank: 286
Analysis Coming soon!
37. Ben Bell, Virginia Tech Hokies
Big board rank: 302
Bell won't win the off-the-bus size intimidation contest, as his measurables will be in the lowest tier for edge rushers in the pros, but that doesn't mean he cannot spend some time in the league. He maximizes his strength and explosiveness with good pre-snap technique paired with active hands after the snap. He's a good player for fronts that like to use stunts and games as a looper. He'll likely need to be in a 3-4 front to move around as an inside and outside linebacker in a depth and special teams role.
38. Princewill Umanmielen, Mississippi Rebels
Big board rank: 306
Umanmielen has some NFL bloodlines, with his older brother Princely now in the league with the Carolina Panthers. The younger brother has a similar build, though it is not yet filled out — he remains lean and lacks power. He seems to be a decent all-around athlete with NFL length, but entering his upperclassman season, he must develop a more comprehensive pass-rush plan and counters to be drafted in the same range as his brother.