2026 NFL Draft big board: Top 32 prospects to know

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So, your favorite NFL team missed the playoffs.

Don't worry - that happens to more than half of the fanbases in the league. With some more luck (and potentially a few key changes), things could turn around next season.

One of the best ways to make those changes comes through the NFL Draft.

The 2025 season saw multiple impact players drafted over the first two rounds. Quarterbacks Jaxson Dart, Cam Ward and Tyler Shough look more than capable as starters heading into 2026. Will Campbell helped a turnaround in New England and wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuka look like perennial Pro Bowl contenders in the NFC South.

An injection of young talent through the draft could be the key for teams to turn things around next season and the 2026 NFL Draft offers a lot to like at multiple positions.

For the second year in a row, the draft will provide defensive linemen who could be starters as rookies. This year's draft has one of the best linebacker groups in recent memory - including our choice for the No. 1 prospect. Interior offensive line, wide receiver and tight end should provide lots of value as well into the later rounds.

But it's all about the top-tier talents in the draft. Here's a look at our top 32 prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class:

2026 NFL Draft top 32 prospects

1. LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Reese became the No. 1 prospect by doing anything you could ask a linebacker to do. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, he boasts elite athleticism and football IQ. He can fit into a defense as a pass rusher, quarterback spy, run defender or coverage linebacker. The sky is the limit.

2. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Like Reese, Downs likely won't go No. 1 overall because of the position he plays. That just means a team will get exceptional value later in the first round. He offers impressive athleticism, coverage skills, run defense and general football IQ to be a true defensive weapon in multiple ways. He can be a force multiplier for a defense and creative play-caller.

3. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Love is the clear-cut No. 1 running back in the class, a la Ashton Jeanty in 2025. His skill set is tailored nearly perfectly to the modern NFL. He's a three-down running back with size (6-foot, 214 pounds) and breakaway speed to score at any moment. His receiving skills mean he's a true three-down back. He averaged 4.5 yards after contact per attempt this season.

4. Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Faulk is one of the youngest prospects in the class and with impressive tools at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds. He can align inside or outside for a defensive play-caller with strength and physicality at the point of attack. His recognition on running plays pairs well with a high motor as a pass rush. He already has a few pass-rush moves to deploy against blockers at the NFL level.

5. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Tyson's been the top wide receiver prospect all season despite other risers at the position thanks to his elite route-running for his age. His suddenness, paired with that route-running, creates separation at will. He lacks elite vertical speed but has the ball skills, alignment versatility and playmaking teams love to see packed in a 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame.

6. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy in what's been an unprecedented year for the Hoosiers program. He has NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds with a surprisingly quick release. His arm talent fits the bill but what stands out on tape from Mendoza is his post-snap processing. That football IQ gives him a high floor in the NFL even if his ceiling is capped by his good-but-not-great mobility and arm talent.

7. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

McCoy didn't play in 2025 due to an ACL tear in January and that could impact where he lands if medicals do not check out. If he's cleared, he'll be potentially the first cornerback off the board. His fantastic athleticism is paired with ideal outside cornerback size (6-foot, 195 pounds) and scheme versatility. His ball skills should translate to the NFL as well.

8. Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)

Bain stepped up in the College Football Playoff and that improved his stock. At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, his physicality and power will fit in at the NFL level immediately. He wasn't as productive numbers-wise as you'd like from a top-10 pick and his arm length may force him inside long-term. But he has the makings of a high-end No. 2 pass rusher.

9. WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Tate looks poised to be the next first-round receiver out of Columbus. He boasts impressive size and route running at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. While he's not a burner, he dominates on vertical routes thanks to his elite contested catch ability (85.7% contested catch rate in 2025). He's one of the most sure-handed players in the class; he didn't drop any of his 66 targets in 2025.

10. QB Dante Moore, Oregon

Moore is very young and lacks experience but offers a high ceiling for teams to develop. His deep ball was one of the best in the country entering the year and he's shown growth in the intermediate and short area. His accuracy, release and layering are exactly what evaluators want to see. He'll need to improve on handling pressure but that could come with more time as a starter.

11. CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Don't let his lean frame (6-foot-1, 187 pounds) fool you. Delane is a technician at the cornerback spot with impressive savvy for a player his age. Quarterbacks actively avoided him in the SEC; he was targeted just 35 times in 11 games and allowed just 13 receptions for 147 yards all season. There are concerns about his frame in run defense but the coverage acumen is off the charts.

12. OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Fano brings experience at both left tackle (2023) and right tackle (2024-25) for the Utes in his career. His athleticism and footwork, paired with hand strength, make him our top tackle prospect in the class. His lean frame at 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds may give pause to keeping him on the outside against stronger pass rushers. His relentless motor offers a lot to like, though.

13. QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

Simpson looked like a potential No. 1 pick at times this season for Alabama, his first as a starter. He's shown a lot of flashes that point to a long-term starter in the NFL thanks to his pocket awareness, accuracy, timing, processing and quick release. He did struggle at times down the stretch for Alabama; four of his five interceptions came in the final six games of 2025 compared to one over his first nine.

14. Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

Bailey was one of the most prolific edge rushers in the country in 2025 with 81 pressures, 15 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. He led the FBS in all three categories. His quick twitch, hand usage, bend and overall athleticism in a 6-foot-3 and 250-pound frame make him the most pro-ready edge rusher in the class. There are some concerns about his run defense abilities which means he may be a designated pass rusher to start his career.

15. OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)

Mauigoa offers years of experience at right tackle with a powerful frame and very strong hands at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds. His body control and anchor make him a great fit in pass protection. His footwork may ultimately move him inside to guard but he has a very high floor at either position with a mauling presence coaches would love in the run game.

16. WR Makai Lemon, USC

Lemon isn't an impressive athlete and won't test off the charts at the combine but he has an incredible feel for finding space in coverage and maximizing opportunities. His solid frame (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) should hold up in the slot at the NFL level. He had just two drops in 2025 on 108 targets and a 130.0 quarterback rating when targeted.

17. DT Peter Woods, Clemson

Woods looks at times like a prospect who is 90% of what Jalen Carter offers, thanks to his mix of size (6-foot-3, 315 pounds) and athleticism. He can beat defenders with a bull rush, chase down ball-carriers in the run game and eat up double teams. Yet he struggles with consistency. We're willing to bet on the tantalizing, Pro Bowl-caliber upside.

18. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Terrell, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, is another Clemson defender who could hear his name called in the first round. He's slightly undersized at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds but makes up for it with a tenacious, disruptive mentality. He didn't record an interception in 2025 but that's not his limit as a turnover creator: he recorded a career-best five forced fumbles.

19. TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Like Love at running back, Sadiq is the runaway No. 1 tight end prospect in the class. The Ducks' tight end is a young prospect with plenty of development potential. He's an outstanding athlete at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds who can be a vertical threat in an NFL offense. His willingness as a blocker should only improve his abilities in time to complete his game.

20. Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

Parker took a step back in 2025 compared to his 2024 heights but still posted six sacks and 24 quarterback hurries. Those numbers are boosted by an outstanding four-sack game against South Carolina, though. Overall, Parker offers impressive traits at 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds with size and physicality to impact both run and pass defense. He's not an elite athlete off the edge, though, which may cap his ceiling.

21. WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Boston is an ideal outside wide receiver at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds who wins with physicality at the catch point. He's quick but not fast and tracks the ball downfield extremely well. He can be a red zone target sooner than later and will keep up in the NFL thanks to his route running. His physicality translates as a run blocker as well which will endear him to many evaluators.

22. LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Styles entered the year as the top linebacker in the class before Reese overtook him. Still, Styles has impressive size and elite athleticism in his 6-foot-4 and 240-pound frame. He's a young prospect and already diagnoses plays effectively. Given his age and elite traits, he could become a perennial Pro Bowler with some development.

23. OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

There just aren't many humans who move like Proctor does at 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds. That size and power could keep him on the outside for some teams or have them instead take the Mekhi Becton route and move him inside. He needs to improve his discipline and consistency as a blocker, given how much leverage he gives up at his size.

24. OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Ioane is by far the top interior offensive line prospect in a class full of starting-caliber prospects. His size (6-foot-3, 335 pounds) and very good athleticism made him one of the bright spots in a disappointing year for the Nittany Lions offense. His physicality in the run game and anchor in pass protection should make him a plug-and-play starter in the trenches.

25. DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

The Buckeyes will have many first-round players in this draft and McDonald very well could be one of them in a deep interior defensive line class. His 6-foot-3, 330-pound frame eats up blocks in the running game thanks to his play strength and overall power. He hasn't put much on tape as a pass rusher but he could improve that with time.

26. LB CJ Allen, Georgia

Allen stands 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds with the athleticism to handle tight ends or running backs in coverage. He's stout in run defense with ideal play recognition and solid block shedding. He's a very sure tackler as well and should be a long-term starter in the NFL.

27. CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

As to be expected at South Carolina, Cisse is an outstanding athlete at 6-foot and 190 pounds. That elite athleticism will give him a high floor to overcome lapses in coverage. He broke out in his lone season with the Gamecocks with just 18 receptions on 38 targets in 2025. He did allow 20.1 yards per reception in coverage, though.

28. DT A'Mauri Washington, Oregon

Washington's flashes are among the best of any prospect at the position in this class. He offers elite quickness and strength in a 6-foot-3, 330-pound frame with the power to disrupt in both run defense and pass rushing scenarios. He just needs to improve his consistency to reach his lofty ceiling.

29. Edge Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

Uiagalelei offers great length off the edge at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds. He built on his breakout 2024 campaign with a career-high 50 pressures for the Ducks thanks to his length, bend, play strength and agility off the edge. He lacks elite traits and could play more physically but is very, very good at most everything a team will ask of him.

30. Edge LT Overton, Alabama

Overton is a tweener at 6-foot-5 and 278 pounds who played over the tackle and on the edge for the Crimson Tide in 2025. He improved his efficiency as a pass rusher with five sacks on 25 pressures - up from three on 39 in 2024. His physicality shows up at the point of attack and his bull rush will earn him at least a rotational role as a rookie. His lack of elite burst off the line may limit his ceiling.

31. OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern

Tiernan has spent the last three years at left tackle for the Wildcats and hasn't missed a snap in four years. He offers elite size at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds with solid arm length, giving him an ideal frame for pass protection. He allowed just 13 pressures on 430 pass blocking snaps in 2025; that's the same as he did on 467 snaps in 2024. He's technically sound and could be a plug-and-play starter as a rookie.

32. Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Howell has a shorter frame at 6-foot-2 with less than 31-inch arms but makes up for it with his impressive burst and bend off the edge at 250 pounds. He took a big step in 2025 with 41 pressures and 12 sacks for the Aggies' defense. His smooth athleticism with that burst and bend will give him a solid floor in the NFL. He has some lapses in run defense that may limit him initially.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft big board: 32 names you need to know

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