Jordan ReidFeb 6, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseJordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.Follow on XMultiple Authors
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Sonny Styles’ pressure forces a sackSonny Styles gets pressure on Carson Beck and Ohio State brings Beck down for a sack.
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Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. blocks Texas A&M FG attemptRueben Bain Jr. gets his hand up to block Texas A&M’s Jared Zirkel’s kick to keep the score 0-0 in the 2nd quarter.
Rueben Bain Jr. gets his hand up to block Texas A&M’s Jared Zirkel’s kick to keep the score 0-0 in the 2nd quarter.
The 2026 NFL draft is fast approaching, as the first round begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh. Now that the 2025 college football season has concluded and prospects have participated in the Senior Bowl and the Shrine Bowl, it’s time to update my list of the top 50 prospects.
Even though the declaration deadline has come and gone, this list is not final. The combine will start later this month in Indianapolis, with pro days following in March and April. So this is an indication of where things stand with the Class of 2026 right now, based on my own scouting (both in person and on film) and conversations I’ve had with NFL scouts and evaluators.
I have included scouting reports for each prospect and my rankings by position are at the bottom. Let’s get to it, starting with arguably the most explosive offensive player in the nation.
Downs was a highly accomplished player for both Alabama and Ohio State. He has found the perfect role for his instincts and awareness in 2025, as first-year Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia used him as a “middle hole” player. Downs is a consistent tackler with great ball skills, and he is capable of mirroring and matching tight ends and receivers in the middle of the field. He reminds me a lot of Brian Branch coming out of Alabama and could have a similar NFL impact.
Bailey, who transferred to Texas Tech from Stanford, has a Rolodex of pass-rush moves to go along with an incredible burst out of the starting blocks. Bailey has consistently shown an ability to bend and trace the rim of the pocket to win, with his 14.5 sacks and 21.3% edge pressure rate both leading the FBS last season. With tenacious effort and a never-ending appetite for sacks, Bailey is a dynamic edge rusher who projects best as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Styles started his college career as a safety but converted to linebacker without missing a beat. He only missed two tackles last season when defending the run, as his attacking style helps him effectively get ball carriers on the ground. Styles has excellent range and awareness, and he is timely in his decisions to charge downhill. Despite his DB background, Styles needs to continue to improve his feel in zone coverage.
Sonny Styles gets pressure on Carson Beck and Ohio State brings Beck down for a sack.
One could make a strong argument that Delane was the country’s most impactful defensive addition from the transfer portal. He was exceptional after coming over from Virginia Tech, intercepting two passes. Delane is a technically sound and savvy press-man corner with excellent quickness and backpedal speed. He has the hips and speed to turn and run with any receiver and is timely in getting his eyes back on the ball when out of phase.
Fano is extremely light on his feet, as he has the lower-body quickness to mirror pass rushers. His physical hands help him play with urgency and aggression. Fano excels in space and on the move, too. His body control and poise are seen in both run and pass blocking. His lack of lower-body mass shows up when trying to anchor, though. Scouts want to see him continue to add weight, but right now his strength limitations remind me a lot of Troy Fautanu.
Mesidor broke out in his second season with the Hurricanes, as the sixth-year senior thrived opposite Bain. Mesidor wins with maximum effort, as evidenced by his 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss last season. He’s an aggressive and heavy-handed edge prospect that was a tough ask for any offensive lineman to block. He’s on the older side (turns 25 in April), but all the sources I talked to said Mesidor’s age won’t be a major factor in his evaluation.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren picks off Central Michigan Chippewas
Picked! Emmanuel McNeil-Warren hauls in the interception
Lomu experienced a major leap in his second season as a starter. He has good initial quickness and flashes poise before striking and latching onto defenders in pass sets. His strength has improved, which must continue to sustain and finish his blocks more consistently. But his frame, youth (he just finished his redshirt sophomore season) and overall potential at left tackle are the most exciting parts of his prospect profile.
Concepcion became the go-to target for the Aggies after arriving from NC State; his nine receiving touchdowns were tied for 17th in the FBS. He also added two scores as a punt returner. He is a gearshift runner who can accelerate and decelerate instantly. He routinely separates against man coverage and generates explosive plays in bunches. Concepcion must become more consistent with his hands, as he had seven drops this season.
After transferring from Purdue, Thieneman quickly turned into a leader for the Ducks defense. He’s a true three-level threat in the secondary who is capable of playing single-high on the roof of the defense while also possessing the range to roam as a center fielder. Thieneman’s instincts are his superpower, as he’s able to diagnose and attack as a run defender and in pass coverage. His biggest improvement in 2025 came as a tackler, as he was more consistent wrapping up and finishing.
Arguably the most polarizing prospect of the 2026 class, Proctor is a supersized offensive tackle with overwhelming strength that helps him pave run lanes. Pass protection is a different story, as he has stretches of promising play mixed with moments of sluggish footwork and passive technique. He had a rough opener against Florida State (seven allowed pressures and a sack), but didn’t allow in the following nine games while yielding only eight pressures.
Those inconsistencies crept back up during the final weeks of the season, which has created varying opinions on his outlook on the next level. Weight is an issue (sources close to the program say Proctor played last season at 355 pounds). He’s frequently compared to Mekhi Becton by scouts, and some will give him a chance at tackle before deciding to transition Proctor to guard.
The Buckeyes’ defense was loaded, and McDonald didn’t get enough credit for its success. He’s a heavy presence up the middle, with high levels of lower-body strength. That allows him to easily anchor in interior gaps and eat up blockers. McDonald’s 7.8% run stop rate topped all FBS defensive linemen, but he doesn’t just clog gaps. He’s capable of creating negative plays in the backfield with quick wins, as evidenced by his 9.5 tackles for loss last season.
Miller started 54 games for Clemson and broke the program record for career snaps (3,778). He’s steady, experienced at both tackle spots and has strong hands to latch and control defenders at the point of attack. Miller is rarely out of position against twists and stunts from defensive fronts and able to sort and execute against those looks. He’s a dependable blocker with a ready-made skill set and should contribute early in his career.
Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields makes an amazing one-handed grab
Malachi Fields goes up to make a spectacular one-handed grab for a Notre Dame first down.
Thomas explodes off the line of scrimmage and tests the foot speed and agility of pass protectors. His 13.4% pressure percentage off the edge ranked 44th in the FBS and shows how much of a headache he can be. Thomas has a full arsenal of moves and utilizes them all, allowing him to frequently switch up his rush plans. His excellent pursuit speed and determination project him as a stand-up 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.
I see Simpson as a Day 2 prospect. He doesn’t have the traits or ceiling to uplift a team and shouldn’t be placed in a situation where he’s expected to be a Day 1 savior.
An NFL-ready defender, Jacas is an edge prospect with jarring power who pursues endlessly. With 11 sacks last season, he is capable of rushing from a two-point stance but is equally as comfortable with his hand in the ground. His knockback strength is seen when defending the run, as he has the length and power to remain firm. Jacas’ bend is average, but his ability to consistently threaten the rim of the pocket helps him as a rusher.
Pregnon blossomed after transferring to Oregon from USC before last season. He’s a rock-solid, physical interior blocker who can win in a phone booth by creating victories in tight quarters with his strength. Along with that power, Pregnon shows comfort playing with high levels of play violence. His limitations are seen when asked to move outside his normal domains, which exposes his body stiffness. He’s an ideal fit for teams that specialize in gap-scheme principles.