Jordan ReidApr 14, 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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Why Matt Miller likes idea of Jets trading up for Carnell TateMatt Miller examines a scenario where the Jets trade up in the first round to select Ohio State’s Carnell Tate.
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NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid joins Pat McAfee to break down Ty Simpson’s chances of being selected by the Jets.
Garrett Nussmeier’s NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
Texas comes away with a huge INT late in the 4th quarterMichael Taaffe picks off Marcel Reed late in the fourth quarter for the Longhorns.
Jonah Coleman crosses goal line for 6-yard rushing touchdownJonah Coleman crosses goal line for 6-yard rushing touchdown
Kayden McDonald’s NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald.
The 2026 NFL draft is a little more than a week away, as the first round begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh. These final rankings are 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 the top 50 prospects, but my board goes 500 players deep. The full list is below. Each player gets a round grade here, and I have also included my rankings by position at the bottom.
Reese is one of the biggest risers in this class regardless of position and was the best player on a loaded Buckeyes defense. He’s a hybrid defender who is used both as an off-ball linebacker and off the edge. Because of his explosiveness, I like Reese more as an off-ball linebacker that’s used interchangeably off of the edge in subpackages and special looks. I believe Reese, who had 6.5 sacks last season, has Pro Bowl potential early in his NFL career.
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.
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.
Why Matt Miller likes idea of Jets trading up for Carnell Tate
Ben Solak: Kenyon Sadiq can be a ‘George Kittle-style’ TE unicorn
Ben Solak breaks down Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq as an NFL draft prospect comparable to George Kittle.
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 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 at right tackle.
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 power rusher.
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 (turned 25 on April 5), but all the sources I talked to said Mesidor’s age isn’t a major factor in his evaluation.
Akheem Mesidor’s NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from Miami’s Akheem Mesidor.
Check out some of the top highlights from Miami’s Akheem Mesidor.
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 any 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 fluctuation has been a constant issue, but he weighed in at 352 pounds at the combine. 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, which is where some teams actually have him on their draft boards.
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.
A former quarterback at Virginia, Rodriguez transferred, transitioned to linebacker and never looked back. He was the heartbeat of the Red Raiders’ defense over the past two seasons. Rodriguez finished with 128 tackles last season and plays the game with a GPS-like mind to find ball locations, as evidenced by his seven forced fumbles and four interceptions last season.
Young is a long-limbed edge rusher who has developed into a dependable defender. He’s effective with a strong bull rush and quick double-hand swipes, but he needs to add more moves to his repertoire. He needs to get better at run defense, as he tends to get pinned inside by in-line tight ends. But Young’s length and potential are qualities that NFL coaches want to work with. Young is a prospect with strong Day 2 grades because of his promising set of tools and above-average explosiveness.
The ultimate utility receiver, Bernard was a do-it-all player last season, finishing with 64 receptions for 862 yards and seven touchdowns. Bernard has a bunch of B-level traits, but he has one of the more well-rounded toolboxes of any skill position player in this year’s class. Bernard has reliable hands while also being a nuanced route runner, giving him the potential to be an early contributor.
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.
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.