Matt MillerApr 29, 2026, 06:30 AM ETCloseMatt Miller is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. A Missouri native, Matt joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live and ESPN Radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Matt spent 11 years as a senior draft analyst at Bleacher Report.Follow on XMultiple Authors
play1:57Domonique Foxworth: Rams’ selection of Ty Simpson is a ‘risky bet’Dan Graziano and Domonique Foxworth detail why the Rams’ decision to draft Ty Simpson in the first round isn’t expected to pay off immediately.
play1:09Seahawks upgrade the run game with Jadarian PriceBrady Henderson breaks down the Seahawks’ plans for Jadarian Price.
play0:19Indiana goes up 24-0 on Mendoza’s TD pass to SarrattFernando Mendoza throws it up to Elijah Sarratt, who comes down with the football to give Indiana a 24-0 lead.
play0:32Bryce Lance crosses goal line for 75-yard rushing touchdownBryce Lance rushes in for 75-yard touchdown
play1:04John Mateer fires a strike to Deion Burks for a 37-yard Oklahoma TDJohn Mateer fires a strike to Deion Burks for a 37-yard Oklahoma TD
play0:36What Garrett Nussmeier brings to the ChiefsWhen healthy, Nussmeier does have quality talent.
Domonique Foxworth: Rams’ selection of Ty Simpson is a ‘risky bet’Dan Graziano and Domonique Foxworth detail why the Rams’ decision to draft Ty Simpson in the first round isn’t expected to pay off immediately.
Dan Graziano and Domonique Foxworth detail why the Rams’ decision to draft Ty Simpson in the first round isn’t expected to pay off immediately.
Seahawks upgrade the run game with Jadarian PriceBrady Henderson breaks down the Seahawks’ plans for Jadarian Price.
Indiana goes up 24-0 on Mendoza’s TD pass to SarrattFernando Mendoza throws it up to Elijah Sarratt, who comes down with the football to give Indiana a 24-0 lead.
Fernando Mendoza throws it up to Elijah Sarratt, who comes down with the football to give Indiana a 24-0 lead.
Bryce Lance crosses goal line for 75-yard rushing touchdownBryce Lance rushes in for 75-yard touchdown
John Mateer fires a strike to Deion Burks for a 37-yard Oklahoma TDJohn Mateer fires a strike to Deion Burks for a 37-yard Oklahoma TD
play0:33What Avieon Terrell brings to the FalconsWhat Avieon Terrell brings to the Falcons
play0:39Mel Kiper Jr. grades Browns’ draft an AMel Kiper Jr. grades Browns’ draft an A
play0:23Harold Perkins picks off Arkansas RazorbacksHarold Perkins picks off Arkansas Razorbacks
2. Jermod McCoy, CB, Las Vegas Raiders (Pick 4-101)
3. Mansoor Delane, CB, Kansas City Chiefs (Pick 1-6)
4. Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (Pick 1-20)
7. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals (Pick 1-3)
9. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas Raiders (Pick 1-1)
12. Sonny Styles, LB, Washington Commanders (Pick 1-7)
13. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Cleveland Browns (Pick 2-58)
14. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Miami Dolphins (Pick 2-43)
16. Avieon Terrell, CB, Atlanta Falcons (Pick 2-48)
17. Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, New York Giants (Pick 1-10)
18. Brandon Cisse, CB, Green Bay Packers (Pick 2-52)
19. Olaivavega Ioane, G, Baltimore Ravens (Pick 1-14)
23. Keionte Scott, S/CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Pick 4-116)
27. Eli Stowers, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (Pick 2-54)
29. Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Jacksonville Jaguars (Pick 3-88)
30. Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Dallas Cowboys (Pick 3-92)
32. Jordyn Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints (Pick 1-8)
33. Monroe Freeling, OT, Carolina Panthers (Pick 1-19)
34. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Minnesota Vikings (Pick 3-97)
39. Caleb Lomu, OT, New England Patriots (Pick 1-28)
44. Ted Hurst, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Pick 3-84)
47. Max Iheanachor, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick 1-21)
48. Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers (Pick 1-22)
50. Kayden McDonald, DT, Houston Texans (Pick 2-36)
51. Peter Woods, DT, Kansas City Chiefs (Pick 1-29)
52. Jadarian Price, RB, Seattle Seahawks (Pick 1-32)
53. Chase Bisontis, G, Arizona Cardinals (Pick 2-34)
54. Cashius Howell, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals (Pick 2-41)
56. Keldric Faulk, DL, Tennessee Titans (Pick 1-31)
57. Malachi Lawrence, Edge, Dallas Cowboys (Pick 1-23)
58. KC Concepcion, WR, Cleveland Browns (Pick 1-24)
59. Treydan Stukes, S, Las Vegas Raiders (Pick 2-38)
60. Brenen Thompson, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (Pick 4-105)
62. Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders (Pick 3-71)
63. Drew Allar, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick 3-76)
66. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Green Bay Packers (Pick 4-120)
67. Travis Burke, OT, Los Angeles Chargers (Pick 4-117)
68. Domonique Orange, DT, Minnesota Vikings (Pick 3-82)
69. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Baltimore Ravens (Pick 4-115)
71. Zakee Wheatley, S, Carolina Panthers (Pick 5-151)
72. Jalen Farmer, G, Indianapolis Colts (Pick 4-113)
74. Gabe Jacas, Edge, New England Patriots (Pick 2-55)
76. Gracen Halton, DT, San Francisco 49ers (Pick 4-107)
77. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, Buffalo Bills (Pick 4-126)
78. Bryce Lance, WR, New Orleans Saints (Pick 4-136)
79. Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick 7-230)
80. Chandler Rivers, CB, Baltimore Ravens (Pick 5-162)
81. Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Chicago Bears (Pick 5-166)
82. Genesis Smith, S, Los Angeles Chargers (Pick 4-131)
83. Max Bredeson, FB, Minnesota Vikings (Pick 5-159)
84. Brian Parker II, OL, Cincinnati Bengals (Pick 6-189)
85. Demond Claiborne, RB, Minnesota Vikings (Pick 6-198)
86. Caden Curry, Edge, Indianapolis Colts (Pick 6-214)
89. Jack Endries, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (Pick 7-221)
91. Rayshaun Benny, DT, Baltimore Ravens (Pick 7-250)
92. Deion Burks, WR, Indianapolis Colts (Pick 7-254)
93. Max Llewellyn, Edge, Miami Dolphins (Pick 7-237)
94. Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick 7-224)
95. Logan Taylor, G, Los Angeles Chargers (Pick 6-202)
96. Kaytron Allen, RB, Washington Commanders (Pick 6-187)
97. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, Kansas City Chiefs (Pick 7-249)
98. Cole Payton, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (Pick 5-178)
99. Cyrus Allen, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (Pick 5-176)
100. Nicholas Singleton, RB, Tennessee Titans (Pick 5-165)
The 2026 NFL draft saw 257 prospects selected by NFL teams. Some franchises fared better over the three days than others — I was down with what the Raiders did, in particular — but this exercise is looking at picks on the individual level. The top 100 picks, in fact.
Talent is a big factor in these rankings, but we dove deeper than that. We factored in value (where a player was drafted vs. where he was ranked predraft), scheme fit, how the selection addressed a need, what the prospect brings on the field and what draft assets were given up or added via trade in getting each player. Every round is represented, and 40% of this list consists of Day 3 picks.
Which picks crack the top 10? What moves in Rounds 4 to 7 make the list? And which teams filled this list with multiple highly ranked additions? Let’s stack the best 100 picks of the 2026 draft, starting with one of the best defenders in the class.
What Avieon Terrell brings to the FalconsWhat Avieon Terrell brings to the Falcons
All draft analysts have a player or two whose play they fall in love with. That was Haulcy for me. At 6-foot, 215 pounds and built like a linebacker, Haulcy looks like a safety who should be in the box on 90% of his snaps, but he dropped into deep coverage and picked off passes in pressure situations for LSU. He can also play in the box and stack up against the run. He’ll combine with Cam Bynum to form a reliable back-end duo with a ton of speed and big-play potential.
Dan Orlovsky: Jets have as bright a future as anyone in NFL
Tyson satisfies need and scheme fit in New Orleans. My only quibble is with the value, as Tyson was ranked as my WR4. With Tate off the board, Tyson was the best pure outside receiver available, as both Lemon and Cooper are seen as more slot-based players. From that perspective, it is more understandable that New Orleans made the move to get a true “X” receiver. Chris Olave is locked up through 2027 and is only 25 years old, so this will be a fun duo to watch moving forward.
Mel Kiper Jr. grades Browns’ draft an AMel Kiper Jr. grades Browns’ draft an A
Tight end wasn’t a top-five need for the Saints predraft, but Juwan Johnson is 29 years old and the team was lacking an explosive element at that position. Delp has shown elite position-specific athletic ability but was never that productive at Georgia despite his talent and tools. If Kellen Moore & Co. can unlock a 6-5, 245-pounder with 4.49 speed, they could have a formidable passing attack, with Tyler Shough delivering balls to Delp, Olave, Tyson and Bryce Lance (more on him later).
Domonique Foxworth: Rams’ selection of Ty Simpson is a ‘risky bet’
Tampa Bay has an eye for receivers, drafting Jalen McMillan in 2024 and Emeka Egbuka in 2025. Now it adds the speedy field-stretcher from Georgia State. Hurst has 4.42 speed at 6-4 and was utilized in college as a true “X/Y” receiver. He’ll have a chance to play that spot for the Buccaneers once Chris Godwin Jr. hangs up his cleats, with Egbuka moving around the formation and working more from the slot. Hurst was a clean value at No. 84 and checked off a future need.
Arizona State defensive backs coach Bryan Carrington texted me his comparison for Abney in the weeks before the draft — D.J. Reed. Abney will get to learn under Reed as the two join forces in Detroit. A slot cornerback with 4.45 speed, Abney is a menace at the line of scrimmage and a playmaker when the ball is in flight. His tape screams starter and having an opportunity to learn under Reed will only boost his impact.
Further addressing the secondary by picking Muhammad was another step by the Bears to reform a unit that was heavily affected in free agency. Muhammad projects as a future starter opposite Jaylon Johnson and could fill that role as early as 2027, when Tyrique Stevenson’s rookie contract expires. Expect a lot of early reps as a rookie for the former Longhorn, who excelled in zone coverage in college and has 4.42 speed.
Brady Henderson breaks down the Seahawks’ plans for Jadarian Price.
Scheme fit and coach preference play a huge role in determining how much we like a pick. When he was San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, Saleh had mammoth defensive linemen in DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead. He just got his next one in Faulk. The 6-5, 276-pound lineman will likely kick inside for Saleh after playing all over the line at Auburn, but the versatile Faulk can be moved around the chess board to attack offenses in a variety of ways.