2026 NFL Draft Early Top 30 Big Board Before CFB Week 0

The upcoming NFL draft cycle doesn't begin in April. It doesn't begin in the spring. It doesn't begin during collegiate all-star festivities. It doesn't even begin during the season. It begins now.

NFL scouts hit the road in August. They're going out to get first looks at prospects during practice sessions and establish an initial feel for the available talent.

Meanwhile at Bleacher Report, the Scouting Department already reconvened to start the process for the 2026 class. This initial big board is based on last season's viewings and preseason scouting.

As such, a prospect like Texas quarterback Arch Manning isn't included because of limited playing time. Conversely, a safety prospect, who has played at an elite level from the moment he stepped onto a collegiate field, leads the way.

B/R's scouts already hit the road running to start the evaluation process.

Brandon Thorn: Brandon is the author of the Trench Warfare newsletter, which focuses exclusively on offensive and defensive line evaluation. He also contributes as an analyst to Establish the Run, serves as the scouting coordinator for OL Masterminds and is a selection committee member for the Joe Moore Award. 

Dame Parson: Dame is the lead host of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast. Previously, he spent three years as a senior draft analyst for The Draft Network, while evaluating draft prospects as the founder of The Scouting Room. He also serves as co-host of the Scouting Room NFL Podcast alongside Daniel Harms.

Matt Holder: Matt played college football, worked in college recruiting and is a Scouting Academy graduate. He has covered the NFL draft since 2019 and writes about the Las Vegas Raiders for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride.

Daniel Harms: Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019, while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network. He's now entering his first season with the B/R scouting department.

Brent Sobleski: Brent serves as an NFL analyst for Bleacher Report. He's covered the draft for multiple outlets since the 2004 class, including 12 seasons with B/R.

Grading Scale

10: Generational Talent/No. 1 Overall

9.5-9.9: Top-Five Prospect

9.0-9.4: Top-10 Prospect

8.5-8.9: Immediate Impact Prospect / 1st Round

8.0-8.4: Year 1 Starter / Late 1st-2nd Round

7.5-7.9: Potential Impact Player / 2nd Round

7.0-7.4: High-Level Backup / Potential Starter / 3rd Round

6.5-6.9: Potential Role Player / Part-time contributor / 4th Round

6.0-6.4: Developmental Prospect / 5th Round

5.5-5.9: Backup/Draftable / 6th-7th Round

5.0-5.4: Backup/UDFA with Roster Potential / UDFA

4.0-4.9: Developmental Prospect / UDFA

3.0-3.9: Training Camp Body / UDFA

Grades for each player were assigned by the following scouts:

Dame Parson: QBs, RBs, and WRs

Brandon Thorn: OTs, OGs and Centers

Matt Holder: DL, EDGE and LBs

Daniel Harms: CBs, Safeties and TEs

Top 30

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Ohio State safety Caleb Downs

Ties in grades were broken through roundtable discussions among the four scouts.

1. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State (9.3)
2. DL Peter Woods, Clemson (8.7)
3. OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama (8.7)
4. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame (8.7)
5. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (8.7)
6. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (8.6)
7. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (8.6)
8. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (8.5)
9. Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson (8.5)
10. QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson (8.5)
11. Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (8.4)
12. S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon (8.3)
13. WR Ja'Kobi Lane, USC (8.3)
14. CB Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (8.1)
15. OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (8.0)
16. QB Drew Allar, Penn State (8.0)
17. DL LT Overton, Alabama (7.9)
18. OT Isaiah World, Oregon (7.9)
19. RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State (7.9)
20. WR Denzel Boston, Washington (7.9)
21. TE Jack Endries, Texas (7.9)
22. OT Caleb Lomu, Utah (7.9)
23. Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (7.9)
24. S Kamari Ramsey, USC (7.9)
25. OT Spencer Fano, Utah (7.8)
26. QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina (7.8)
27. CB Malik Muhammad, Texas (7.8)
28. WR Antonio Williams, Clemson (7.8)
29. LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State (7.8)
30. TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (7.7)

Quarterbacks

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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza

Scouted by Dame Parson

1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (8.6)
2. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (8.5)
3. Cade Klubnik, Clemson (8.5)
4. Drew Allar, Penn State (8.0)
5. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina (7.8)

Explain the Grade: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Mendoza's skill set is well-suited to excel at the highest level. Physically, he possesses a prototypical build at 6'5" and 225 pounds. Mendonza thrives working from inside the pocket but offers functionality during off-script situations. If it calls for his legs to be utilized, he can weaponize them to move the chains and keep his offense on track. Mendoza's accuracy and ball placement are his best traits. He puts the football where his receivers can make plays.

After transferring to Indiana, Mendoza has an opportunity to showcase his skill set in a premiere college football conference. By cleaning up some mechanical shortcomings, he will also help strengthen his case as QB1 for the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Next Up: Arch Manning, Texas

Manning is a talented and gifted young quarterback. He's finally Texas' solidified starter after waiting two seasons behind Quinn Ewers. Manning's arm talent, pedigree and athletic ability paint the picture of a future first overall draft pick and franchise quarterback.

However, Manning is inexperienced. He started two games last season against porous competition and only attempted 90 total passes. 

He will have to prove the flashes he already displayed can be consistent over the course of a full season. Physically, he is capable of doing so and establishing himself as an elite prospect. But he needs to prove it.

Running Backs

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Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love

Scouted by Dame Parson

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame (8.7)
2. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State (7.9)

Explain the Grade: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Love is an offensive weapon and not just a traditional running back. He's a big-play threat because of his top-end speed. He's also a three-down impact contributor, who turns short gains into explosive downfield plays. Currently, he's clearly the favorite to end the 2025 college football season as RB1 for the 2026 class.

Love is a big play waiting to happen, particularly in a more functional and traditional passing offense this season. 

Next Up: Jonah Coleman, Washington

Coleman is a reincarnation of the "Muscle Hamster," Doug Martin. The Washington ball-carrier is a squatty, bowling ball of a running back, with great patience and footwork in congested spaces. Coleman made his impact after transferring from Arizona last year. He ran for 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns during his first season with the Huskies.

At 5'9" and 228 pounds, Coleman is difficult to bring down but displays the ability to be a high-volume runner. With fewer than 200 carries last season, his efficiency was notable. Coleman enters the 2025 college football season with the opportunity to skyrocket up positional rankings.

Wide Receivers

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Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson

Scouted by Dame Parson

1. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (8.7)
2. Ja'Kobi Lane, USC (8.3)
3. Denzel Boston, Washington (7.9)
4. Antonio Williams, Clemson (7.8)

Explain the Grade: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Tyson is a versatile weapon who plays the outside and slot receiver positions at a high level. At 6'2" and 200 pounds, Tyson's play-strength after the catch is impressive. He fights through contact well as a ball-carrier and generates yards after the catch. Last season, he proved to be one of the most reliable receivers in contested catch situations, reeling in 10 of his 15 targets.

Tyson is a three-level threat and returns to prove he's an elite playmaker.

Next Up: Elijah Sarratt, Indiana

Sarratt is the name everyone needs to know heading into the 2025 season. The 6'2", 210-pound receiver is a physical and high-IQ target for the Hoosiers' explosive offense. Sarratt plays all over IU's formations and makes big plays at every level.

With Mendoza coming over from Cal as the Hoosiers' new quarterback, Sarratt's ball skills and ability to snag back shoulder fades are great complements to the quarterback's accuracy and ball placement. Sarratt is primed to receive the bulk of Indiana's targets and eclipse 1,000 yards for the second time in his career. 

Tight Ends

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Former Cal and current Texas tight end Jack Endries

Scouted by Daniel Harms

1. Jack Endries, Texas (7.9)
2. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (7.7)

Explain the Grade: Jack Endries, Texas

The upcoming tight end class is wide open, with multiple names looking to establish themselves at the top of the list. Endries is a Cal transfer, who can immediately serve as a safety valve for new starting quarterback, Arch Manning. He's a strong catch-to-attack threat with his burst up the field and does a great job sitting down in soft spots, while finding space to exploit. Endries has a good feel for playing the tight end position, with Cal's coaching staff moving him all over the formation last season. If he establishes a strong rapport with Manning, watch out.

Next Up: Oscar Delp, Georgia

After Brock Bowers left Georgia in 2024, Delp was primed to lead the group and become a focal point of the offense. Things didn’t go as planned, and Delp had roughly the same season he had while Bowers was on the roster. The 6’5”, 245-pound senior is a fantastic option in the middle of the field with good ball skills, alignment versatility and looks to be a focal point in the red zone. There's a good chance Delp can emerge as a top tight end in a Bulldogs offense funneling more targets his way and Gunnar Stockton—Delp's roommate for the past four seasons—likely serving as the starting quarterback.

Offensive Line

AP Photo

Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor

Scouted by Brandon Thorn

1. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama (8.7)
2. Francis Mauigoa, Miami (8.0)
3. Isaiah World, Oregon (7.9)
4. Caleb Lomu, Utah (7.9)
5. Spencer Fano, Utah (7.8)

Explain the Grade: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Proctor is a rocked-up, lean 6'7", 365-pound tackle prospect, who was the top-ranked offensive lineman in the country as a recruit. After seesawing back and forth between Iowa and Alabama multiple times, he enters the 2025 season with 24 starts on the blindside. Proctor is the most physically dominant blocker in the nation, taking joy in punishing defenders and has a rare blend of size, play strength and power to back it up.

With NFL-ready physical traits and the right demeanor his projected floor to the next level is considerably high, whether at tackle or guard. Proctor does need to shore up his footwork and hand usage in pass protection to add more tact to his game and improve his consistency, especially when operating on an island. Still, entering the year, the junior prospect has shown enough to warrant a no-brainer, high first-round grade. 

Next Up: C Parker Brailsford, Alabama

In keeping with the Alabama theme, Brailsford is on the opposite end of the spectrum from a size perspective when compared to Proctor, but has his own set of strengths to warrant a mention. Brailsford brings excellent movement skills, competitive toughness, alertness and sustain skills that are a chore for defenders. His slender frame and lack of mass will get him into trouble at the next level and likely keep him as a center-only prospect, but there is enough athletic ability and moxie in his game to suggest that he will be competing for a job early into his NFL career, especially if flanked by two bigger, stout guards who can offer him some help.

Defensive Linemen

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Alabama defender LT Overton

Scouted by Matt Holder

1. Peter Woods, Clemson (8.7)
2. LT Overton, Alabama (7.9)

Explain the Grade: LT Overton, Alabama

At 280 pounds, Overton is a bit of an edge/defensive line tweener, which is why he might be listed as the former by other outlets. Regardless of what position he plays, he's a strong run defender with plenty of pop in his hands to get extension and shed blocks. The Alabama product is still more potential than a finished product as a pass-rusher, so improving that department early in the season will bump Overton up to a strong first-round grade.

Next Up: Tim Keenan III, Alabama

Nose tackle is an important albeit undervalued position. Keenan has a chance to be the best among next year's draft class. He's a boulder in the running game who can handle double-teams and eat up space in the middle of the defense.

Edge-Rushers

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Texas A&M edge-defender Cashius Howell

Scouted by Matt Holder

1. T.J. Parker, Clemson (8.5)
2. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (8.4)
3. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (7.9)

Explain the Grade: Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

B/R is entering the new draft cycle higher on Howell than most. He's a good athlete who can convert speed-to-power and win with a cross-chop as a pass-rusher. Despite being on the lighter side at 245 pounds, he also has impressive power and strength at the point of attack as a run-defender. Look for the Aggie to gain some draft buzz as the season progresses now that he's not playing behind Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart.

Next Up: Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Other outlets seem to be higher on Faulk entering the 2025 campaign. He has good size at 6'6" and 270 pounds. He's strong against the run, but isn't a fluid athlete and lacks pass-rush polish. B/R will be keeping a close eye on Faulk to begin the season, meaning he could rise up the board with a good start to the campaign.

Linebackers

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Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles

Scouted by Matt Holder

1. Sonny Styles, Ohio State (7.8)

Explain the Grade: Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Styles enters the season as LB1 and, barring a significant injury, it's difficult to envision him moving from that spot. The former defensive back has impressive movement skills to be effective in coverage and surprises with his strength to take on blocks in the running game. As a result, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Buckeye cement himself as a first-round pick in the Fall despite lower positional value.

Next Up: Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

With 13 sacks in two seasons, Hill might get drafted as an edge defender, according to ESPN's Matt Miller. It will be interesting to see how Texas uses him this season, and the uncertainty is part of the reason why he's not in the Top 30 right now. If the Longhorn sticks at off-ball linebacker, he projects to be on the back end of the first-round to early-second-round category. 

Cornerbacks

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Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy

Scouted by Daniel Harms

1. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (8.6)
2. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (8.1)
3. Malik Muhammad, Texas (7.8)

Explain the Grade: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

McCoy doesn’t just play defense; he makes sure the receiver feels his presence every time he lines up. He plays a physical brand of football that translates to the run game with his explosive movements downhill. For a young corner, who turns 20 years old later this month, his football IQ jumps off the screen with route-recognition and anticipating plays before they happen. Watching McCoy play the game is an exciting experience for the viewer, while he puts receivers through the ringer.

Coming back from a torn ACL in January is a big obstacle for his 2025 season, but don’t count him out. 

Next Up: Mansoor Delane, LSU

Expectations for Delane were high going into his junior season at Virginia Tech. While he put up the best statistical season of his career with four interceptions, seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles, the game-to-game results didn't meet expectations. The talent, football IQ and versatility are all present. His transfer to LSU will place him around better all-around talent and allow him to showcase his abilities on the big stage. With more eyes on him this season and hopefully an entirely healthy season ahead, look for Delane to rise throughout the process.

Safeties

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Former Purdue and current Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman

Scouted by Daniel Harms

1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State (9.3)
2. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon (8.3)
3. Kamari Ramsey, USC (7.9)

Explain the Grade: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

In the shadow of Caleb Downs, who enters the season as B/R's No. 1 overall prospect, not many viewers are searching for possible challengers as the class' top safety. While Thieneman isn't Downs, he's a talented defender who was shining in a difficult situation while at Purdue. Now in a winning environment and with a more talented defense, Thieneman can play all over for Oregon, including as a true deep-field defender. He's a willing tackler who showcases numerous examples of closing speed and range to make impact plays at every level. Thieneman could surprise people with how high he ultimately is drafted, even in relation to Downs in the same class.

Next Up: Tao Johnson, Utah

Defenders with a nose for the football find ways to make plays, and Johnson fits the bill while entering his third season playing safety for the Utes. The former wide receiver saw a massive leap in performance last season. He totaled 70 tackles (41 solo), with two tackles for loss, an interception, four passes defended and a forced fumble. His instincts and closing speed form a good combo to trigger downhill, and he's growing to trust his eyes. Johnson is a good-sized defender (6'1", 193 lbs), who is looking to make a name for himself among a talented safety crop.