B/R NFL Draft Scouting Dept.'s 2026 NFL Draft Top 100 Big Board

The ongoing college football season looks vastly different than it did when it began, with multiple program either disappointing or impressing. The same can be said for the 2026 NFL draft class and its previous top prospects.

Aside from Ohio State and safety Caleb Downs at the top of each, the next tier of teams and individuals have shifted dramatically over the last three months.

To keep track of the evolving landscape, Bleacher Report's team of scouts continues to evaluate hundreds of prospects, with its latest effort including the Top 100 viewed so far.

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 100

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson

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

1. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State (9.3)
2. Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (8.7)
3. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (8.6)
4. CB Mansoor Delane, LSU (8.6)
5. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (8.5)
6. DL Peter Woods, Clemson (8.5)
7. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame (8.5)
8. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (8.5)
9. Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson (8.3)
10. Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (8.1)
11. QB Dante Moore, Oregon (8.1)
12. WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State (8.0)
13. OT Spencer Fano, Utah (8.0)
14. Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn (8.0)
15. S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon (8.0)
16. LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State (8.0)
17. TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (8.0)
18. IOL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (8.0)
19. QB Ty Simpson, Alabama (8.0)
20. DL LT Overton, Alabama (7.9)
21. OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama (7.9)
22. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson (7.9)
23. S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State (7.9)
24. IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State (7.9)
25. S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo (7.9)
26. CB Malik Muhammad, Texas (7.8)
27. OT Caleb Lomu, Utah (7.8)
28. Edge Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon (7.8)
29. LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State (7.8)
30. CB Chandler Rivers, Duke (7.8)
31. LB CJ Allen, Georgia (7.8)
32. WR Makai Lemon, USC (7.8)
33. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (7.8)
34. Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech (7.7)
35. WR Chris Bell, Louisville (7.7)
36. S Kamari Ramsey, USC (7.7)
37. WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee (7.7)
38. QB Taylen Green, Arkansas (7.7)
39. TE Jack Endries, Texas (7.7)
40. OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern (7.6)
41. WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana (7.6)
42. DL Christen Miller, Georgia (7.6)
43. LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama (7.6)
44. DL A'Mauri Washington, Oregon (7.5)
45. IOL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon (7.5)
46. WR Denzel Boston, Washington (7.5)
47. CB Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (7.5)
48. Edge R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma (7.5)
49. WR Germie Bernard, Alabama (7.5)
50. CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (7.5)
51. LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (7.5)
52. S Keon Sabb, Alabama (7.5)
53. Edge Zion Young, Missouri (7.5)
54. RB Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M (7.5)
55. QB Carson Beck, Miami (7.5)
56. TE Max Klare, Ohio State (7.5)
57. LB Whit Weeks, LSU (7.5)
58. Edge Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (7.4)
59. OT Kage Casey, Boise State (7.4)
60. QB Arch Manning, Texas (7.4)
61. WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia (7.4)
62. RB Justice Haynes, Michigan (7.4)
63. CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State (7.4)
64. WR Ja'Kobi Lane, USC (7.4)
65. Edge Tyreak Sapp, Florida (7.4)
66. CB Jyaire Hill, Michigan (7.4)
67. TE Michael Trigg, Baylor (7.4)
68. OT Carter Smith, Indiana (7.4)
69. QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina (7.3)
70. DL Domonique Orange, Iowa State (7.3)
71. RB Jonah Coleman, Washington (7.3)
72. IOL Brian Parker II, Duke (7.3)
73. RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State (7.3)
74. Edge Derrick Moore, Michigan (7.3)
75. Edge Romello Height, Texas Tech (7.2)
76. CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M (7.2)
77. S Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma (7.2)
78. LB Isaiah Glasker, BYU (7.2)
79. TE Eli Raridon, Notre Dame (7.2)
80. Edge John Henry Daley, Utah (7.2)
81. DL Tim Keenan III, Alabama (7.2)
82. CB Domani Jackson, Alabama (7.2)
83. QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson (7.2)
84. DL Caleb Banks, Florida (7.2)
85. QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (7.1)
86. IOL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech (7.1)
87. DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State (7.1)
88. OT Jude Bowry, Boston College (7.1)
89. CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State (7.1)
90. OT Xavier Chaplin, Auburn (7.1)
91. LB Austin Romaine, Kansas State (7.1)
92. IOL Connor Lew, Auburn (7.1)
93. TE Marlin Klein, Michigan (7.1)
94. Edge Joshua Josephs, Tennessee (7.0)
95. TE Tanner Koziol, Houston (7.0)
96. WR Josh Cameron, Baylor (7.0)
97. LB Taurean York, Texas A&M (7.0)
98. S Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa (7.0)
99. Edge Mikail Kamara, Indiana (7.0)
100. QB Drew Allar, Penn State (7.0)

Quarterback

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Scouted by Dame Parson

Most Accurate: Ty Simpson
Best Arm Strength: LaNorris Sellers
Best Mobility: Taylen Green
Most Pro-Ready: Fernando Mendoza

1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (8.5)
2. Dante Moore, Oregon (8.1)
3. Ty Simpson, Alabama (8.0)
4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (7.8)
5. Taylen Green, Arkansas (7.7)
6. Carson Beck, Miami (7.5)
7. Arch Manning, Texas (7.4)
8. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina (7.3)
9. Cade Klubnik, Clemson (7.2)
10. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (7.1)
11. Drew Allar, Penn State (7.0)

Explain the Grade: Taylen Green, Arkansas

Green embodies the perfect draft-and-develop quarterback prospect. He has shown improvement since last season, displaying more layered throws and winning from inside the pocket. Meanwhile, his athleticism and running ability remain game-changing.

The Boise State transfer possesses arguably the class' highest ceiling, while being more comfortable than most of his counterparts working from under center with pro-style concepts. 

Running Backs

Matthew Holst/Getty Images

Penn State's Kaytron Allen

Scouted by Dame Parson

Best Speed: Jeremiyah Love
Best Power: Kaytron Allen
Best Vision: Le'Veon Moss
Best Hands: Desmond Reid
Best Third-Down Back: Desmond Reid

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame (8.5)
2. Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M (7.5)
3. Justice Haynes, Michigan (7.4)
4. Jonah Coleman, Washington (7.3)
5. Kaytron Allen, Penn State (7.3)

Explain the Grade: Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Singleton fell just outside B/R's Top 100 despite being viewed as an early-round prospect entering this season. He has been a disappointment. A lack of lateral agility and fluidity creates challenging running scenarios for him to navigate.

As a result, his productivity has taken a significant hit, lowering his stock for the upcoming draft class.

Wide Receivers

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Ohio State's Carnell Tate

Scouted by Dame Parson

Best Hands: Denzel Boston
Best Route-Runner: Jordyn Tyson
Best Speed: Zachariah Branch
Best Slot Receiver: Makai Lemon
Most Pro-Ready: Carnell Tate

1. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (8.6)
2. Carnell Tate, Ohio State (8.0)
3. Makai Lemon, USC (7.8)
4. Chris Bell, Louisville (7.7)
5. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee (7.7)
6. Elijah Sarratt, Indiana (7.6)
7. Denzel Boston, Washington (7.5)
8. Germie Bernard, Alabama (7.5)
9. Zachariah Branch, Georgia (7.4)
10. Ja'Kobi Lane, USC (7.4)
11. Josh Cameron, Baylor (7.0)

Explain the Grade: Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Tate went from being the other Ohio State wide receiver to a potential first-round prospect. He is a pro-ready receiver with great route running, tempo, and pacing. He separates well from man coverage with his polished routes.

He is a QB-friendly receiver with outstanding body control and leaping ability to high-point contested catches. There is not much to complain about with his draft skill set.  

Tight Ends

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Ohio State's Max Klare

Scouted by Daniel Harms

Best Receiver: Michael Trigg, Baylor
Most Versatile: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Best Blocker: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Most Pro-Ready: Eli Raridon, Notre Dame

1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (8.0)
2. Jack Endries, Texas (7.7)
3. Max Klare, Ohio State (7.5)
4. Michael Trigg, Baylor (7.4)
5. Eli Raridon, Notre Dame (7.2)
6. Marlin Klein, Michigan (7.1)
7. Tanner Koziol, Houston (7.0)

Explain the Grade: Max Klare, Ohio State

Coming into the 2025 season, Klare ranked as B/R's No. 1 tight end based on summer scouting. After transferring to Ohio State, he isn't a featured part of the Buckeyes' passing attack, where he could showcase his feel for space, route nuance and explosiveness after the catch.

Ohio State is blessed with outstanding wide receiver talent once again, and the emergence of Carnell Tate as one of the nation's better targets has eaten away at Klare's opportunities. The talent is all there for the the tight end, and he's still getting open, but he hasn't produced as expected.

Offensive Tackle

Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images

Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan

Scouted by Brandon Thorn

Best Run-Blocker: Carter Smith
Best Pass-Blocker: Spencer Fano
Best Zone-Blocker: Caleb Tiernan
Most Pro-Ready: Spencer Fano
Most Versatile: Caleb Tiernan

1. Spencer Fano, Utah (8.0)
2. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama (7.9)
3. Caleb Lomu, Utah (7.8)
4. Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern (7.6)
5. Kage Casey, Boise State (7.4)
6. Carter Smith, Indiana (7.4)
7. Jude Bowry, Boston College (7.1)
8. Xavier Chaplin, Auburn (7.1)

Explain the Grade: Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern

Tiernan is not the most physically talented or imposing tackle prospect, but his tape has arguably been the most consistent. This is thanks to solid-or-better physical traits with refined all-around technique.

He is a skilled pass protector with efficient footwork, sound positional leverage and adept use of hands to throw off the timing of rushers and establish quick control. He looks like he could not only stick at offensive tackle in the NFL but also kick inside with relative ease depending on the situation.

Interior Offensive Linemen

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Miami's Francis Mauigoa

Scouted by Brandon Thorn

Best Run-Blocker: Emmanuel Pregnon
Best Pass-Blocker: Francis Mauigoa
Best Zone-Blocker: Brian Parker II
Most Pro-Ready: Emmanuel Pregnon
Most Versatile: Francis Mauigoa

1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami (8.0)
2. Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State (7.9)
3. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon (7.5)
4. Brian Parker II, Duke (7.3)
5. Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech (7.1)
6. Connor Lew, Auburn (7.1)

Explain the Grade: Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Mauigoa is B/R's top-rated guard, though his tackle experience still provides potential to stick there in the right system. He is a densely-built brick wall in pass protection thanks to an elite anchor and active, heavy hands to establish first meaningful contact on rushers and keeping them at his fingertips.

He routinely jolts defenders on contact and clears lanes in the run game on angle-drive, down and overtake blocks. He is a little late to adapt and recover out of compromising positions due to his size, but his mass, girth and length go a long ways towards mitigating clean losses.

Mauigoa looks like a solid, reliable starter at guard or right tackle. 

Edge-Rushers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Auburn's Keldric Faulk

Scouted by Matt Holder

Best Speed-Rusher: Cashius Howell
Best Power-Rusher: Rueben Bain Jr.
Best Run-Stopper: Rueben Bain Jr.
Most Versatile: Keldric Faulk

1. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (8.7)
2. T.J. Parker, Clemson (8.3)
3. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (8.1)
4. Keldric Faulk, Auburn (8.0)
5. Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon (7.8)
6. David Bailey, Texas Tech (7.7)
7. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma (7.5)
8. Zion Young, Missouri (7.5)
9. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (7.4)
10. Tyreak Sapp, Florida (7.4)
11. Derrick Moore, Michigan (7.3)
12. Romello Height, Texas Tech (7.2)
13. John Henry Daley, Utah (7.2)
14. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee (7.0)
15. Mikail Kamara, Indiana (7.0)

Explain the Grade: Keldric Faulk, Auburn

As mentioned in B/R's first big board, the scouting department entered this season lower on Faulk than most and planned to monitor him closely during the beginning of the season.

The 6'6", 285-pound defensive end has done enough so far, with plenty of tools, to earn a legitimate first-round grade. However, he still lacks polish, thus he still falls outside of B/R's Top 10.

Faulk feels eerily similar to Tyree Wilson, who was drafted seventh overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2023 class but has yet to develop. 

Defensive Linemen

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Alabama's Tim Keenan III

Scouted by Matt Holder

Best Nose Tackle: Domonique Orange
Best Pass-Rusher: LT Overton
Best Run-Stopper: Peter Woods
Most Versatile: LT Overton

1. Peter Woods, Clemson (8.5)
2. LT Overton, Alabama (7.9)
3. Christen Miller, Georgia (7.6)
4. A'Mauri Washington, Oregon (7.5)
5. Domonique Orange, Iowa State (7.3)
6. Tim Keenan III, Alabama (7.2)
7. Caleb Banks, Florida (7.2)
8. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State (7.1)

Explain the Grade: Tim Keenan III, Alabama

Over the summer, Keenan looked like a prospect who could rise up draft boards during his final season on campus. However, he required tightrope surgery on his ankle right before Week 1 and quickly fell down draft boards.

B/R is still higher on him than most, primarily due to his ability to be a space-eater and quality nose tackle, but the Alabama product's grade has dropped.

Keenan could continue to slide. If he doesn't start reaching the potential he flashed last season, his draft stock may fall further.

Linebackers

Ben Jackson/Getty Images

Ohio State's Arvell Reese

Scouted by Matt Holder

Best Blitzer: Arvell Reese
Best Run-Stopper: Arvell Reese
Best in Coverage: Sonny Styles
Most Versatile: Arvell Reese

1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State (8.0)
2. Sonny Styles, Ohio State (7.8)
3. CJ Allen, Georgia (7.8)
4. Deontae Lawson, Alabama (7.6)
5. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (7.5)
6. Whit Weeks, LSU (7.5)
7. Isaiah Glasker, BYU (7.2)
8. Austin Romaine, Kansas State (7.1)
9. Taurean York, Texas A&M (7.0)

Explain the Grade: Arvell Reese, Ohio State

With a lot of focus on Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs heading into the season, Reese has stolen the show and become the Ohio State Buckeyes' most impressive defender this fall.

He displays the most strength at the point of attack when taking on blocks against the run game since 2023 first-round draftee Jack Campbell. Reese is even better than Campbell in that regard.

Impressively, the true junior has developed into a productive and deadly pass-rusher this season with 5.5 sacks through seven games. The latter could dictate a switch to playing off the edge at the next level.

For now, Reese comfortably sits as the B/R's top off-ball linebacker. 

Cornerback

Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Tennessee's Jermod McCoy

Scouted by Daniel Harms

Best in Man Coverage: Mansoor Delane, LSU
Best in Zone Coverage: Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Best Slot Corner: Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
Most Versatile: Chandler Rivers, Duke

1. Mansoor Delane, LSU (8.6)
2. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (8.5)
3. Avieon Terrell, Clemson (7.9)
4. Malik Muhammad, Texas (7.8)
5. Chandler Rivers, Duke (7.8)
6. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (7.5)
7. Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (7.5)
8. Chris Johnson, San Diego State (7.4)
9. Jyaire Hill, Michigan (7.4)
10. Will Lee III, Texas A&M (7.2)
11. Domani Jackson, Alabama (7.2)
12. Keith Abney II, Arizona State (7.1)

Explain the Grade: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

McCoy has spent the entirety of the 2025 season recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in January. He's yet to take a snap.

However, he was B/R's clear No. 1 cornerback entering the season based on last season's performance because of great athletic burst to stay connected, scheme versatility, physical nature of play and a high football IQ.

We'll be waiting for his return with an understanding the season immediately following a significant injury isn't always a prospect's best showcase. 

Even so, McCoy has legitimate top corner traits, as long as his medical evaluations are fine.

Safety

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Oregon's Dillon Thieneman

Scouted by Daniel Harms

Best in Man Coverage: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Best in Zone Coverage: Kamari Ramsey, USC
Best Run-Stopper: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Most Versatile: Zakee Wheatley, Penn State

1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State (9.3)
2. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon (8.0)
3. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State (7.9)
4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo (7.9)
5. Kamari Ramsey, USC (7.7)
6. Keon Sabb, Alabama (7.5)
7. Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma (7.2)
8. Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa (7.0)

Explain the Grade: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Thieneman is one of the class' most talented and effort-producing players, but it hasn't quite translated this fall.

After transferring from Purdue to Oregon, he hasn't had the most productive season. He's playing in a new system with new teammates and learning what's expected of him as a member of the Ducks.

His range and instincts allow him to flow between the box and a single-high player, while adding the willingness to play against the run or as nickel against bigger tight ends.

A better player exists in Thieneman than what we've seen so far in 2025.