Six 2026 NFL Draft Prospects Most Likely to be Overdrafted

The Senior Bowl is complete, and draft season is officially entering full swing as 30 NFL teams embark on their offseasons ahead of Super Bowl LX. 

That being the case, we can already start to gauge who might be getting more or less hype than they're worth. 

Here's a preliminary look at six prospects who, at this stage, appear likely to be overdrafted in April.

Alabama QB Ty Simpson 

AP Photo/Vasha Hunt

Ty Simpson

Background: Largely considered the No. 2 quarterback in this class, Simpson is rather polished for a one-year college starter. He put up 28 touchdowns to five interceptions in leading the Crimson Tide to the SEC championship in 2025. 

Red Flag from the B/R Scouting Department: "Simpson must improve his anticipation of throwing from the pocket, which is most likely a result of being a first-year starter. He tends to wait for his target to complete their breaks."

Overdraft Potential: That is not guaranteed to develop, but the scarcity of talent beyond Fernando Mendoza at a key position in high demand will inevitably lead to somebody rolling the dice on Simpson in Round 1. 

Prediction: If he's drafted into the right offense, he could eventually become a good-not-great starter. I'm still betting we've written him off as a career backup by 2028. 

Georgia OT Monroe Freeling

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Monroe Freeling

Background: The bulky-yet-lengthy 6'7" left tackle earned second-team All-SEC nods in his first full season as a starter with the Bulldogs in 2025.  

Red Flag from the B/R Scouting Department: "Upright play style leaves him lunging into overextension when the picture changes post-snap and vulnerable to whiffing on slippery targets."

Overdraft Potential: You get the feeling he'll crush the combine due to his size and athleticism, which is great but could be misleading because there are legit questions about his hand/leverage technique. He's also dealt with shoulder and ankle injuries in the last year.

Prediction: He becomes a decent right tackle somewhere, but struggles as a rookie despite being drafted in Round 1.

Miami Edge Rueben Bain Jr.

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Rueben Bain Jr.

Background: As a guy who was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year as a true freshman in 2023, the 6'3", 275-pounder has the seasoning and profile to become a standout NFL edge-rusher.

Red Flag from the B/R Scouting Department: "Lacks some explosion off the line to win with speed around the edge as a pass-rusher at the next level."

Overdraft Potential: This is one of those situations in which you wonder if a prospect has just been in the public consciousness for so long that it's a given he'll become an NFL star. He still lacks speed and length, which can't be developed. But as "a name" at a premium position, someone will likely reach for him in the top six, especially with an expected run on edges up there.

Prediction: I doubt he ever carries a defense, or even a pass rush, as the main guy. 

Clemson DT Peter Woods

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Peter Woods

Background: A 4-star recruit in the 2023 class, Woods made a major impact as a true freshman for the Tigers before building on that by registering eight tackles for loss in 2024. He enters the draft loaded with big-game college experience as a three-year contributor with two years of starting experience in the ACC. 

Red Flag from the B/R Scouting Department: "Minimal pass-rush production, doesn't have a go-to move and is still learning how to use his hands as a rusher."

Overdraft Potential: While Woods had some huge moments, he disappeared a lot in 2025. This was supposed to be a monster season for him, and he fell well short of expectations. He also finished his career with just five sacks. Someone will draft him high based on what he did during his peaks, but that could be a mistake. 

Prediction: He gets selected in the top half of the first round and doesn't live up to the hype as a rookie, especially if anyone expects to rely on him week in and week out. 

Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Jacob Rodriguez

Background: The 2025 Butkus Award winner is quite seasoned after four seasons with the Red Raiders. He'll turn 24 early in his rookie campaign. 

Red Flag from the B/R Scouting Department: "Combination of arm length and below-average strength limits his extension and leads to him getting stuck on blocks from offensive linemen."

Overdraft Potential: Someone will be allured by his college dominance and all of the attention that has come with that, but I'm not convinced all of that will transfer over to the pro game. Rodriguez lacks strength, length, speed and even discipline in coverage. There are a lot of holes in his game, and it's not as though he hasn't had time to develop. 

Prediction: He will be a Day 2 pick but belongs in the middle rounds and is likely just a role player in the NFL. 

Texas A&M CB Will Lee III

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Will Lee III

Background: The 2024 transfer from Kansas State was second-team All-SEC that year. The 6'1", 189-pound soon-to-be 23-year-old has a nice blend of length, athleticism and polish. 

Red Flag from the B/R Scouting Department: "In zone, Lee's eyes wander leading to open receivers underneath due to not recognizing route combinations. His instincts come into question in off coverage with hesitant play."

Overdraft Potential: Long speed could be an issue, as could penalties considering his tendency to "get grabby." I get the sense he'll have a lot of low moments at the pro level.

Prediction: Don't be surprised if his press coverage skills alone make him a top-25 pick rather than a Day 2 selection, but there's a ceiling for Lee as a playmaker and all-around contributor. That ceiling is No. 2 corner.