NFL Draft: What are the 10 Best Draft Classes Produced by a College Since 2000?

Ohio State could do something that no program has done in nearly 60 years when the 2026 NFL Draft commences on Thursday. With Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese, linebacker Sonny Styles, wide receiver Carnell Tate and safety Caleb Downs all viewed as among the top prospects in this year's draft, the Buckeyes could become the first program to have four top-10 picks in the NFL Draft since Michigan State did so in 1867. As those four players will almost assuredly be taken in the first round, Ohio State might have another player get selected in the first 32 picks. Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald has been featured as a first-round pick in several mock drafts. Suffice it to say, this Ohio State draft class could be among the best a school has produced in a single year. So, that got us thinking: What are the 10 best draft classes ever produced by a college in a single year? Well, we picked the 10 best, all based on college production and with some help from FOX Sports Research. We decided to leave the 2026 Ohio State draft class off this list as we don't know how many Buckeyes will be drafted this weekend. But don't fret, Ohio State fans, your team is represented on this list. 10. 2015 Florida State (11 players selected, 2 players in first round) Notable players: Jameis Winston (No. 1 overall pick), Cam Erving (19), Mario Edwards Jr. (35), Eddie Goldman (39), Ronald Darby (50), Nick O'Leary (194), Bobby Hart (226) The Seminoles won a national title in 2013 and took their only 2014 loss in the championship game to Oregon, with Winston winning a Heisman Trophy and becoming the No. 1 overall pick. He started five years in Tampa but couldn't limit his turnovers, throwing 33 touchdowns to 30 interceptions in 2019 in his last year as a full-time starter. His one Pro Bowl is the only one from this class, but he, Edwards, Goldman and Hall are still active players more than a decade later. 9. 2010 Florida (9 players selected, 3 players in first round) Notable players: Joe Haden (7), Maurkice Pouncey (18), Tim Tebow (25), Carlos Dunlap (54), Brandon Spikes (62), Major Wright (75), Aaron Hernandez (113) The Gators won national championships in 2006 and 2008 behind this group, and made a strong case to win three titles in four years. Tebow, a Heisman winner, never found the same success in the NFL and Hernandez played only three seasons before his arrest and conviction for murder. Pouncey had nine Pro Bowl selections and Haden had three, finishing with 29 career interceptions, while Dunlap quietly got to 100 career sacks. 8. 2006 Ohio State (9 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: A.J. Hawk (5), Donte Whitner (8), Bobby Carpenter (18), Santonio Holmes (25), Nick Mangold (29) As the Buckeyes prepare to potentially have five players go in the first round of this year's draft, they had five players go in Round 1 20 years ago. In terms of NFL production, the late Nick Mangold headlined the group, earning seven Pro Bowl nods. But Hawk (a two-time All-American), Whitner (All-Big Ten) and Holmes (two-time All-Big Ten) each had productive NFL careers. Hawk and Whitner both played more than 150 games and Holmes was a Super Bowl hero, catching the winning touchdown for the Steelers to beat the Cardinals with 35 seconds left. The 2005 Buckeyes went 10-2 and finished fourth, making the national title game in 2006 only to lose to Florida. 7. 2016 Ohio State (12 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: Joey Bosa (3), Ezekiel Elliott (4), Eli Apple (10), Taylor Decker (16), Darron Lee (20), Michael Thomas (47), Vonn Bell (61), Nick Vannett (94), Cardale Jones (139) Ten years after it had five players go in the round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Ohio State had five players go in the first round in the 2016 draft. That group of first-rounders, plus the likes of Thomas, helped the Buckeyes win a national title in 2014 and went 12-1 in 2015, but fell short of going back-to-back. Still, seven of these players were named an All-American at some point during their time at Ohio State. In terms of NFL production, Bosa has made five Pro Bowls and six players from this class have at least 100 career games. Elliott and Thomas were both dominant early on, with three Pro Bowls in their first four seasons, but none after that. That 2015 Buckeyes team included future stars in Joe Burrow, Terry McLaurin and Marshon Lattimore as freshmen. 6. 2020 LSU (14 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: Joe Burrow (1), K'Lavon Chaisson (20), Justin Jefferson (22), Patrick Queen (28), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (32), Grant Delpit (44), Kristian Fulton (61), Damien Lewis (69), Lloyd Cushenberry III (83) One of the most dominant college football teams of all-time created one of the best draft classes for a program ever. LSU went 15-0 to win the national title in 2019, and Burrow and Jefferson are now NFL superstars, making a combined $415 million on their second pro contracts. Delpit, meanwhile, was a star in college, earning the Thorpe Award for the nation's best defensive back in 2019. As evidenced by Burrow's and Jefferson's contracts, this draft class has translated well in the NFL. The combined career Approximate Value for this class is 346, according to Pro Football Reference. For context, it's quickly approaching the combined AV of the 2002 Miami (Fla.) class (357), which holds the record. That 2019 Tigers team was supremely talented, with future top-five picks like wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and cornerback Derek Stingley also on the roster, and Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady there as passing game coordinator. 5. 2018 Alabama (12 players selected, 4 players in first round) Notable players: Minkah Fitzpatrick (11), Da'Ron Payne (13), Rashaan Evans (22), Calvin Ridley (26), Ronnie Harrison (93), Da'Shawn Hand (114), Anthony Averett (118), JK Scott (172), Bradley Bozeman (215) Alabama won national titles in 2015 and 2017 with a wealth of future NFL talent, as evidenced by the draft class it put out in 2018. Fitzpatrick was the headliner of this group in college and the NFL. He won the Bendarik and Thorpe Awards in college before earning five Pro Bowl nods in his NFL career. Several other players from this Alabama group were named first or second-team All-SEC as well. Ridley has had a strong NFL career, but the depth of this class has also stood out. Bozeman, a sixth-round pick, just retired after eight seasons, and Hand and Scott are still playing as third-day picks. The Tide's draft class didn't include three future NFL starting quarterbacks from 2017 in Jalen Hurts, Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa, along with underclassmen like Quinnen Williams and Josh Jacobs. 4. 2002 Miami (Fla.) (11 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: Bryant McKinnie (7), Jeremy Shockey (14), Phillip Buchanon (17), Ed Reed (24), Mike Rumph (27), Clinton Portis (51) As we mentioned earlier, this college class is the best in terms of NFL production, according to Pro Football Reference's AV stat. McKinnie, Shockey and Portis were each stars in college and the NFL. Of course, Reed had a Hall of Fame NFL career after being named a first-team All-American twice at Miami. McKinnie played 179 games, Shockey had 547 catches and Portis rushed for just under 10,000 yards. Not only did Miami go 12-0 in winning a national title in 2001, but it also held eight of 12 opponents to seven points or fewer, with only one victory decided by single digits (see their 2004 draft haul as part of that). 3. 2022 Georgia (15 players selected, 5 players in first round) Notable players: Travon Walker (1), Jordan Davis (13), Quay Walker (22), Devonte Wyatt (28), George Pickens (52), James Cook (63), Nakobe Dean (83), Jamaree Salyer (195) Another ridiculously deep group. The 15 total draft picks from the Dawgs are a record for one school in one draft, and the five first-rounders are one off the record. All five first-rounders were on defense, and that doesn't include Dean, who was an All-American in college. The two Walkers, Davis and Dean have signed free-agent deals worth a combined $264 million. Georgia won the 2021 national championship thanks to that defense, but that offense had some playmakers, too. Cook has now been a success in the NFL, getting a $48 million contract a year ago, and Pickens is in line for a megadeal at some point soon. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken is now the Cleveland Browns' head coach, too. Freshmen on that 2021 team included Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, Broderick Jones, Amarius Mims and Kamari Lassiter, all future top-50 picks. 2. 2021 Alabama (10 players selected, 6 players in first round) Notable players: Jaylen Waddle (6), Pat Surtain II (9), DeVonta Smith (10), Mac Jones (15), Alex Leatherwood (17), Najee Harris (24), Landon Dickerson (37), Christian Barmore (38) Eight players from one school in the top 40 picks is incredible, but it makes sense considering how dominant this Alabama group was. The Crimson Tide went undefeated in 2020 and won the national championship, winning all but one of its 13 games by double-digits. Smith won the Heisman Trophy that year, while Jones set the single-season record for completion percentage at the time. In terms of pro production, Alabama's 2021 class has logged an AV of 265 in just five seasons, which is an impressive number. Waddle, Surtain, Smith, Dickerson and Barmore have already signed extensions worth a combined $396 million. 1. 2004 Miami (Fla.) (9 players selected, 6 players in first round) Notable players: Sean Taylor (5), Kellen Winslow (6), Jonathan Vilma (12), DJ Williams (17), Vernon Carey (19), Vince Wilfork (21) The six first-rounders are still tied for the most by one school in one draft. Even though this Miami class is the only one in the top six of this list to ot win a national championship in the preceding college season, this Canes group was still dominant in college. They helped the program win the national title in 2001 before going 11-2 under Larry Coker in 2003. Brock Berlin was at quarterback and Jarrett Payton led the 2003 team in rushing, showcasing how talented this group was. Five of the six Canes players taken in the first round were named an All-American in 2003. The only one of that group who wasn't named an All-American, Wilfork, arguably had the best NFL career of the group, though. Wilfork had five Pro Bowl nods, but Vilma had three. Taylor was also a two-time Pro Bowler before he was tragically shot and killed at 24 after only four seasons in the NFL.

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2026 NFL Draft Betting Report: Lack of Information Creates Chaos for Books

If you’re thinking of betting on NFL Draft odds for the No. 1 overall pick, don’t waste your time. At -20000 odds — meaning it takes a $200 bet to win one dollar — Fernando Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite. The Indiana quarterback is practically signed, sealed and delivered to the Las Vegas Raiders. But things get more interesting from there. "When someone is that big a favorite, the conversation seems to shift to pick No. 2. And it has," Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. "That’s the most-bet prop, the biggest-bet market right now." Feazel helps break down the most notable 2026 NFL Draft odds, ahead of the Thursday-Saturday event in Pittsburgh. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Information Age Before addressing the No. 2 overall pick, it’s first worth noting how NFL Draft betting differs from what bookmakers typically face. "In the trading department, we like to use math," Feazel said, alluding to how odds are set for games. "But the NFL Draft is information-based. When a bet comes in on information, the difficulty is deciding whether it’s a rumor or if the bettor on the other side has information. And whether a rumor is true or not. "When you take math out of the equation, it normally isn’t that helpful to us." Sharp bettors often heavily engage in NFL Draft odds, and they tend to do well. It’s a tough event for sportsbooks to win. "We have won sometimes, and we’re certainly trying to win. But we’re not expecting a lot of the information to go our way," Feazel said. Two-Man Battle The No. 2 overall pick is still very much in flux, although it’s clearly a two-man battle between Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey. It’s so close, in fact, that as of Tuesday afternoon, Reese and Bailey are -115 co-favorites at Caesars. After those two, odds stretch out to +6000 for Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. No surprise, information is affecting this NFL prop bet. "It was starting to look like David Bailey was gonna be the No. 2 pick, so we moved him to the favorite. But then it was thought that the Jets were maybe trying to trade the pick," Feazel said. Don’t be surprised if Reese and Bailey’s odds continue to be volatile. And if a trade happens at No. 2, things could get much murkier. "There could be someone who’s not even expected to be in the mix," Feazel said. QBs or Not QBs Among the slew of NFL Draft prop bets available, one of the most popular is on the number of quarterbacks drafted in the first round. This year, the expectations are quite low. Pretty much every sportsbook has the Over/Under at 1.5. However, the Over 1.5 is a growing favorite, now at odds of -225, with Under 1.5 a +175 underdog. Mendoza is obviously a lock. The deciding factor is whether Alabama QB Ty Simpson is deemed first-round worthy. "It’s kind of been going up and down. And it correlates to the price of Simpson to be drafted in the first round," Feazel said. In fact, it directly correlates. On the separate NFL Draft prop of players to be first-round picks, Simpson is -225. However, there is a difference of opinion among bettors. "It’s been two-way action, all based on speculation on Simpson," Feazel said. "There are rumors that the Cardinals or someone else might be interested." Arizona has the No. 3 overall pick — which it certainly won’t use on Simpson — then the second pick of the second round, No. 34 overall. The thought is that the Cards might try to trade up from that No. 34 slot, into the first round, to draft Simpson. But if you think Arizona holds pat and Simpson slips to Round 2, then there might be some betting value on Under 1.5 QBs. At +175, a $100 bet would net $175 profit (total payout $275). More Popular Plays Feazel said three more markets consistently draw attention in NFL Draft prop bets: players to be picked in the top 5, top 10 or the first round. "Bettors are trying to find value at a plus-money price," Feazel said. "One thing we saw recently, with the Giants sneaking back into the top 10, was interest on Jordyn Tyson, the wide receiver from Arizona State." Tyson had hamstring issues that kept him out of the NFL combine and ASU’s initial pro day. And previous injuries are a concern, as well, including a multi-ligament knee tear in 2022. On Friday, though, he had a private workout that, by all accounts, went well. And the rumors are that the Giants are a strong possible suitor, after they traded Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals in exchange for the 10th pick. "Early on, we had Tyson at +220 to go in the first 10 picks. Now, we’re at -375," Feazel said of the wideout going from an underdog to a favorite in that market. "He’s expected to be picked early." Tyson’s top-10 prop ties into the market for the number of wide receivers to go in the first round. Feazel said that Caesars opened Over 5.5 as a modest -125 favorite, but those odds are now out to -190. Also, Caesars opened the prop of offensive linemen drafted in the first round at 7.5, with odds of -115 on both the Over and Under — a pick ‘em. However, Over 7.5 is now a substantial -280 favorite. "A lot of people are expecting a big run of offensive linemen, from picks 10 to 20," Feazel said.

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How Ohio State Could Make NFL Draft History With Top 2026 NFL Draft Picks

The NFL cares more about who wins the College Football Playoff national championship than most fans do. Just look at the past five years of first-round NFL Draft selections. Since 1968, only eight programs have seen five of their players selected in the first round of the same NFL Draft, and three of those classes represented have all come in the 2020s. This year, Ohio State could make history with top-10 NFL Draft picks — and without a quarterback in the mix. Looking back at past draft classes across all rounds, LSU (2019) had five players from that championship-winning group selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. Alabama (2020) had six players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft after it won the national title, and Georgia (2021) had five players drafted in 2022 after it won it all. Of that trio, only Georgia’s 2021 draft class didn’t feature a quarterback selected in the first round. LSU’s Joe Burrow (2020) and Alabama’s Mac Jones (2021) were each top-15 picks. Digging just a little deeper into elite draft classes from a singular program, only the 2020 Alabama squad had three of its players selected inside the first 10 picks of the draft this decade. That's tied with seven other programs for the most selections in the first 10 picks of any draft. There's one program that stands apart, though, not unlike the NFL’s 1972 Miami Dolphins, with an NFL Draft record that many believed might never be duplicated: 1967 Michigan State. That year, four players off the 1966 Michigan State national championship team were top-10 NFL Draft picks. Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, Ohio State could become the first program in modern history to duplicate the Spartans’ feat with four potential top-10 picks. And the Buckeyes could do it not only without a quarterback but also with just one offensive player selected: wide receiver Carnell Tate, safety Caleb Downs and linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese. These now-former Ohio State players were part of a team that didn't so much as sniff playing in the national title game last season and have not won a Big Ten title in their careers. Yet, the Buckeyes have developed four stars who could all hear their names called before the dinner served on the West Coast has a chance to get cold. Given what NFL Draft analysts and NFL player personnel department members have intimated about Ohio State, the best team in the sport — perhaps the team that should’ve defeated Indiana in the Big Ten title game and on the way to a national championship — should’ve done more. "That’s right," an NFL area scout for a team with a top-10 pick told me. "Just take the Reese kid, for example. I’m a college football fan. I know about the Downs kid. I know about [the] Styles kid and [the] Tate kid, but their best player is [Reese], a guy who couldn’t even get onto the field until 2024. They’re loaded. "It’s Ohio State. They’re always loaded, but I would call last year a letdown based on what the league thinks of their class." After dropping the Big Ten championship matchup in December to eventual national champion Indiana, the Buckeyes lost to Miami (Fla.) in the CFP quarterfinals. A quarterback in this class would elevate it to a different level, just as it would’ve for Georgia in 2022. However, unlike the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes have a signal-caller in Julian Sayin that many believe will be a first-round selection in 2027. That was not the case with former Georgia passer Stetson Bennett, who never projected as a first-round talent and was ultimately selected in the fourth round. [SOUND SMART: 5 Observations Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft] And unlike Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, Ohio State's Ryan Day has a knack for developing quarterbacks into first-round NFL Draft selections. He did it with Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields and again with C.J. Stroud — and that’s just since he joined the Buckeyes in 2017. That part is well-known. What Day and his staff have done at other positions, particularly wide receiver, is about to become just as prominent a fact. Consider not just that Ohio State wideouts have become prized commodities in the NFL but also that such a development has been recent and consistent. Between 2008 and 2021, the Buckeyes didn't develop a single first-round selection at wide receiver, despite players like Michael Thomas (a second-round pick) and Terry McLaurin (a third-round selection) turning out to be All-Pro-caliber wideouts in the NFL. Since 2022, however, no program has a better claim to "WRU" than the Buckeyes. In fact, Ohio State has had a wide receiver selected in the first round of the NFL Draft every single year since then. No other program has seen more than three consecutive years of wideouts selected from its program, and there are only two on the list: Tennessee (1982-1984) and Alabama (2020-2022). I’m only counting years, not players. If I counted players, the Buckeyes have had five wide receivers selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in the past four years. If Tate is drafted in the first round on Thursday, that would make him the sixth Ohio State receiver selected in the first round in five consecutive years. Then there’s still the man who has been tagged as the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft since the day he arrived in Columbus, Ohio: wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith, who presumably will join Sayin in the 2027 draft, could lead yet another rather remarkable Ohio State draft class next year while furthering what has become a burgeoning Buckeyes tradition of seeing a wide receiver selected in the first round. There are more on deck, too. [NFL DRAFT: Ranking the top-12 quarterbacks in 2026 class] The performance 6-foot-5, true freshman Chris Henry, Jr. put in just last Saturday during Ohio State’s spring game feels like a harbinger of what’s to come. Junior receiver Brandon Inniss earned the spot across the field from Smith that once belonged to former first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and Tate. If Inniss plays as well as his predecessors, he could join Smith in the first round of next year's draft. This is also proof that Ohio State’s recruiting strategy is working in this college football era filled with volatile transfer portal activity and undisclosed millions changing hands from businesses, universities and donors to players — dare I say "student-athletes." The Buckeyes' brass understands its fans demand excellence, and the NFL is more than happy to take advantage of Ohio State’s appetite to develop and be the best football program in America.

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49ers 7-Round Mock Draft: San Fran Addresses Areas of Need at WR, Pass Rusher

Barring a trade down or a trade of a player (Brandon Ayiuk, anyone?), the San Francisco 49ers will have their fewest number of picks in a single draft since 2020 in the 2026 NFL Draft. But the 49ers have shown an ability to make the most out of their picks in the past. Of course, San Francisco took quarterback Brock Purdy as Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft. Five years earlier, it landed All-Pro tight end George Kittle in the fifth round. So, what do 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have up their sleeves this April? Well, they have some obvious areas they need to address. They grabbed defensive end Mykel Williams in the first round of last year's draft, when they had a league-high 11 picks.  However, Williams and perirenal All-Pro Nick Bosa both finished 2025 with season-ending knee injuries, so improving the pass rush remains a priority for San Francisco. Along with adding to their pass rush, finding an eventual replacement for future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams should also be high on the list. The 37-year-old Oklahoma product was recently involved in another contract stalemate with the front office before reaching a resolution on Monday. So, with that in mind, let’s map out what the 49ers should do with a seven-round mock draft. Round 1 (No. 27 overall): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington The 49ers finished 12-5 last season and believe they are still in a Super Bowl window, but San Francisco could use more reliable, young playmakers on offense. Mike Evans and Christian Kirk were signed in free agency, but those two are veteran stop gaps and do not serve as a long-term answer for the receiver room. At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Boston is a big, physical receiver in the mold of Jauan Jennings who can win contested catches down the field. And with 20 receiving touchdowns over the last two seasons, Boston would help in the red zone. The 49ers have a good mentor for Boston on the roster in Evans, and the Washington product could eventually take over that role once he retires. San Francisco brought Boston in for a pre-draft visit. Round 2 (No. 58 overall): Malachi Lawrence, DE, Central Florida The 49ers finished with a league-low 20 sacks last season and need help off the edge with both Bosa and Williams recovering from knee injuries. Lawrence finished with 20 career sacks in college, so the production off the edge is there. And at 6-4 and 253 pounds with long arms and explosive traits, Lawrence provides the skill set new San Francisco defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is looking for in an athlete mover coming off the edge. He posted a 4.52-second 40 time, along with recording a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine. Lawrence was used to drop in coverage at Central Florida, so he offers versatility in a scheme where Morris will use a variety of defensive looks. The 49ers brought Lawrence in for a pre-draft visit. Round 4 (No. 127 overall): Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (Fla.) A fifth-year senior for the Hurricanes, Thomas offers physicality and playmaking skills for a San Francisco defensive secondary looking for more athletic bodies. Thomas finished with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups in his final season at Miami. At 6-1 and 211 pounds. Thomas has good size for the position. Thomas is a willing tackler in the running game, and while his 4.57-second 40 time will not wow scouts, he shows decent football instincts and can make plays in space. Thomas also showed the ability to develop into a good blitzer at the next level and can contribute on special teams. Round 4 (No. 133 overall): Alex Harkey, G, Oregon At 6-5 and 308 pounds, Harkey’s versatility is his strong suit. Harkey has the skill set to play all five offensive line positions and played tight end in high school, but he tracks to play guard at the next level. San Francisco offensive line coach Chris Foerster excels at getting the most out of developmental projects and will value Harkey’s unique skill set. The 49ers could use help in the interior of the offensive line, along with a contingency plan should an aging Williams deal with injuries again. Harkey could be part of that development strategy. San Francisco had a pre-draft visit with Harkey and met with him at the NFL Scouting Combine. Round 4 (No. 138 overall): Travis Burke, OT, Memphis Burke would be another developmental prospect for the 49ers to mold into a polished product that can play winning football on game days. At 6-9 and 325 pounds with long arms, Burke has the tools to grow into a consistent contributor along the offensive line for the 49ers. With San Francisco once again in contract negotiations with Williams, Burke would provide another option down the line as a player who could play in a pinch with a couple years of seasoning while working in an NFL facility. Round 4 (No. 139 overall): Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State At 6-5 and 312 pounds with long arms, Jackson has the physical profile to serve as a two-gap defensive tackle who can eat up blocks in the middle of San Francisco’s defense front. He also showed some pass-rush ability two years ago, finishing with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 2024. The 49ers are thin up front defensively and could use a rotational player at defensive tackle. Jackson’s uncle is Dexter Jackson, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety and MVP of Super Bowl XXXVII. Jackson was a teammate of San Francisco GM John Lynch with the Bucs.

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2026 NFL Draft: Pro Player Comps for Fernando Mendoza, Other Top Draft Prospects

As NFL talent evaluators put the finishing touches on their scouting reports of the 2026 draft class, they'll look at current pros with similar traits as another data point to project how the prospects might perform in the pro game. Most scouts utilize pro comparisons to paint a picture for NFL decision-makers who make the calls when on the clock. With the 2026 draft approaching, here are my pro comps for the top prospects in this year’s class. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana The Heisman Trophy winner is a lock to come off the board as the No. 1 overall pick on Thursday. Mendoza has impressed scouts with his intelligence, toughness and management skills, while also flashing pinpoint accuracy and touch as a rhythm passer. The combination of skills and a winning pedigree makes it easy to envision the Indiana standout thriving as a QB1 for a team running a system that prioritizes mistake-free football and clutch playmaking. Although Mendoza lacks elite physical tools, his superpowers as a high-IQ game manager could result in better performance and production than his natural talent would suggest. Pro comparison: Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State The silky-smooth pass-catcher checks all the boxes as a potential No. 1 receiver. Tate can impact the game as a three-level playmaker, displaying big-play potential as a vertical threat or catch-and-run specialist. Additionally, the Ohio State star shows elite route-running skills by twisting defenders into knots with his electric stop-start quickness and ballerina-like body control. With Tate also flashing ridiculous ball skills and body control as an acrobatic pass catcher, the 6-foot-2, 194-pounder is a dominant weapon on the perimeter with "take over the game" potential as a pro. Pro comparison: Rams WR Davante Adams Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State It is hard to find a safety with a high IQ, positional flexibility, ball skills and a "hit stick" mentality that enables him to play as a center fielder or hybrid linebacker in a multi-faceted scheme. Downs not only excels as a jack-of-all-trades, but he has mastered the art of playmaking in a "see ball, get ball" defensive scheme. While skeptics dismiss his impact potential due to his modest physical traits, the evaluators who love "ball players" easily identify the game-changing skills the Ohio State star brings to the table. Considering how championship-level defenses thrive with a game changer in the middle of the field, Downs’ versatility and adaptability give him a chance to emerge as a star as a designated playmaker in a creative defensive scheme. Pro comparison: Cardinals S Budda Baker David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech The energetic speed rusher took college football by storm during his lone season with the Red Raiders. Bailey terrorized opponents with his speed, quickness and burst, as he showcased a "dip-and-rip" maneuver and slick spin move to harass quarterbacks in the backfield. The persistent pressure and constant chaos created by his relentless approach force offensive coordinators to alter their pass-protection plans when facing the dynamic pass rusher. As Bailey acclimates to the pro game and elite pass protectors, the shifty sack artist could produce double-digit sacks annually as a speed-rushing specialist. Pro comparison: Giants OLB Brian Burns [How One Key Question Changed David Bailey’s NFL Future] Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama The pinpoint, quick-rhythm passer operates like a coach on the field, with his instincts, awareness and anticipation enabling him to pick apart coverages with surgical precision. Simpson’s flawless pocket mechanics and footwork make him a quarterback coach’s dream at first glance. With his strongest supporters citing the 2025 Crimson Tide’s sizzling start and his ridiculous numbers as proof of his franchise quarterback potential, the polarizing quarterback must overcome his inexperience, lack of size and arm talent deficiencies to defy the odds as a lightweight quarterback prospect. While teams have gambled on "newbies" in previous drafts (Mark Sanchez, 2009; Cam Newton, 2011; Kyler Murray, 2019; Trey Lance, 2021; Mac Jones, 2021; and Anthony Richardson, 2023), the disappointing hit rate will require Simpson to play above and beyond expectations to justify his draft day status. In a league in which scheme and play calls matter as much as the supporting cast, Simpson must find his way to a team that features a system that makes the game easier for the quarterback. Pro comparison: 49ers QB Brock Purdy Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State After successfully transitioning from safety to linebacker at Ohio State, Styles could flourish as a designated playmaker dominating the game between the hashes. As a fast-flow linebacker who can stuff running backs in the hole or run with tight ends and slot receivers down the middle, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder exhibits rare traits as an off-ball linebacker in a passing league. With his size, length and athleticism, which shrink passing lanes down the middle of the field, Styles is a potential difference-maker for a defense employing a "vision-and-break" scheme designed to create more turnovers. Pro comparison: 49ers LB Fred Warner [Will Ohio State Have Four Top-10 Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?] Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami The disruptive edge defender is a violent butt-kicker with heavy hands and a nasty temperament. Bain outworks and outlasts blockers, showcasing an alpha-dawg mentality reflected in his relentless approach and competitive stamina. With a rugged game that complements his explosive first step and all-out effort, the Miami standout is the junkyard dog no one wants to face on a critical down. In a league where sack production can lead to blind spots for some evaluators, Bain’s energy, effort and physicality make him an essential piece of any defensive puzzle. Pro comparison: Eagles DE Brandon Graham Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson The transformation of the NFL into a pass-centric league has forced coaches and scouts to view the "Nickel" cornerback as the 12th starter. As a high-IQ defender with outstanding ball skills and a devastating knockout punch (forced fumbles), Terrell is the prototypical slot defender every defensive coordinator covets in the starting lineup. While some scouts question his top-end speed and burst, old-school coaches prefer instincts and awareness over athleticism. Terrell’s knack for making plays on the ball and smothering routes as a zone-based cover corner should result in rave reviews from teams seeking a plug-and-play option on the perimeter. Pro comparison: Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey

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2026 NFL Mock Draft: Which Team Gets Love and Simpson? What Do Giants Do at No. 10?

Finally, we have made it to draft week. We've already had some drama — with the New York Giants trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick on Saturday night — and you should expect much more drama in the days ahead. Will Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love get drafted earlier than some think he will? My latest intel suggests that might be the case. Can the Dallas Cowboys execute a trade to land a defensive player that I hear they really like? Potentially. Will Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson get selected in the first round? I think so, but someone might have to make a move to get him. Oh, and what will the Giants now do with their two top-10 picks? There's one player I hear they're targeting ahead of Thursday's first round. Let's dive into the answers to those questions in my final mock draft. Remember, I'll be a part of NFL Network's live coverage for the first two nights of the 2026 NFL Draft from Pittsburgh. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana This is the pick no one's questioning. We know the Raiders are going to take Fernando Mendoza at No. 1. We've known this for the entire process. I've really loved what they've done around Mendoza. They've got running back Ashton Jeanty. They signed All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum, and I love that. Left tackle Kolton Miller should be back after missing the majority of the season with an ankle injury. So, now they've got some juice, and they aren't in dire straits. 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge rusher, Ohio State This is where things get interesting. This should be a three-player discussion at No. 2, with Arvell Reese, edge rusher David Bailey and linebacker Sonny Styles in the mix. I don't think anybody — including those in the Jets' organization — thinks this team will be a top-end competitor this year. When you look at the draft capital they have this year and next, you're building for the future. So, bet and bank on potential here with Reese. He's got the highest upside of anyone in the draft. I think he has the potential to be a Defensive Player of the Year, and he's got Micah Parsons-esque versatility. 3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame The Cardinals are a really interesting selection. Most people believe they're looking to shore up the edge. They probably could and maybe they will, but I can't get out of my head a little thought — and it comes with some intel — of the Cardinals loving Jeremiyah Love. We know they also like Ty Simpson, but this is too rich a spot to draft him. With the thought of potentially making a move for Simpson later in mind, why don't the Cardinals draft Love? A lot of people believe Love is the best non-quarterback in the draft. Arizona would get a running back who can move between the tackles, hit home runs on the outside and catch passes as a slot receiver. 4. Tennessee Titans: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.) I've heard rumblings that there could be some movement along Tennessee's offensive line. I think quarterback Cam Ward's former Miami teammate, Francis Mauigoa, should be the pick if that's the case. Mauigoa was dominant and was huge in Miami's College Football Playoff run. Don't be surprised if this is the fourth overall pick. 5. New York Giants: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech Are the Giants trying to package their two top-10 picks to move further up? I don't know about that. But I do know they love one of these offensive players in this draft. I think they're moving around and trying to position themselves into a place where they can target and draft Jordyn Tyson. I don't think they'll need to draft him at No. 5, though. I know pass rusher isn't a specific need for the Giants, but if you can get the best pure pass rusher in the draft, you go and do that. I've also been told the Giants aren't in on Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. 6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah The Browns have left tackle questions. The problem? There isn't a pure left tackle good enough to use the No. 6 pick on. Fano, who played right tackle the last two seasons, does have some left tackle experience, at least. Fano's a great player and was the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year this past season. The Browns could move him over and fill that hole on the left side. 7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Washington needs defense. In this scenario, there are some excellent defensive players on the board. The Commanders would have to be happy that they could get at least one of Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs. They really can't go wrong picking either one, but they can say to themselves, "You mean we can get a Fred Warner-type?" Styles just blew everyone out of the water at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's the perfect combination of height, weight and athleticism. He also has versatility in his background, starting out as a safety before moving down to linebacker. [2026 NFL Draft: Will Ohio State Have Four Top-10 Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?] 8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State In one of the recent episodes of my digital show, "The Joel Klatt Show," NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared Carnell Tate to Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, who is also an Ohio State alum. I like the idea of pairing those two together. I also wonder if the Saints would pick Downs. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley knows how impactful an elite safety can be, as he coached Derwin James during his years as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. But New Orleans needs to give second-year quarterback Tyler Shough some weapons. Giving Shough a steady, downfield threat in Tate would be good. 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU The Chiefs have got to shore up their secondary. I think there's a belief out there that the Chiefs might go for offensive help, which is why the Giants might have to pick Jordyn Tyson at No. 5. So, don't be surprised if the Giants take Tyson at No. 5. But I think If that's the case, maybe Kansas City really needs help on defense — particularly in the secondary. Delane is the top corner in the draft, making this a perfect fit and value for the Chiefs at No. 9. 10. New York Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State Truth be told, I had a previous edition of a mock draft ready to go — until the Giants opted to trade defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick. That mock draft will never see the light of day, though, and I now know that they're targeting Tyson, like I said before. Tyson's had some injury history, but he's got great athletic bloodlines and teams have really fallen in love with him. He's rising up draft boards as we get closer to the draft. 11. Miami Dolphins: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State First-year head coach Jeff Hafley isn't in a great position. The Dolphins need to build up their roster while carrying a lot of dead salary. One way to overcome that is by drafting the best player available. Remember, Hafley was once Ryan Day's defensive coordinator at Ohio State, meaning I don't think there's any NFL head coach who'll have better intel on Downs than Hafley. Miami has needs everywhere, and Downs can be a tone-setter for the rebuild. 12. Dallas Cowboys: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) The Cowboys have big-time needs at edge and the secondary. Rueben Bain has slipped here in my mock draft, and it's not at all tied to the recent report about his alleged reckless driving incident. Teams have known about that for quite a bit. His fall here is more related to his arm length. Some might think that's not a big deal, but Bain isn't a pure speed rusher. If you're a power rusher, like Bain is, you've got to get into the offensive lineman and extend off it. That's why his arm length matters to some extent. Still, Bain's too good for the Cowboys to pass up. Dallas has to take Bain at No. 12, as long as he's available. Bain plays his butt off on every play and still produced when teams focused on stopping him. 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC I do think there's a chance the Rams really love Carnell Tate and try to move up to get him. Don't be surprised if that happens. I also think they'd like Makai Lemon. He's perfect for the Rams' offense, and I think I want to see him in Sean McVay's offense more than anything else in this year's draft. Lemon's spatial awareness is off the charts. He's so good in the middle of the field. He understands coverage and how to create space. He's also an absolute dog at making contested catches. 14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State This, of course, is going to happen. It might not feel like the most Ravens pick of all-time, but it feels like it. The Ravens always sit there and get the biggest no-brainer or best value pick in the draft. Vega Ioane is the best offensive lineman in this draft. He does play on the interior, so that's why he slides a bit, but the Ravens get the toughest and nastiest offensive lineman available at No. 14, running to the commissioner to get the pick in. Baltimore also has to replace Tyler Linderbaum in the interior of that offensive line. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) I thought about a wide receiver here, with Mike Evans leaving for the 49ers. However, Tampa Bay also has a big need at edge rusher. Akheem Mesidor is relatively old for a top prospect (he'll be 25 when the 2026 season begins). He did produce at a high level, though. That maturity can also pay off for whoever drafts Mesidor. 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee Jermod McCoy would have been a top-10 pick in last year’s draft had he been eligible and not hurt his knee in January.. McCoy worked out at Tennessee's pro day and ran a sub-4.4 in the 40. He's showing in workouts that he's back from the ACL tear he suffered last offseason. [2026 NFL Draft: Joel Klatt's Top 50 Prospects Show Changing of the Guard in CFB] 17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama Former Lions left tackle Taylor Decker was released earlier this offseason, and we know that this is a team that has heavily relied on their offensive line for success in the past. I've been told that Kadyn Proctor won't make it past the Lions at No. 17. The belief has been that right tackle Penei Sewell will move to left tackle in 2026. However, drafting Proctor means the Lions can keep Sewell at the position he has earned three All-Pro nods at, while having Proctor play left tackle. 18. Dallas Cowboys (trade with Minnesota Vikings): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon I love doing trades in mock drafts, but it's hard to work one out that makes sense for both teams. Dallas jumps up a couple of picks because it'll be valuing Dillon Thieneman at safety. Minnesota also has a safety need, but the Vikings might be fine with drafting Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. The Vikings would also only move back two picks in this scenario. Thieneman had great tape in his first two seasons at Purdue before transferring to Oregon, where he played a bit more of a different safety position. He played closer to the line of scrimmage this past season and was asked to react and play more instinctively. He didn't do a poor job at that, but he's better served playing free safety. 19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon I think the Panthers should continue to surround quarterback Bryce Young with talent. I know they just drafted Tetairoa McMillan at wide receiver this past season, but the Panthers can also help ease some of the issues with their offensive line and running game by taking Sadiq. He's a great blocker and can be a real red-zone threat. 20. Minnesota Vikings (trade with Dallas Cowboys): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo As I mentioned earlier, the Vikings would probably roll with McNeil-Warren here and get a couple of later-round picks in the process. He's actually excellent at punching the ball out, forcing nine fumbles in his college career. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana I have no inside information on this, but don't you think we'll get Aaron Rodgers news before the draft takes place in Pittsburgh? If you get that, then you give Rodgers something he has always wanted with the Packers: a first-round wide receiver. I love Omar Cooper, especially after calling the game where he made the incredible game-winning touchdown grab against Penn State. He fits what the Steelers want to do, and he's great with the ball in his hands. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: T.J. Parker, edge rusher, Clemson The Chargers need help along the edge. We know coach Jim Harbaugh wants to build a run well and have his defense work from the inside and out. T.J. Parker was widely considered to be a surefire top-10 pick entering the 2025 season. He didn't have the season that many had hoped for him, though. I don't know what happened at Clemson this past season, but the talent is still there with Parker. 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson Maybe the Eagles go with an edge rusher or a wide receiver with the A.J. Brown trade rumors still lingering. They can also grab Lane Johnson's heir apparent at right tackle with this selection. Miller is a really experienced and good player. We know the Eagles are at their best when their offensive line is leading the way for them. 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington The Browns have a big need at wide receiver, and Denzel Boston can help them in a big way. He's a big-bodied receiver who's terrific down the field and in the red zone. He has had a lot of production in his career, and he'll compete for the ball in 50-50 situations. It's a specific area of need for the Browns, and they can get a quality player late in the first round. 25. Chicago Bears: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia I think the Bears would've loved to have drafted one of those safeties involved with the trade I had earlier in this mock draft, but Chicago can still grab a left tackle with a lot of potential. Monroe Freeling is a prototypical left tackle, and you could ideally have him protecting quarterback Caleb Williams' blindside for years to come. 26. Arizona Cardinals (trade with Buffalo Bills): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama The Bills don't have a second-round pick, and someone is going to be itching to get back into the first round to get Ty Simpson. I think this pick is tailor-made to get traded. The Cardinals have the opportunity to not only get Simpson, but also get him on a first-round rookie contract, meaning they would have an extra year of team control. Simpson has been a bit polarizing. I'm high on him, though, and think he's an excellent player. Even though he's a touch undersized, he can make all the throws, especially outside the numbers and down the field. Simpson also knows what it takes to be a leader, showing that when he led Alabama to a comeback victory over Oklahoma in the CFP. My one area of concern for him is that he only started for one season. 27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah Trent Williams isn't going to play at left tackle forever. Lomu would be a good pick here. While he struggled against Texas Tech, Caleb Lomu was mostly excellent at left tackle for Utah this past season. 28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State The Texans could look to bolster their offensive line here, but I think they can look at their defense and say, "How can we get even better?" Defensive tackle is one area they can improve. Kayden McDonald was terrific in his one year as Ohio State's starting defensive tackle. His ability to get off and get into the backfield is enticing. 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams): Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn When Faulk walks into a room, you know that's what an edge rusher is supposed to look like. The only problem is that his production in college doesn't line up with how he looks. Faulk is 6-foot-6 and weighs 270; he looks like an Adonis. He's got all the athleticism and potential in the world. However, he never led Auburn in sacks or tackles for loss in a season during his time there. That's shocking to me. Maybe it was the turmoil within the program that caused his lack of production, and if there's an organization that might feel confident enough to turn that around for Faulk, it'd be the Chiefs. That organization continues to develop defensive players in a quality way. 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State Again, the Dolphins need talent. Chris Johnson is a really talented player with lots of ball production and has been a late riser in this draft. Teams like his length as well, and while I'm not sure about the fit here, Johnson should be a first-round pick. 31. New England Patriots: Cashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&M Many believe that Eagles wideout A.J. Brown might wind up in New England later this offseason. It also signed Romeo Doubs, so I'm not sure if there's much of a need at wide receiver. I think the Patriots roll with Cashius Howell, who fits what coach Mike Vrabel wants to do on defense. Howell was a stand-up edge rusher with lots of production at Texas A&M. He was electric and unblockable for most of the year. He has short arms, but he doesn't rely on power. 32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame I'm leaning on what Jeremiah told me on "The Joel Klatt Show" last week, which was that Jadarian Price's draft floor and ceiling is pick No. 32. Seattle desperately needs help at running back with Kenneth Walker leaving and Zach Charbonnet rehabbing from his ACL tear. I know Price was Love's backup, but he's clearly the second-best running back in this draft. There really isn't another starting running back in the draft, either. So, they're stuck here. Love can also return kicks, and I think Mike Macdonald will love his mentality.

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2026 NFL Draft: Rankings, Best Team Fits for Top 12 Quarterbacks

Of the top 150 NFL prospects on my final Big Board, you’ll see only eight quarterbacks included, with just three among the first 100. If the draft falls that way, it will be the first since 2000 in which there weren’t at least four QBs among the first 100 players selected. Most years, the first round is the round to watch for quarterbacks. And this year is no exception, as where (and when) Ty Simpson is selected will generate huge ripple effects in this draft. But I expect the biggest run on QBs to transpire in the fourth round. We’ve documented the ups and downs of this year’s class since the beginning and end of the season. Now, with the draft finally upon us, I have grades on the top 12 draftable quarterbacks. Here is how I rank them and why. 12. Mark Gronowski, Iowa Projected round: 7/UDFAPro comp: Jaren HallBest team fits: San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys With an NCAA-record 58 career wins, including two national championships at South Dakota State prior to finishing his collegiate career at Iowa, Gronowski certainly is a winner. And he possesses NFL size, athleticism and toughness, as well. Despite what his career 103-27 touchdown to interception rate and 63% competition percentage suggest, however, Gronowski lacks ideal accuracy. He has the dual-threat ability and intangibles to stick as a backup and developmental project, warranting late-round consideration. 11. Joe Fagnano, Connecticut Projected round: 6-7Pro comp: Bailey ZappeBest team fits: New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints A traditional pocket passer with good anticipation, zip and accuracy to attack short and intermediate zones, Fagnano’s game translates better to the NFL than some of the other Day 3 candidates. However, he’s an older prospect (he turns 25 this month) and one who faced limited competition over his career, playing four seasons at Maine (an FCS school) before transferring to UConn, where his production was boosted by the presence of speedy wideout Skyler Bell. But make no mistake, Fagnano’s production was eye-popping at Connecticut: a 48:6 TD-INT ratio over two seasons as a starter. He varies his release nicely and takes care of the football, rarely putting it in harms way. Fagnano further helped his stock at the East-West Shrine Bowl. 10. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt Projected round: 6-7Pro comp: Max DugganBest team fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets Padilla is the underdog that draws so many to sports in the first place. He’s a 5-foot-10, 207-pound former zero-star recruit who built himself into a Heisman Trophy finalist and four-time team captain with victories over both Alabama and Auburn in his career. He’s best-suited for an RPO attack, showing courage and craftiness as a runner (31 rushing TDs over his career), as well as good accuracy on the move. However, that accuracy wanes as the passes get deeper, and I think he’ll struggle with the tighter windows in the NFL. He’s at his best playing off script, and not every team will be comfortable with his improvisational style and personality. That said, I love his competitiveness and creativity. 9. Haynes King, Georgia Tech Projected round: 6Pro comp: Tyrod TaylorBest team fits: Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Denver Broncos It isn’t often that a quarterback leads a Power Four conference in rushing touchdowns, but that was the case with King, whose 15 scores on the ground was one more than he threw last season. Those numbers belie King’s intriguing accuracy (and willingness to test tight windows) on short to intermediate throws. He can throw the ball with zip and touch alike. He lacks the arm strength of some of this year’s other draftable quarterbacks, however, and, as such, is a bit scheme dependent. As his rushing totals suggest, King is a dynamic athlete for the quarterback position, clocking in at 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He began his college career as a four-star prospect for Texas A&M but struggled with injuries there before transferring to Georgia Tech, where he steadily developed into one of the most productive quarterbacks in school history. His work ethic, competitiveness and dual-threat abilities could help him find a niche in the NFL, though likely as a backup. 8. Cade Klubnik, Clemson Projected round: 5 (No. 145 prospect rank)Pro comp: Brett HundleyBest team fits: Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings Quarterbacks often get too much of the praise when things go wrong and Klubnik is a perfect example of how they can get too much of the blame when a team struggles. He was far from faultless for the Tigers’ disappointing 2025 campaign, watching his passing touchdowns plummet from 36 as a junior to just 16 (in 12 games), despite his completion percentage jumping to a career-high 66%. At 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, Klubnik lacks ideal size and possesses only average arm strength. But he's a quality athlete with good accuracy on short to intermediate passes, including on the move. Like a lot of athletic passers, he has a tendency to stick too long on his initial read, then skip too quickly through secondary progressions and then start to drift out of the pocket, dropping his eyes and looking for an escape route. He got into some bad habits trying to put a Clemson offense that didn’t have the dynamic playmakers it once had onto his back. I still see starter-level potential, but Klubnik needs some refining and a better supporting cast to get back to his prior playmaking self. 7. Drew Allar, Penn State Projected round: 4 (No. 120 prospect rank)Pro comp: Landry JonesBest team fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers If one were to draw up the prototypical NFL quarterback, it might look a lot like Allar. He checks in at a solid 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, and he has an absolute bazooka of a right arm. He can make every throw in an NFL playbook and enters the league as a three-year starter with a sterling 61:13 TD-INT ratio. But as I told FOX's Eric Williams in his piece on this year's Most Underhyped and Overhyped Prospects, I’ve yet to see Allar show the requisite instincts to translate his talent into consistent high-level play. He gets frazzled when his initial read is taken away and too often resorts to checkdowns, rather than trusting his arm (or teammates) to make critical plays. He looked like a future first-round pick back in 2023 but he's regressed since, and his senior campaign was abruptly cut short due to a broken ankle that kept him from participating in the All-Star games and pre-draft workouts. There is no denying Allar’s allure. No one should be surprised if he is drafted earlier than my ranking. But I think he’s further away than his traits and stats suggest. 6. Cole Payton, North Dakota State Projected round: 4 (No. 116 prospect rank) Pro comp: Jake LockerBest team fits: Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers Payton is similar in many ways to the aforementioned Taylen Green in that he is a classic dual-threat quarterback whose ability as a runner is every bit as valuable as his current passing skills. His first start at the collegiate level, in fact, came at running back, not quarterback. He is a left-handed power thrower still learning the nuances of passing the ball with timing and precision. But there are some "wow" throws on tape — and an intriguing variety of them — including the standard verticals that require vision and arm strength, but also post-corners needing touch and rollouts that show off his ability to throw accurately on the move. A physical, determined runner, Payton gives off some Taysom Hill vibes, but I think he has more upside as a passer. He’ll require patience, but he is arguably the most intriguing developmental quarterback of this class. 5. Taylen Green, Arkansas Projected round: 4 (No. 113 prospect rank) Pro comp: A mix of Randall Cunningham and Anthony RichardsonBest team fits: Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles There are few players in this draft at any position with more highlight reel plays than Green, a remarkable 6-foot-6, 227-pounder who enters the NFL with a staggering 94 overall touchdowns scored over four seasons spread between Arkansas and Boise State. His explosive playmaking ability was obvious on tape, but the numbers he produced at the Combine were stunning nontheless — including a 4.36 40-yard dash and 43.5-inch vertical jump. Teams looking for a true dual-threat quarterback could see Green as a potential superstar. The concern is that Green remains quite raw as a pocket passer given his 46 career starts. He typically waits for his receivers to get open, rather than anticipating windows, staring down his primary targets and allowing defensive linemen opportunities to bat down more balls than you’d expect for a quarterback of his height. He is too quick to drift out of the pocket and drop his eyes to scramble rather than stepping up against pressure to allow pass-catchers time. Green is a lottery ticket that could pay off big, but he requires an offense catered to his skill set and there are only so many of those in the NFL. 4. Carson Beck, Miami Projected round: 4 (No. 107 prospect rank)Pro comp: Mason RudolphBest team fits: Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders Beck personifies the philosophical divide about this year’s quarterback class. Critics are quick to point out that Beck struggled in big moments. Optimists can easily counter that his cerebral play and precision passing out of pro-style offenses are why his teams consistently played in big games in the first place. Those who believe in "QB wins" as a metric note that Beck was 37-6 as a starter over his career at Georgia and Miami. Beck looks the part at nearly 6-foot-5, 233 pounds, with a snappy over-the-top delivery and good accuracy to all levels of the field. He is as good throwing the ball off play-action as any quarterback in this class, showing the pre-snap recognition that comes with facing elite competition (in games and practices) over his career. Beck is a classic rhythm passer who is fantastic when he feels comfortable in the pocket, but hasn’t consistently shown the "ice in his veins" poise to project as a frontline NFL starter. 3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU Projected round: 2-3 (No. 70 prospect rank)Pro comp: Drew LockBest team fits: New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers Given where he is likely to be drafted, Nussmeier could very well prove the best value of this year’s quarterback class. That is a bold statement, indeed, given that he was benched for the final month of his final campaign. But similar to Ty Simpson, Nussmeier wasn’t surrounded by the typical LSU supporting cast — the Tigers struggled with drops, inconsistent blocking and a poor running game. An abdominal strain suffered early on limited Nussmeier’s arm strength, but that didn’t stop him from taking the risky throws into coverage that had earned him a first-round grade in my initial QB Tiers article entering the season. Nussmeier lacks ideal size at just under 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, and his gunslinger mentality is as likely to get him into trouble as it is to help him succeed, but I want that kind of "let it rip" confidence at quarterback. The son of an NFL (and CFL) quarterback and current offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, Nussmeier enters the league as mentally prepared for the complexities of the pro game as anyone on this list. At worst, I see a longtime quality backup with a chance to "surprise" as much more. 2. Ty Simpson, Alabama Projected round: 2 (No. 33 prospect rank) Pro comp: Jimmy GaroppoloBest team fits: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams Undersized and entering the NFL with just one season as a starter, Simpson’s faults are easy to see. But so too are his strengths, including the quick mental processing that comes from being a coach’s son, as well as impressive accuracy both in the pocket and on the move. He is a talented passer with as many "big-time throws" in 2025 as any quarterback in this class. And while Alabama is perennially loaded with talent, Simpson wasn’t blessed with the same caliber of a supporting cast as his recent Crimson Tide predecessors, often throwing his receivers open rather than having them break off the huge plays on their own that can pad a QB’s statistics. The track record for quarterbacks entering the NFL with less than 20 collegiate starts is frightening, and the 6-foot-1, 212-pound Simpson (15 starts, all in 2025) was beaten up by the end of this season. It takes some faith to project him as a future franchise quarterback — but the passing ability and moxie are there. 1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Projected round: 1 (No. 4 prospect rank) Pro comp: A mix of Jared Goff and Andrew LuckBest team fit: Las Vegas Raiders At nearly 6-foot-5, 236 pounds, Mendoza certainly looks the part of an NFL quarterback, and he possesses the arm strength and accuracy to star at the highest level, as well. It is his intangibles, however, that have me most excited. The composure he showed in guiding Indiana to its first national championship project well to handling the mental rigors he’ll face at the next level. There is no denying that Mendoza was aided by a relatively simple RPO-based Hoosiers offense, but too often his critics fail to mention how quickly he adapted to this scheme after beginning his career at Cal, where he also showed future NFL starter ability. No one should expect Mendoza to be a franchise savior — he lacks the elite physical traits of No. 1 overall candidates of prior years. But he’s smart, tough, determined and poised. If he’s given a quality supporting cast, the Mendoza magic can continue in the NFL.

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