Max Chadwick and Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus have released their 2026 Big Board, ranking the top 25 players ahead of next year's draft.
And a year away from the draft in Pittsburgh, they have a slight lean towards the defensive side of the ball as 13 of the 25 prospects are on that side.
Here are Chadwick and Sikkema's top 2026 draft prospects:
1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State S
Their take: Downs is an incredibly versatile player who can thrive at free safety, slot corner or in the box. Not to mention, he's also a dynamic punt returner.
2. T.J. Parker, Clemson EDGE
Their take: Parker has a devastating bull rush thanks to his power at 6-foot-3, 265 pounds. He has all the makings of a top-10 selection next April if he can put together a similarly strong junior year.
3. Peter Woods, Clemson DL
Their take: Woods leads that same group with an 89.7 PFF run-defense grade and 14.9% pass-rush win rate since 2023. His power and agility at 6-foot-3, 315 pounds make him a nightmare for any offensive lineman.
4. Arch Manning, Texas QB
Their take: Manning is a much better athlete than either of his legendary uncles, Peyton and Eli, rushing for four touchdowns on just 21 attempts last year, including a 67-yarder.
5. Cade Klubnik, Clemson QB
Their take: The former top quarterback recruit in the 2022 high school class is finally starting to live up to the hype and has the potential to take a loaded Clemson roster to the promised land as a senior.
6. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama OT
Their take: Proctor is a dancing bear at 6-foot-7, 369 pounds with preposterous athleticism at that monstrous size. If he can play at a more consistent level, he has the upside of being a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
7. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame RB
Their take: His fantastic athleticism enables him to run through or hurdle defenders, making him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
8. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee CB
Their take: The current favorite to be the top corner selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, McCoy was a lockdown player for the Volunteers after transferring in from Oregon State.
9. Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL) OT
Their take: There's still some overall refinement needed in his game, but he's one of the favorites to be OT1 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
10. Spencer Fano, Utah OT
Their take: While some length concerns could push him inside to guard in the NFL, he's still an elite athlete with dominant tape as just a true sophomore.
11. Avieon Terrell, Clemson CB
Their take: While not the biggest at just 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Terrell plays with outstanding physicality for the position and has the speed to stick with receivers in man coverage.
12. Rueben Bain, Jr., Miami (FL) EDGE
Their take: Bain can line up anywhere on the defensive line at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds and should remind many why he's a first-round caliber talent now that he's fully healthy.
13. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas LB
Their take: Hill is a versatile athlete who wears many different hats for the Longhorns' defense and could find his way into the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
14. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State WR
Their take: Something clicked for the Colorado transfer in the second half of the season. In Arizona State's final six games of the regular season, Tyson led the nation with 729 receiving yards, while his 4.03 yards per route run were second among Power Four wideouts.
15. Jake Slaughter, Florida C
Their take: He moves very well at 6-foot-4, 308 pounds, which allows him to dominate in a zone-blocking scheme.
16. Keldric Faulk, Auburn EDGE
Their take: Faulk is still developing his moves as a pass rusher, but he did show improvement in this area with nine sacks and 45 pressures last year. Both those figures stood in the top 20 of the Power Four.
17. Drew Allar, Penn State QB
Their take: There are still some things to clean up in terms of his footwork and accuracy and plenty of questions surrounding Penn State's wide receiver room, but Allar will enter his senior season as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
18. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU QB
Their take: Nussmeier is still a bit of a gunslinger, as his 18 turnover-worthy plays were among the 20 most in the nation... But he's still a tough quarterback who's fearless in the pocket and is capable of making almost any throw on the field.
19. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon S
Their take: Thieneman is arguably the best center fielder in college football and is also one of the nation's top athletes. Dan Lanning should have a lot of fun incorporating his range into his defense.
20. LT Overton, Alabama EDGE
Their take: He blurs the line between an edge rusher and defensive tackle at 283 pounds and can line up anywhere along the defensive line and succeed.
21. Deontae Lawson, Alabama LB
Their take: Lawson takes on blocks very well due to his strong build at 6-foot-2, 239 pounds, and does an outstanding job at reading the quarterback's eyes in zone coverage.
22. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State QB
Their take: With superstar running back Cam Skattebo off to the NFL, there'll be even more pressure on Leavitt to carry Arizona State's offense to similar heights.
23. Taurean York, Texas A&M LB
Their take: York has a stocky build, standing at 6 feet, 235 pounds, and is an excellent tackler.
24. Eric Singleton, Jr., Auburn WR
Their take: As that figure might suggest, Singleton has track speed with the ability to hit a home run at any point. His 664 receiving yards on deep balls since 2023 lead all returning Power Four receivers.
25. Malik Muhammad, Texas CB
Their take: While not an elite athlete, Muhammad wins with his instincts and ability to click and close in coverage.
