NFL 2026 draft predictions: the stars, the needs and the lower-round gems

Our writers take a look at the best prospects coming out of college, and which teams needs to nail their picks over the coming days

Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State. He is one of the best pure linebacker prospects in a generation, and he has the athletic traits to become a full-time edge defender. Some teams view him as a linebacker; those at the top of the board prefer him as an edge rusher. In an ideal world, Reese will do a bit of everything. Think Philly’s Zack Baun on Super Soldier Serum. Reese has a rare combination of smarts, speed and power. Whichever role he plays, he will be a force multiplier for a defense. OC

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame. Not only is Love being discussed as a top-10 overall pick, but he’s also one of the most buzzed-about targets for teams looking to trade up. He’s a physical, explosive three-down back with breakaway speed (he ran a 4.36sec 40 at the combine), great hands and the ability to protect. All in a 6ft, 212lbs frame. Love is the total package. MJ

There’s so much to like about running back Love: effortless acceleration, feline elusiveness, stout pass protection, soft hands. Time and again at Notre Dame, he showed a knack for turning chain-moving plays into home runs. The last time a rusher was selected inside the top five was 2018, and Saquon Barkley has since proved his worth for two franchises. Love enters this year’s draft as nearly as complete a player, with all the teams in the top five in need of his services. AL

If drafting was done on skills alone then Love would be the first cab off the rank. He’s a running back with explosive speed who is also a sublime pass catcher. His versatility draws very favourable comparisons with Jahmyr Gibbs. A home-run pick. GS

The Cardinals. Simpson fits what Arizona are looking for: a smart, capable quarterback who can stick to the rhythm of a system and make throws on the move. Where they would feel comfortable selecting him is a different matter. Taking him in the second round makes the most sense. But given that only the Jets and Cardinals appear to have any interest, Simpson could be in for a longer wait. OC

Simpson will be drafted by the Jets with the first pick of the second round. There’s a decent drop from Mendoza to Simpson. But, as usual, the Jets need to bolster their quarterback room. Simpson brings a great foundation and high football IQ. He’ll be well positioned to study behind 35-year-old Geno Smith, another Jets second-rounder. Hopefully the front end of Simpson’s career is less perilous than Smith’s. MJ

Simpson is the kind of QB prospect the Jets can’t resist – a highly regarded high school star who arrived at a major program but never quite realized his full potential. He seems doomed to be their pick, whether rashly with the second or the 16th pick or more sensibly in the second round – then pressed into premature action before being run out of town when he fails to sustain whatever flashes of brilliance he manages to show under pressure. It’s the circle of life for Jets fans. AL

The boom-bust vagaries of a raw talent at quarterback – Simpson made only 15 college starts – make it hard to fathom where he could land. A long look into the crystal ball sees magic Mike McCarthy taking a punt with the 21st pick to start his Steelers era with a bang while having the option of Simpson learning behind Aaron Rodgers, if the veteran decides to return. GS

Tight ends. Just as the league is in the midst of a shift, putting heavier personnel on the field as often as possible, along comes a deep and talented tight end class. And it’s not just deep, it’s diverse. There is a glut of receiver-first prospects (Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq; Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers); there are well-rounded tight ends available in the second round, all of whom were hamstrung by minimal production in college; and there are line-of-scrimmage maulers who will be more valuable in the NFL than they were in college (Stanford’s Sam Roush; Ohio State’s Will Kacmarek). OC

Edge rushers. As was the case last year, this year’s edge group is stacked and deep. The hardest pick in this draft may be for the Jets at No 2, who have to decide between the position’s best: NFL-ready David Bailey or high-ceiling Reese. Six or seven edge guys should go in the first round, including Miami prospects Rueben Bain Jr and Akheem Mesidor. MJ

The University of Miami, which stands a good chance of at least challenging the school record for draft picks taken in a single year (12). With offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and edge rusher Bain drawing significant attention at the top of the draft, and quarterback Carson Beck and corner Keionte Scott looming as potential late-round gems, this is shaping up to be the year the Hurricanes reintroduce themselves as a major pipeline to the pros. AL

New York. No promises for glory on the field but this is hope season and the Jets and Giants have lots of it with their significant bundles of picks. Brutal seasons will do that of course. The Jets have four picks in the top 50, including the second overall, while the G-Men have the fifth and 10th picks. And the Jets have another three first-rounders next year. GS

The Cowboys. Dallas are still feeling the reverberations of trading away Micah Parsons last year, a move that effectively forced them to also trade Osa Odighizuwa this offseason. Even after adding Quinnen Williams at last year’s trade deadline, there are holes all over the Cowboys’ defense. They have two first-round picks and need to find a pair of viable starters early and add depth later in the draft. This year’s class aligns nicely with their needs. It’s deep at edge rusher, defensive line and linebacker. If the Cowboys are to be contenders, they need to take advantage. OC

The Giants. No team has invested more in the top half of this draft than the Giants. By trading away Dexter Lawrence for the 10th overall pick from Cincy to pair with their fifth overall pick, the Giants have signaled a recharge. They got their head coach in John Harbaugh. They have an abundance of needs starting with DT but also RT, WR, secondary, the list goes on. The Giants have a lot of draft capital, including the 37th overall pick. Whom they draft and what picks they trade (or don’t) will be heavily scrutinized. MJ

The Raiders won three games last year, picked a fight with their best player and backed up the Brinks truck for whatever’s left of 37-year-old Kirk Cousins – the NFL’s Arsène Lupin. It would be great if they could hit on two of their 10 picks, not least the first overall. AL

A stellar draft could be the difference between the Chiefs’ dynasty crumbling or putting a first losing season under Andy Reid in the rearview. The down year gives general manager Brett Veach the ninth overall pick to add some real quality. The only problem: where to invest? Kansas City are short at defensive end, wide receiver, offensive tackle, tight end, cornerback and safety. You must choose, but choose wisely. GS

The Saints. General manager Mickey Loomis has received (deserved) derision for his credit card approach to the Saints’ salary cap. But let’s give a hand to Mickey! In Tyler Shough, Loomis found a viable long-term starter at quarterback in the second round. Kelvin Banks Jr looked like the best rookie offensive tackle last season. Safety Jonas Sanker was a full-time starter as a third-round pick and was a linchpin of Brandon Staley’s defense as a rookie. Linebacker Danny Stutsman and cornerback Quincy Riley were solid depth picks in the fourth round. It was a solid class overall, but the selection of Shough pushes it over the top. OC

The Seahawks nailed their first two picks. Guard Grey Zabel and safety Nick Emmanwori were major contributors for the Super Bowl champions. Emmanwori, in particular, was a steal. Not only did he solidly a massive need but he already looks like an All-Pro in the making. MJ

I’ll throw some love to Bears GM Ryan Poles, who redeemed himself after years of draft criticism. Tight end Colston Loveland (No 10) became a reliable target for QB Caleb Williams. The surprise emergence of Luther Burden III (No 39) made top receiver DJ Moore completely expendable. Ozzy Trapilo successfully transitioned from right to left tackle – although he will miss a chunk of games due to injury. Even Kyle Monangai, the Bears’ last pick (No 233) turned hero running back. With seven more picks this year, Poles has a real opportunity to turn last year’s playoff contender into a title threat. AL

The Bears’ first two picks of Loveland and Burden transformed the offense while Monangai proved an absolute steal in the seventh round. The trio were essential as Chicago made the postseason, and Loveland had the finest day of his young career as he scorched Green Bay to lift the Bears to a first playoff win in 15 years. GS

Keyron Crawford, Edge, Auburn. Crawford only picked up football as a high school senior, but he has quickly developed into a multi-faceted weapon. By every conceivable metric – and the eye test – Crawford was more of a pass-rushing force at Auburn than Keldric Faulk, his highly touted teammate. Crawford wins with first-step speed, bend and tenacity, and is comfortable playing across the defensive front. Whether he’s playing on the edge, standing up inside or dropping into coverage, everything Crawford does is a blur. In the modern game, he’s an ideal front-seven piece. OC

Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State. Trey Lance’s little brother is supposedly moving up draft boards as GMs take note of his intriguing size and athleticism. He is a raw talent, and still a day-three guy at best, but he could flourish if he finds the right situation. MJ

Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State. Payton has teams intrigued by his versatility. Like Matthew Stafford, he’s bigger than he looks (6ft 3in, 232lbs), with a booming left arm. But he really shines when he calls his own number, running for 777 yards and 13 TDs last year – stats that lifted him towards the top of Pro Football Focus’s ranking of college QBs. If Payton doesn’t mature into a more explosive version of Brock Purdy, he could eke out a perfectly serviceable career as his generation’s Taysom Hill. AL

Jake Slaughter, center, Florida. Slaughter is an unassuming workhorse who could be an instant hit or a long-term project behind a starter. An expert in pass protection, he allowed just three sacks in 33 starts for Florida. Camping out in the weight room this summer would be a wise move to fix being bullied in the ground game. GS

1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2) New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State

3) Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

4) Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

5) New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

6) Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

7) Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

8) New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

9) Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

10) New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State. OC

1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2) New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

3) Kansas City Chiefs (from Cardinals): Arvell Reese, OLB/Edge, Ohio State

4) Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Ohio State

5) New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

6) Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

7) Washington Commanders: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

8) New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr, Edge, Miami

9) Arizona Cardinals (from Chiefs): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

10) New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State. MJ

1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2) New York Jets: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech

3) Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

4) Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

5) New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

6) Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

7) Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr, Edge, Miami

8) New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

9) Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

10) New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona. AL

1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana.

2) New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State.

3) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame.

4) Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech.

5) New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State.

6) Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

7) Washington Commanders: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio

8) New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr, Edge, Miami

9) Kansas City Chiefs: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona

10) New York Giants: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU. GS

* This is what our writers think the order will be, not what they think it should be.