Analysts Rank Top Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft

As the football landscape shifts into the 2023 season, analysts have begun to evaluate prospects for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Three experts from ESPN—Jordan Reid, Matt Miller, and Field Yates—have compiled their rankings for the top players at each position, offering insights into a new generation of talent. This early analysis provides a glimpse into which athletes are expected to make significant impacts in the league.

The analysts unanimously agree on the standout quarterback: LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina. Sellers heads the list for each evaluator, showcasing his potential as a future franchise quarterback. Following him, the rankings for the quarterback position vary slightly, with names like Garrett Nussmeier from LSU and Cade Klubnik from Clemson frequently appearing in the top five.

Quarterback Rankings Highlight Top Talent

In the detailed rankings, Miller places Sellers first, followed by Nussmeier, Sam Leavitt from Arizona State, Klubnik, and Drew Allar from Penn State. Reid shares a similar view, listing Sellers first, with Nussmeier second, while he ranks Allar third, followed by Klubnik and Fernando Mendoza from Indiana. Yates rounds out the rankings with Sellers leading, followed by Arch Manning from Texas, Klubnik, Leavitt, and Allar.

The running back category is led by Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame, who is consistently ranked first by all three analysts. Miller highlights Love, followed by Nicholas Singleton from Penn State, Makhi Hughes from Oregon, CJ Baxter from Texas, and Demond Claiborne from Wake Forest. Reid echoes this sentiment, while Yates includes a slightly varied list but still places Love atop his rankings.

Wide Receiver and Tight End Prospects Stand Out

When it comes to wide receivers, Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State emerges as the top choice across the board. Miller, Reid, and Yates all have Tyson at the forefront, showcasing his explosive playmaking ability. Other notable names include Makai Lemon from USC and Eric Singleton Jr. from Auburn.

In the tight end category, the rankings differ slightly among the analysts. Miller places Jack Endries from Texas at the top, while Reid favors Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon. Yates also has Endries high on his list, indicating the depth of talent at the position.

The offensive line is another critical area of evaluation. In the offensive tackle rankings, Spencer Fano from Utah is a consensus top pick. His strong performances have captured the attention of all three analysts. The guard position sees a mix of opinions, with Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State and Francis Mauigoa from Miami among the top contenders.

Defensive prospects are equally compelling. The edge rusher category is notably competitive, featuring Keldric Faulk from Auburn and Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas as top choices across the evaluations. Meanwhile, in the defensive tackle segment, Peter Woods from Clemson consistently ranks as the best.

The early consensus on the top ten overall prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft reflects a combination of positional strength and potential impact. Analysts have taken a collaborative approach, averaging their individual rankings to form a cohesive outlook on the draft class. This consensus provides fans and teams alike a clearer picture as they anticipate the next wave of NFL talent.

As the college football season progresses, these rankings are likely to shift, showcasing the dynamic nature of player evaluations. The upcoming months will be critical for these prospects as they seek to solidify their positions ahead of the draft in March 2026. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see which players rise to the occasion and capture the attention of NFL scouts.