2026 NFL draft: Early Projections Highlight Strong QB, WR, and Edge talent
with the 2026 NFL Draft still nearly a year away, early projections suggest the quarterback, wide receiver, and edge rusher positions are shaping up to be notably strong. Several potential first-round talents are emerging, offering teams valuable options in the upcoming draft.
Quarterback Class Poised for a Strong showing
Draft analysts predict a considerably deeper quarterback class in 2026 compared to 2025. Several quarterbacks are already being mentioned as potential first-round picks, including:
- Arch Manning, Texas
- Drew Allar, Penn State
- Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
- LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson
- Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
- Carson Beck, Miami
- Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Wide Receiver and Edge Rusher Depth Provides Options
Wide receiver and edge rusher are also projected to be deep positions in the 2026 draft. Teams looking to bolster their offensive and defensive lines will have a wide array of talent to choose from.
Position Breakdown: Top Prospects by Position
A comparison of multiple top-50 big boards reveals the positional breakdown of the top prospects:
| position | SN | CFN | Tank | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6.0 |
| RB | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3.3 |
| WR | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7.0 |
| TE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.3 |
| OT | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5.7 |
| iOL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.7 |
| EDGE | 4 | 6 | 10 | 6.7 |
| iDL | 7 | 5 | 3 | 5.0 |
| LB | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5.7 |
| CB | 6 | 8 | 4 | 6.0 |
| S | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.0 |
tight End Market Appears Thin
In contrast to the 2025 draft, which boasted a strong tight end class, the 2026 draft pool appears relatively shallow at the position.
Offensive Tackle: A Potential Area of Need for Some Teams
Teams seeking to fortify their offensive line may find viable options at offensive tackle in the 2026 draft, with several promising prospects expected to be available.
Cornerback Depth Could Offer Solutions
The cornerback position is also expected to have solid depth, providing teams with potential solutions in the secondary.
Note: These are early projections, and player rankings are subject to change throughout the college football season.
Based on the average rankings in the table, which position is projected to have the *fewest* top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft?
2026 NFL Draft: Early Projections Highlight Strong QB, WR, and Edge Talent
With the 2026 NFL Draft still nearly a year away, early projections suggest the quarterback, wide receiver, and edge rusher positions are shaping up to be notably strong. Several potential first-round talents are emerging, offering teams valuable options in the upcoming draft.
Quarterback Class Poised for a Strong Showing
Draft analysts predict a considerably deeper quarterback class in 2026 compared to 2025. Several quarterbacks are already being mentioned as potential first-round picks, including:
- Arch Manning, Texas
- Drew Allar, Penn State
- Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
- LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson
- Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
- Carson Beck, Miami
- Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Wide Receiver and Edge Rusher Depth Provides Options
Wide receiver and edge rusher are also projected to be deep positions in the 2026 draft.Teams looking to bolster thier offensive and defensive lines will have a wide array of talent to choose from.
Position Breakdown: Top Prospects by Position
A comparison of multiple top-50 big boards reveals the positional breakdown of the top prospects:
| Position | SN | CFN | Tank | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6.0 |
| RB | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3.3 |
| WR | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7.0 |
| TE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.3 |
| OT | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5.7 |
| iOL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.7 |
| EDGE | 4 | 6 | 10 | 6.7 |
| iDL | 7 | 5 | 3 | 5.0 |
| LB | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5.7 |
| CB | 6 | 8 | 4 | 6.0 |
| S | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.0 |
Tight End Market Appears Thin
In contrast to the 2025 draft, which boasted a strong tight end class, the 2026 draft pool appears relatively shallow at the position.
Offensive Tackle: A Potential Area of Need for Some Teams
Teams seeking to fortify their offensive line may find viable options at offensive tackle in the 2026 draft, with several promising prospects expected to be available.
Cornerback Depth Could Offer Solutions
The cornerback position is also expected to have solid depth, providing teams with potential solutions in the secondary.
Note: These are early projections, and player rankings are subject to change throughout the college football season.
2026 NFL Draft: Q&A
- Who are the top quarterbacks to watch in the 2026 draft?
- Early favorites include Arch Manning (Texas),Drew Allar (Penn State),and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU). Keep an eye on how these players develop throughout the upcoming college football season,as their stock could rise or fall quickly.
- Besides quarterbacks, what other positions are looking strong?
- Wide receiver and edge rusher are expected to be deep and talented in the 2026 draft. This provides teams with more options to address key needs.
- What’s the situation at tight end?
- Unlike the 2025 draft, the tight end position appears thin. Teams needing a tight end may want to consider addressing this need earlier, or look for late-round gems.
- How much do these early projections matter?
- A lot and not a lot! They offer a starting point, but player performance, injuries, and unexpected breakouts during the college season will drastically change the draft landscape. Remember, a player’s draft stock can change dramatically in a year!
- What’s the importance of the table in the article?
- The table provides a snapshot of the positional breakdown of top prospects based on different “big boards.” The “Avg” column offers a consensus ranking across multiple sources, giving you a more balanced view of the talent pool.Always check multiple sources!
- Where can I get more information on the 2026 draft prospects?
- Follow reputable draft analysts and sites like ESPN, PFF, and The Draft Network and look out for updated mock drafts and scouting reports as the college football season progresses. This will help you stay ahead of the curve.
Stay tuned, and keep an eye on college football this season to see how these early predictions unfold!
