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The 2025 NFL draft is of course a thing of the past now, and those rookies just beginning their NFL journeys are already deep into their first minicamps, as they start to maximize their skill sets for the rigors of the next level.
And with that, we turn our attention to the upcoming 2026 NFL draft class, because... hey, it's never too early for that! Athlon Sports draft expert Luke Easterling has already unleashed his first Big Board for the 2026 class, with his top 25 players regardless of position.
And as football is a team sport, Athlon NFL analyst Doug Farrar has followed with thumbnail thoughts and tape examples for all 25 of those prospects — what they have to offer the NCAA in what could well be their final collegiate seasons, and in some cases, the real work they must do before they're ready for the big leagues.
It's a fascinating upcoming draft class, and the names will change as we go through the process, so let's get to the business of tape study for Luke's 25 main guys so far.
1. Caleb Downs, DB, Ohio State
Caleb Downs is the most "thorough" safety prospect I've evaluated since Kyle Hamilton. Has ideal deep-third range, carries receivers in lockdown over the middle in shorter areas, and blitzes/tackles like a complete demon. Why he's No. 1 on a lot of 2026 big boards. pic.twitter.com/ZggCm55h9J
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 10, 2025
2. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
T.J. Parker went from six sacks and 35 pressures in 2023 to 12 sacks and 51 pressures in 2024, and it's easy to see why. He's got a full array of pass-rush tools. Dip-and-rip, long-arm, swipe to displace, serious bull rush... and he can do it from multiple gaps. pic.twitter.com/4Mo0BZP2wB
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 10, 2025
3. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
LaNorris Sellers has two things he can improve in 2026: A tendency to throw wild high, and letting it go late in the progression to the point where DBs are waiting to jump routes. Neither are fatal flaws, and the good stuff far outweighs the bad. pic.twitter.com/DM8osEF2bU
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 10, 2025
4. Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
Clemson DL Peter Woods should not be able to move like this at 315 pounds... especially outside the tackles. This is kinda nuts. pic.twitter.com/RBKTKeACkE
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 11, 2025
5. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
In 2023, Alabama LT Kadyn Proctor was an innocent bystander, and he allowed an FBS-high 12 sacks. Cut that down to three in 2024, and the movement skills for a 6-foot-7, 369-pount man are legit. Fascinating to see what another year of development does. pic.twitter.com/2H9do6pTug
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 11, 2025
6. Anthony Hill Jr., LB/EDGE, Texas
When we're talking about hybrid EDGE/LB prospects in the 2026 draft class, we kinda have to start with Anthony Hill Jr. This dude is a freaking guided missile both at the line and off-ball. The combination of closing speed and athleticism in the open field makes him a scary guy. pic.twitter.com/MRZU5pXNCK
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 12, 2025
7. Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn
Any NFL defensive coordinator with a need for quarterback disruption from every gap should love himself some Keldric Faulk in 2026. No. 15 will terrorize opposing QBs from nose shade to wide 9 at 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds. pic.twitter.com/ZvN20I5iVB
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 12, 2025
8. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
You remember the expression, "Pass pro isn't passive?" Miami RT Francis Mauigoa subscribes to that theory. And he's more than happy to bury dudes in the run game. If he can clean up the leverage and leakage issues that show up occasionally, he's got first-round potential. pic.twitter.com/YpRMMcVxzd
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 12, 2025
9. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
We talk about speed-to-power with defensive linemen, but it matters for running backs, too. Jeremiyah Love has it. I'm also guessing that his combine vertical is going to be pretty decent. pic.twitter.com/X83EXzcXLM
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 13, 2025
10. Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Isaiah World is the best Nevada offensive lineman I've evaluated since Joel Bitonio. Oregon got itself a serious dude to replace Josh Conerly Jr. World just wants to punish dudes. That gets in his way in pass pro from time to time, but the play demeanor is outstanding. pic.twitter.com/y2togwYptt
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 14, 2025
11. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Utah RT Spencer Fano is a real technician. I love how he just Velcroes himself to defenders when aiming at the second level, and in extended pass pro reps. He's more NFL-ready than most college tackles you'll see. pic.twitter.com/H3kAzQ0cLc
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 14, 2025
12. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. is a SERIOUS problem for blockers. Nine sacks as a true freshman in 2023, and had he not missed four games due to injury last season... woo, boy. First, there's the foot-fakes. Then, the movement skills. Then, the hand violence. Good luck. pic.twitter.com/98BTnjZOxv
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 14, 2025
13. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy when targeted in press coverage last season: 19 of 38 for 6.6 yards per catch, 1 TD, 3 INT, 4 PBU. Even when he did allow catches, receivers really had to work for them. This guy does NOT allow separation. pic.twitter.com/BN6P1b85hb
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 14, 2025
14. Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
Abdul Carter was the man for Penn State last season, but now it's Dani Dennis-Sutton's turn. Nine sacks and 45 total pressures last season from multiple gaps, and ask Ashton Jeanty how Dennis-Sutton plays the run. pic.twitter.com/tzOYGtqsxj
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 16, 2025
15. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Florida's Caleb Banks playing wide-nine at 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds seemed to have Jaxson Dart a bit rattled. Banks was a menace everywhere else on the defensive line, as well.
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 16, 2025
(Also, we need more defensive linemen with jersey numbers in the 80s). pic.twitter.com/tDMYresZ22
16. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson proved last season that he's not afraid to get grimy with contested catches. It's why he's so good with dig balls, posts, and anything over the middle. Now, if he can just clean up the focus drops... pic.twitter.com/tBv9c4M2HI
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
17. Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina
Nyck Harbor's 2024 numbers don't look all that great, but when you play in a South Carolina offense that averaged 26.3 attempts per game... you take what you can get. The route palette needs expansion, but the size/athleticism profile is all the way there. pic.twitter.com/VAEIyxzeFW
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
18. Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Oregon EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei (No. 10) jumped from two sacks and 12 pressures in 2023 to nine sacks and 31 pressures in 2024. Given the overall skill set, especially the speed-to-power, there could be another leap in 2025. pic.twitter.com/AXS0ICVDO8
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
19. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
A Manning with wheels? We haven't seen that since the other Arch. Once you get over the shock, the focus should be on how well he deals with compressed pockets, and throws on the move. pic.twitter.com/XexmJBBH8T
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
20. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
In every draft class, there's one guy whose WTF equals his OMG. This year for me, it was Malaki Starks.
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
Next year, it's probably gonna be Drew Allar. pic.twitter.com/22G1HsYR4k
21. Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
When CB Tacario Davis is on point and in phase, receivers have no shot. He's just enveloping dudes with his size and wingspan. Washington got itself a serious individual from Arizona. pic.twitter.com/xiJOP2uVmF
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
22. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
I was already all in on Carnell Tate as a route technician and separation generator (copyright @gregcosell). Then, I saw the pancake block vs. Western Michigan, and I'm ready to buy stock. pic.twitter.com/uTPButN8Yx
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
23. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
When it comes to Washington WR Denzel Boston, you kind of have to up the degree of difficulty on the whole contested catch thing. Because he's aced the targets that most would consider kung-fu fighting. pic.twitter.com/FWK1Mzicge
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
24. Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
You would expect a 6-foot-1, 226-pound RB like Penn State's Nicholas Singleton to blast through contact, and he can certainly do that. I'm impressed with how he avoids contact altogether with some really impressive lateral movement. Makes him a weapon especially in outside zone. pic.twitter.com/rPr1hHMwvE
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
25. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
A.J. Terrell of the @AtlantaFalcons has become one of the NFL's best press/match cornerbacks.
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 19, 2025
Looks like little brother Avieon Terrell has picked up a few pointers along the way. pic.twitter.com/7a3SjpsgRJ
More must-reads:
- Fred Warner extension shows linebackers are undervalued in today's NFL
- Nick Sirianni's contract extension adds more pressure to his Eagles tenure
- The 'NFL receiving yard leaders since 2022' quiz
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