NFL Draft intel: Answering the biggest questions about the 2026 class

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. 

Typically, we track prospects, but we're mixing it up this week. We'll pose some of the biggest questions about the draft and answer them. With that in mind, here are five:

How deep is the QB class?

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza — who leads the FBS in touchdown passes (33) — looks like a solid option for QB-needy teams (Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets) who will be picking at the top of the draft. In a 13-10 win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound QB completed 15-of-23 passes for 222 yards, throwing one TD and one interception. 

"Though box-score scouts might not be impressed, anyone who watched the game gets why Mendoza is so well-liked by NFL teams," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler in a story published Monday.

Oregon's Dante Moore (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) and Alabama's Ty Simpson (6-foot-2, 208 pounds) are considered the next best QB prospects. Simpson is tied for 12th in the FBS in touchdown passes (26), while Moore is tied for 18th (24). But both first-year starters could return to school in 2026.

The Ringer's Todd McShay has said a scout told him Moore plans to return to Oregon for the 2026 season. Simpson, meanwhile, hasn't made a decision but should consider returning to Alabama after struggling over his past three games. During this span, he has thrown four TD passes and three interceptions.

If Simpson and Moore don't declare, the class looks much thinner at QB. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. rates South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) as his QB4, but he has regressed as a passer. He's completed a below-average 60.8 percent of his passes after completing 65.6 percent last season. 

Will Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty's early struggles make teams avoid Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love?

The Raiders took Jeanty (a former Boise State star) with pick No. 6 in the 2025 draft after he rushed for the second-most yards in a season in FBS history (2,601 in 14 games) in 2024. He hasn't been as productive in the NFL, averaging a subpar 3.5 yards per carry (665 yards, 21st in the league). 

Considering Jeanty's struggles, teams may not want to use high draft capital on Love (6-foot, 214 pounds), but his playmaking ability may make him a worthy first-round pick.

Through 12 games, Love ranks fourth in the FBS in rushing yards (1,372) and third in rushing TDs (18). Bleacher Report's Damian Parson gave the RB a first-round grade in his scouting report, comparing him to Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs. 

"Love is the 'new age' bell cow running back who does not have to leave the field," wrote Parson. "He combines home-run top-end speed with route running and pass-catching ability to impact the offense in multiple ways." 

Who is the top defensive prospect?

That might be a coin flip between Ohio State LB Arvell Reese (6-foot-4, 243 pounds) and Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr. (6-foot-3, 275 pounds).

In his scouting report, CBS Sports' Blake Brockermeyer wrote that Bain's ability to blend speed and power reminds him of Pro Football Hall of Fame DE Dwight Freeney. The Miami star has put that skill on display throughout the season, logging the sixth-most pressures (58) in the FBS, via Pro Football Focus.

Reese — tied for second on the Buckeyes in sacks (6.5) — also has solid pass-rushing ability, which may make him a more attractive prospect than Bain. Teams covet LBs who play edge-rusher in the mold of Denver Broncos LB Nik Bonitto, a 2023 second-team All-Pro.

"Reese has the length, elite burst and power to be dangerous off the edge," wrote ESPN's Matt Miller, who ranks the Ohio State LB as his No. 3 prospect on his updated big board. "His flexibility and athletic tools at a premium position could make Reese the No. 1 pick." 

Is Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson still WR1? 

Tyson (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) has battled a nagging hamstring injury, forcing him to miss three games. The WR has 711 receiving yards after recording 1,101 last season. 

Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, meanwhile, has improved his stock. After 10 games, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound wideout has logged career highs in receiving yards (838) and TD catches (nine). 

That may put him in a position to overtake Tyson as WR1 in the draft. ESPN's Jordan Reid ranks him as his top wideout on his updated big board. 

"He is a polished route runner who's capable of executing any branch on the route tree," wrote Reid. "Tate's skill set should make him an immediate impact player in the NFL."  

Who could climb draft boards in an all-star setting? 

Navy WR/RB Eli Heidenreich (6-foot, 206 pounds) has been invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl, scheduled Jan. 27 in Frisco, Texas. The annual game should give him a chance to land on the radar of more scouts.

Heidenreich ranks eighth in the FBS in yards per reception (20.1) and 50th in receiving yards (805). PFF has also given him its best receiving grade (93.8) this season. 

Unlike other WRs in the draft, Heidenreich doesn't play in a pass-happy offense. Navy ranks second-to-last in the FBS in pass attempts (153).

"He's obviously a very niche prospect who'd have a limited role in an NFL offense, but his uniqueness as a running back who can run routes like a true receiver will be very interesting for NFL teams to scout," wrote The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner in October.