We have reached the threshold for the 2026 NFL draft. Months of speculation about where anticipated rookies will land will flip to months of speculation about what they will do in those landing spots. The Top 100 Big Board removes team needs and fit considerations, ranking the Top 100 players in the class based solely on their merits. 

Sigmund Bloom has released his always great Pre-Draft Bloom 100. Dave Kluge has released his final mock draft. The entire Footballguys crew will be going live on both Thursday and Friday night during the draft, covering reactions to every pick as they happen. To cap the weekend, we will release the Rookie Guide Version 3.0, an in-depth look at every fantasy-relevant rookie in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Blue-chip positions are quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback. These positions have been prioritized historically in the draft.

Tier 1 Rookies

The top players in this class exemplify the concerns around the top of the draft board. Love and Styles play positions that immediately generate concerns with contract value. Selecting them in the Top 10 would immediately vault them towards the top of the pay band relative to running backs and linebackers. Reese is a mystery box as a one-year contributor, but he holds the highest ceiling in the class.

1. Jeremiyah Love (RB - Notre Dame)
2. Sonny Styles (LB - Ohio St.)
3. Arvell Reese (EDGE - Ohio St.)

Tier 2 Rookies

The second tier is full of players who play premium positions, though concerns prevent them from realizing the value of top players from past years. Take 2024, for example: tackle Joe Alt or wide receiver Malik Nabers would likely be no-doubt picks at second overall, while they fell to picks five and six. 

4. Fernando Mendoza (QB - Indiana)
5. Caleb Downs (S - Ohio St.)
6. David Bailey (EDGE - Texas Tech)
7. Mansoor Delane (CB - LSU)
8. Rueben Bain Jr.. (EDGE - Miami)
9. Carnell Tate (WR - Ohio St.)
10. Jordyn Tyson (WR - Arizona St.)

Tier 3 Rookies

The third tier is filled with players who would expect to be selected in the first round of most years. They have upside but limitations that prevent them from recognizing the highest value at their positions, or from playing non-premium positions.

11. Spencer Fano (T – Utah)
12. Francis Mauigoa (T – Miami)
13. Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)
14. Dillon Thieneman (S – Oregon)
15. Kadyn Proctor (T – Alabama)
16. Makai Lemon (WR – USC)
17. Kayden McDonald (DT – Ohio St.)
18. Monroe Freeling (T – Georgia)
19. Olaivavega Ioane (G – Penn St.)

Tier 4 Rookies

Most of the players in Tier 4 will still be first-round selections, though none of them falling to the second day would be shocking. The positional value of the tackles, edge rushers, cornerbacks, and wide receivers will win out.

20. Chris Johnson (CB – San Diego St.)
21. Keldric Faulk (EDGE – Auburn)
22. T.J. Parker (EDGE – Clemson)
23. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S – Toledo)
24. KC Concepcion (WR – Texas A&M)
25. Colton Hood (CB – Tennessee)
26. Jacob Rodriguez (LB – Texas Tech)
27. Jermod McCoy (CB – Tennessee)
28. Malachi Lawrence (EDGE – UCF)
29. Peter Woods (DT – Clemson)
30. Caleb Lomu (T – Utah)
31. Blake Miller (T – Clemson)
32. Max Iheanachor (T – Arizona St.)
33. Omar Cooper Jr. (WR – Indiana)

Tier 5 Rookies

Any of the players in Tier 5 can end up as first-round selections, though questions around their ceiling keep them outside of Tier 4.

34. Denzel Boston (WR – Washington)
35. Ty Simpson (QB – Alabama)
36. Chase Bisontis (G – Texas A&M)
37. Treydan Stukes (CB – Arizona)
38. CJ Allen (LB – Georgia)
39. Akheem Mesidor (EDGE – Miami)
40. Avieon Terrell (CB – Clemson)
41. Chris Brazzell II (WR – Tennessee)
42. Eli Stowers (TE – Vanderbilt)

Tier 6 Rookies

Tier 6 will represent the bulk of rookies selected in the second round. Teams look to stack picks in this window as these players still hold long-term starter potential.

43. Jadarian Price (RB – Notre Dame)
44. Mike Washington Jr. (RB – Arkansas)
45. D'Angelo Ponds (CB – Indiana)
46. Caleb Banks (DT – Florida)
47. Zion Young (EDGE – Missouri)
48. Cashius Howell (EDGE – Texas A&M)
49. R Mason Thomas (EDGE – Oklahoma)
50. Christen Miller (DT – Georgia)
51. Keionte Scott (S – Miami)
52. Bryce Lance (WR – North Dakota St.)
53. Emmanuel Pregnon (G – Oregon)
54. Brandon Cisse (CB – South Carolina)
55. Dani Dennis-Sutton (EDGE – Penn St.)
56. Gabe Jacas (EDGE – Illinois)
57. Jake Golday (LB – Cincinnati)
58. Daylen Everette (CB – Georgia)

Tier 7 Rookies

The final tier contains the players expected to close out Day 2. Any of these players landing in Round 1 would be a significant surprise. That said, they still are viewed as likely starters.

59. Chris Bell (WR – Louisville)
60. Max Klare (TE – Ohio St.)
61. Anthony Hill Jr. (LB – Texas)
62. Derrick Moore (EDGE – Michigan)
63. Keyron Crawford (EDGE – Auburn)
64. Keylan Rutledge (G – Georgia Tech)
65. Jake Slaughter (C – Florida)
66. Ted Hurst (WR – Georgia St.)
67. Germie Bernard (WR – Alabama)
68. Elijah Sarratt (WR – Indiana)
69. Bud Clark (S – TCU)
70. A.J. Haulcy (S – LSU)
71. Davison Igbinosun (CB – Ohio St.)
72. Lee Hunter (DT – Texas Tech)
73. George Gumbs Jr. (EDGE – Florida)
74. LT Overton (EDGE – Alabama)
75. Garrett Nussmeier (QB – LSU)
76. Gennings Dunker (G – Iowa)
77. Markel Bell (T – Miami)
78. Skyler Bell (WR – UConn)
79. Jalon Kilgore (S – South Carolina)
80. Kyle Louis (LB – Pitt)
81. Ephesians Prysock (CB – Washington)
82. Romello Height (EDGE – Texas Tech)
83. Brenen Thompson (WR – Miss St.)
84. Deion Burks (WR – Oklahoma)
85. Jalen Farmer (G – Kentucky)
86. Caleb Tiernan (T – Northwestern)
87. Rayshaun Benny (DT – Michigan)
88. Malik Muhammad (CB – Texas)
89. Lorenzo Styles Jr. (S – Ohio St.)
90. Jaishawn Barham (EDGE – Michigan)
91. De'Zhaun Stribling (WR – Ole Miss)
92. Drew Allar (QB – Penn St.)
93. Taylen Green (QB – Arkansas)
94. Logan Jones (C – Iowa)
95. Nicholas Singleton (RB – Penn St.)
96. Latrell McCutchin Sr. (CB – Houston)
97. Zane Durant (DT – Penn St.)
98. Malachi Fields (WR – Notre Dame)
99. Jeff Caldwell (WR – Cincinnati)
100. Sam Roush (TE – Stanford)

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