Top 5 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch Out for in 2026

Analysts, coaches, and draft agents all form projections based on performance, but when all is said and done, nobody really knows who will rise to the top and stay competitive in the league.

For example, in 2024, everyone was buzzing about Jalen Milroe, Shedeur Sanders, and Quinn Ewers, but none of them were drafted in the first two rounds of the draft. Still, this doesn’t mean we can’t speculate about future prospects. With around 11 months until the 2026 draft, we already see some emerging talent.

Here are our top 5 picks in no specific order.

Peter Woods

Although the 315-pound spent most of the time playing at the end of the line of scrimmage, he showed his potential. The 6'3" prospect showcased his range and athleticism. Who would have bet that Woods would fall on top of our list, but his active hands and strong attack were effective at discarding blockers and stacking on rushing downs.

He can push linemen back with his powerful punch, but mix it up with swim and swipe actions. Woods can move great in pursuit, and his bull rush is good enough to collapse pockets. The next step for him would be to work on pass-rushing downs.

Garrett Nussmeier

Many are already calling Nussmeier a natural signal caller. Yes, his passes are fluid, and he has a great arm while having the ability to recognize pressure and maneuver in the pocket. More impressively, he’s accurate in all parts of the field, but the vertical shots need to be more consistent.

Nussmeier can thread the needle through tight windows and is comfortable in zone coverage with small gaps. He tends to throw the ball out of the pocket ahead of time and will throw from unsettled foundations, leading to mistakes.

T.J. Parker

Parker is a true junior who’s proven to be a powerful run stopper and pass rusher. He was able to cap 16.5 sacks and 32 tackles during his first two seasons. With his 6'3" frame and 260 pounds, he can play in three-point and two-point stances.

He has an impressive motor combined with quick instincts, using his violent hands to rush with leverage. On top of that, Parker can rush into short zones but can occasionally get exposed by elite athletes. Still, he is one of the most encouraging and productive young talents at the moment.

Kadyn Proctor

The prospect out of Alabama is a tremendous blindside blocker with 360 pounds and a 6’7” frame. In my opinion, he looks more like a run blocker than a pass protector, showcasing linear explosiveness and great movement off the snap. He uses these strengths to come up to the second level and contain linebackers.

When Proctor steadies his base and gets his hands in position, it usually leads to a finished rep. However, Proctor can have inconsistent hand placement with a slow punch. One of his key weak spots is balance, as he ends up on the ground very often, especially for his size and weight.

Caleb Downs

The Ohio State's Caleb Downs has great playmaking instincts, is versatile, and has excellent athleticism. The SEC Freshman of the Year in 2023 at Alabama, who sits at 6'0" and 205 pounds, has played on all positions for Ohio State. According to Pro Football Focus, he had around 900 snaps at nickel, in the box, and at free safety.

He moves explosively and showcases resilience in coverage combined with great range for flowing into the sideline and the alley before making plays. He already has four interceptions and recognizes routines correctly while using his burst to make on-ball plays.

Final Thoughts

We know that it’s a little too early to talk about the top draft prospects, but it’s always fun to speculate about future stars in the NFL. Of course, there is still a lot of time for these prospects to prove themselves or others to rise to the top and put everyone on notice. What are your top 10 NFL draft prospects for 2026?