Draft Week Disclaimer (AKA: The Rankings Will Eat a Sandwich and Grow)
It’s NFL Combine week — aka the annual testing circus where hamstrings get famous and stock rises faster than a quarterback’s ego. These rankings are a snapshot: think Polaroid, not portrait. Expect surprises, 40-yard-dash redemption arcs, and at least one prospect who suddenly becomes “medical homework” for teams.
What I’m Watching — aka the positions that will make scouts sweat
Linebacker: deep class. There are a bunch of guys fighting for that elusive LB2 slot — the difference between Day 1 buzz and Day 2 patience could be a single 3-cone time or a charming interview answer.
Cornerback: stacked and messy. Plenty of Day 2 candidates who could creep up if they test like gazelles and tape like textbooks.
Edge and offensive tackle: opposite problems — some guys have ridiculous traits but need technique; others are polished but need to prove they move at NFL speed. Also, keep an eye on receivers who separate versus receivers who simply outrun corners.
Quick hits: Top 1–10
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB (Indiana) — A polished signal-caller with arm juice, poise in pressure, and winning habits. Not flashy on film, but reliable in the way franchises dream about.
2. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE (Miami) — A physical wrecking ball who consistently generated pressure. He’s the kind of engine that changes a defense, even if his frame isn’t textbook.
3. Arvell Reese, EDGE (Ohio State) — Explosive and surprisingly strong for his listed weight; more upside as a pass rusher than his experience suggests.
4. Kadyn Proctor, OT (Alabama) — A gargantuan tackle with staggering strength. Needs to show he can handle speed, but the ceiling is deliciously high.
5. Spencer Fano, OT (Utah) — Slimmer tackle who thrives in space and outside-zone schemes; run-game instincts are top-tier.
6. Jordyn Tyson, WR (Arizona State) — Route wizardry and shiftiness; durability questions, but the tape shows finesse separating from corners.
7. Caleb Downs, S (Ohio State) — Clean, efficient tape. Not huge, but football IQ and instincts scream pro starter.
8. Carnell Tate, WR (Ohio State) — Smooth, big-bodied downfield threat who tracks the ball and wins through contact.
9. Jermod McCoy, CB (Tennessee) — Elite sophomore tape derailed by a torn ACL; if he returns to form, he’s a top-tier cover guy.
10. Sonny Styles, LB (Ohio State) — Long, rangy linebacker with corner-like athleticism; projectable and exciting.
Solid core: 11–25 (players to watch closely at the Combine)
11. Avieon Terrell, CB (Clemson) — Smaller than some but nasty in coverage and physical in run support.
12. Mansoor Delane, CB (LSU) — Sticky feet and excellent run of cover; very few receivers gave him fits last season.
13. Peter Woods, DL (Clemson) — Explosive 3-tech flashes; needs more consistent dominance but the upside is clear.
14. Caleb Lomu, OT (Utah) — Smooth pass protector with great handwork; anchoring vs. power is a question mark.
15. Olaivavega Ioane, IOL (Penn State) — Clean, consistent guard play; barely surrendered pressure last season.
16. Jeremiyah Love, RB (Notre Dame) — Contact balance and explosion with big-play ability—classic home-run back.
17. Omar Cooper Jr., WR (Indiana) — YAC specialist with stout, backfield-like strength and dependable hands.
18. Makai Lemon, WR (USC) — The best pure route-runner of the bunch; likely a slot or creative outside piece at the next level.
19. David Bailey, EDGE (Texas Tech) — Speed rusher with a terrifying first step; pressure numbers back it up.
20. Francis Mauigoa, OT (Miami) — Compact, powerful tackle who mauls defenders once he engages.
21. Lee Hunter, DL (Texas Tech) — Nose/two-gap playmaker with backfield instincts; one-gap schemes drool over him.
22. Blake Miller, OT (Clemson) — Experienced, explosive tackle who improved his pass protection and brings snap-count seasoning.
23. Max Iheanachor, OT (Arizona State) — Raw but enormous upside; started late and climbed fast.
24. Cashius Howell, EDGE (Texas A&M) — Proven SEC sack artist; the test is whether he translates as a consistent pro rush threat.
25. Kayden McDonald, DL (Ohio State) — Run-stuffing glue; great at shedding and plugging lanes.
26–50: Boom-or-zoom candidates and safe floor players
26. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE (Miami) — Crafty technician who might be held back by age concerns, but the tape is top-heavy in a good way.
27. Keldric Faulk, DL (Auburn) — Young, a little tweener-y, high floor as a run defender with room to grow as a rusher.
28. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S (Toledo) — Box safety with size and downhill pop; plays like a ready-made linebacker in space.
29. Kenyon Sadiq, TE (Oregon) — Movable mismatch who blocks well in space and extends plays after the catch.
30. Anthony Hill Jr., LB (Texas) — Fluid sideline-to-sideline athlete who covers slot receivers without breaking a sweat.
31. KC Concepcion, WR (Texas A&M) — Separation machine who needs to tighten up his catch rate.
32. Jake Golday, LB (Cincinnati) — Ex-edge turned off-ball linebacker with blitz juice and sideline speed.
33. Ty Simpson, QB (Alabama) — Athletic QB with accuracy and pocket feel; injuries trimmed his late-season shine.
34. Denzel Boston, WR (Washington) — Big-bodied route technician who builds chemistry with quarterbacks.
35. Dillon Thieneman, S (Oregon) — Elite coverage instincts at safety; projects well as a free safety in NFL schemes.
36. Josiah Trotter, LB (Missouri) — Instinctive, football-smart linebacker who reads plays like a veteran.
37. Colton Hood, CB (Tennessee) — Press-man corner who plays with physicality and enough speed to stay in the fight.
38. CJ Allen, LB (Georgia) — The thumper: downhill, physical, finishes tackles. Coverage isn’t his calling card, but he brings nastiness.
39. Christen Miller, DL (Georgia) — Classic 3-4 end who can two-gap and anchor run fits.
40. Keith Abney II, CB (Arizona State) — Football-first corner: dependable, smart, and solid tackler even if he won’t wow on the stopwatch.
41. R Mason Thomas, EDGE (Oklahoma) — Low center of gravity and scary leverage; may struggle with length-related downsides.
42. Connor Lew, C (Auburn) — Young and technically sound center; coming off an ACL so the medical check is key.
43. Chris Johnson, CB (San Diego State) — Reliable man-corner who showed well when facing NFL-level competition at the Senior Bowl.
44. Germie Bernard, WR (Alabama) — NFL-ready No. 2 receiver with polished route work and dependable hands.
45. Trey Zuhn III, OT (Texas A&M) — Metronome pass protector with excellent hand placement; better in pass sets than as a mover.
46. Caleb Banks, DL (Florida) — When he’s dominant, he’s really dominant; consistency and health are the concerns.
47. D’Angelo Ponds, CB (Indiana) — Tiny in stature but fearless and fast; a gambler’s corner who can win a lot of reps.
48. Brenen Thompson, WR (Mississippi State) — Long speed guy who torches defenses vertically; underneath game is improving.
49. T.J. Parker, EDGE (Clemson) — Power-based end who sets stout edges and collapses pockets; burst questions at the next level.
50. Chase Bisontis, IOL (Texas A&M) — A rugged interior presence who anchors pass protection and imposes himself in run blocking.
51–99: The Day-2 to late-Day-3 names (compact roster)
51–99 includes a long list of intriguing players across all positions — interior blockers, developmental tackles, slot and boundary receivers, coverage safeties and late bloomers who could climb with a strong Combine. Names to keep on your radar include Emmanuel Pregnon, Monroe Freeling, Keionte Scott, Anthony Lucas, Kyle Louis, Genesis Smith, Jadarian Price, Malachi Lawrence, Zachariah Branch, Caleb Tiernan and many others who could pop if workouts or interviews go well.
100–149: Depth, special teams studs, and upside shots
100–149 features a ton of depth — quarterbacks who need polish, interior linemen with starting potential, tight ends who can create mismatches, and linebackers who could be early special-teams aces. These are the names teams will bring into rookie camps and see if they can be developed.
150–200: Late-round flyers and training-camp bodies with hero potential
The back end of this board is full of sleepers, position-change candidates, and collegiate stars from smaller programs. Some of these players will earn spots via special teams or surprise positional transitions; a few could end up as undrafted gems if scouts miss their tape love-fest.
Final Thoughts (Wear Comfortable Shoes — It’s Going to Be a Long Week)
Combine measurements, interviews, and drills will shuffle this list — sometimes wildly. The tape is king, but a fast shuttle or a glowing medical report can vault someone into a different stratosphere. For fans: enjoy the chaos. For teams: keep an eye on the linebackers and corners — the board is denser there than a crowded deli at noon.
Want the full cheat sheet? Keep this list handy and refresh often — or just enjoy the inevitable pundit hot takes that follow every fast 40 and awkward interview handshake.
