Daniel Jeremiah's top 50: 2026 NFL Draft prospect rankings 1.0

quote:

---

Rank 1. Fernando Mendoza

Indiana · QB · Junior (RS)

Mendoza is a very accurate thrower with excellent size, toughness and enough athleticism. He operates well out of shotgun and leans heavily on the RPO game. He has fast hands, makes good decisions and is accurate on those quick throws. To see him make more NFL-type throws, it's helpful to study his pass attempts on third-and-7-plus -- that's where he shows the velocity to drive the ball in the seam and also displays pinpoint placement on back-shoulder throws. He will occasionally hold the ball too long, hunting big plays in those situations. He is insanely tough, routinely hanging in the pocket and absorbing big hits. He picks his spots as a runner, but he has logged some HUGE conversions (SEE: the national title game). His size, arm talent and competitive nature remind me of Matt Ryan coming out of Boston College.

---

quote:

---

Rank 2. Jeremiyah Love

Notre Dame · RB · Junior

Love is a dynamic weapon as a runner and receiver. On inside runs, he runs high/narrow, but he explodes to and through the hole. He will drop a level lower on contact and has the lower-leg drive to bounce off defenders. He doesn’t always let things develop because he can get skinny through narrow passages. He has elite speed on outside runs to capture the corner and take it the distance. He has a rare ability to make defenders miss without gearing down. His spin move is electric. In the passing game, he can run routes like a wideout. He’s smooth, polished and natural. He plucks the ball effortlessly. In pass protection, he is both aware and willing, but he’s best utilized out in the route. Overall, Love is a home run hitter and will immediately expand the playbook for his drafting team.

---

quote:

---

Rank 3. Arvell Reese

Ohio State · Edge · Junior

Reese is a fluid and explosive athlete. Ohio State used him as a chess piece on defense. He aligned off the ball at linebacker, on the edge as a rusher and occasionally was deployed as a QB spy. He projects best as an edge rusher at the next level. When he rushes off the edge, he flashes elite speed and bend. He can overpower OTs, TEs and RBs when he has a runway. He lacks a polished rush plan, and there are times when he’s a little late off the snap. He can match/mirror TEs and RBs in coverage. Against the run, he can generate knock-back power on the front side and has elite speed to chase from the back side. Overall, Reese reminds me a lot of 2025 first-round pick Jalon Walker.

---

quote:

---

Rank 4. David Bailey

Texas Tech Edge Junior

---

quote:

---

Rank 5. Sonny Styles

Ohio State · LB · Senior

---

quote:

---

Rank 6. Rueben Bain Jr.

Miami · Edge · Junior

---

quote:

---

Rank 7. Makai Lemon

USC · WR · Junior

---

quote:

---

Rank 8. Mansoor Delane

LSU · CB · Senior

---

quote:

---

Rank 9. Carnell Tate

Ohio State · WR · Junior

---

quote:

---

Rank 10. Caleb Downs

Ohio State · S · Junior

---