Tag: draft

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (DB20) speaks to media members during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

2026 NFL Draft: Best available on Day 2

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Round 1 of the NFL Draft came and went on Friday, starting the slide for prospects who were once viewed as first-rounders. Here’s a look at the best players still available as we head into Round 2 of the draft:

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee — McCoy missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn right ACL, and his drop isn’t surprising given the news that there was still some work to do in the healing process. McCoy still being on the board means that, on Day 2 of the draft, a team will get a high-level player in terms of pure football talent. McCoy’s best reps from the 2024 season would have cemented him as a top 10 player had they occurred this year, but with the time away from the sport, McCoy slid.

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee — It wasn’t just an injured Tennessee secondary player who fell, as even a healthy one is still on the board. Hood being available in Round 2 is legitimately surprising, as his burst and physicality made him an obvious candidate for an early selection, not to mention his clean bill of health. You have to wonder if McCoy’s injury is hurting Hood’s stock. It will be interesting to keep track of what ultimately wins out, health or ability.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo — While two safeties came off the board in Round 1 (somewhat of a rarity), McNeil-Warren was not one of them. Perhaps it was to do with his Group of 5 background, or because his man-coverage ability still needed some cleanup. His zone instincts and impressive athleticism should make McNeil-Warren one of the first players to come off the board in Day 2, turning the Toledo defensive back into an early starter for a team.

Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M — Most of the edge rushers selected on Thursday came with standard measurements, outside of Rueben Bain Jr., who slid to No. 15. Howell is likely still on the board because of his arm length, measured between 30 and 31 inches, depending on who you ask. If a team is willing to take a chance on an unorthodox player, it will get one of this draft’s most prolific speed rushers with a habit of converting pressures into sacks. Howell also does strong work dropping into coverage, so he should be chosen pretty early in Round 2.

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State — Four Ohio State players heard their names called Thursday night, but McDonald was not one of them. Teams may not have seen a lot of creativity with McDonald, who profiled primarily as a run-stopping nose tackle. While that evaluation could leave you believing McDonald had limited value, if a team needs an anchor in the defensive front, McDonald will hear his name called earlier in Round 2. Here’s a secret: His pass-rush reps aren’t so bad either.

–Field Level Media

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech defensive lineman David Bailey (DL31) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Who’s No. 2? Books shifting from Arvell Reese to David Bailey for Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets continue to hold their cards close to the vest when it comes to the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

But the most popular online sportsbooks think they see a tell: Texas A&M pass rusher David Bailey has passed Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese as the favorite to be selected immediately after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza hears his name called first by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Twenty-four hours ago, BetMGM listed Reese at -400 as the favorite to go No. 2 while Bailey could be secured at +200. At that time, Bailey had been backed by the most total bets at 21.2% and Reese by the most money at 37.2%. But by Wednesday night, Bailey moved into the favorite’s role at -145 while Reese has plummeted to +110.

DraftKings, meanwhile, listed Bailey as -150 to go No. 2 with Reese at +115 and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love a distant third at +8000.

This seismic surge occurred despite Bailey having his “top 30” visit to Jets headquarters canceled by the team. Jets coach Aaron Glenn downplayed not bringing Bailey in for a pre-draft visit, then Bailey supported that view Wednesday by saying he has spent plenty of time with the team’s brass and recently caught up with them on FaceTime.

Yet another question: Will the Jets hold on to that second overall pick?

New York owns five of the top 103 selections in the draft and could opt to move down or stay put at No. 2 and/or No. 16 on Thursday night. The Jets also have a pair of second-round picks on Friday night.

If the team stays put at No. 2, the question between Bailey and Reese has been one of the more interesting pre-draft debates.

The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Reese ranks the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 draft by Field Level Media, followed immediately by the 6-3, 247-pound Bailey.

Bailey tied for the NCAA lead with 14.5 sacks last season and is a weight-room warrior who explodes off the ball. He has been compared to Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto, who faced similar questions about his potential as a run defender coming out of Oklahoma prior to the 2022 draft.

Reese could be a reliable edge setter in a 3-4 or a thumping presence in the middle of a 4-3. He also can stick with tight ends in coverage, and provides a tantalizing combination of tools and versatility. A comp to retired pass rusher Barkevious Mingo, who by all accounts failed to live up to pre-draft expectations, might have many NFL personnel in the Jets’ shoes favoring Bailey.

–Field Level Media

The logo of the 2026 NFL Draft is showcased at the big screen inside the theater Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from outside Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Raiders back at No. 1, Jets comb best of Buckeyes

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Time is shorter and the wait is longer when the 2026 NFL Draft takes the stage in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

The vagabond event marks a return to the home of the Steelers for the first time since 1948. Across three days, seven rounds and 257 total picks at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium, which opened in 2001 as Heinz Field, players anxiously await to hear their name and, when chosen, embark on their NFL careers.

Barring a trade, the home fans will be waiting awhile for the Steelers to be on the clock at pick No. 21. But not as long as years past. A change will be implemented to reduce the time between each first-round selection from 10 minutes to eight minutes. The NFL reduced the time from 15 minutes to 10 in 2008.

Speaking of trades, there has already been significant wheeling and dealing of draft picks. General managers are also planning to be nimble on the clock Thursday in the first round. 49ers GM John Lynch anticipates “there’ll be a lot of trade movement this year.” Chiefs GM Brett Veach, drafting in the top 10 for the first time, echoed the sentiment.

“There’ll probably be a lot of trades,” Veach said.

Nobody expects the Raiders to trade out of the top spot, where they appear determined to select Heisman Trophy-winning Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall. It’s the first time the Raiders enter the draft with the No. 1 spot since selecting LSU’s JaMarcus Russell in 2007.

After months of waiting, at least three in-person meetings and additional conversations with Mendoza, Raiders general manager John Spytek still expects a little alone time with the telephone in the draft room Thursday.

“Unless you’re super convinced that you’re making the pick, you kind of just sit there and wait for a little bit and see if your phone will ring,” Spytek said. “Sometimes, you can get really good trade offers that maybe you didn’t expect and other times your phone doesn’t ring, so then you just pick.”

Veach comes armed with two first-round picks courtesy of a trade with the Rams, who acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie for the No. 29 pick in the first round.

The Jets, Browns, Cowboys, Giants and Dolphins also own multiple picks in the top 32.

Trades have been a prevailing storyline for the Jets, who follow the Raiders on the clock at No. 2 and possess No. 16 overall courtesy of their trade of cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts last year. New York has a second pick in Round 2 as well — No. 44 from the Dallas Cowboys, part of the deal for Quinnen Williams last year — and a total of five in the top 103 in this draft.

It’s enough of a stockpile that the Jets could move down or stay put and draft any number of blue-chip options — four of them products of Ohio State. Linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Carnell Tate are premier players at their position in this draft class. Any of them could be fits for the Jets, whose list of positional needs runs deep.

But the top-ranked pass rusher in the draft is David Bailey out of Texas Tech. Bailey and head coach Aaron Glenn downplayed the Jets canceling his “top 30 visit” to team headquarters. Bailey said Wednesday in Pittsburgh he has spent a lot of time with the Jets’ brass and recently caught up again on FaceTime. As far as Bailey is concerned, he’s very much an option for the Jets with the No. 2 pick Thursday.

“It’s been good, man. I’ve had great interaction with them,” Bailey said.

At No. 3, the Arizona Cardinals have a new head coach and no set plan at quarterback. While the Jets reacquired Geno Smith, the Cardinals haven’t tipped their hand. Consensus opinion of the 2026 draft class implies the answer might not be in this draft.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is not a consensus first-round prospect but demand outweighs supply at the NFL’s most vital position, which could push the one-year Crimson Tide starter up draft boards.

With that in mind, Arizona has room on the roster for most of the brigade of Buckeyes, Bailey or could be a candidate to trade down.

The Titans are looking for a sidekick for 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and might be antsy with the Cardinals on the clock. Tennessee has been closely connected to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who said Wednesday he’s open to any outcome that could transpire in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

“You draft me, I’m not doing too much of nothing other than football,” Love said of his mindset and what he shared with interested NFL teams the past several months. “I want to be a Hall of Famer, I want to be a Pro Bowler my very first year. I want to win offensive rookie of the year. I tell them all these goals that I have.”

Alabama (2021) and Miami (2004) hold the record for most first-round picks produced by one program in a draft. If projections for four Buckeyes to be selected in the top 12 picks hold up, Ohio State nose tackle Kayden McDonald, who accepted an invitation to attend the draft in Pittsburgh, could be the fifth.

Multiple teams join the Colts (Gardner) by starting Thursday on the sideline without a first-round pick.

The Denver Broncos traded the No. 29 pick to the Dolphins in the Jaylen Waddle deal last month. Cincinnati sent the No. 10 pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence last week and the Falcons and Jaguars parted with 2026 first-rounders during the 2025 draft.

The Packers acquired Micah Parsons from the Cowboys in the August deal that cost Green Bay its 2006 first-rounder (20th overall).

–Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Top draft needs for all 32 teams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Wily general managers attempt to sell their plan to select the “best player available” prior to every draft. But front-office personnel of teams drafting at the top are not fortunate enough to ignore roster needs if they’d like to stick around for next year’s draft.

With free agency all but in the books and a few straggling items still up for bidding on the trade market, here’s how we view the primary roster needs for all 32 teams before the 2026 NFL Draft begins.

Arizona Cardinals
Farewell to No. 1 pick Kyler Murray, which means the Cardinals can start at QB1 and work their way down if they want to rebound in the NFC West.
Position needs: QB, OT, WR, LB, EDGE

Atlanta Falcons
Without knowing the ultimate direction of the offense, we can say Kevin Stefanski and his QB1 to be named later would benefit from a polished offensive line and skill-position help.
Position needs: WR, OT, CB, LB

Baltimore Ravens
Not securing three-time Pro Bowl C Tyler Linderbaum might haunt the Ravens if they can’t find suitable starters at center and guard in the draft. Signing Trey Hendrickson can beef up the pass rush, but more premium talent is coveted on the edge.
Position needs: IOL, OLB, DL, WR, CB

Buffalo Bills
Slings and arrows at Keon Coleman were not the ideal motivation for a draft-and-develop philosophy. Spending big at QB and RB tightens margin for error in Buffalo.
Position needs: WR, S, EDGE, LB, CB

Carolina Panthers
Restocking the secondary and maybe even a third wide receiver in three years selected in the top 32 would be wins for the Panthers.
Position needs: CB, S, TE, OT, WR

Chicago Bears
Division and playoff push aside, the Bears didn’t sport a shutdown defense most of the year and survived on scraps and takeaways.
Position needs: Edge, DL, C, CB

Cincinnati Bengals
Swapped the No. 10 pick for DT Dexter Lawrence. With a fortunate break they could still score a pass rusher in a draft with an abundance of options, even if no perfect fit for this defense.
Position needs: Edge, CB, OL, TE, LB

Cleveland Browns
Your vantage point on the latest reset in Cleveland might add or subtract a position on this list.
Position needs: OL, WR, QB, CB, LB, EDGE

Dallas Cowboys
If only the Cowboys could find a versatile pass rusher like Micah Parsons, right?
Position needs: Edge, DL, LB, S, CB

Denver Broncos
No first-round pick, no problem for the Broncos. They’ve unearthed mid-round gems each year under the current regime.
Position needs: TE, LB, EDGE, DL

Detroit Lions
Pairing a speed demon with Aidan Hutchinson is the next-level move for Detroit’s defense.
Position needs: Edge, OL, LB, CB

Green Bay Packers
Protect Jordan Love first, and that might require a premium pick. Then make sure he has ample receiving options at a position where injuries have been a hurdle. And fetch a pass rusher with Micah Parsons coming back from injury and Rashan Gary gone.
Position needs: OT, WR, Edge, DL, CB

Houston Texans
Another 12-win season and a pretty productive offseason to date funnels the Texans into a draft where the focus is on offensive line and defensive line reinforcements.
Position needs: OL, DL, LB, DB, Edge

Indianapolis Colts
One of the sharpest offenses in the NFL the first half of last season crumbled down the stretch. GM Chris Ballard argues Sauce Gardner, acquired for Indy’s first-round pick at the trade deadline, is the Colts’ 2026 first-rounder. His job might depend on mining more gems in the middle of the draft.
Position needs: OT, WR, EDGE, LB, S

Jacksonville Jaguars
There is always a chance the leadership of the Jaguars makes a dramatic play on draft night. If an elite defender is falling Thursday, don’t be surprised to see the Jacksonville draft room pop up on your screen.
Position needs: DT, S, Edge, LB, CB

Kansas City Chiefs
Good news: Two first-round picks (9, 29). Bad news: We count six positions where the starter is uncertain or replacement level and more with contextual question marks. The secondary makeover is incomplete with a legitimate No. 1 corner to replace Trent McDuffie.
Position needs: CB, Edge, OL, WR, DL

Los Angeles Chargers
For all the Chargers have invested in the offensive line — draft capital and real dollars — it’s not there yet.
Position needs: OL, WR, Edge, DL, DB

Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is closer to AARP than his physical prime, which begs the question: How long can the Rams get away with not having a QB of the future?
Position needs: LB, QB, DL, S, Edge

Las Vegas Raiders
No team drafts first overall without countless roster concerns to help put them at the bottom of the NFL standings.
Position needs: QB, OT, DT, WR

Miami Dolphins
Can’t list everything on the shopping list in South Beach. Jeff Hafley and Jon Eric-Sullivan are in charge, have two first-round picks and more needs than Michael has Jordans.
Position needs: WR, CB, S, TE, Edge

Minnesota Vikings
The QB competition in the Twin Cities takes all the headlines, although attention and some assembly is going to be required for this defense to be up to snuff by September.
Position needs: LB, S, RB, DL, TE

New England Patriots
Watching the Super Bowl, there were a few takeaways postgame well before anyone thought, “the Patriots will be back.” Maybe Mike Vrabel can just add magic and Drake Maye will resume plowing the MVP track. Or maybe New England excelled at covering up fatal flaws which were exposed by the Seahawks.
Position needs: OT, LB, Edge, WR, DT

New Orleans Saints
Retooling on defense is a work in progress and if the Saints want Tyler Shough to take another step in his pro development, weapons are not in great supply at wide receiver or running back.
Position needs: Edge, CB, DL, WR, OL

New York Giants
John Harbaugh should see a lot to like with two top-10 picks. O-line and d-line are the likely highest priorities.
Position needs: DT, LB, IOL, WR, CB

New York Jets
How are we feeling about running it back with Geno Smith, Jets fans? That’s what we thought.
Position needs: QB, CB, Edge, WR

Philadelphia Eagles
Philly always invests in the line, and if there’s a playmaker at safety that makes sense, this could be the year to jump the queue to go get him.
Position needs: Edge, S, WR, OL, TE

Pittsburgh Steelers
Make it six consecutive years an NFL team waits as Aaron Rodgers contemplates whether to return. But he’s 42, so even if we get Vintage Aaron one more season, a Plan B is a must for the Steelers.
Position needs: QB, OL, WR, TE, LB

Seattle Seahawks
Zero doubt GM John Schneider has called every team in the league offering to drop out of the first round to add to the team’s current haul of four total picks.
Position needs: CB, EDGE, WR, OL

San Francisco 49ers
Left tackle Trent Williams maintains dog status when he’s healthy. The offense, not just the line, isn’t the same when he’s unavailable.
Position needs: OL, WR, TE, S

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Head coach Todd Bowles prefers a more dominant front seven to spearhead the defense.
Position needs: Edge, CB, WR, LB

Tennessee Titans
We aren’t going to list running back because Tony Pollard was better-than-average last season. We would understand the rationale of selecting Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love early, but if the Titans get a crack at a blue-chip pass rusher they can’t look away.
Position needs: Edge, WR, LB, OL, TE

Washington Commanders
Erasing last season is one thing, forgetting the why behind Washington’s decline would be another. Jayden Daniels rarely had enough playmakers on the field and even a spendy offseason on defense this spring hasn’t plugged all of the problematic leaks.
Position needs: WR, Edge, OL, DB, RB

–Field Level Media

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes the ball under pressure by Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Projecting the top 32 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For the third time in four years, a Heisman Trophy winner is going No. 1 in the NFL draft.

Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and national championship, is headed to the Las Vegas Raiders with the top overall pick. Traveling the route last taken by LSU’s Joe Burrow with the Heisman-natty-No. 1 pick trifecta, Mendoza is the only pro-ready quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Quarterbacks at the top are a virtual lock in the draft. This will be the 10th time it’s happened since Jameis Winston went No. 1 in 2015, and the eighth time in nine years a QB is the first player selected. Georgia defensive end Travon Walker went No. 1 in 2022.

But what happens after the Mendoza Family celebrates on Thursday night? Let’s connect some dots and project the top 32 picks in the 2026 draft. Zero anonymous general managers approved this exercise.

FIRST ROUND
1. Las Vegas Raiders
QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Mendoza might be more big brain than big arm, but so was Peyton Manning. Mendoza has the makeup to stay the course for a franchise with no track record of developing a winning quarterback. He meshes well with new coach Klint Kubiak’s scheme but protection must be a bigger priority.

2. New York Jets
LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
The QB the Jets want is headed to Las Vegas and they’re still smarting over Oregon QB Dante Moore’s decision to return for his senior season. It goes without saying, the franchise can ill-afford another Zach Wilson (No. 2 in 2021) or Blair Thomas (No. 2 in 1990) whiff. Reese is a projection because he doesn’t have a natural position, but his versatility makes him a safer bet to find a role. New York is weaponized for an overdue rebuild with five total first-round picks in 2026 and 2027.

3. Arizona Cardinals
OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Another franchise pining for a fix at QB, the Cardinals could be a bridesmaid in that pursuit and opt to reinforce the line with a position-versatile blocker or trade down.

4. Tennessee Titans
RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Pairing Love with 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward puts Tennessee in a better position to compete in the sneaky solid AFC South division.

5. New York Giants
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
As tempting as the top wide receivers in the class are in this spot, what with the specter of putting Jaxson Dart’s development on hyperdrive with Malik Nabers and a co-No. 1, new coach John Harbaugh knows a safety with Downs’ traits can become a linchpin for a defense with ample pressure providers.

6. Cleveland Browns
DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Todd Monken will be twisting in knots if he has a pick of skill-position players but the top pass rusher in the draft is still on the board.

7. Washington Commanders
WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Some prefer Jordyn Tyson as their WR1 but the Commanders target Tate for his combination of size, durability and production.

8. New Orleans Saints
WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The Tyler Shough support seems genuine and the Saints were respectable in the final month of 2025. Tyson and WR1 Chris Olave, when healthy, would be a lethal 1-2 punch.

9. Kansas City Chiefs
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
A surprise if he’s still around. The Chiefs would have to weigh Styles’ value against the top offensive linemen left and LSU CB Mansoor Delane.

10. New York Giants
WR Makai Lemon, USC
A slot dynamo to step into the void created when Wan’Dale Robinson joined the Titans in free agency, the Giants are committed to adding weapons for Dart.

11. Miami Dolphins
DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Bain plays with intensity and stays in his college stomping grounds to help re-establish dominance at the line of scrimmage as a more explosive version of Kenny Clark up front.

12. Dallas Cowboys
CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Injuries and unpredictability at cornerback haunted the Cowboys even when the pass rush was lethal. Rumored to be a top candidate to move up for an edge, Delane is a sweet consolation prize.

13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)
OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
A massive blocker who forwards the mission of owning the line of scrimmage and keeping Matthew Stafford from taking punishment.

14. Baltimore Ravens
OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
One of the most competitive and physical players in the draft, Ioane puts defenders on their backs and restores the edge to the Ravens’ line.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
A put-me-in-coach option for the Bucs, Lomu helps preserve Baker Mayfield as he tries to rebound from a rough year of absorbing big blows.

16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts)
TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
A versatile big-play threat at tight end with slot versatility to take pressure off of WR Garrett Wilson.

17. Detroit Lions
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
The tug to dive into the offensive line pool is there but if there was a defender built to be in Detroit with Dan Campbell, the Lions found him in McNeil-Warren. He’ll add even more versatility to the mix-and-match secondary and somehow match Campbell’s energy and intensity.

18. Minnesota Vikings
Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Size and athletic ability are ample for Faulk to become a chess piece for Brian Flores, even if college production doesn’t imply elite rush skills.

19. Carolina Panthers
LB CJ Allen, Georgia
GM Dan Morgan is on a mission to add “dogs” to the Carolina defense. Allen qualifies, covering ground in every direction with a nose for the ball.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers)
DL Peter Woods, Clemson
A 4-3 defensive tackle at Clemson, Woods joins a line capable of creating a lot of headaches with Quinnen Williams inside and Kenny Clark at the other 5-technique spot.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
McCoy falls beyond the middle of the first round only because of the 2025 knee injury that kept him off the field. If he’s healthy and back to his pre-injury form, the Steelers move near the front of the line of defenses quarterbacks don’t want to face.

22. Los Angeles Chargers
CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Speed for days, Cisse joins the Chargers’ secondary and Los Angeles keeps pace with the elite quarterbacks in the AFC West.

23. Philadelphia Eagles
WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
A supremely talented and tools-rich receiver to team with De’Vonta Smith if the Patriots-A.J. Brown flirtations go any further.

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)
CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
The Browns restock after last season’s trade which sent Greg Newsome II to the Jaguars.

25. Chicago Bears
Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Montez Sweat came on strong late in the season and the Bears are getting close as a defense. The one shortcoming remains a constant edge presence. Howell isn’t huge, but he’s sudden, dynamic and would add to Dennis Allen’s war chest along the front seven.

26. Buffalo Bills
S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
All-around safeties with position flexibility are a must-have, and Thieneman carries many swords. He can line up over a slot receiver or take solo patrol of the deep middle of the field in coverage.

27. San Francisco 49ers
OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Athletic and enormous, Proctor was not perfect at Alabama but he’s packing potential at a premium position and follows GM John Lynch’s track record of spending to restock quality linemen.

28. Houston Texans
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
A tone-setter at the heart of Houston’s dogged defense.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from L.A. Rams)
OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
A big winner at the Senior Bowl, he’s a pure right tackle for now but upside to be an option on the other side.

30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos)
WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Tall with a sturdy frame, Boston beats defenders off the line with physical play and uses his long stride to get behind cornerbacks.

31. New England Patriots
OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Upside pick for his combination of ability, agility and upside, Freeling could have been in the conversation in the top 10 in the 2027 draft.

32. Seattle Seahawks
DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
McDonald just turned 21 and remains raw with the frame and upside to become a disruptive force inside. If Seattle loves Jadarian Price — the ultra-talented Notre Dame backup to Jeremiyah Love — he could be the pick after Seattle lost Kenneth Walker III to the Chiefs.

–Field Level Media

Apr 21, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A general overall aerial view of Acrisure Stadium, the site of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Steelers owner has Ravens’ fan seating moved at Pittsburgh draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brotherly love is not in the air in Pittsburgh, where Steelers owner Art Rooney II ceases to give the franchise rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens a day off.

Rooney surveyed the stage and draft layout ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in his home city and was surprised to find the chart called for Ravens fans to be seated in front of the hometown Steelers fans positioned outside of Acrisure Stadium.

He asked the NFL to do something about it.

“On the normal seating chart, I noticed that the Ravens fans were sitting in front of the Steeler fans in one section of the draft theater,” Rooney said in a radio interview with WDVE 102.5 FM. “So I asked (the NFL) to make that change — and they agreed to make that.”

The Steelers and Ravens both changed head coaches in the offseason but the rivalry remains intense.

Baltimore lost a virtual division championship game in the stadium where the draft is held starting Thursday and will pick 14th overall. The Ravens attempted to trade that pick and more to the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby, but general manager Eric DeCosta backed out of the deal for what he claimed were concerns with Crosby’s physical.

Pittsburgh has pick No. 21 in the first round Thursday but will be readily apparent Friday during a stretch in the second and third rounds in which the Steelers hold four picks between selections Nos. 53 and 99.

–Field Level Media

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza -- QB11 at the NFL Scouting Combine -- greets Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (QB17) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Field Level Media’s Top 100

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Field Level Media Top 100 rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft:

1. QB Fernando Mendoza Indiana (6-5, 225)
2. RB Jeremiyah Love Notre Dame (6-0, 210)
3. TE Kenyon Sadiq Oregon (6-3, 245)
4. WR Carnell Tate Ohio State (6-3, 195)
5. OT Spencer Fano Utah (6-4, 300)
6. LB Arvell Reese Ohio State (6-4, 243)
7. EDGE David Bailey Texas Tech (6-3, 247)
8. LB Sonny Styles Ohio State (6-5, 243)
9. EDGE Keldric Faulk Auburn (6-5, 285)
10. OT Kadyn Proctor Alabama (6-7, 365)
11. S Caleb Downs Ohio State (6-1, 200)
12. WR Makai Lemon USC (5-11, 195)
13. OT Francis Mauigoa Miami (6-6, 300)
14. CB Mansoor Delane LSU (6-0, 190)
15. DT Peter Woods Clemson (6-3, 315)
16. EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. Miami (6-2, 270)
17. CB Avieon Terrell Clemson (5-11, 190)
18. WR Jordyn Tyson Arizona State (6-2, 200)
19. DT Kayden McDonald Ohio State (6-2, 326)
20. CB Jermod McCoy Tennessee (5-10, 193)
21. OLB Cashius Howell Texas A&M (6-2, 249)
22. CB Colton Hood Tennessee (6-0, 195)
23. CB Brandon Cisse South Carolina (6-0, 190)
24. WR KC Concepcion Texas A&M (5-11, 190)
25. QB Ty Simpson Alabama (6-2, 208)
26. OT Monroe Freeling Georgia (6-7, 315)
27. OT Caleb Lomu Utah (6-6, 300)
28. FS Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Toledo (6-3, 209)
29. LB Anthony Hill Jr. Texas (6-2, 238)
30. OG Vega Ioane Penn State (6-4, 323)
31. RB Jadarian Price Notre Dame (5-10, 210)
32. C Connor Lew Auburn (6-3, 300)
33. LB Jake Golday Cincinnati (6-4, 240)
34. DT Lee Hunter Texas Tech (6-3, 333)
35. DT Caleb Banks Florida (6-6, 334)
36. CB Chris Johnson San Diego State (6-0, 185)
37. WR Omar Cooper Jr. Indiana (6-0, 204)
38. TE Max Klare Ohio State (6-3, 240)
39. LB CJ Allen Georgia (6-1, 236)
40. EDGE Akheem Mesidor Miami (6-3, 265)
41. CB Will Lee III Texas A&M (6-1, 191)
42. EDGE Joshua Josephs Tennessee (6-3, 240)
43. EDGE Malachi Lawrence UCF (6-4, 247)
44. CB Keith Abney II Arizona State (6-0, 190)
45. QB Taylen Green Arkansas (6-6, 225)
46. OLB R Mason Thomas Oklahoma (6-1, 249)
47. EDGE TJ Parker Clemson (6-3, 255)
48. OG Emmanuel Pregnon Oregon (6-4, 323)
49. OT Max Iheanachor Arizona State (6-5, 325)
50. WR Germie Bernard Alabama (6-1, 209)
51. EDGE Derrick Moore Michigan (6-3, 265)
52. WR Chris Bell Louisville (6-2, 220)
53. OT Dametrious Crownover Texas A&M (6-6, 335)
54. WR Bryce Lance North Dakota State (6-3, 210)
55. EDGE LT Overton Alabama (6-2, 274)
56. OG Chase Bisontis Texas A&M (6-6, 320)
57. EDGE Zion Young Missouri (6-5, 255)
58. OT Blake Miller Clemson (6-6, 314)
59. DT Domonique Orange Iowa State (6-2, 325)
60. OT Caleb Tiernan Northwestern (6-7, 325)
61. TE Eli Stowers Vanderbilt (6-3, 240)
62. SS Jakobe Thomas Miami (6-2, 200)
63. SS DQ Smith South Carolina (6-1, 209)
64. RB Jonah Coleman Washington (5-9, 225)
65. OT Markel Bell Miami (6-9, 340)
66. WR Ted Hurst Georgia State (6-3, 193)
67. CB Keionte Scott Miami (6-0, 195)
68. C Logan Jones Iowa (6-3, 302)
69. C Brian Parker II Duke (6-5, 300)
70. FS Bud Clark TCU (6-0, 190)
71. LB Harold Perkins Jr. LSU (6-1, 222)
72. SS Jalon Kilgore South Carolina (6-1, 197)
73. CB Charles Demmings Stephen F. Austin (6-0, 185)
74. RB Nick Singleton Penn State (6-0, 226)
75. QB Carson Beck Miami (6-4, 225)
76. CB Treydan Stukes Arizona (6-2, 200)
77. CB Hezekiah Masses California (6-1, 185)
78. QB Cade Klubnik Clemson (6-1, 210)
79. FS Genesis Smith Arizona (6-2, 204)
80. FS Dillon Thieneman Oregon (6-0, 205)
81. WR Zachariah Branch Georgia (5-10, 175)
82. WR Chris Brazzell II Tennessee (6-4, 200)
83. SS A.J. Haulcy LSU (5-11, 222)
84. EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton Penn State (6-5, 265)
85. WR Antonio Williams Clemson (5-11, 190)
86. OG Gennings Dunker Iowa (6-5, 315)
87. FS Kamari Ramsey USC (6-0, 205)
88. RB Kaytron Allen Penn State (5-11, 220)
89. SS Zakee Wheatley Penn State (6-2, 192)
90. WR Deion Burks Oklahoma (5-9, 190)
91. OT Drew Shelton Penn State (6-5, 305)
92. CB Daylen Everette Georgia (6-0, 193)
93. OG Anez Cooper Miami (6-6, 350)
94. DT Tim Keenan III Alabama (6-2, 320)
95. EDGE Patrick Payton LSU (6-6, 255)
96. FS Isaiah Nwokobia SMU (6-1, 205)
97. CB Julian Neal Arkansas (6-2, 208)
98. CB Tacario Davis Washington (6-4, 200)
99. DT Darrell Jackson Jr. Florida State (6-5, 337)
100. EDGE Max Llewellyn Iowa (6-5, 263)

–Field Level Media

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8), linebacker Sonny Styles (6), safety Caleb Downs (2) and cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) work out during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 17, 2025.

Raiders pick No. 1, then Ohio State draft takeover begins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State is not the reigning national champion in college football, and the Buckeyes are not expected to produce a fourth No. 1 overall selection when the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off with the Las Vegas Raiders on the clock Thursday night.

But you can bet your most sacred scarlet that the Buckeyes are money in the bank to pad their all-time total — 97 and counting — first-round selections soon after Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Raiders.

Anywhere between nine and 13 Ohio State players are projected to be drafted into the NFL this week, and five carry first-round grades one year removed from the 2025 national championship roster that produced four first-rounders: wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (No. 21, Buccaneers), offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (24, Vikings), defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (28, Lions) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (32, Chiefs).

The 2021 Alabama team and the 2004 Miami squad share the record with six first-round selections in a single draft.

The wait for the Ohio State takeover of the 2026 draft might not be long. In fact, that first selection could come right after Mendoza hears his name called.

Buckeyes linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese are candidates to be selected No. 2 overall by the Jets. Styles put on an epic athletic display at the NFL Scouting Combine in February and Reese, who played a variety of positions in Matt Patricia’s defense, was right there with him. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, Reese is being compared to Penn State-era Micah Parsons, the No. 12 pick in the 2021 draft and a three-time NFL All-Pro.

Reese is dripping with upside. He had 6.5 sacks at Ohio State in 2025 but was only a part-time pass rusher.

Only 20, Reese could add significant weight and convert to defensive end or focus on an edge/outside linebacker role. Because of his speed and power, there are also teams that discussed using him inside. The Cleveland native met with the Browns but he might not stick around long enough to stay in Ohio; the Browns have picks No. 6 and 24. He also had multiple meetings with the Arizona Cardinals, who pick third overall.

“I played everywhere from inside linebacker to (strong-side) to edge. I was comfortable everywhere,” Reese said, noting NFL teams are complimentary of his versatility. “It changes (with) each team, so it depends on the system and how the defensive coordinator thinks he’ll use me.”

Styles is a second-generation NFL prospect. His dad, Lorenzo Styles, was an NFL linebacker for the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons for six seasons. Lorenzo Styles Jr. is also part of the 2026 draft class. A Notre Dame transfer, Lorenzo Styles Jr. played safety — and started 11 games — for the Buckeyes last season.

At 6-5, 244, Sonny Styles stole the show at the combine. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, had a 43 1/2-inch vertical, broad jumped 11 feet, 2 inches and clocked a 4.26-second 20-yard shuttle. It points to his high school background as a five-star safety recruit.

The top tackler on Ohio State’s dynamic defense, Sonny Styles had only one missed tackle all season — and it came in the College Football Playoff — by the count of Buckeyes’ staff.

“I think the way I can improve the run defense is just being in the middle,” said Styles, a self-described film junkie. “I feel like I had a great feel of what was coming.”

Safety Caleb Downs is listed as a top-10 prospect by many evaluators, and he will be in the draft green room Thursday with his linebacker teammates, wide receiver Carnell Tate and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.

All six could be selected in the opening round. Downs and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are vying to be the top player picked at the position and Tate is another likely first-round receiver produced by the Buckeyes. He averaged 17.2 yards per reception last season and caught 14 TD passes in three seasons at Ohio State.

McDonald turned 21 last month and was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2025. He had 65 tackles and nine tackles for loss last season as the thick and powerful roadblock to interior linemen trying to get their hands on Reese and Styles.

–Field Level Media

Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American Team quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) of LSU throws the ball during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Report: Draft prospect QB Garrett Nussmeier asymptomatic

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A spinal cyst that affected and prematurely ended LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s 2025 season has been asymptomatic since the Senior Bowl, NFL Network reported Monday.

Medical testing at the NFL Scouting Combine revealed the cyst, which was pressing on a nerve and causing the draft prospect’s oblique pain. Doctors said there is no short- or long-term risk for the injury, per the report.

Should the pain resurface, Nussmeier could undergo a “minimally invasive” procedure to fix the issue which would sideline him for just two to three weeks.

Nussmeier played just nine games last season, seeing a steep drop-off in production as he battled oblique pain, with his passing yards falling from 4,052 in 2024 to 1,927 and his passing touchdowns cut from 29 to 12.

ESPN’s latest seven-round mock draft posted Monday morning has Nussmeier being selected in the third round of this week’s draft by the Los Angeles Rams.

Over parts of five seasons in Baton Rouge, Nussmeier completed 64.0% of his passes for 7,699 yards with 52 TDs and 24 interceptions in 40 games.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) against the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Report: Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr. drove in ’24 fatal crash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Potential 2026 first-round NFL draft pick and former Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. reportedly was involved in a fatal car accident two years ago.

ESPN published details about the incident on Sunday, based on documents obtained from The Read Optional.

According to the report, Bain was cited for careless driving after wrecking his SUV at about 4 a.m. local time on March 17, 2024 on Interstate 95 in Miami.

Two fellow Hurricanes football players, Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly, were in the vehicle along with a woman named Destiny Betts when Bain’s vehicle rear-ended another car and then crashed into multiple concrete barriers, per the crash report.

Betts, 22, spent nearly three months in a coma before dying from her injuries on June 13, 2024, according to The Read Optional.

No field sobriety tests were given after the accident and charges against Bain were dropped prior to Betts’ death.

Betts’ family told The Read Optional that the crash was a “tragic accident” and that they “wish Mr. Bain the best as he continues his life and career.”

Betts helped Miami reach the College Football Playoff championship game as a junior last season, tallying 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and leading the nation with 83 pressures.

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

–Field Level Media