The anticipation has been building for months. NFL teams have made moves via trade and free agency to signal what they think of their teams heading into 2026. The biggest roster-shaping event remaining is the 2026 NFL Draft.
This is a class that defies the norm. Yes, a quarterback is all but certain to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders who hope this passer fares better than their only other No. 1 pick in franchise history (JaMarcus Russell). Beyond that, this class shakes out a lot differently than others.
The top prospects come from familiar schools but at non-premium positions.
Ohio State's Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles headline one of the best linebacker classes in recent memory. Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love is a tier (or two) above the rest of the running back class as one of the top offensive players in the class, regardless of position. Ohio State's Caleb Downs tops a surprisingly deep and versatile safety class with developmental prospects down the board, as does Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq at tight end.
In all, 257 players will hear their names called over three days in Pittsburgh. The Raiders will start things off at No. 1 overall; the remaining 256 selections are completely up in the air.
