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If NFL quarterback coaches wanted to show young passers video footage of flawless footwork and mechanics at the position, they'd circulate Simpson's early-season work from last fall around the youth football world. The Alabama quarterback looked like a coach's dream during this period, as a pinpoint, touch passer with outstanding instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills. Simpson made countless layered throws over second-level defenders, successfully attacking the sweet spots of coverage. While those flashes from his sole season as the Crimson Tide's starter are compelling -- as is the QB's pedigree, being the son of -- Simpson's lack of experience (15 total college starts) and late-season slump have spawned concern. Factor in the kind of substandard physical dimensions (6-foot-1 1/8, 211 pounds) that induce durability worries, and this is a draft profile that invites polarization. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is essentially a lock to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. But Simpson, widely considered this draft's QB2, has a broad draft range. He might be a first-round pick, though it wouldn't be shocking to see him fall into the draft's second day.

It is difficult to find big, fast and physical rushers with RB1 potential in this class. Washington teases evaluators with a rare combination of size (6-1, 223 pounds) and speed (4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine), but his production does not match the enticing physical tools. Despite posting a 1,000-yard season as a senior, Washington produced few signature moments as a lead runner during his five-year college career (only eight 100-yard efforts in 51 games at Buffalo, New Mexico State and Arkansas), raising questions about his ability to develop into more than a rotational player at the pro level. Though some would point to the success at his final stop as part of an upward trend, it's hard to affix a big grade on an explosive prospect with modest production as a lead back.

Teams looking for a field stretcher with the size and length to expand the quarterback's strike zone are likely smitten with Brazzell's talent and potential. The 6-4, 198-pound pass catcher is a blur on the perimeter, with 4.37 speed and a highlight reel of big plays. With a 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns during his final season at Tennessee, the slender wideout is viewed as a big-play specialist. However, his inconsistent effort, subpar play strength and highly limited route-running experience in the Vols' Veer-and-Shoot offense make it hard to project him as more than a vertical threat at the next level.

After garnering significant buzz for his stellar performance at the combine, Stowers is one of the most polarizing prospects in the class due to the lack of clarity regarding his role as a pro. Checking in at a hair under 6-4 and 239 pounds with an extensive quarterbacking background, the pass-catching tight end is viewed as a jumbo slot receiver in many scouting circles. Stowers not only creates mismatches on the perimeter with his superior length and leaping ability, but he possesses exceptional ball skills. While his record-breaking 45.5-inch vertical leap could make him an unstoppable red-zone weapon, questions about his blocking skills and overall play strength limit the projection. No one sees a traditional "Y" tight end here. With defensive coordinators likely viewing him as a supersized wide receiver, teams considering Stowers must weigh the pros and cons of taking on a specialized prospect.

There is no disputing Freeling's athleticism and upside as a true left tackle prospect. The Georgia product possesses all of the traits scouts covet in a potential blind-side protector. From his nimble feet and boxer-like movement skills to his active hands and accurate punches, Freeling capably shadowboxes pass rushers on the edges. While he occasionally struggles with power, the ultra-athletic edge blocker flashes foundational skills to grow into a Pro Bowl player. Despite the optimism surrounding his game, though, the lack of experience (only 18 college starts) and unrefined technique make him more of a developmental prospect than his draft projection suggests. Some have him as the top LT prospect in this class, but given the wait-and-see feel to his overall game, Freeling is arguably the biggest wild card in the 2026 draft.

The 6-6 1/4, 327-pound freak athlete is a prototypical 3-technique with explosive traits and disruptive ability at the point of the attack. Banks flashes All-Pro potential with heavy hands and a violent game, but his injury history leads to concerns about his durability. The Florida standout looked like a top-10 prospect in 2024, with his relentless game-wrecking forcing opponents to alter their offensive plans. But a foot injury limited him to just three games last year, and then he reportedly at the combine, apparently sidelining him until June. Banks is a staggering physical specimen -- SEE: 35-inch arm length and 10 7/8-inch hand size -- but the health woes make him a risky proposition as a potential first-round pick.

One of the breakout stars of the combine, Lawrence has piqued the interest of scouts looking for a dynamic edge defender with pass-rush skills. The 6-4 3/8, 253-pounder has a highlight reel of splash plays that make his impressive athletic testing (4.52 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical leap, 10-foot-10 broad jump) come to life. As an elite “HWS” (height/weight/speed) prospect with 20 career sacks, the UCF product is an intriguing player worthy of consideration as a Day 2 pick. While skeptics wonder why the blue-chip athlete never posted a double-digit sack campaign in college, the debate in draft rooms revolves around Lawrence’s potential role in the rotation as a lead rusher or complementary playmaker. 

The LSU product is one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects as a superior athlete whose college career kind of went sideways. Despite commanding national attention after an impressive start to his Tigers tenure, which saw him record 13 sacks over his first two years on campus, the jury is still out on whether Perkins can get back to that level following an ACL injury in 2024. Not to mention, he's undersized for the NFL at 6-0 7/8 and 223 pounds. However, the big-play splashes from his final college season (four sacks, three INTs and a forced fumble) and -- reportedly clocking a 4.40 40 -- have scouts re-thinking their final grades on the former . 

The talented technician looks like a plug-and-play starter on the perimeter with a polished game and competitive spirit that should allow him to shine on the island. The cornerback's versatility makes him a scheme-friendly fit for any defense, as he can seamlessly transition from man coverage to zone and use a variety of techniques to get the job done. Although the San Diego State standout seemingly lacked elite speed on tape, the 6-0 3/8, 193-pounder appeared to answer those concerns with a 4.40 40 in Indianapolis. With Johnson creeping up the charts as a CB1 prospect, evaluators must determine whether to trust the stopwatch or the tape when finalizing their grades on the long, rangy cover corner. 

Scouts love Louis’ game but worry about his best position at the next level. Although he thrived as a linebacker during his time at Pittsburgh, the undersized playmaker (5-11 7/8, 220 pounds) might be better served making a position switch due to durability concerns as a tackle-to-tackle defender. While his production and impact could make him a dynamic defender as a hybrid safety in a defense that extensively features sub-personnel, the challenge of defending slot receivers and tight ends in space could be a hang-up for evaluators. With so much projection around his draft profile, Louis is a wild card despite his penchant for playmaking, with 24 TFLs, six INTs and 10 sacks over the last two seasons.