NFL Draft 2026 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s definitive scouting reports and player rankings

Dane Brugler

The world’s most detailed NFL Draft guide: 402 profiles, 2,700 rankings, 45,000 verified measurements and almost 300,000 words.

Designed and produced by Junghye Kim, Thomas Oide and Yuriko Schumacher. Illustrations by Mojo Wang.

Welcome to The Beast 2026, the world’s most comprehensive NFL Draft guide. It’s the result of thousands of hours of interviews, film study and conversations with scouts, coaches, agents and other NFL decision-makers.

There’s a lot new this year. You’ll find an explore page that lets you filter and sort more than 2,700 players in The Beast, by position, school, draft grade or NFL combine measurement. We have videos and film analysis for dozens of top prospects — a collaboration with my colleagues at “The Athletic Football Show.” We’ve expanded our overall rankings to include the Top 300 prospects. You can also follow our live results and best available players trackers throughout draft weekend.

Of course, if downloading a PDF and printing it out yourself (warning: it’s over 600 pages) is how you prefer to experience The Beast, we have you covered. And if you have any questions or comments, send us an email at thebeast@theathletic.com. Enjoy! —Dane Brugler

top-10 top-10 top-10
top-10 top-10 top-10

Top 10 overall

A clear QB1, a dynamic running back and a whole lot of Ohio State comprise our top 10 prospects.

QB QB QB
QB QB QB

Quarterbacks

Fernando Mendoza has been locked at the top for months. But how top-heavy is this year’s class when it comes to elite talent?

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RB RB RB
RB RB RB

Running backs

Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love paces an exciting group that's both deep and versatile.

WR WR WR
WR WR WR

Wide receivers

What this group lacks in superstar talent, it makes up for with quality. There will be playmakers available in every round.

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TE TE TE
TE TE TE

Tight ends

Behind Kenyon Sadiq, a unicorn prospect with All-Pro upside, you’ll find a sneaky-good class loaded with experienced contributors.

OT OT OT
OT OT OT

Offensive tackles

A pair of Utah prospects and Miami’s unsung postseason hero are among the prospects NFL teams will be eyeing.

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G G G
G G G

Guards

More than a half-dozen first- or second-team (FBS or FCS) All-Americans headline a class that’s solid in the trenches.

C C C
C C C

Centers

There are at least a handful of potential rookie starters available at a position NFL teams are increasingly prioritizing.

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EDGE EDGE EDGE
EDGE EDGE EDGE

Edge rushers

Whether teams want a pure pass rusher, a feisty edge or a combination of the two, they'll have ample options.

DT DT DT
DT DT DT

Defensive tackles

A couple of the most talented prospects also have injury or consistency questions. Will NFL teams find any plug-and-play options?

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LB LB LB
LB LB LB

Linebackers

Led by Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, linebackers lit up this year’s combine. Coordinators of any defensive scheme will find someone they like.

CB CB CB
CB CB CB

Cornerbacks

The medical reports on Jermod McCoy could determine whether this is an electric cornerback class or merely a good one.

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S S S
S S S

Safeties

Caleb Downs looks like a potentially generational prospect in Round 1, and there could be a run here in Rounds 2 and 3.