The world’s most detailed NFL Draft guide: 402 profiles, 2,700 rankings, 45,000 verified measurements and almost 300,000 words.
By Dane Brugler
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
A clear QB1, a dynamic running back and a whole lot of Ohio State comprise our top 10 prospects.
A versatile defender who has the physical traits to become a dominant pass rusher.
One of the draft’s top athletes: explosive, with a remarkable blend of balance and burst.
The clear QB1: intuition, throwing accuracy and confidence are superpowers.
Freaky athlete on track to be an impact linebacker.
An elite tackler who did not allow a touchdown for two years; a surefire NFL starter.
An alpha competitor who projects as a starter despite his average size.
Likely to be a versatile NFL starter: quick-twitch, disruptive, powerful and explosive.
When Utah needed a yard, it ran behind No. 55; he projects as an immediate starter.
Not a prototypical edge, but his power and play style will still disrupt NFL backfields.
A day-one NFL starter and potential Pro Bowler.
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?
The clear QB1: intuition, throwing accuracy and confidence are superpowers.
A Daniel Jones with fewer physical traits; mid-level starter at best, backup at worst.
An aggressive competitor whose throws can win games — and lose them, too.
Impressive size and arm strength, but passing instincts need improvement.
A dynamic dual-threat prospect who will need reps and time to develop.
A cerebral, experienced pocket passer, but may struggle playing out of structure.
Boasts an amazing highlight reel — and 37 turnovers in the last two seasons.
Adequate arm talent but inconsistent pocket presence; on track to be a backup.
Needs to see things much faster to make it in the NFL, but has a chance to be a backup.
A fundamentally sound passer who projects as an NFL reserve.
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Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love paces an exciting group that's both deep and versatile.
One of the draft’s top athletes: explosive, with a remarkable blend of balance and burst.
A starting-caliber talent with work to do in pass-catching and ball security.
A good-sized, punishing athlete who will need to improve on third down.
A sure-handed ball carrier who will bring value to an NFL backfield as a pass catcher.
A powerful, durable runner on track to be a backup or low-end NFL starter.
An instinctive ball carrier who runs well between the tackles, but lacks top-end speed.
A low-calorie De’Von Achane: small, darting, electric.
A big-play running back who needs to improve his vision and pass protection.
Navy’s all-time leading receiver; a dangerous weapon on the right team.
A short, well-built back who punches above his weight class; pass-catching needs work.
What this group lacks in superstar talent, it makes up for with quality. There will be playmakers available in every round.
A day-one NFL starter and potential Pro Bowler.
Hints of Amon-Ra St. Brown. Not wildly athletic, but a likely starter at slot or Z.
An elite ball-catcher who evokes Stefon Diggs, and a likely NFL starter.
Needs work at the edges, but has the versatility and talent to be a starting slot receiver.
An inside-outside weapon with run-after-catch ability.
Makes up for lack of top-end speed with strong hands and large catch radius.
Just a good football player, with a well-rounded, pro-ready skill set.
A rare NFL combination: big, strong and explosive. Should start when he’s healthy.
Shades of Michael Pittman, but must work on expanding his route tree.
A controlled, fluid athlete who projects best in the slot.
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Behind Kenyon Sadiq, a unicorn prospect with All-Pro upside, you’ll find a sneaky-good class loaded with experienced contributors.
A freaky athlete who can both outrun and outmuscle NFL defenders.
A mismatch-creating, explosive pass-catcher who must show he can block at the NFL level.
Has the skill set NFL teams are looking for, though blocking will never be a strength.
An underwhelming college resume, but highlights are NFL-quality.
Built in the mold of Jonnu Smith, but needs to refine his route running.
A traditional Y tight end; will do a blocker’s dirty work with underneath receiving upside.
A big athlete with strong hands; one of the better blockers in the draft class.
Reliable blocker with enough receiving talent and versatility to land an NFL role.
Has the building blocks to be NFL-grade, but still rough around the edges.
A tenacious, good-sized athlete worth developing as a blocker.
A pair of Utah prospects and Miami’s unsung postseason hero are among the prospects NFL teams will be eyeing.
When Utah needed a yard, it ran behind No. 55; he projects as an immediate starter.
A durable blocker whose best NFL role may be as a guard rather than right tackle.
A young, ascending prospect with real work to do, but the future looks bright.
Boasts an exciting foundation, but needs his discipline and technique to catch up.
Needs more strength, technique and grit, but NFL teams are intrigued with his upside.
Has the physical traits, football IQ and toughness that NFL teams will bet on every time.
Fluid athlete for his size, but may need a year of development before being NFL-ready.
A refined pass blocker whose run-game consistency needs work; may be best at guard.
A towering prospect with a nasty disposition who is worth drafting in the middle rounds.
A towering, top-heavy blocker with an engulfing wingspan; has NFL starts in his future.
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More than a half-dozen first- or second-team (FBS or FCS) All-Americans headline a class that’s solid in the trenches.
A thick, nasty mauler on track to be a long-term NFL starter.
A versatile, strong-as-an-ox blocker with upside in any NFL scheme.
Checks the boxes NFL teams look for, and a great fit for a gap scheme.
A solid blocker who will fight for early playing time — if his medicals are clean.
An old-school power lineman — a Paul Bunyan of the O-line. Belongs on an NFL field.
An athletic boulder who projects as a starter in the right scheme.
A guard with intriguing promise, but durability questions linger.
Heavy-footed at times, but strong as a bull, with NFL awareness and consistency.
Not an elite athlete, but intelligent and competitive as a short-area base blocker.
A determined, assignment-sound blocker who should compete for meaningful snaps.
There are at least a handful of potential rookie starters available at a position NFL teams are increasingly prioritizing.
No single overwhelming trait, but shows promising control, strength and processing.
A wide-bodied blocker who still has a walk-on work ethic; should push for starting reps.
A blocker with vise-grip hands and strong technique — but undersized.
Will never be a big people mover, but has the movement skills to get the job done.
An alert, athletic blocker with starting-caliber upside in the right situation.
May lose some matchups with long-limbed defenders, but has the traits for a long career.
A small frame may mean limited NFL appeal, but a great find for the right scheme.
A resourceful player with veteran instincts, though he lacks top-tier physical traits.
A quick-win blocker with position flexibility across the interior.
A smart, tough technician, but flaws will be hard to hide at the next level.
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Whether teams want a pure pass rusher, a feisty edge or a combination of the two, they'll have ample options.
A versatile defender who has the physical traits to become a dominant pass rusher.
Likely to be a versatile NFL starter: quick-twitch, disruptive, powerful and explosive.
Not a prototypical edge, but his power and play style will still disrupt NFL backfields.
Has more “almost” plays than impact plays on tape, but a player worth betting on.
A disruptive force and likely three-down starter, despite age and injury concerns.
Still learning some moves, but offers playmaking potential against both run and pass.
A bit older than teams may like, but a skillful pass rusher and tough against the run.
Won’t scare too many NFL tackles, but sets a firm edge and may find a starting role.
Lacks consistency, but has the twitch, speed and demeanor required for success.
Undersized, but plays fast; should be able to find a meaningful NFL role.
A couple of the most talented prospects also have injury or consistency questions. Will NFL teams find any plug-and-play options?
A dominant run defender who will be immediately useful on early downs — if not more.
An explosive tackle who must improve his consistency at the next level.
A rock-solid run defender who should excel on early downs.
A towering athlete with power and twitch; his injury history may give some teams pause.
Strong and instinctive as a run defender, but limited on passing downs.
An ineffective pass rusher, but powerful and immovable when he wants to be.
Adequately athletic without a true distinguishing trait — or a fatal flaw.
Doesn’t always disrupt the line, but checks all the boxes NFL teams are looking for.
May not develop into an NFL playmaker, but plays big in a big-man’s game.
A twitchy, disruptive big man who will thrive in a part-time role.
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Led by Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, linebackers lit up this year’s combine. Coordinators of any defensive scheme will find someone they like.
Freaky athlete on track to be an impact linebacker.
Texas Tech’s “quarterback of the defense” should compete for a starting role right away.
Coachable, high-IQ defender who’s often a step ahead of his teammates; a likely starter.
Still unrefined, but his size, speed and ascending skill set are all encouraging.
A long, rangy athlete who needs to improve his anticipation and instincts.
Lacks some awareness in pass coverage, but run instincts are among the best in class.
Not a traditional linebacker, but has a chance to shine given the right vision.
Has the instincts and football character that NFL teams look for, but must improve in coverage.
Needs to mature, but his explosive speed and revved-up chase motor pop on film.
A baseball-to-football convert who plays fast, but will need the right NFL scheme.
The medical reports on Jermod McCoy could determine whether this is an electric cornerback class or merely a good one.
An alpha competitor who projects as a starter despite his average size.
Missed 2025 with a torn ACL, but looked like an NFL starter pre-injury.
Hyperaware with instinctive eyes; should compete for a starting role on day one.
Undersized, but NFL teams would be wise to bet on his quickness and skill set.
A balanced, scrappy athlete who can attach himself to receivers; likely an early starter.
May be too small for some teams, but compensates with top-tier speed and toughness.
Unrefined but promising; late to anticipate routes, but has NFL speed.
An instinctive athlete with confidence and versatility; will fit best in a nickel defense.
Has the tools and temperament to be an NFL starter, despite being undersized.
Has the size and speed NFL coaches covet, but needs to cut down on penalties.
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Caleb Downs looks like a potentially generational prospect in Round 1, and there could be a run here in Rounds 2 and 3.
An elite tackler who did not allow a touchdown for two years; a surefire NFL starter.
A durable, versatile safety who could start in almost any coach’s defensive scheme.
A rangy, wiry safety with impressive speed who may see NFL reps as a rookie.
Plays like a linebacker in a cornerback’s body; may give the right team meaningful snaps.
Has some wild tendencies, but is coachable and skilled enough for an NFL bet.
An alert, fluid athlete with starting potential in a zone scheme.
Brings range and ball skills to the defensive backfield, with starting potential at safety.
A high-risk, high-reward bet with outstanding athletic traits.
Has a natural center-field skill set, but physicality and tackling must improve.
Might not have any one exceptional trait, but solid across the board.
