Who’s on top for ’26’: ESPN report … For those that haven’t see it yet, ESPN had a piece up late last week in which draft analyst Matt Miller lists who he believes (and hears from his sources) are the top prospects at each position for the upcoming draft. In fact, there are no real surprises in his choices, but he does provide a few interesting snippets along the way. In particular, Miller suggested that, at least at this time, there is no sure-thing, potential elite QB prospect along the lines of Trevor Lawrence or Caleb Williams, although we should note that he did not include Arch Manning of Texas in the analysis as he does not believe the next generation Manning will actually enter the upcoming draft. For the record, Miller’s top two QB prospects are Cade Klubnik of Clemson and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, who for the record, will face each other when their teams open their respective seasons on August 30th. Buckle up!
In addition to the edge rushers, Miller indicates that OT is going to be one of the strengths of the 2026 draft. Interesting to note, though, that while he lists two of the usual suspects – Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Kaydn Proctor of Alabama – as potential top OT candidates, he also includes a third (the only position he does so) in Spencer Fano of Utah. And for the record, his top prospects at DE ARE the usual suspects in Clemson’s TJ Parker and Kevin Faulk of Auburn.
On the other hand, Miller cautions that it may not be a great year at several other positions including WR, CB and DT, noting for example, that Tennessee corner Jerrod Mayo would, under normal circumstances, be considered a potential elite prospect at the position, but he’s a 3rd year junior coming off a late-season ACL and may not be ready for the start of the season. Miller also notes that Clemson DT Peter Woods is an elite prospect on the interior of the defensive front, but after him there is a drop-off.
