2026 Post Combine + Post Free Agency Top 32 Big Board

Good day to you all. Been some time hasn't it?! Have been dealing with some personal issues but I am back. Needless to say, quite a bit has happened since the last Top 32 Big Board Rankings. For those of you who missed out, please check it out below so you are up to date on the latest movements!


Pre Combine


Again, a lot of events took place while I was away. However, that didn't mean I wasn't keeping track of all the movement that occurred. To that end, it is time to update the Top 32 Big Board to reflect where the best of the best currently stand.


These written statements by the author do not reflect nor are shared opinions of members of TheSteelersFans Message Board, Staff Members and/or Site Administrator.





Legend:


***: Denotes Generational Prodigy (Borderline Hall of Fame Level coming out. Top 3 at their position.. minimum. All Pro's follow in their wake with either OPOY or DPOY being in their future.)


**: Denotes Instant Impact Player (Top 10 at their Position.. minimum. Perennial All Pro, Multiple Pro Bowls.)


*: Denotes Instant Starter (Possible to definite Pro Bowl. Possibly some All Pro nods.)


- Blue Text: Riser

-Red Text: Faller

- Purple Text: Board's Biggest Riser

- Teal Text: Board's Biggest Faller




1.) *** Sonny Styles: Linebacker from Ohio State University


2.) *** Peter Woods: Defensive Lineman from the University of Clemson


3.) *** Caleb Downs: Safety from Ohio State University


4.) ** Jeremiyah Love: Running Back from the University of Notre Dame (+2)


5.) ** Arvell Reese: EDGE from Ohio State University ** (+3)


6.) ** Reuben Bain: EDGE from the University of Miami (-2)


7.) ** Carnell Tate: Wide Receiver from Ohio State University


8.) * Kadyn Proctor: Offensive Tackle from the University of Alabama (-3)


9.) ** Mansoor Delane: Cornerback from Louisiana State University


10.) * Francis Mauigoa: Interior Offensive Lineman from the University of Miami


11.) ** Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane: Offensive Lineman from Penn State University (+5)


12.) * K.C. Concepcion: Wide Receiver from Texas A&M


13.) * Avieon Terrell: Cornerback from the University of Clemson


14.) * Kenyon Sadiq: Tight End from the University of Oregon (+5)


15.) Keldric Faulk: Interior Defensive Lineman from the University of Auburn


16.) * Jacob Rodriguez: Linebacker from Texas Tech (+24. Previously ranked 40th overall)


17.) Jermod McCoy: Cornerback from the University of Tennessee


18.) * Caleb Banks: Defensive Lineman from the University of Florida


19.) Jordyn Tyson: Wide Receiver from Arizona State University (-5)


20.) Kayden McDonald: Interior Defensive Lineman from Ohio State University


21.) * Jadarian Price: Running Back from the University of Notre Dame


22.) *Blake Miller: Offensive Tackle from the University of Clemson (+11. Previously ranked 33.)


23.) D'Angelo Ponds: Cornerback from the University of Indiana


24.) * R Mason Thomas: EDGE from the University of Oklahoma


25.) A.J. Haulcy: Safety from Louisiana State University


26.) Tacario Davis: Cornerback from the University of Washington (+49. Previously ranked 75th overall)


27.) * Bud Clark: Safety from Texas Christian University (+43. Previously ranked 70)


28.) Tomarrion "T.J." Parker: EDGE from the University of Clemson


29.) Germaine Bernard: Wide Receiver from the University of Alabama (+6. Previously ranked 35th overall)


30.) * Anthony Hill Jr.: Linebacker from the University of Texas (-4)


31.) Markell Bell: Offensive Tackle from the University of Miami


32.) Davison Igbinosun: Cornerback from Ohio State University



*** Brandon Cisse, Lander Barton, Denzel Boston, Max Klare and Genesis Smith removed ***



As stated, a lot of movement! Quite a bit actually and a couple in particular that caught my eye both during and after the combine. Let's quickly go over the list.


- Overall speed was the only major thing that worried me about Tacario Davis. Lots of people state that his limited agility and flexibility will limit him to be primarily a Zone Based Corner. I disagree. I am not arguing that there is issues in the lower half but rather him being unable to play man coverage at all. There have been other corners who have come into the league who were labeled as "stiff" coming out of college; Joey Porter Jr being chief among them. Years later, what a difference both a good coach and continued improvement makes. The same story can be applied here as there is evidence to suggest that Tacario has the ability to do so.


- Bud Clark, much like Tacario, had explosiveness and hip flexibility questions that I needed answered during the combine. Post Combine?! I have a much more respected and admired opinion of him. If anything, I like Bud a lot more than the likes of Genesis Smith and Dillion Thieneman combined. Smith's angles in tackling along with aggressiveness still worry me while Dillion is not capable of playing in the slot nearly as efficiently nor proficiently as I would like; better speed or not. Clark, on the other hand, has both along with a knack for creating turnovers. Most knock him for being too over aggressive but that level of aggression can easily be solved with coaching. Need I remind people again; I rank these players based on outcomes and not draft position. Clark will easily outplay his and will shock a lot of people when it is all said and done.


- Jacob Rodriguez would have been the biggest surprise exiting the combine for me had it not been for Tacario Davis. I didn't expect Jacob to be that explosive nor that quick. The speed score did surprise me a bit but not to the degree of the other two qualities. Not only that, Jacob looked ridiculous in drills; second only Sonny Styles. Despite heading into the NFL at 24 years of age, Jacob is the Modern NFL Linebacker that teams can not only work with but also win with as well. Between him and CJ Allen of the Georgia Bulldogs, Rodriguez has shown me he is not just the superior player but also the superior talent. Do not be surprised if he is selected on Opening Night.


- If I wasn't out on the likes of Makai Lemon and Denzel Boston already, post draft, I am beyond out for both. Lemon is still arguably the best three level route runner in the entire class but none of that matters if he cannot consistently beat press at the LOS. To even get the chance to separate, you have to be able to beat press off the LOS and there still is too little information to suggest otherwise. Add in the fact that the likes of Omar Cooper Jr and Germaine Bernard both made pay dirt during the combine, particularly in their gauntlet drills along with their better than expected explosive scores and Lemon is on the outside looking in. Much of the same applies to Denzel Boston. Much like Lemon, there is one major asset that Boston has that few, if any, can match; the best combat catcher in the class. Unlike Lemon though, he can beat press but also unlike Lemon, he is not able to separate consistently enough at the top of his routes. The rest of his combine went well but new challengers like Chris Brazzell II, Ja'Kobi Lane and the most shocking of them all in Bryce Lance from North Dakota State (results that had me in disbelief) make his inclusion of being within the Top 32 impossible. The aforementioned might not be as gifted in catching in traffic nor are as gifted at contesting catches but all three are not slouches either and possess either superior to far superior traits to allow them to function in a greater number of Offenses.


- I do believe it can be argued that Jeremiyah Love is the best player in the class. The only reason why I don't have him rated as such is Sonny Styles is truly unlike anything I have ever seen at the position; not since Brian Urlacher anyways. Neither has a major weakness nor major issue I can nitpick at; only quibbles. For Styles, he can show to be more assertive when he tackles and for Love, I just need him to hit the holes a bit more aggressively. Beyond such quibbles, nothing really.


- Blake Miller is in but Monroe Freeling isn't. Why?! Blake has far superior experience to go with some seriously impressive traits (6'7 with 34.25 inch arms). Oddly enough, I don't believe that he has maxed out his frame and can stand to add even more. This isn't to say Freeling can't (because he can as well) but the tools that Miller currently possesses over Freeling is simply too difficult for me to recommend him over Miller. For that matter, Freeling is the better run blocker than Markel Bell but Bell is a literal wall that can blot out the sun in pass protection. His lateral agility, speed and explosiveness are all starter worthy on their own; traits and tools that many NFL Teams covet. Freeling's is superior from a traits perspective but from a tools perspective, Freeling has some ways to go.


- Before I go, there are two major issues I would like to touch on; Peter Woods' reluctance to do much of anything and Jermod McCoy's reluctance to perform at all at the combine despite being medically cleared to do so. I chalk these up as non issues; more specifically for Woods' case. Why?! There is simply way too much quality tape for me to knock him off of where his rankings are. Now, on the surface, that does sound biased; doubly so when other players like Love and Arvell Reese didn't have much, if anything to gain themselves but performed anyways. Being able to compete is a major hallmark of what goes into evaluation and you really cannot measure desire, perseverance, commitment nor dedication from a combine. However, doing the combine itself is, at worst, something to go off of and such a look doesn't bode well for Woods. Where I stand though, players like Peter Woods, Jermod McCoy and Caleb Downs all had far, far more to lose than they did to gain due to the fact that the Combine, as a reminder, is theatre as a whole. For scouts, it is either confirmation on what is already known or extrapolation for what was missed; Jacob Rodriguez for example. Woods already has shown he is a one of one as far as IDLs are concerned; lackluster traits included. For McCoy, he will showcase his talents at Tennessee's Pro Day. For me, that will be a more appropriate time to judge him as I need to see how well he will move post injury. For Downs?! Same thing.



To conclude, as I said way back when during the Pre Combine, I anticipated a lot of movement within the Top 32. Needless to say, that is what happened. However, in the manner in which it did happen though floored me. A lot of speed demons from this class; doubly so from players with abnormal sizes relative to their position. Others maintained their footholds on their previous spots while some where booted off the Top 32 entirely. The NFL isn't fair but such is life.


That said, that will conclude this edition of the Top 32 Big Board. Thank you for reading and I hoped you enjoyed! Tune in next time where I will be covering the Top 5 Positional Rankings and... boy oh boy... is there some SERIOUS MOVEMENT in that department as well!


Again, this is AQL saying so long, stay safe and I will see you next time!!

 

Top Five Positional Rankings should be coming out within two days!!

 

What's driving the high rank for KC Concepcion? He hasnt shown a lot of versatility in his tape

 

Top Five postponed to Sunday everyone!! Still dealing with some personal issues in addition to a number of other personal related matters! Will also have the Steelers Mock Draft next week as well!!


Stay tuned!!

 

I disagree.


K.C. is a multi role WR who can beat multiple coverages in multiple ways. For one, his shiftiness, explosiveness and elite COD (change of direction) skills combined are the best in the class. This makes him a YAC Monster along with an elite separator and very good returner on kicks and punts. For two, his Route Tree is more nuanced than people are giving it credit for. Texas A&M's Offense was limited due to a QB being limited so K.C. wasn't able to showcase his full suite of routes during the 2025 Season. His biggest asset though is play recognition in terms of finding soft spots in Zone Coverages consistently throughout the game.


As for the negatives?! His ball tracking skills could stand to improve though I don't consider them nearly as horrific as others make it out to be. While his route running is very good, what keeps it from being great is how little variance there is to them; namely in the form of K.C. only running one speed for every route as opposed to manipulating defenders using proven tactics such as pacing during the route itself or creating false steps. Head fakes isn't an issue though.


Finally are the drops. I do agree that there are a lot of drops, 19 total and doubly so when working over the MOF (middle of the field). However, the devil is in the little details. Marcel Reed, who was the Texas A&M Aggies QB in 2025, is an RPO Thrower who thrives even greater while off platform. The problem with Marcel though is his overall lack of consistency in terms of his accuracy; doubly so from the MOF where he cannot read consistently well. Much of K.C.'s critiques in terms of his drops in the MOF stem from his "fear" of being hit. I attribute that "fear" from lack of proper spot placement by Reed as K.C. has shown he is willing to take on contact for additional YAC along with taking big hits numerous times. In short, Marcel Reed threw one too many medical balls to K.C. and the rest of his Receiving Corps during the 2025 CFB Season.


Long story short?! K.C. isn't perfect by no means but he is being largely overlooked. His combination of overall speed, overall explosiveness, overall agility, release package, play recognition, play making, YAC ability, toughness and versatility can fit within a variety of NFL Offense. Both his tools and traits both translate to the NFL very well and he would be an instant boon to any NFL Offense that is in need of a multi role YAC monster.


My Pro Comp?! Emmanuel Sanders. He turned out pretty good.

 

Pittsburgh needs a WR with Concepcion's capabilities. WR's who can operate both proficiently and consistently over the MOF while being a YAC Demon with speed to match are invaluable in today's NFL. Every skill position player on Pittsburgh's Offense would benefit from having a skillset that K.C. Concepcion brings to the table; newly acquired Michael Pittman Jr doubly so. Pittman isn't separating from opposing Corners like he used to (even then he wasn't the best) but what K.C. allows Pittman to do is place Pittman in far more favorable short yardage situations from a passing perspective.


Defense's hate having to play WR's who are so explosive, so agile and so difficult to bring down; Zone Coverage being the best bet. Problem is, that allows Pittman more free release's than not; maximizing his strongest asset which is possession based abilities. Converting third downs will be easier as teams will have to account for not just D.K. but also K.C. as well.

 

Plus he can be an all pro returner if coaching staff let's him.