2026 Top Five Positional Rankings: Final

The NFL Draft is only but a couple days away. Time has flown fast and with it, so have the major changes to the Top Five Positional Rankings. For those new to the series or those who would like to get caught up with the latest updates, links will be below for the previous entries;


Pre Combine

Post Combine + Free Agency


Now, for this entry, as the title states, this will be the final Top Five. Whatever the positions the players have is where they will be.


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.



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:


- Blue Text: Riser

-Red Text: Faller

- Purple Text: Biggest Riser




Quarterbacks:


1.) Carson Beck

2.) Drew Allar

3.) Ty Simpson

4.) Fernando Mendoza

5.) Taylen Green



Best Arm Talent: Drew Allar

Best Accuracy: Fernando Mendoza

Best Pocket Poise: Carson Beck

Best Pocket Presence: Carson Beck

Best Pre Snap Recognition: Ty Simpson

Best Decision Maker: Fernando Mendoza

Best Coverage Reader: Carson Beck

Best Release: Carson Beck

Best Improv. Skills: Ty Simpson

Best Runner: Taylen Green

Biggest Boom/Bust: Drew Allar/Taylen Green

Most Pro Ready: Carson Beck

AQL's Favorite: Drew Allar


Running Backs:


1.) Jeremiah Love

2.) Jadarian Price

3.) Emmett Johnson

4.) Jonah Coleman

5.) Kaytron Allen


Best Speed: Jeremiah Love

Best Power: Jeremiah Love

Best Vision: Jeremiah Love/Jonah Coleman (both have not only NFL Ready Vision but elite level vision)

Best BCA (Ball Carrying Ability): Jeremiah Love/Jonah Coleman

Most Versatile: Jeremiah Love/Jonah Coleman


Biggest Boom/Bust: Kaytron Allen


Most Pro Ready: Jeremiah Love


AQL's Favorite: Jeremiah Love





Wide Receivers:



1.) Carnell Tate

2.) K.C. Concepcion

3.) Germaine Bernard

4.) Omar Cooper Jr.

5.) Skyler Bell (+4)



Best Speed: K.C. Concepcion

Best Hands: Carnell Tate

Best Route Running: Carnell Tate

Best Separator: Carnell Tate/Jordyn Tyson/K.C. Concepcion (All three have an advanced capability to pull away from Cornerbacks)

Best Coverage Recognition: Carnell Tate

Best Blocking: Carnell Tate

Best CIT (Catch In Traffic): Carnell Tate

Best YAC: K.C. Concepcion/Omar Cooper Jr.

Best Deep Threat: K.C. Concepcion

Biggest Boom/Bust: None

Most Versatile: Carnell Tate/K.C. Concepcion

Most Pro Ready: Carnell Tate


AQL's Favorite: K.C. Concepcion


*** Jordyn Tyson removed ***


Tight Ends:


1.) Kenyon Sadiq

2.) Max Klare

3.) Oscar Delp

4.) Sam Roush

5.) Joe Royer



Best Speed: Kenyon Sadiq

Best Hands: Kenyon Sadiq

Best Route Running: Kenyon Sadiq

Best Seperator: Kenyon Sadiq

Best Coverage Recognition: Kenyon Sadiq

Best Blocking: Sam Roush

Best CIT (Catch In Traffic): Sam Roush

Best YAC: Kenyon Sadiq

Best Deep Threat: Oscar Delp/Kenyon Sadiq

Biggest Boom/Bust: Oscar Delp

Most Versatile: Kenyon Sadiq/Max Klare/Sam Roush

Most Pro Ready: Kenyon Sadiq


AQL's Favorite: Max Klare





Offensive Tackles:


1.) Kadyn Proctor

2.) Markel Bell

3.) Max Iheanachor

4.) Monroe Freeling

5.) Blake Miller




Best Pass Blocker: Kadyn Proctor/Markel Bell

Best Pass Protection Technique: Markel Bell

Best Recovery Ability: Monroe Freeling

Best Run Blocker: Kadyn Proctor

Best Run Block Technique: Kadyn Proctor

Best Zone Blocker: Max Iheanachor/Blake Miller

Best Man Gap Blocker: Kadyn Proctor

Most Versatile: Kadyn Proctor/Monroe Freeling

Biggest Boom/Bust: Monroe Freeling

Most Pro Ready: Kadyn Proctor


AQL's Favorite: Kadyn Proctor


Interior Offensive Lineman:


1.) Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane (+1)

2.) Anez Cooper (+1)

3.) Francis Mauigoa (-2)

4.) Keylan Rutledge

5.) Chase Bisontis



Best Pass Blocker: Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane

Best Pass Blocking Technique: Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane

Best Recovery Ability: Francis Mauigoa/Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane/Anez Cooper

Best Run Blocker: Francis Mauigoa/Anez Cooper

Best Run Blocking Technique: Francis Mauigoa

Best Zone Blocker: Francis Mauigoa/Keylan Rutledge

Best Man Gap Blocker: Francis Mauigoa

Biggest Boom/Bust: Chase Bisontis (Can he add more strength?! I have questions)

Most Versatile: Vega Ioane/Chase Bisontis


Most Pro Ready: Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane


AQL's Favorite: Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane



Interior Defensive Lineman:


1.) Peter Woods

2.) Keldric Faulk

3.) Christian Miller (+2)

4.) Kayden McDonald

5.) Lee Hunter (+1)



Best Pass Rusher: Peter Woods

Best Power Rusher: Caleb Banks

Best Speed Rusher: Peter Woods

Most Versatile Rusher: Peter Woods

Best Run Stopper: Kayden McDonald

Best Anchor: Peter Woods/Kayden McDonald

Best Leverage: Peter Woods/Kayden McDonald

Best 3 Tech: Peter Woods

Best 5 Tech: Keldric Faulk

Best 0/1 Tech: Peter Woods/Kayden McDonald/Lee Hunter

Most Versatile: Peter Woods/Keldric Faulk

Biggest Boom/Bust: Lee Hunter (age)

Most Pro Ready: Peter Woods


AQL Favorite: Peter Woods


*** Caleb Banks Removed ***


EDGE:


1.) Reuben Bain

2.) Arvell Reese

3.) R Mason Thomas

4.) T.J. Parker

5.) Deni Dennis Sutton



Best Speed Rusher: R Mason Thomas

Best Power Rusher: Reuben Bain

Most Versatile Rusher: Reuben Bain/T.J. Parker

Best Run Stopping: Reuben Bain

Best Coverage: Arvell Reese

Best HID (Hand in Dirt): Reuben Bain

Best 3-4 OLB: R Mason Thomas/Mason Reiger

Biggest Boom/Bust: T.J. Parker (can he return to his dominant form?)

Most Versatile: Reuben Bain/Arvell Reese/Mason Reiger

Most Pro Ready: Reuben Bain


*** Mason Reiger Removed ***


AQL's Favorite: T.J. Parker


Off-Ball Linebackers:


1.) Sonny Styles

2.) Jacob Rodriguez

3.) Anthony Hill Jr.

4.) Jake Golday

5.) CJ Allen



Best Overall Pass Coverage: Sonny Styles

Best Man Coverage: Sonny Styles

Best Zone Coverage: Sonny Styles/Jacob Rodriguez

Best Run Support: Sonny Styles/CJ Allen/Jacob Rodriguez

Best Block Shedding: Sonny Styles/Jacob Rodriguez/CJ Allen

Best Pass Rusher: Sonny Styles/Anthony Hill

Best Processor: Sonny Styles/Jacob Rodriguez

Best Instincts: Sonny Styles/Jacob Rodriguez

Best Leadership: Sonny Styles/Jacob Rodriguez/CJ Allen

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Jake Golday

Most Versatile: Sonny Styles/Anthony Hill

Most Pro Ready: Sonny Styles

AQLs Favorite: Sonny Styles




Cornerbacks:


1.) Jermod McCoy (+1)

2.) Mansoor Delane (-1)

3.) Avieon Terrell

4.) D'Angelo Ponds

5.) Tacario Davis



Best Man Coverage: Mansoor Delane/Tacario Davis

Best Zone Coverage: Jermod McCoy/Mansoor Delane/D'Angelo Ponds

Best Run Support: Avieon Terrell/Tacario Davis

Best Blitzer: Avieon Terrell

Best Speed: Avieon Terrell

Best COD (Change of Direction): Mansoor Delane/Avieon Terrell

Best Instincts: Jermod McCoy

Best Technician: Mansoor Delane

Best Tackler: Mansoor Delane

Best Slot: D'Angelo Ponds

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: None

Most Versatile: Mansoor Delane/Jermod McCoy/Avieon Terrell

Most Pro Ready: Mansoor Delane


AQL's Favorite: Tacario Davis



Safeties:


1.) Caleb Downs

2.) Bud Clark

3.) A.J. Haulcy

4.) Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (+1)

5.) Genesis Smith (-1)



Best Man Coverage: Caleb Downs/Genesis Smith

Best Zone Coverage: Caleb Downs/AJ Haulcy

Best Speed: Caleb Downs/Bud Clark

Best Power: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

Best Tackler: Caleb Downs/AJ Haulcy/Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

Best COD: Caleb Downs

Best Instincts: Caleb Downs

Best Slot: Caleb Downs/Genesis Smith/Bud Clark

Best Single High: Bud Clark

Best Pure Safety (FS or SS): Caleb Downs

Best Strong Safety: AJ Haulcy/Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: AJ Haulcy (Can technically be Emmanuel here but AJ's lack of height hinders his versatility as he is an average athlete overall)

Most Versatile: Caleb Downs

Most Pro Ready: Caleb Downs

AQL's Favorite: Caleb Downs





2026 NFL Draft Rankings By Position (Final):

1.) Cornerback: Still number one. Shouldn't shock anyone either. Now with Jermod McCoy looking like his old self, I can confidentially say this is the highest graded CB Class I have ever scouted; surpassing the 2021, 2020, 2016 and even 2011 class.

2.) Safeties: Fell just short of being the best class I have scouted; 2018 beating it out. Regardless, safeties can be found in any round for good to even great value depending on the scheme.

3.) Off Ball Linebackers: Sonny Styles is the best MLB/ILB I have ever scouted. The problem?! The rest of the class is too top heavy for its own good. After the Top 5, the position does take a bit of a hit though not nearly as bad as the others.

4.) Running Backs: Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Pierce hard carry this class. There are other quality Running Backs in this class but these two are the best bet for teams wanting a true three down back. Everyone else has question marks be it one reason or the other.

5.) Offensive Tackles: Monroe Freeling is essentially the "Powerball Ticket" of the class. If he strikes out well, you are talking about a pretty rock solid class. If not, this class with be another in a long line of OT Classes that was "close but no cigar."

6.) Interior Defensive Lineman: Man.... this year isn't it for drafting an IDL... with the exception of the NT. That position definitely has seen a revival in the past couple of seasons so that is a bright spot. That said, outside of Peter Woods, no true number one.


7.) EDGE : Outside of Reuben Bain, just about the rest are either heavily speed based EDGEs or all speed, no power. Not good at all considering opposing NFL Tackles can handle Speed Rushers well. Reuben has my vote to be the best from the rest but the rest is clearly lacking. Deni does have the potential to surprise some people for there is potential there but that is a wait and see aspect.


8.) Wide Receiver: Beyond Carnell Tate, scheme specific to very scheme dependent/gadget based players in this class. The first 10 to 15 Wideouts that will be drafted will be, more or less, the best of the best; only three of them I would constitute as true number ones. Everyone else is a dart through.


9.) Tight Ends: A repeat of the previous entry


Does your team need a Tight End; one who is scheme transcendent and can add another dimension to your offense?! Look no further than Kenyon Sadiq!! For 2026 and 2026 only, the NFL would like to announce the Kenyon Sadiq Sweepstakes!! Enter for your chance to take home a quasi generational talent for the low low cost of a Top 15 Pick!! This deal ends on April 23rd, 2026 so act fast!!

Kenyon Sadiq; the Tight End who will change your Offense and change your win/loss record!


10.) Interior Offensive Lineman: Like the Wideouts but worse. Only 1 to potentially three I can say are day one starters. The rest need time.


11.) Quarterbacks: Carson Beck and Drew Allar... that is it as far as I see it. Both are the only ones with the capability to become starter capable; both even having potential Franchise QB abilities depending on the team that drafts them. Again though, a whole lot has to happen; even by the typical QB standards. Beyond them, just say no.


Only part one of three! Part's two and three coming up!

 

Part two (Offense):


Quarterbacks:

No changes. As expected. Nothing more to elaborate on here. This isn't the draft to be hunting for a Franchise Signal Caller. Two of them have that potential but that would require a 1:1 team match; something that seldom happens. Drew Allar may have the better ceiling due to age but Carson Beck is the classes most ready with both the traits and tools needed. That said, he needs to go a team that runs the West Coast.


Running Backs:

No changes here either. Love and Pierce are the one two punch; just as they were in their Golden Domer days. Beyond them, some starters but have to be in the right scheme. Others will be featured in the RBBC (Running Back By Committee).


Wide Receivers:


Out on Jordyn Tyson but in more on Skyler Bell than I thought. His age does concern me but the WR Position isn't as brutal as other Offensive Skill positions. It was close between him and Antonio Williams but Bell is a more polished overall Receiver at the moment with the potential to be a bit better than Williams.


Tight Ends:


The Kenyon Sadiq Sweepstakes.


Offensive Tackle:

No Change. I will say this; should Monroe Freeling work out, he will be among the biggest highway robberies the NFL has seen at the position in some time.


Interior Offensive Line:

After giving it some thought, I now officially have Anez Cooper over his teammate in Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa is still the superior athlete who is the more vesatile scheme wise but Cooper can start and contribute immediately Day One. Mauigoa will likely need an adjustment period.


Defense up next then the conclusion!

 

Part Three (Defense):



Interior Defensive Line:


Much like the Wideouts, I am out on Caleb Banks though I am more out on him than Jordyn Tyson. A 24 Year Old Rookie playing a grueling position with some injury concerns already?! As boom or bust as one will get. For Lee Hunter, he is a very good if not quasi elite Run Defender but that.. is all he is. Still a very valuable skill to have in the NFL but his usage will be very limited early in his career.


EDGE:


Deni Dennis Sutton knocks off Mason Reiger. Deni has more power and turned out to be a lot more interesting after giving him a second look in comparison to Mason. Beyond Deni though, no change.


Off Ball Linebackers:


No matter where he goes, Sonny Styles is going to make a Defensive Coordinator very happy. Jacob Rodriguez may not have Sonny's athletic profile but his penchant for making plays is something that shouldn't be underestimated. I have given CJ Allen a lot of grief this draft cycle but as far as a true Field General of the Defense, CJ Allen is the best of the bunch. Having that consistent yet reliable communicator in the middle of the defense can be far more grateful for a defense than others give it credit for.


Cornerbacks:


Jermod McCoy; welcome back to your throne. Your Pro Day cemented your status as the best Corner in the class. He, Mansoor and Avieon all will be leading the charge for this historic group. Even after them are still a great collection of starting capable Corners; others on this list not covered like Brandon Cisse, Keionte Scott and Chris Johnson; all who just missed the cut. In all, I believe I have 15 Corners in this class I would classify as Starting Capable; 5 of whom I would consider CB 1 worthy. This is definitely a season in which a team in dire need of help at the position will definitely elect to spend some draft capital on.


Safeties:


Much like the Corners but to a lesser extent, there are a lot of starters in this group. Caleb Downs is the only one though I have as a complete impact playmaker. Beyond him, the rest are Starting Capable but there are 6 I count as such. Of them; Dillion Thieneman is the most notable omission but he is a Safety that is worth drafting. He just doesn't fit the mold as far as a multi role DB due to his average agility and COD; pre requisite traits that are needed to perform such a position that requires just as much quickness and flexibility as it does explosiveness and speed.




That will do it for the Top Five Positional Rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft Class everyone! A lot more subdued of a class but as per usual, the QBs are the headliners. Sadly, for me, there aren't any that I would constitute as Day One Signal Callers and the two that I believe can get to that level need to have.. virtually everything go right for that to even happen. On the positive note, it seems that College Football Teams have gotten tired of getting beat by NFL Capable WRs; manifesting into the best Cornerback Class I have ever scouted. The same can be said for Off Ball Linebackers due to the rise of the Tight End; Sonny Styles being the best Off Ball Linebacker I have ever scouted; Luke Kuechly included.


Once again, thank you all for reading. I hope you enjoyed and I hope you learned something new as well. As always, leave your thoughts below as it always helps me out! We still have one more mock draft to go and the drop date will be coming either this coming Saturday or Sunday. Until then, this is AQL saying so long, stay safe and I will see you all again in the Final Steelers Mock Draft!

 

Fano isn't in your top 5, but Bell is? I find Bell to be slow and a very high center mass. I have Mauigoa down as a T.

No Thieneman?

1.) Caleb Downs

2.) Dillon Thieneman

3.) Bud Clark

4.) Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

5.) Jalon Kilgore


I agree with you on Tacario Davis.