2026 Top Five Positional Rankings: Post Combine + Post Free Agency

Draft day is rapidly approaching us. Time flies fast doesn't it; one day we were in January and the next April is already around the corner. That said, time for us to update our Top Five Positional Rankings List!! Before we continue, good day to you all and thanks for stopping by! If you are new to the series or missed out on the previous entry, click the link below so you can get caught up with the current rankings list.


Pre Combine


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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 (Getting his confidence back will be key for Allar. Can Green develop quickly enough?!)

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 (One fumble on nearly 400 times rushing the football for Coleman?! That will translate in the NFL)

Most Versatile: Jeremiah Love/Jonah Coleman (Coleman is much more of a Receiving weapon than others give him credit for)

Biggest Boom/Bust: Kaytron Allen


Most Pro Ready: Jeremiah Love


AQL's Favorite: Jeremiah Love


*** Le'Veon Moss Removed ***


Wide Receivers:



1.) Carnell Tate

2.) K.C. Concepcion

3.) Jordyn Tyson

4.) Germaine Bernard

5.) Omar Cooper Jr.



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: Jordyn Tyson

Best CIT (Catch In Traffic): Carnell Tate/Jordyn Tyson (Carnell is a multi level threat to do so. Jordyn has the toughness teams will love.)

Best YAC: K.C. Concepcion/Omar Cooper Jr. (Both are YAC Demons but both operate differently; K.C. has the elusiveness and power while Cooper is a battering ram)

Best Deep Threat: K.C. Concepcion

Biggest Boom/Bust: Jordyn Tyson (Too many medical concerns but a massive home run if he can stay healthy)

Most Versatile: Carnell Tate/K.C. Concepcion (Both can operate in just about any Offensive System)

Most Pro Ready: Carnell Tate


AQL's Favorite: K.C. Concepcion


*** Denzel Boston 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 (Sadiq has the speed but he would need to be aligned as a Big Slot to make it happen)

Biggest Boom/Bust: Oscar Delp (Can he put it all together)

Most Versatile: Kenyon Sadiq/Max Klare/Sam Roush (all three can function in any Offense)

Most Pro Ready: Kenyon Sadiq


AQL's Favorite: Max Klare


*** Eli Raridon Removed ***


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 (Both were made for the Zone Blocking Scheme)

Best Man Gap Blocker: Kadyn Proctor

Most Versatile: Kadyn Proctor/Monroe Freeling (Freeling's traits, frame and potential allow him to be far more scheme versatile than others are giving him credit for.)

Biggest Boom/Bust: Monroe Freeling (a lot needs to happen for him to be a hit)

Most Pro Ready: Kadyn Proctor


AQL's Favorite: Kadyn Proctor

*** Caleb Tiernan Removed ***

Interior Offensive Lineman:


1.) Francis Mauigoa

2.) Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane

3.) Anez Cooper

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 (three way tie as each have their own capabilities to do so better than the rest of the class; Francis as he is the most complete overall, Vega due to his advanced understanding and nuance and Anez's ridiculous anchor).

Best Run Blocker: Francis Mauigoa/Anez Cooper (both are maulers. Francis is the more complete of the two but Anez's sheer power, brute strength and immovable anchor push him here in the class)

Best Run Blocking Technique: Francis Mauigoa

Best Zone Blocker: Francis Mauigoa/Keylan Rutledge

Best Man Gap Blocker: Francis Mauigoa

Biggest Boom/Bust: Beau Stephens (functional strength is only adequate and will spell doom for him if matched up against stronger opponents)

Most Versatile: Vega Ioane/Chase Bisontis (Vega's run blocking footwork is a problem but by no means a detriment while Chase has contact balance, agility and explosiveness that make him a fit in many Offenses)

Most Pro Ready: Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane


AQL's Favorite: Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane


*** Beau Stephens Removed ***


Interior Defensive Lineman:


1.) Peter Woods

2.) Keldric Faulk

3.) Caleb Banks

4.) Kayden McDonald

5.) Christian Miller




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 (both are elite here)

Best Leverage: Peter Woods/Kayden McDonald (again, both are elite here)

Best 3 Tech: Peter Woods

Best 5 Tech: Keldric Faulk

Best 0/1 Tech: Peter Woods/Kayden McDonald

Most Versatile: Peter Woods/Keldric Faulk (Caleb does have wiggle that Keldric doesn't have but doesn't have Keldric's experience in aligning in different spots consistently)

Biggest Boom/Bust: Caleb Banks (Age)

Most Pro Ready: Peter Woods


AQL Favorite: Peter Woods


EDGE:


1.) Reuben Bain

2.) Arvell Reese

3.) R Mason Thomas

4.) T.J. Parker

5.) Mason Reiger



Best Speed Rusher: R Mason Thomas

Best Power Rusher: Reuben Bain

Most Versatile Rusher: Reuben Bain/T.J. Parker (Bain's unnatural power/tech. allow him to rush any way he wants and T.J.'s overall attack plan will score him more wins than not)

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


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 (Jacob is as close to Sonny from a pure Zone Coverage aspect, as a whole, than any other Off Ball in the class)

Best Run Support: Sonny Styles/CJ Allen/Jacob Rodriguez (All three have elite level run stopping abilities but Allen and Jacob both want to lay someone out quite often)

Best Block Shedding: Sonny Styles/Jacob Rodriguez/CJ Allen (All three of them are the best in the class; period.)

Best Pass Rusher: Sonny Styles/Anthony Hill (Styles has the latent potential along with many other abilities he possesses while Hill possess the talent and skill)

Best Processor: Sonny Styles/Jacob Rodriguez (again, these two are in a league of their own)

Best Instincts: Sonny Styles/Jacob Rodriguez (Sonny and Jacob both have a knack for making big time plays in big time moments)

Best Leadership: Sonny Styles/Jacob Rodriguez/CJ Allen (Allen is the quintessential defensive captain, Jacob brings the energy and Sonny does both; all three the best of the best in the class.)

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Jake Golday (Will he continue to progress?! Only One Year of Starting)

Most Versatile: Sonny Styles/Anthony Hill (both can be deployed in multiple Linebacking spots.)

Most Pro Ready: Sonny Styles

AQLs Favorite: Sonny Styles

*** Lander Barton Removed ***


Cornerbacks:


1.) Mansoor Delane

2.) Jermod McCoy

3.) Avieon Terrell

4.) D'Angelo Ponds

5.) Tacario Davis



Best Man Coverage: Mansoor Delane/Davidson Igbinosun (Mansoor is the complete package but Davidson is simply too athletic and dynamic to be faulted here)

Best Zone Coverage: Jermod McCoy/Mansoor Delane/D'Angelo Ponds (All three are head and neck above everyone else)

Best Run Support: Avieon Terrell/Tacario Davis (Davis is more physical than others give him credit for)

Best Blitzer: Avieon Terrell

Best Speed: Avieon Terrell

Best COD (Change of Direction): Mansoor Delane/Avieon Terrell (Mansoor doesn't have Avieon's speed but he can match him here)

Best Instincts: Jermod McCoy

Best Technician: Mansoor Delane

Best Tackler: Mansoor Delane

Best Slot: D'Angelo Ponds

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Jermod McCoy (how will he look after missing a full season?)

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.) Genesis Smith

5.) Emmanuel McNeil-Warren




Best Man Coverage: Caleb Downs/Genesis Smith

Best Zone Coverage: Caleb Downs/AJ Haulcy

Best Speed: Caleb Downs/Bud Clark (Caleb's overall speed is the best but foot speed is where Bud wins)

Best Power: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (no other safety possess power like him; doubly so from big hits)

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

Best COD: Caleb Downs

Best Instincts: Caleb Downs (arguably the best in the entire class. Only Sonny Styles can match his)

Best Slot: Caleb Downs/Genesis Smith/Bud Clark (All three are weapons here)

Best Single High: Bud Clark

Best Pure Safety (FS or SS): Caleb Downs

Best Strong Safety: AJ Haulcy/Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Haulcy has better coverage chops while Warren is a run defense multiplier)

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Xaiver Nwankpa (how quickly can he fix his consistency issues?)

Most Versatile: Caleb Downs

Most Pro Ready: Caleb Downs

AQL's Favorite: Caleb Downs


*** Xaiver Nwankpa Removed ***


2026 NFL Draft Rankings By Position (Pre Combine):

1.) Cornerback: Like last time. Simply the best overall. The combine put the exclamation point at the end of the statement.

2.) Safeties: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Kamari Ramsey, Bud Clark and others answered a lot of questions at the combine; as did others. Best the position has looked since 2018.

3.) Off Ball Linebackers: The players from this group had arguably the best performance at the combine. Problem is, their best did and not so much the rest. That said, this group still can boast it has arguably the most athletic players in the entire group; something that hasn't happened since 2018.

4.) Running Backs (+2): Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Pierce are the one two punch of the class. Johnson and Coleman have some of the best receiving abilities in the class. Kaytron is still the best overall bruiser overall but the power backs are few and far between that one can depend on.

5.) Offensive Tackles (+2) : Blake Miller, Monroe Freeling, Austin Barber, Markel Bell and Caleb Tiernan boost this classes overall talent level by a very good margin. Still more top heavy than it usually is but there is more depth than first previously thought

6.) Interior Defensive Lineman (-2): Way too top heavy and way too scheme dependent now. Caleb Banks' injury really lets this group down though DeMonte Capehart was quite the revelation during the Combine.


7.) EDGE (-2): Back during the Pre Combine, I stated this was one of the weakest EDGE Groups I have ever scouted. I am now revising my comment; this is arguably the worst group I have ever scouted. Outside of Arvell Reese, there really isn't a safe bet here for any of these players. Way too many of these players rely too much on speed to power and not enough on an overall toolkit.

8.) Wide Receiver: Omar Cooper Jr made some good money during this class but the rest of the class didn't impress enough here. If anything, I don't see any major movement here at all for the remainder of the series.


9.) Tight Ends: 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: Keylan Rutledge helps a bit but not by much. Even adding in the likes of Spencer Fano, very little to get excited about.

11.) Quarterbacks: Much like EDGE, this is one of the worst groups I have ever scouted. Unlike the EDGE class, I will not retract this statement. I do like Fernando Mendoza than I did the likes of Geno Smith, Blake Bortles and others. That said, outside of Drew Allar and Carson Beck, I am staying as far away from this class as possible.



As before, this is part one of three! Two and three up next!!

 

Quarterbacks:

No major changes here and, as stated before, not likely going to be such. Barring unusual developments, more often than not, the QB Rankings for me often stay the same as the position isn't about the traits from the athletic perspective but from the QB perspective. Even after the combine, my opinions haven't changed at all. Carson and Drew remain the only two QBs worth rolling the dice on.


Running Backs:


Jonah Coleman from Washington forced me to give him a second look. Still not a fan of his smaller stature but his ball carrier vision, elusiveness, receiving ability, explosiveness and capability to fit into a variety of NFL Offenses makes me see him in a much different light; one of both respect and appreciation. Beyond Coleman, no other massive changes outside of Le'Veon Moss. Moss does have great attributes in his own right but his lack of ball security is what made me drop him all together. Too many fumbles; doubly so in comparison to Coleman. As for the rest?! Not much else to say here. Jeremiyah Love will add another dimension to an Offense that said Offense didn't believe was possible and Jadarian Price can be a feature back day one.


Wide Receivers:

Omar Cooper Jr. was on the outside looking in for me personally. While I did admire his ability to beat press at the LOS along with his COD skills, I found his Route Running overall to be a bit disappointing. Post combine though, I have a more favorable opinion of him. Still not a fan of his Route Running but Curt Cignetti's Offense is very, very systematically rigid. I do believe that such a case, along with Fernando's inability to read coverages post snap is what caused Cooper Jr's Route Tree to be so limited. Pairing him with an NFL QB who can read both pre and post snap will unlock more of his ability to be a three down receiver. The traits are there and some of the tools do create a good foundation. It is just a matter of where he will land. Jordyn Tyson on the other hand... man. It just gets harder and harder to defend him. The traits and tools to be a number one WR are simply too difficult to be ignored but the lack of availability remains his biggest hurdle. It is now very fair to question if he can even hold up at all at the next level.

Tight Ends:


The Kenyon Sadiq Sweepstakes. Sam Roush did impress me more than I thought and could be a mid round gem but this class will largely be defined by Kenyon. He is simply too special a Tight End Prospect from a receiving perspective. I still have Kyle Pitts as my highest rated ever but Sadiq was the closest to him.



Offensive Tackle:

Blake Miller definitely made himself some money during the NFL Combine. I expected him to not only not measure very well but perform only average during blocking drills. He proved a lot of doubters wrong in the end; myself included. Book him for a First Round player for players like him that have the experience he possesses simply don't come around too often. Monroe Freeling didn't do anything major to impress me for the tape already showed me a player who will be drafted mainly because of his traits. Even after the combine, that analysis has only been magnified.


Interior Offensive Line:


Outside of Keylan Rutledge, there really isn't much to say here. Vega's Foot speed concerns evaporated for me during the blocking drills as, per my point before, the foot speed isn't a concern. Foot work is the problem though that is a tool that needs to be coached. Foot speed is a trait; a player either has it or doesn't. Chase turned out to a bit more overall strength than I gave himself credit for but he is still best suited for zone blocking.

 

No Dillon Thieneman?

 

Interior Defensive Line:


No changes here. Even after the combine, there is no movement for this group. Seeing Christian Miller work through the bag drills though was very cool.


EDGE:


Just like me Pre Combine analysis, not much change here either. Combine further confirmed what I already had seen on tape; a lot of sizzle with this class but not much steak.


Off Ball Linebackers:


If the combine showcased anything, anything is possible. Such was the case with Jacob Rodriguez and him eroding many of the concerns I had with him entering the combine; namely his lateral movement capabilities. Not only did he perform better than expected, Jacob ended up solidifying himself as a starting capable, three down Off Ball Linebacker. He still needs to work on his depth in zone coverage in addition to taking better angles in man coverage but the traits are definitely there for a player that can become far more than what many, myself included, thought he would be before entering the combine. Beyond Jacob though, sadly, not too much else. Sonny getting in the low 4.4s is definitely something I didn't see at all but I did expect him to test very well overall. He did exceed my expectations but I had compared him to a Hall of Fame level player. Little to nothing would surprise me with him at this point.


Cornerbacks:


This group is fast; very fast. Some of the fastest overall Corners that the class has had in a couple of years. Now, foot speed alone isn't going to make a Corner better than another but it does give them more to work with in terms of schematics. Why such a statement matters is due to Corners like Tacario Davis having to answer such questions at the combine. Davis ran much faster than anticipated at the combine; 4.41 total. Now, does this fix his limited COD Skills?! It doesn't. However, this doesn't mean he isn't among the best Corners overall in the class. His natural abilities to press at the LOS along with his length and height advantage will allow him to stay in phase better than other agility limited corners would. In addition, he isn't lacking technique in terms of playing off man. He is lacking refinement in that area but such an area is one that can be coached.


Safeties:

Caleb Downs and Bud Clark are two of the best safety prospects in the class but that statement alone isn't enough to describe how good they are. One is a generational, multi role Defensive Back while the other is one of the best Single High Deep Centerfielder's to come out since Nasir Adderley. While A.J. Haulcy does have a greater understanding of Zone based concepts than Bud, Bud's propensity for turnovers, in a league where finding such talents are very difficult, put him over the top between the two. That said, should A.J. Haulcy get into the correct system, you are looking at a player who has the potential to be the very best player of his position to outplay his draft stock when it is all said and done. Emmanuel McNeil Warren is an absolute hammer as a run defender but unlike many other big tall safeties, Emmanuel can cover Tight Ends and some Slot WR options. That does make him a lot more valuable than the usual archetypes that are his size but his over aggression in the running game will need addressed. He is far too eager to play the run and, as a result, he telegraphs his intentions too often.




Lots of movement overall within the Top Five Positional Rankings this time around for many of the positions overall. While I do stand by my statement that the NFL Combine is theatre, there are times were one can expect the unexpected. Jacob Rodriguez would be my prime example of this year for I did not see the athletic profile match the results during the Combine. Same goes for Tacario Davis. Conversely, it can also damage a players ability; namely in the form of a player like Lander Barton or Le'Veon Moss. Regardless, the NFL Combine has come and gone; Free Agency along with it. Two more Top Fives remaining as we have to go over the Post Pro Day and the Final Edition.


However, for now, it is time to bid you farewell as this concludes the Top Five Positional Rankings. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Come back later this week where I will be conducting the first ever Steelers Mock Draft for 2026. Until then, this is AQL saying so long, stay safe and I will see you next time!!

 

Nope.


Genesis Smith may be lacking in terms of run support along with tackling discipline but he is the superior Slot option along with being a Single High Free Safety and a Box Safety as well. Add his propensity for turnovers in multiple ways and he yields greater value overall.

 

Keldric Faulk isn't an interior DL, he's an Edge player.

I would include Lee Hunter in the top-5.

 

None of your CBs ran a shuttle drill. I've always heard that is the single most important test for CBs at the combine.


Chris Johnson should definitely be in the top 5 for CBs.


I would also put Mike Washington Jr in the top 5 RBs list.

 

Once again very good analysis, but i do have some disagreements..

At RB I think Arkansas razorbacks Mike Washington deserves his flowers... especially after showing out at the combine

The WR class is very close, but i'm convinced that Ga st stud Ted Hurst may be the best of the bunch

At OG, not nearly enough love is given for Emmanuel Pregnon..... IMHO, Pregnon is right behind Loane

 

That is true.


Hence why I always say "trust the tape." Combine does reveal certain things but others are not always so clear cut. For example, some players test extremely well but their testing never materializes on the field. Chase Claypool is an excellent example of this.


Built like Tarzan, plays like Jane.

 

Ok. Given. But, none of them did the shuttle drill. The tape is always going to be the ultimate tell. But when you have talented guys with tape, that did the drill and scored under 4.2, it's worth noting. IMO.

 

Worth noting yes. Needed?! Not exactly.

 

We'll see I guess.

 

LUKE I FATHER MIGHT BE YOURS

TBH
I'm still digging my original picks (CHOICES possibilities)
nothing flexed much after FA and yes there is time but do not expect anything big to change needs

 

Update!

Under IOL Boom/Bust, it should be none.

 

Mock Draft tomorrow!!


Some software issues on my PC! Have to fix em!

 

Darn it!!!


Mock Draft will come out later in the week! Still dealing with those PC issues at the moment.