The first 18 slots for the 2026 NFL draft are set. While the rest of the league continues to compete for a championship, those franchises no longer in the mix are ready to weigh their options for roster improvement. The incoming class has a unique twist with two prospects from non-premium positions included in the Bleacher Report's top four overall. Where Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love ultimately end up will be partially dictated by positional value. Spoiler alert: Neither finds his way into this projection's top-five picks. Instead, the top of the class is defined by a pair of quarterbacks. With how the '25 regular season ended, it just so happens the two teams atop the draft order desperately need to address the game's most important position. The B/R Scouting Department gathered to lay out its latest projection, with scouts Brandon Thorn, Dame Parson, Daniel Harms and Matt Holder providing insights into each selection.
The first 18 slots for the 2026 NFL draft are set. While the rest of the league continues to compete for a championship, those franchises no longer in the mix are ready to weigh their options for roster improvement.
The incoming class has a unique tw... [28771 chars]