The 2026 NFL Draft class is taking shape, and after scouting 65 prospects on film across dual independent evaluations, the DynastySignal board has developed a clear hierarchy. This mid-February update reflects every scouted player as of February 21st — six days before the combine kicks off in Indianapolis.
The headline: this is a safety-first, linebacker-heavy class with legitimate offensive line depth. Quarterback is thin at the top and deep in the middle. If your dynasty team needs a plug-and-play difference-maker, you're shopping in the defensive backfield and the trenches.
THE TOP TIER (90.0+)
The board's top three are separated from the field by a meaningful gap. Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State, 94.0) remains the consensus best prospect in this class regardless of position — his diagnostic ability and range from a single-high alignment are historically elite for a safety prospect. He's a top-10 pick in any draft.
Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana, 91.0) is the most fascinating story of the cycle. The Indiana transfer engineered a 15-0 national championship run, displayed four-read progression on film that evaluators typically see only from third-year pros, and earned consensus top-5 consideration from both scouts. Scout 1 flagged his upright base as a concern; Scout 2 went as high as Pick 1. The consensus: he's a franchise quarterback, probably drafted in the first three picks.
Francis Mauigoa (OT, Miami FL, 90.0) is the blindside tackle in this class. Run-blocking dominance, surprising mobility for 330+ pounds, and elite anchor strength. Teams needing a cornerstone left tackle should be very interested.
ROUND 1 LOCKS (85.0–89.0)
Six players sit in this tier, and all project as clear first-round selections:
Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame, 88.5) is the rare running back who earns R1 consideration. His CFP run was historic — three playoff games, multiple big-game moments — and the scouts saw elite burst and vision on film. He'll fall due to positional value, but the talent is undeniable.
David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech, 88.0) is the board's top pass rusher. Both scouts praised his counter moves and closing burst; the projected pick range of R1 Pick 2-8 reflects how valuable elite EDGE is in 2026. Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State, 87.5) is the best receiver in the class — Ohio State's top target, NFL-ready route tree, Pittman floor with Tee Higgins ceiling.
Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State, 86.0), Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas, 85.0), and Caleb Banks (DL, Florida, 85.0) round out the tier. The LB depth from this class is real — Styles and Hill are both legitimate NFL starters who project differently (Styles as a coverage LB, Hill as a physical run-stopper).
STRONG ROUND 1 (82.0–84.9)
This band is where the board gets interesting. Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU, 85.0), Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami, 85.0), and Spencer Fano (OT, Utah, 85.0) all sit at the tier boundary — each has a real shot at top-20 consideration.
Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon, 84.5) and Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee, 84.5) give this class elite safety and CB depth beyond Downs and Delane. Peter Woods (DL, Clemson, 84.0) is the board's best pure interior disruptor.
Olaivavega Ioane (OG, Penn State, 83.0) and Emmanuel Pregnon (OG, Oregon, 82.5) make this class unusually deep at guard — two R1-caliber interior linemen is rare, and dynasty managers should take note for offensive line-needy rosters.
Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama, 82.5) and Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah, 80.0) add to what's becoming a legitimate OT depth story. The Crimson Tide is well-represented throughout this class.
MID-ROUND VALUE (78.0–81.9)
Twenty-two players land in this band — the heart of the draft. A few names worth knowing:
Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana, 81.5) was a primary target on the national championship team and showed genuine YAC ability and hands. Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas, 81.0) is a press-heavy corner with elite athleticism who both scouts see as a Day 2 value. Domani Jackson (CB, Alabama, 80.0) gives teams another starting-caliber cornerback in a class that just keeps producing DBs.
The EDGE class below Bailey and Bain is respectable: T.J. Parker (Clemson, 80.5), Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State, 80.5), Cashius Howell (Texas A&M, 79.0), and Keldric Faulk (Auburn, 78.5) all profile as rotational or starting rushers.
Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia, 79.5) and Makai Lemon (WR, USC, 79.0) make the receiver class deceptively deep behind Tate. Both are athletic separators who could outperform their Day 2 draft capital.
DAY 2 TARGETS (70.0–77.9)
The bottom of the scouted board is where value hunters work. Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama, 75.5) is a fascinating dynasty stash — both scouts see R1 passer talent with Day 2 draft capital. Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon, 74.0) and Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt, 73.0) provide TE depth, both projecting as receiving tight ends with legitimate NFL upside.
Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee, 76.5) and Chris Bell (WR, Louisville, 76.0) round out the most notable names in this tier.
COMBINE WEEK PREVIEW
The board above was built entirely on film — no combine data factored in. That changes February 27th when 300+ prospects hit the track in Indianapolis.
A few names that could move significantly:
- **Sonny Styles** (LB, Ohio State): A sub-4.5 40 makes him a consensus top-15 pick. If he runs 4.7+, he drifts.
- **Zachariah Branch** (WR, Georgia): Confirmed elite speed in the 4.3s would rocket him into Round 1 conversation.
- **Ty Simpson** (QB, Alabama): Arm talent and athleticism under pressure — if he shines in drills, the dynasty community takes notice.
- **Kenyon Sadiq** (TE, Oregon): TE athleticism testing could shift him from Day 2 to a late Round 1 target.
The full combine tracker goes live February 27th — every measurement updated in real time.
Track every measurement live →