NFL.com ranks the 2026 draft's position groups
Four weeks from today, the NFL world will congregate in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mock draft season is in full swing as NFL analysts continue to update their predictions as we inch closer to April 23.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein did something a little different this week. The draft analyst released his rankings of the 11 position groups in this year's draft.
Here are the rankings, from 1 to 11, along with commentary from Zierlein on the top 5.
1. Edge defender
"There were five edge defenders drafted in last April's first round and 11 selected on Day 2. This year, we have another loaded group of QB hunters. Arvell Reese is a developmental prospect with huge upside, while David Bailey is rush-ready as a true pocket pillager. Rueben Bain Jr. brings unique power, while fellow Miami product Akheem Mesidor is the most skilled rusher in this class. Zion Young majors in block destruction as a run defender, and Malachi Lawrence is getting some buzz behind the scenes. This class figures to provide a strong number of future starters, with as many as 17 players poised to come off the board in the first three rounds, but the quality of depth will trail off on Day 3. The edge defenders will rule the first round."
2. Linebacker
"Off-ball linebacker became a consistently sparse offering in the draft over the last several years, but this is one of the strongest groups we've seen in a while. Sonny Styles could be a top-10 draft pick, which would mark the first time that's happened for the position since 2020, when the Arizona Cardinals took Isaiah Simmons eighth overall. Anthony Hill Jr. is a talented three-down option who could go on Day 1, while Jake Golday, CJ Allen and Jacob Rodriguez look like Round 2 selections as potential early starters. The linebacker group stays strong in Rounds 3 and 4, with decent depth stretching into the fifth round."
3. Interior offensive line
"There hasn't been a draft with four full rounds worth of quality interior offensive linemen in quite some time. This year's prospect pool offers just that. There is a clear Big Three at guard with Vega Ioane, Chase Bisontis and Emmanuel Pregnon leading the way, but Keylan Rutledge will be a strong Day 2 option. Furthermore, this draft is filled with potential tackle-to-guard converts who bolster the position group even more. Meanwhile, Connor Lew, Sam Hecht, Logan Jones and Brian Parker II could all become future starting centers, while Trey Zuhn III might not be far behind. The number of starters and the depth into Round 5 is what helps this group stand out."
4. Wide receiver
"The 2025 receiver class stepped up last season -- with Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden III leading the way -- and this year's group compares favorably with last year's crop. Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon and Jordyn Tyson all have early-starter talent and polish as probable first-round picks. KC Concepcion is a premium separator for teams seeking a slippery slot, while Omar Cooper Jr. is ascending due to his enticing combination of size, speed and strength. In terms of starting talent, this offering is a little softer than those from some recent years, but there will be plenty of quality depth for WR3/4 roles inside of the first five rounds."
5. Cornerback
"In each of the past two drafts, we've seen three cornerbacks go in the first round. That could be the number this year, as well. While I believe Mansoor Delane has star-caliber talent on tape, some in the league see him slightly below that. Viewpoints also vary on the two Tennessee products, Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood. The depth at wide corner is lacking, but there are some very talented nickelbacks who will step into starting roles fairly quickly, including Avieon Terrell, Treydan Stukes, D'Angelo Ponds and Keionte Scott. It's worth noting that this might be the fastest cornerback group, from top to bottom, that we've ever seen."
T-6. Safety
T-6. Tight End
T-8. Interior defensive line
T-8. Offensive tackle
10. Running Back
11. Quarterback
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks revealed his updated position rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft.
QUARTERBACKS | 1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana | 2. Ty Simpson, Alabama | 3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU | 4. Carson Beck, Miami | 5. Drew Allar, Penn State
RUNNING BACKS | 1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame | 2. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame | 3. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska | 4. Jonah Coleman, Washington | 5. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
WIDE RECEIVERS | 1. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State | 2. Carnell Tate, Ohio State | 3. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee | 4. Malachi Fields, Notre Dame | 5. Denzel Boston, Washington
SLOT RECEIVERS | 1. Makai Lemon, USC | 2. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana | 3. Zachariah Branch, Georgia | 4. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M | 5. Antonio Williams, Clemson
TIGHT ENDS | 1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon | 2. Max Klare, Ohio State | 3. Dallen Bentley, Utah State | 4. Joe Royer, Cincinnati | 5. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
OFFENSIVE TACKLES | 1. Spencer Fano, Utah | 2. Francis Mauigoa, Miami | 3. Caleb Lomu, Utah | 4. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama | 5. Monroe Freeling, Georgia
OFFENSIVE GUARDS | 1. Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State | 2. Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M | 3. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon | 4. Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech | 5. Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
CENTERS | 1. Connor Lew, Auburn | 2. Logan Jones, Iowa | 3. Jake Slaughter, Florida | 4. Sam Hecht, Kansas State | 5. Brian Parker II, Duke
DEFENSIVE TACKLES | 1. Peter Woods, Clemson | 2. Caleb Banks, Florida | 3. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech | 4. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State | 5. Christen Miller, Georgia
DEFENSIVE ENDS | 1. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami | 2. Akheem Mesidor, Miami | 3. Keldric Faulk, Auburn | 4. Zion Young, Missouri | 5. Derrick Moore, Michigan
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS | 1. David Bailey, Texas Tech | 2. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M | 3. T.J. Parker, Clemson | 4. Gabe Jacas, Illinois | 5. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
LINEBACKERS | 1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State | 2. Sonny Styles, Ohio State | 3. CJ Allen, Georgia | 4. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas | 5. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
CORNERBACKS | 1. Mansoor Delane, LSU | 2. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee | 3. Colton Hood, Tennessee | 4. Brandon Cisse, South Carolina | Chris Johnson, San Diego State
NICKELBACKS | 1. Avieon Terrell, Clemson | 2. Keionte Scott, Miami | 3. D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana | 4. Keith Abney II, Arizona State | 5. Bud Clark, TCU
SAFETIES | 1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State | 2. Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh | 3. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon | 4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo | 5. A.J. Haulcy, LSU
In honor of Opening Day, view photos of Giants throwing out first pitches and taking in some baseball over the years.
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 30, 2012, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning glances down at his daughter Ava as he poses for a photograph with New York Mets mascot Mr. Met before a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, holds his daughter Ava as he chats with New York Mets third baseman David Wright, left, after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Father's Day before a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mets manager Terry Collins, right, gives a jersey signed by his team to former NFL football coach Bill Parcells before the start of an exhibition spring training baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. Parcells won two Super Bowls as coach of the New York Giants. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, left, and his brother, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, throw out the first pitch before the start of the Atlanta Braves game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, March 10, 2005 in Kissimmee, Fla. The Pirates beat the Braves 1-0. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning reacts after tossing out the ceremonial first pitch while holding his daughter Ava before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants first round draft pick David Wilson at batting practice before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
Former New York Giants player Plaxico Burress holds out the Super Bowl XLII Vince Lombardi trophy for fans to touch as he and teammates from the 2008 Super Bowl championship team walk around Yankee Stadium before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin responds to questions before the "True Blue" benefit celebrity softball game at Yankee Stadium Wednesday, June 3, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Former New York Giants player Plaxico Burress holds out the Super Bowl XLII Vince Lombardi trophy for fans to touch as he and teammates from the 2008 Super Bowl championship team walk around Yankee Stadium before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 30, 2012, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, right, and his brother, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, watch from New York Yankees' Derek Jeter's suite during a baseball game between the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, and his brother, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning watch from Derek Jeter's suite during the Tampa Bay Rays baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 30, 2012, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, stands beside his brother, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning as the pair watch the New York Yankees face the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning hold the ball and his daughter Ava before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before a New York Mets baseball game with the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning holds daughter Ava at a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds baseball game at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle, right, hugs Miami Marlins catcher Brett Hayes after Rolle threw out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets, Friday, May 11, 2012 in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, holds daughter Ava as he stands with New York Mets third baseman David Wright after Wright caught his ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants rookies watch New York Mets third baseman David Wright present first round draft pick David Wilson with a baseball after Wilson threw out the first ceremonial pitch before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets, Friday, May 11, 2012 in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants first round draft pick David Wilson practices his swing in the batting cages before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
New York Giants first round draft pick David Wilson throws out the first ceremonial pitch before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
New York Giants first round draft pick David Wilson at batting practice before the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Citi Field in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, right, and his brother, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, wait to throw out the first pitch before the start of the Atlanta Braves game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, March 10, 2005 in Kissimmee, Fla. The Pirates beat the Braves 1-0. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, right, waves to fans as he stands with his brother, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, in New York Yankees' Derek Jeter's suite during a baseball game between the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Mets manager Terry Collins, right, talks with former NFL football coach Bill Parcells before the start of an exhibition spring training baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. Parcells won two Super Bowls as coach of the New York Giants. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New York Mets manager Terry Collins, right, gives a jersey signed by his team to former NFL football coach Bill Parcells before the start of an exhibition spring training baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. Parcells won two Super Bowls as coach of the New York Giants. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Bill Parcells, left, retired football coach, talks with St. Louis Cardinals coach Tony La Russa during the Cardinals' spring training baseball practice, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Bill Parcells, left, reaches to shake hands with the Texas Rangers mascot while sitting with Rangers owner Tom Hicks before the Rangers' baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 3, 2006. (AP Photo/L.M. Otero)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, chats with his brother, Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, as Giants' Brandon Jacobs, right, finds his seat at the New York Yankees' baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Bill Parcells talks with David Pratt, one of the owners for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team before the Cardinals spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Jupiter, Fla. Parcells is friends with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. The Cowboys have reported signed Terrell Ownes. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, left, talks with Bill Parcellls during batting practice before the Orioles spring training baseball game against the New York Mets in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Tuesday, March 21, 2006. Parcells has been visiting baseball training camps including the St. Louis Cardinals. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, left, talks with David Pratt, one of the owners of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and Bill Parcells before the Cardinals spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Jupiter, Fla. Sunday, March 19, 2006. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Bill Parcells, left, chats with Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella as they stand by the batting cage during batting practice prior to the Texas Rangers game against the Devil Rays Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Linda Kaye)
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