An Early Look At The Potential Top 5 2026 NFL Draft Picks

While predicting who lands at which draft spot and on which team at this point is akin to picking the correct lottery numbers, with regard to breakout seasons, draft order, and team needs, there are certain names who have already emerged as the consensus top-tier talent that NFL scouts and fans have pegged to hear their names called early next April. 

The hype around this class is already so high that Canadian betting sites have started posting early odds on draft positioning, reflecting the early interest in these prospects. With a combination of proven talent and enticing potential, the 2026 draft class is filled with franchise-changing talent that could impact the NFL landscape immediately and in the future. 

Caleb Downs - Ohio State, Safety

Ever since his high school days playing for the Mill Creek Hawks, earning the Defensive Player of the Year award, Caleb Downs has been on the radar as one of the top NFL prospects. Now entering his third collegiate season, his second with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Downs is making scouts rethink how they view drafting a safety so early in the draft. 

Blending size, speed, versatility, and football IQ, Downs has the ability to single-handedly change the game on the defensive end. With his ability to read the opposing quarterback and the range to cover the field sideline to sideline, Downs possesses the tackling ability to support the run game. After recording 107 tackles in his only season at Alabama, Downs notched 81 last year with the Buckeyes, helping Ohio State win the College Football National Championship. 

Arch Manning - Texas, Quarterback 

He has only started two of his twelve college games, yet Arch Manning is considered by many to be the top quarterback prospect of the 2026 draft class. With a group of five quarterbacks who will likely hear their name called within the top ten, Manning’s projection is built largely on potential and his surname rather than what he has done on the college field. 

Despite the limited action, Manning has showcased his arm strength, accuracy, mobility, and ability to read the game (thanks to uncles Peyton and Eli), which made him one of the most sought-after high school recruits in recent history. While some have stated that Manning would be better off playing another year with the Longhorns, many predict that he will be selected within the first four picks. 

Cade Klubnik - Clemson, Quarterback

While Manning might be grabbing the majority of the headlines due in large part to his lineage, Cade Klubnik has made a case for the first quarterback to hear his name called in the 2026 draft class. Unlike Manning, Klubnik will have three seasons as an NCAA starting quarterback in his pocket come draft time, which will likely transition into an NFL-ready QB in his rookie season. 

A two-time ACC Championship MVP, Klubnik is a dual-threat quarterback who adds a bit of flair to his game with some “hero-ball” type plays. Armed with a quick release, deep field ability, and quick feet, Klubnik has the ability to lead the Tigers to a National Championship this season.  With Clemson playing an NFL-style offense and Klubnik’s physical attributes, the question at hand is, do NFL teams weigh Klubnik’s proven college production higher than Manning’s presumed higher ceiling? 

TJ Parker - Clemson, Defensive End

Just as important as Klubnik is to the Tigers offensively, TJ Parker is the same on the defensive side of the field. Standing 6’3”, 265lbs, Parker is one of the most dominant defensive prospects of the 2026 draft class. An explosive edge rusher, Parker followed an impressive freshman season with an eye-popping sophomore campaign that featured 57 total tackles and 11 sacks in 14 games. 

With a unique ability to disrupt both the run and passing game thanks to his hand usage, leverage, speed, and size, Parker possesses a rare kind of athleticism that will translate directly to the NFL game. Having the ability to line up as a traditional defensive end, slide to the inside defensive tackle position on passing downs, or occasionally fall back into coverage, Parker’s flexibility makes him extremely valuable to NFL defensive coordinators. After the New York Giants selected Abdul Carter with the third pick in the 2025 draft, the question isn’t so much about Parker’s talent as much as it is, will another team be willing to use a top-five pick on a defensive end for the second straight year? 

LaNorris Sellers - South Carolina, Quarterback 

There are a number of quarterbacks that could fill this final slot, but LaNorris Sellers appears to have the early advantage heading into the 2025 NCAA season. Going 8-4 in his first season as the Gamecocks' starting QB, the 6’3”, 242 lb Sellers has shown poise and leadership that most twenty-year-olds do not possess. With throwing accuracy, strength, and the ability to escape oncoming defenders, some compare Sellers to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts for his dual-threat talents.

A nightmare for defenses, NFL scouts are already salivating at not only his physical tools but the fact that Sellers will only be 21 years old at the start of next year’s season, providing long-term upside for a team that is likely rebuilding.