Top NFL Dreams Begin Taking Shape: ESPN Reveals Early Top Five Players by Position for 2026 NFL Draft Class Watchlist
The NFL is a machine of constant evolution. While teams battle each week for dominance, the scouting departments are always two steps ahead—focused on building the future through the draft. ESPN recently released its early top five players at each position for the 2026 NFL Draft, stirring a mix of anticipation, debate, and high-stakes forecasting throughout the football world.
While the 2026 NFL Draft remains almost a year away, scouts are already deep into their evaluations, and this list from ESPN represents the culmination of extensive film study, in-person evaluations, interviews, and analytics. What makes this year’s prospects so intriguing is not only the raw talent available but the diversity in style, size, and skillset. Some are polished superstars already in command of their programs, while others are athletic marvels with limitless ceilings.
Let’s begin by diving into the heart of the offense—quarterback. Leading ESPN’s list is junior phenom Tanner Wallace from Oregon. Wallace has a powerful arm, next-level pocket awareness, and leadership traits that are drawing comparisons to NFL elite quarterbacks. Scouts love his blend of accuracy and mobility, making him a prototype for today’s offensive systems. Behind him are Darius Bryant of Georgia Tech, Noah Callahan of Michigan, Jaxon Griggs from Alabama, and Ryan Mercer of Stanford—all with differing play styles, from pocket precision to dual-threat dynamism.
At running back, Khalil Hartman of LSU leads the pack. A downhill bruiser with exceptional burst and vision, Hartman is built for Sundays. Javonte Reed of Clemson and Trevor McKinney from USC round out the top three, each bringing unique qualities—Reed with pass-catching skills, McKinney with his balance and footwork. Mario Holloway (Texas) and Ezra Wilson (Wisconsin) sit fourth and fifth, both capable of becoming three-down backs in the right NFL system.
Wide receiver is once again a loaded group. Jalen Whitmore from Ohio State tops the rankings after a sophomore season that featured over 1,400 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He has the size-speed combo NFL scouts dream about. Keandre Stokes from Florida State brings elite route running and hands, while Antonio Bell of Texas is the vertical threat every team needs. Malik Ransom (North Carolina) and Devon Greene (Washington) fill out the top five with their impressive consistency and athleticism.
On the tight end front, Michael Carson (Notre Dame) is receiving serious first-round hype due to his complete skillset. He can line up inline, in the slot, or out wide, and blocks with aggression. Jacob Fields (Utah), Chandler Knox (Penn State), Bryce Jefferson (Oregon State), and Tyson Redd (Iowa) all appear on the list with differing strengths—some better blockers, some more advanced in the passing game—but each considered a potential starter in the league.
The offensive line group is headlined by Wyatt King, a left tackle from Alabama. Already considered NFL-ready, he dominates in pass protection and sets the edge in the run game. Tariq Thompson (Ohio State), Brady Knight (Wisconsin), Dylan Sharpe (Michigan State), and Reggie Miles (Florida) follow, showing strong footwork, hand placement, and positional versatility. This year’s O-line class may not be filled with flash, but it’s loaded with steady, long-term starters.
Turning to defense, the edge rushers might steal the entire draft spotlight. Leon Barnes from Georgia tops ESPN’s list. A freak athlete with a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at 255 pounds, Barnes is a quarterback’s nightmare. He’s followed closely by Zion Ellington (Texas A&M), Camden Drew (Miami), Maxwell Brandt (Oklahoma), and Isaiah Reece (Penn State). Each brings unique strengths—some with superior hand usage, others with terrifying bend and get-off.
At defensive tackle, Tommy Gallows from Clemson has emerged as the dominant interior force. A true disruptor who eats double teams and still gets penetration, Gallows could go in the top ten overall. He’s joined by Chris Wilder (USC), Eli Freeman (Iowa), Demonte Clark (Tennessee), and Shawn Hicks (Alabama), rounding out a class heavy on size, agility, and power.
Linebacker is led by Malik Jennings from Notre Dame, a sideline-to-sideline machine who also excels in coverage. His instincts and leadership are already drawing Ray Lewis comparisons from analysts. Behind him, Derrick Banks (Georgia), Tanner Wells (Washington), Elijah Simmons (Texas), and Roman Carter (Michigan) form a deep, intelligent group that should command second-day picks at worst.
In the defensive backfield, the cornerback rankings are led by Dontrell Mason of Florida. Mason has length, speed, and elite ball skills. He’s a press-man technician with rare instincts. Avery Coleman (LSU), KJ Thompson (Ohio State), Tristan Allen (Alabama), and Nico Perry (Oregon) all crack the top five with their lockdown coverage capabilities. This group is deep and could produce multiple Pro Bowl-caliber corners.
Safety, once a devalued position, is back in fashion. Bralan Womack from USC is ESPN’s No. 1 safety and could sneak into the top ten overall. A do-it-all defender, Womack plays like a hybrid linebacker with elite closing speed and tackling ability. Jeremiah Vaughn (TCU), Damon Foster (Clemson), Tyler Blackwell (Notre Dame), and Caleb Myers (North Carolina) make up the rest of this hard-hitting, ball-hawking unit.
Special teams rarely earn headlines, but they often decide games. ESPN’s top-ranked kicker is Lucas Granger of Georgia, a reliable leg with a 94% field goal rate. Mason Wilkes (Florida State) and Carter Flynn (Oklahoma State) follow closely. For punters, Ryan Dorsey (Iowa) and Eli Hayes (BYU) top the list with consistent hang time and field-flipping power.
When evaluating these players, scouts aren’t just looking at stats. They’re projecting growth, examining work ethic, injury history, football IQ, and scheme versatility. ESPN’s rankings, while early, offer a foundational snapshot of who could shape the 2026 NFL Draft, though much can change over the next college season.
Coaches, general managers, and talent evaluators across the league will be monitoring these athletes closely as the 2025 season unfolds. One more strong campaign could vault a second-tier player into Day 1 consideration, while injuries or inconsistent performance might see top names tumble.
It’s important to remember that NFL stardom doesn’t always correlate with early draft rankings. While many on this list are destined for first-round billing, others may slip or rise depending on how they perform under pressure, respond to coaching, and handle adversity. These top five positional lists provide clarity for fans and teams alike, giving everyone an early taste of what the 2026 NFL Draft could hold.
And for the players named, the pressure is officially on. They’re now marked men—hunted by defenses and analyzed under microscopes by NFL evaluators. Some will thrive under the spotlight. Others will fall short. But what cannot be denied is that the 2026 draft class, even this far out, already looks like a special one.
