Published Feb 23, 2026 — Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network released an updated Top 50 list of 2026 draft-eligible prospects ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine. The refresh incorporates tape from college all‑star games and additional film study, and it sets a pre‑Combine picture for teams, scouts and evaluators. Jeremiah places Indiana QB Connor Mendoza at No. 1 and Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love at No. 2, with live Combine coverage beginning Feb. 26 on NFL Network and NFL+.
Key Takeaways
- #1: Connor Mendoza (Indiana, QB, Junior RS) tops the board for his size, accuracy and toughness; Jeremiah specifically cites his third‑and‑7+ throws and national title performance.
- #2: Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame, RB, Junior) ranks second as an explosive runner and receiver with elite outside speed and advanced route skills for the position.
- Edge rushers dominate early: three of the top 10 are listed as edge prospects (Texas Tech’s Bailey at No. 3, Ohio State’s Reese at No. 4, Miami’s Bain at No. 6).
- Ohio State places multiple defenders inside the top ten—Styles (LB, No. 5) and Downs (S, No. 9)—highlighting the program’s defensive pipeline.
- Wide receiver depth: the top 10 includes multiple WRs (Tate No. 7, Lemon No. 10), while several slot and boundary prospects populate Ranks 20–50.
- Medical and experience caveats: Tennessee CB Josh McCoy (ACL in 2025) and Alabama QB Simpson (limited starts, injuries) are on the board but carry verification needs ahead of medical checks.
- Jeremiah’s rankings incorporate Senior Bowl and all‑star week impressions and will likely shift after Combine measurements and interviews.
Background
Daniel Jeremiah, an NFL Network draft analyst and former NFL scout, publishes iterative Top 50 lists through the pre‑draft process to reflect new information from all‑star games, pro days, and more tape study. The 2026 list released Feb. 23 follows that model: it is explicitly a pre‑Combine snapshot intended to set expectations for on‑field testing that starts Feb. 26. Teams routinely use these intermediate rankings to prioritize medicals, personality interviews and follow‑up tape work before the formal draft cycle accelerates in April.
The college classes that produced these prospects span Power Five programs (Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson) and Group‑of‑Five standouts (Toledo, Texas Tech). Jeremiah’s evaluations emphasize both on‑field production and projected pro fit—measuring traits such as arm velocity and placement for QBs, pass‑rush plan for edges, and route polish for receivers. Past years show that Combine testing and team interviews frequently move mid‑round grades more than they move the very top picks, but injuries and medical findings can still trigger substantial shifts.
Main Event
The updated Top 50 places Indiana’s Mendoza at No. 1 based on consistent accuracy, pocket toughness and the ability to make NFL‑type downfield throws—Jeremiah notes his third‑and‑7+ attempts and a standout performance in the national title game. At No. 2, Notre Dame’s Love is lauded as a dual‑threat back who offers home‑run speed outside and receiver‑like route capability; Jeremiah projects immediate schematic value for his drafting team.
Texas Tech edge rusher Bailey checks in at No. 3 as an explosive, production‑heavy pass rusher who wins early with dip/rip and speed‑to‑power flashes; Ohio State’s Reese (No. 4) is similarly valued for bend and versatility. Jeremiah also highlights Ohio State’s Styles (LB, No. 5) and Miami’s Bain (Edge, No. 6) as top defenders who combine athleticism with defined roles at the next level.
Wideouts in Jeremiah’s top tier include Ohio State’s Tate (No. 7) and USC’s Lemon (No. 10), both praised for contested‑catch ability and route‑running polish. The list mixes high‑ceiling athletes (explosive receivers, versatile tight ends) with collegiate workhorses—offensive linemen such as Penn State’s Ioane (No. 11) and Miami’s Mauigoa (No. 12) are projected as day‑one starters because of strength and technique.
Analysis & Implications
Positional balance on Jeremiah’s list underscores the 2026 draft class traits: a depth of edge rushers and a wide assortment of offensive tackles and receivers. That combination will make the early rounds dynamic for teams seeking pass rush and tackle help; teams with pressing needs off the edge or at tackle may prioritize athletic profile over senior‑year production in this cycle. The prevalence of interior defenders and hybrid DBs also mirrors the NFL shift toward versatile pieces who can handle coverage and blitz duties.
Medical histories and short sample sizes matter. Jeremiah kept several prospects on the board despite abbreviated 2025 seasons—Tennessee CB Josh McCoy (ACL) and Florida DT Banks (injury) are examples—highlighting how teams weigh tape from healthy seasons against medical unknowns. Expect draft rooms to use Combine medicals and team physicals as tiebreakers for players with prior injuries or limited recent snaps.
The Combine itself will be consequential but not determinative. For some players—undersized speed receivers or length‑challenged tackles—measurements and timed speed can confirm or downgrade perceived fits. For quarterbacks like Mendoza and Simpson, on‑field throws at the Combine and pre‑draft visits will influence whether teams move up to secure perceived developmental upside or sit and wait for later value.
Comparison & Data
| Position (Top 10) | Count |
|---|---|
| Edge | 3 |
| Wide Receiver | 2 |
| Linebacker | 1 |
| Quarterback | 1 |
| Running Back | 1 |
| Cornerback | 1 |
| Safety | 1 |
The small table above shows how edge defenders cluster in the top ten of Jeremiah’s pre‑Combine list (three of the first ten). That concentration suggests pass rush remains a premium for 2026—teams prioritizing pass‑rush help could view this draft as deep at the edge but thinner at certain interior line or QB levels depending on board movement. The presence of multiple Ohio State defenders in the top ten also reflects the program’s recent defensive production and how scouts value multi‑phase versatility.
Reactions & Quotes
“This update reflects additional tape work and all‑star game performances heading into the Combine,”
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network draft analyst
“NFL Network and NFL+ will have live coverage of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 26,”
NFL Network (programming)
“Several prospects carry questions tied to medicals and limited recent snaps; the Combine will be a key validation point,”
League personnel sources aggregated by NFL.com
Unconfirmed
- Exact medical outcomes for players who missed 2025 (e.g., Josh McCoy, Banks) will not be settled until Combine exams and team physicals are completed.
- How teams will price players with mixed tape versus elite measurable traits remains speculative until combine testing and private workouts are concluded.
- Any team‑specific interest (trade up/down or private visits) referenced in industry chatter has not been officially confirmed by NFL teams or their front offices.
Bottom Line
Daniel Jeremiah’s Feb. 23 Top 50 provides a disciplined, film‑based snapshot of the 2026 draft landscape ahead of the Combine. It spotlights a class heavy with edge talent, several pro‑ready offensive linemen, and a mix of explosive skill players and versatile defenders—while flagging medicals and limited‑sample prospects for further inspection.
Expect movement after Feb. 26: Combine measurements, interviews and medical results will firm grades and influence draft‑day strategy. For evaluators and fans alike, Jeremiah’s list is a reference point—useful for identifying high‑floor starters, high‑ceiling risks, and the positional groups likely to shape early rounds in April.