It's time to plant some flags.
You've probably heard by now that this isn't the most exciting draft class in terms of blue-chip talent. But that doesn't mean there aren't countless players who will end up making an impact at the next level. After breaking down the best players at each position, potential hidden gems, and everything in between, I believe there's a lot to like about this group - particularly in the middle rounds.
Here's a full roster of my favorite prospects whom any fan should be excited to see their team draft this week.
Mendoza is the clear top quarterback in this class, so I'm not exactly going out on a limb to start. There aren't many other options, though. And I do think it's worth pushing back on some of the skepticism about whether he's deserving of the No. 1 overall pick. Mendoza is a smart, tough, and extremely accurate passer with the arm talent to make any throw on the field.
He's not a Caleb Williams-type playmaker out of structure, but he's probably a better athlete than you think. And there are more than enough NFL-caliber throws on tape to assure teams (the Raiders) that his success wasn't simply a product of Indiana's RPO-heavy offense. Put him in a system designed to attack downfield off play-action and you could have a true franchise quarterback.
Johnson may not possess the size or physicality to be a workhorse at the next level, but how many of those guys are in today's game anyway? The Nebraska product can provide plenty of value as the lightning to someone else's thunder in a productive backfield committee. Johnson combines a decisive, downhill running style with the ability to cut on a dime to make defenders miss.
His creativity produces some truly spectacular highlights, and his 68 missed tackles forced in the run game in 2025 were 12 clear of Jeremiyah Love for tops in this class, according to PFF. After racking up 85 receptions over the last two years, all while showing a willingness to contribute in protection, Johnson could also be a key contributor in the passing game. He'll be a great find in the middle rounds.
Concepcion checked in as the No. 3 receiver in my rankings. That might be a little high for some. Personally, I think it's more likely that I'll eventually regret having him too low.
Sure, there are some drop issues that he'll have to clean up, and he's not the most physically imposing target. But nobody in the class matches his ability to create separation, and he's a problem after the catch as well. Were it not for some frustrating quarterback play at Texas A&M, Concepcion would probably be considered one of the best vertical threats in this class too. I believe he's a true game-changer.
The buzz around Hurst really seems to be picking up as the draft nears. At this point, a team hoping to land the Georgia State product in the back half of Day 2 might miss out. Many of them will see a late second-round pick as a significant price to pay for a wideout making the jump from Sun Belt competition to the NFL. If you're a contender chasing upside in search of an X receiver (hello, Eagles), I say do it anyway.
Hurst provides a unique blend of size and speed on the boundary, but he's much more than a straight-line burner. He can sink his hips and get out of route breaks extremely well for a receiver with his frame. He's explosive with the ball in his hands. And he's flashed the ability to produce in contested-catch situations. If given the time to expand his route tree and tap into his physicality more consistently, Hurst has a chance to become one of the most impactful receivers in this class.
Williams just missed the cut among my top 10 receivers because I gave the nod to a few players with more size and downfield traits. But he's firmly in the same tier as the last few names on that list. And if I'm a team looking for a dynamic playmaker out of the slot, he'd absolutely get a bump.
The Clemson product creates consistent separation with route nuance and outstanding quickness out of his breaks. He has strong hands, and he's more competitive in contested situations than you'd expect from someone who's 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds, plus he's a playmaker after the catch. He could end up being one of the biggest steals of this receiver class if his below-average frame and slot-specific archetype leave him sitting on the board deep into Day 2.
It's probably not wise to compare a prospect to George Kittle, but stay with me here. The 49ers finding their superstar tight end in the fifth round of the 2017 draft provided an important lesson when it comes to evaluating the position: A lack of production isn't always a reflection of the player's NFL potential.
Delp, much like Kittle at Iowa, was used primarily as a blocker in Georgia's offense. His ability in that regard should get him on the field early and often in the NFL. There were also flashes of brilliance in his limited opportunities as a receiver. Most notably, Delp is an elite athlete with rare explosiveness after the catch. He probably could've been a Day 1 pick with more optimal usage in college, so any team should be thrilled to get him in the middle rounds.
Every time I sit down to put together a new mock draft, I find myself wanting to bump Iheanachor further up the board. At this point, I wouldn't even bat an eye if he was a top-15 pick. It's just not easy to find linemen who move like he does. Iheanachor is an elite athlete who offers incredible upside both in the run game and as a pass-protector.
He'll need some time to nail down certain aspects of his technique, but he's in a great spot for a lineman who found football late and started only two years at the FBS level. Whether it's at the right tackle spot where he played at Arizona State or perhaps with a move to the left side, Iheanachor has a real chance to become one of the best linemen from this class.
Burke is just so much fun to watch. The 6-foot-9, 325-pound tackle might struggle with lateral quickness at times in the NFL, and his pad level will have to be consistent if he's to avoid getting out-leveraged by polished edge defenders. But he moves well for his size, demonstrates excellent play strength, and has a solid foundation of technique.
And the most appealing factor of all? He's one of the best finishers you'll find at the position. Whether it's driving his opponent into the ground or putting him on skates and running him 10 yards downfield, Burke is constantly playing through the whistle. He's a true tone-setter who can offer starting potential at right tackle.
Speaking of elite finishers, Rutledge deserves a spot on the all-nasty team as well. A tenacious play style, along with excellent play strength, makes the Georgia Tech product an extremely effective drive blocker in the run game. The power also shows up in his ability to drop the anchor and stymie bull-rushers in pass protection.
But he's not just a mauler; Rutledge wins with impressive lateral movement skills and the ability to climb to the second level as a run-blocker. He's a Day 1 starter who should be particularly attractive to offenses that like to do a bit of everything in the ground game.
I think Pregnon would've been an easy first-round pick were it not for his age. Granted, teams are probably wise to avoid spending premium capital on prospects who turn 25 early in their rookie seasons. But at a position where it's become so difficult to stockpile talent, you can only knock a player like this so much.
Pregnon is a scheme-versatile guard who has everything teams should be looking for in an instant-impact starter. He demonstrates excellent play strength for displacement as a drive blocker, solid movement skills climbing to the second level, and the smarts to pass off and pick up assignments in pass protection. Even if he's already near his ceiling, there's immense value in Pregnon being one of the best linemen in this class right now.
Lew may need to get stronger to reach his ceiling at the next level, and his ongoing recovery from a torn ACL suffered in October complicates his draft stock. But he's probably the most athletic center on the board, and he plays with sound technique, giving him the ability to consistently win the leverage battle inside.
He's also one of the few prospects in the entire class who will be 20 years old on draft day. Even if some patience is required, I'd be most eager to bet on Lew among this group of centers.
Jacas isn't considered a dynamic pass-rusher, so he may not hear his name called until midway through Day 2. Personally, I'd be comfortable selecting him near the end of the first round.
The Illinois product is a powerful edge defender who should immediately be a plus contributor in the run game. And while he's not the most explosive athlete, his strength, hand usage, and motor should open the door for him to get after the quarterback at a decent rate too.
Josephs could be in for a bit of a wait, as teams will have questions about whether he has the size to contribute in the run game. It's a fair concern; at 242 pounds, he's in the fifth percentile for his position since 1999. Perhaps he won't ever be a true edge setter at the next level.
But with good awareness and the technique to maximize his length, Josephs can do enough against the run to get on the field. And the passing game is where he really shines. The Tennessee standout is explosive off the ball, demonstrating good hand usage, a variety of go-to moves, and the rush plan to set them all up. He'll be one of my favorite value picks if he slides into the third round.
I can absolutely understand why evaluators might be down on Banks. He failed to produce at the level expected of top defensive linemen at Florida, and his foot issues might worry teams' medical staffs. After missing all but two games in his final collegiate season, he suffered a broken bone while training for the combine and then underwent surgery, which could keep him out into the summer. The risk is undeniable. But so is the upside.
It doesn't take much tape to realize that Banks has the potential to be special. He's got all the natural power you'd expect from a 6-foot-6, 326-pound tackle, and the way he wins with quickness both as a pass-rusher and as a run defender are downright absurd for a player of his size. There comes a point where the ceiling is just too high to pass up.
Consensus big boards currently project Proctor as an early-to-mid fourth-round pick. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that his draft stock is being underestimated by at least a full round. Selecting him that early would be a gamble; it's a big jump in competition from the FCS level to the NFL, and Proctor will have to improve his play strength to avoid getting swallowed up often.
Regardless, there just aren't many defensive linemen with movement skills like Proctor's. The Southeastern Louisiana star explodes off the ball and plays with lateral quickness that can produce ridiculous wins as a pass-rusher and splash plays in the run game. If I'm running a draft room, there's simply no way I'm letting another team find out whether NFL coaching can help him maximize his truly rare athletic gifts.
I'm not sure how anyone could turn on Trotter's tape and not fall in love with the way he plays the game. Sure, there might be some coverage limitations that could get exposed at the next level, but defending the run is increasingly important in today's game, and the Missouri product does it like a linebacker straight out of his father's era.
Trotter processes run schemes quickly, plus he's fast in pursuit and a wrecking ball when it comes to either challenging blockers or delivering hits on the ball carrier. If Trotter lands with a creative coordinator who's intent on leveraging his skills as a blitzer, there's no reason he can't be an impact three-down player in the NFL.
If Trotter is our thumper whose greatest third-down value is his ability to terrorize the quarterback, it's only fitting that we pair him with an elite coverage linebacker. Louis is the polar opposite in that there will be significant concerns about his ability to hold up for early-down run-game duties at 220 pounds.
With that in mind, it's possible that he starts his career as a sub-package defender. But he's worth a mid-round investment anyway, because linebackers with safety-like coverage skills are few and far between. His instincts and athleticism should immediately make him a plus contributor in the passing game, and his 10 sacks over the last two years demonstrate how those skills can also be deployed in blitz packages.
I can't figure out why Johnson isn't being viewed as a consensus top-three cornerback in this class. It's probably the level of competition; concerns about his jump from the Mountain West to covering NFL receivers are valid. But what else could he have put on tape to establish himself as a high-end prospect?
Johnson is an explosive athlete who possesses the fluidity and instincts to thrive in any coverage assignment. Crucially, he's also a strong contributor in run support. Johnson is a clear first-round talent in this class. And considering the value of the cornerback position, no one should be surprised if he winds up as a top-20 pick.
Any doubters citing Ponds' size will have me channeling Mike Tomlin. I get it - he's small. His 182-pound frame isn't a good fit for what teams now require from slot defenders, and some will immediately write off the possibility of a 5-foot-9 corner matching up with big-bodied receivers on the boundary. But it sure wasn't a problem for him in college.
Gaining separation is a chore against a player with the speed, fluidity, and instincts that Ponds has. And with a 43.5-inch vertical, he doesn't play to his size at the catch point. I say keep him on the outside. Maybe he loses the occasional jump ball, but he'll compensate with blanket coverage and game-changing playmaker traits.
Age is the one big knock on Scott; the Miami star will turn 25 before his rookie season officially gets underway. That could cap his long-term upside, so he probably won't be drafted on Day 1. But the rest of his profile screams first-round talent.
Scott is an incredibly explosive and physical slot defender, making his presence felt both in the run game and as a blitzer off the edge. And with a combination of elite athleticism and coverage instincts, he's a playmaker in the passing game too. Teams ready to compete should be lining up for a chance to draft Scott on Day 2. I believe he could soon become one of the best nickel corners in football.
Haulcy isn't the most spectacular athlete, so his ceiling draft value is probably that of a mid-Day 2 pick. I think any team getting him at that point, or perhaps a bit later, will be thrilled with its investment. The LSU product is, first and foremost, a tone-setter in the secondary. He regularly dishes out big hits in run support and as punishment for receivers coming over the middle of the field.
He's not just a highlight-reel hitter, though. Haulcy's 363 tackles over the last four seasons are easily the most among FBS defensive backs. And while some might question his upside in the pass game, I think his instincts go a long way toward compensating for any lack of quick-twitch movement traits. Put Haulcy in a two-high system where he can keep the action in front of him and break on routes from depth and I think he's a long-term starter who can impact every phase of the defensive game.
Who couldn't use a ball hawk like Clark? There will be concerns about whether his slender frame might create some issues in the run game, plus he'll be a 24-year-old rookie after a six-year college career, so perhaps he's already approaching his developmental ceiling.
Regardless, I'd gladly scoop up a potential game-changer in the third or fourth round. Clark is an impressive athlete who plays with outstanding instincts in both man and zone coverage. The ability to jump routes, along with the ball skills to finish at the catch point, saw him rack up 15 interceptions across the last four years, which led all FBS defenders. Some players just have a knack for creating turnovers.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.
