by: Ben Embry (April 24, 2025)
So the 2026 NFL Draft is landing in Pittsburgh, and honestly, this feels like the NFL giving one of its old-school cities a big, juicy "thank you" for being ride-or-die through decades of frozen fingers, Iron City beer, and the occasional Duck Hodges era. We're talking about a city where football isn’t just a sport—it’s basically a religion with terrible weather. Acrisure Stadium (yes, we’re still pretending that name doesn’t feel like a weird crypto app) will be the epicenter, but the whole North Shore is getting turned into a three-day football carnival. Picture Terrible Towels everywhere, "Renegade" blasting out of Bluetooth speakers, and your buddy from college absolutely losing it when the Steelers reach for a linebacker you’ve never heard of.
Now, let's talk about the prospects. First up: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Number 2 in your program but number 1 on my big board. Caleb Downs is one of those guys who shows up on the field and immediately makes you say, “Wait, why is *that* dude everywhere?”—he’s like the modern version of Ed Reed with a little bit of Jamal Adams pre-Jets implosion. Transferred to Ohio State like it was nothing, instantly became the best player on their defense, and started playing like the football gods injected him with Nick Saban’s defensive instincts and the closing speed of a heat-seeking missile. I watched one series where he made a tackle in the box, broke up a deep ball 30 yards downfield, and called out the opposing team’s play like he had the script. He’s not just a safety—he’s basically your team’s insurance policy against everything going wrong. If I’m a GM, I don’t care if he runs a 4.4 or a 4.7—just put him on my team and let him ruin Sundays for opposing quarterbacks.
Look, I don’t want to overreact, but Malik Muhammad might already be one of those guys—you know the type. The “Wait, how is he always in the right place?” guy. The “Did he just bait that quarterback like he’s playing Madden?” guy. Watching him fly around the field for Texas this season gave me serious early-‘00s Ty Law vibes, except if Ty Law had a little more swag and a TikTok highlight reel. He’s got that rare “island corner” gene, like he grew up shadowing Deion Sanders VHS tapes and challenging kids to 1-on-1s at recess. And the confidence? Off the charts. You can see it in how he walks back to the huddle after a pass breakup—he's not just playing defense, he’s playing mind games. If college football had a Real World/Challenge crossover episode, Malik’s the guy stirring the pot and locking you down in the final.
Okay, so here's the thing about Arch Manning: he’s not just a quarterback, he’s a Manning. That’s like being born into the Kennedy family but for NFL royalty—he’s got Peyton's brain, Eli's weird clutchness, and Cooper's cool-guy energy, all wrapped in this ultra-polished, 6’4” “chosen one” package. Watching him suit up for Texas feels like someone dropped a golden retriever into a lion's den and the retriever just started running the offense like a 10-year vet. He’s got that slow heartbeat, that “I’ve been groomed for this since toddlerhood” calm, like he was reading cover-2 defenses in between snack time and finger painting. And yeah, the hype machine is insane, but here’s the twist: he might actually live up to it. If Arch ends up leading Texas back to the CFP? We’re talking 30 for 30 status. Title: The Heir.
Alright, it’s time—cue the dramatic NFL Films music, and get ready to fire up the YouTube highlights—because my first 2026 NFL Draft rankings are below, and yes, I already regret ranking a tight end from Vanderbilt in my top 10.
1. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St
2. Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
3. TJ Parker, DE, Clemson
4. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
5. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
6. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
7. Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
8. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
9. Zane Durant, DL, Penn St
10. Duce Robinson, WR, Florida St
11. Nico Iamaleava, QB, UCLA
12. Drew Allar, QB, Penn St
13. Suntarine Perkins, LB, Ole Miss
14. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
15. D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
16. Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn St
17. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
18. Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
19. Damon Wilson II, DE, Missouri
20. Peyton Bowen, S, Oklahoma
21. Rueben Bain, DE, Miami (FL)
22. Khalil Barnes, S, Clemson
23. Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
24. DJ Hicks, DL, Texas A&M
25. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
26. Adepoju Adebawore, DE, Oklahoma
27. Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina
28. Jordan Castell, S, Florida
29. Raylen Wilson, LB, Georgia
30. Jalon Kilgore, CB, South Carolina
31. James Smith, DL, Alabama
32. Jahiem White, RB, West Virginia
33. Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
34. Jake Slaughter, OL, Florida
35. Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
36. Jackson Arnold, QB, Auburn
37. CJ Baxter, RB, Texas
38. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
39. Cayden Green, OL, Missouri
40. Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan