PRESEASON '26 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS,QUARTERBACKS/RUNNING BACK

 These rankings are for my preseason top NFL Draftable players. Off course these ratings are subject to change by year end, but it will be fun to see what the season shows us. As in my Draft analysis, I use my own eyes and metrics to rate players.  I also break down some positions differently than most. I find this very important and the root cause of so many mistakes in the draft process. Even with all the advancements today many, many NFL executives and Draft analysts are still operating in caveman modes of years gone by and failing HISTORICALLY!!   New for this season I've added a comments section just for some added context clarifying my opinion on players.

QUARTERBACKS:

Very nice class with potential to be great, wide variety of playing styles. Pure drop back, outstanding athletes all here. I see the top 5 likely starters in the future, of course , if handled correctly..

 CLASS GRADE  A

Rk     Player                       Sch       Ht     Wt      Comments        

1.LaNorris Sellers        SCar     6-3   240     Great athlete, Lamar Jackson 2.0? Possibly

2.Garrett Nussmeier   LSU      6-1   200     Smooth, polished, top compitition

3.Behren Morton         TxTch   6-2    220     Sleeper, solid athlete, good arm

4.Cade Klubnik             Clem    6-2     210    I'm not sold on him being elite yet, has very nice skillset..

5.Drew Allar                 PennSt  6-5     230    Great frame, solid arm, marginal athlete at best

6.Sam Leavitt              AzSt        6-2    210     Same as Klubnik, I'm not sold yet.

7.Rocco Becht              IoSt         6-1   210      GAMER! Tough, gritty, good at everything, great at none

8.Brendan Sorsby      Cinn        6-3   235      Great frame, solid all around.

9.John Mateer              Okl          6-1   224      2nd best athlete in group, mechanics need work.

10.Taylen Green           Ark         6-6   225       Has all the tools, must put it together this season.

Others to watch:

Arch Manning will not be in this year's draft!

Fernando Mendoza Ind, Nico Iamaleava UCLA, Miller Moss Lou, Kyron Drones VaTech, Mark Gronowski Iowa, Conner Weigman Hou, Preston Stone NWest, Diego Pavia Vandy.

 RUNNING BACKS

Another deep class of RB's this season, this list will change by seasons end.

   CLASS GRADE  B+

Rk     Player                         Sch         Ht     Wt      Comments       

1.Nicholas Singleton  PennSt  6-0    220      Clear #1, size, speed power, pass game ability. Can be elite!

2.Jeremiyah Love         NDam    6-0    212      Game breaking speed. Surprising power. Another with unlimited top end.

3.Makhi Hughes              Ore       5-11   210     Great all-around game, great in pass game.

4.Rahsui Faison              SCar      5-11   218     He will thrive in better competition.

5.Jonah Coleman          Wash      5-9    228      Quick, powerful. Needs some work in pass game.

6.CJ Baxter                          Tx          6-1    220      If healed, powerful, versatile back.

7.Kaytron Allen              PennSt 5-11   217      Straight ahead power back, a very good one.

8.Darius Taylor               Minn      5-11  215       Solid, shifty runner, great in pass game

9.Le'Veon Moss              TxAm     5-11   209       Quick, has shown explosiveness.

10.Mark Fletcher            Mia(F)   6-2     220       Great size, speed, needs a huge season. Former elite recruit.

Others to watch:

Tawee Walker Cin, Chip Trayanum Tol, Terrion Stewart Va Tech, LJ Martin BYU, Jam Miller Ala, Roydell Williams Fla St, Jalen Buckley, WMich, Daniel Hishaw Kan, Logan Diggs Miss,

    ALL PURPOSE RB's   

No stars , but several players who have long term ability if used correctly.

      CLASS GRADE   C

Rk     Player                         Sch         Ht     Wt      Comments        

1.Jaydn Ott                         Okl      5-11   205      Could be full time in a pass heavy offense.

2.Demond Clairbome     WF      5-10   195     Hard runner with explosiveness

3.Desmond Reid              Pitt        5-6    175      Undersized but very tough.

4.CJ Campbell                   Rut       5-9     205      Dangerous receiver

5.Noah Whittington        Ore      5-8      200      Low miles, always in a shared backfield

6.Dylan Edwards             KanSt  5-9      167      Explosive runner, needs work in pass game, needs weight.

7.Ismail Mahdi                    Az        5-8     188       Could move up with a big season.

8.Jamal Haynes               GaTch  5-7     190        Strong runner, needs work in pass game.

9.Devin Mockobee            Pur      6-0    207         Tough, gritty former walk-on, I'll bet on him 

10.Bryson Washington   Bay     6-0     203         Could be a full-time back in a pass heavy offense.

Others to watch:

Evan Pryor Cin, Jaden Nixon UCF, Eli Sanders USC, Jadarian Price NDame, Javian Thomas UCLA, Ja'Den Thomas UNLV, Jeremiah Cobb, Aub, Gavin Sawchuck Fla St.