Mock drafts are roaring, premium college all-star games such as the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl are complete, and the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis begins in approximately three weeks.
That brings us to an always highly anticipated list that's valued by front offices and media members alike.
It's the first version of NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah's list of the Top 50 players preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft. Importantly, this list is separate from "mocks" in that it represents what Jeremiah is seeing and not hearing; his early projection for the first round of the annual event can be assessed here.
Anyhoo, let's not beat around the bush. Jeremiah has four — yes, four! — former Ohio State players in the first 10 slots of his Top 50: edge Arvell Reese at No. 3, linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 5, wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 9 and safety Caleb Downs at No. 10. A fifth Buckeye is DL Kayden McDonald at No. 33.
The rest of Jeremiah's Top 10 consists of Indiana Heisman Trophy-winner and National Champion QB Fernando Mendoza (No. 1), Notre Dame Heisman finalist RB Jeremiyah Love (2), Texas Tech edge David Bailey (4), Miami edge Ruben Bain, Jr. (6), USC WR Makai Lemon (7) and LSU CB Mansoor Delane (8).
Love and Delane have been linked to the Vikings in mock drafts around the web, although their rising stocks in the pre-draft process could make it difficult for Minnesota to land either one in the 18th slot.
Jeremiah described Love as a "dynamic weapon as a runner and receiver. On inside runs, he runs high/narrow, but he explodes to and through the hole. He will drop a level lower on contact and has the lower-leg drive to bounce off defenders. He doesn't always let things develop because he can get skinny through narrow passages. He has elite speed on outside runs to capture the corner and take it the distance. He has a rare ability to make defenders miss without gearing down. His spin move is electric. In the passing game, he can run routes like a wideout. He's smooth, polished and natural. He plucks the ball effortlessly. In pass protection, he is both aware and willing, but he's best utilized out in the route. Overall, Love is a home run hitter and will immediately expand the playbook for his drafting team."
Delane is touted by Jeremiah as "one of the most consistent players in this draft class. He makes everything look easy in coverage as a corner who is extremely loose and fluid in his change of direction. He is adept at press coverage, possessing the ability to re-route and mirror all over the field. In zone [coverage], he plays with instincts and awareness. He goes long stretches without getting challenged because of his tight coverage. When he is attacked, he can locate and make plays on the ball. He always looks to get involved in run defense, closing space in a hurry and operating as a physical, reliable tackler."
Check out the former NFL scout's Top 50 draft-eligible prospects here.
Free agency preview
Another important date is March 11, the official opening for 2026 free agency.
That's about five weeks away, so it's a good time to shine light on a different Top 50 list — Matt Bowen's breakdown for ESPN of the best players primed to receive interest as unrestricted free agents.
Bowen's ranking is built around factors like age, positional value, anticipated production, scheme versatility and what his ears are hearing from around the league. Bowen reminded that some players will be removed entirely because they will sign extensions with their current teams or be franchise-tagged, and others may join the list between now and then as front offices trim off roster fat to fit future plans.
An updated Top 100 list will roll out next month. Until then, let's explore how Bowen stacked the class.
His Top 5 in order is Bengals EDGE Trey Hendrickson, Cowboys WR George Pickens, Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum, Colts QB Daniel Jones (he ended 2024 with the Vikings) and Eagles EDGE Jaelan Phillips.
Jones, of course, is the most notable because Minnesota offered him a contract last spring to remain in the building. Ultimately, Jones perceived his odds to start for Indianapolis as higher, entering a competition that he won with 2023 No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson, instead of being part of a training camp battle with the highest-drafted QB in Vikings history, 2024 No. 10 selection J.J. McCarthy.
Many viewed Jones as a possible 2025 MVP candidate before he tore his Achilles in Week 14. He set career highs in completion rate (68.0 percent), passing yards per game (238.5), yards per attempt (8.1) and passer rating (100.2) last season. Jones also was sacked on a career-low 5.42% of his pass attempts.
Bowen pointed out the injury could delay Jones' availability at the start of the 2026 slate, but he is convinced "he elevated his level of play and poise under coach Shane Steichen in Indianapolis. Jones' 64.1 QBR ranked eighth in the league through Week 13, and he threw with a much stronger sense of timing. He fits in an offense that features a good run game, which allows him to operate as a facilitator."
Working down Bowen's list, here's a few others who stick out, either because they match "positions of need" for the team discussed by the media or had an impressive 2025 performance against Minnesota.
Jets RB Breece Hall is the first ball carrier listed, at No. 7. He topped 100 yards for the first time in four seasons last year and offers dual-threat capabilities, with a 4.5-yard rushing average and 188 receptions since he was selected 36th overall in 2022. He ranks sixth in catches among running backs over that span.
Other RBs include Jacksonville's Travis Etienne, Jr. (No. 18), Seattle's Kenneth Walker III (24), Dallas' Javonte Williams (29), Carolina's Rico Dowdle (46) and Pittsburgh's Kenneth Gainwell (49). The latter, who turns 27 in March, was a tough tackle for the Vikings in Ireland; Gainwell produced a season-high 99 yards rushing and two touchdowns Sept. 28, in addition to 35 yards receiving via six targets and catches.
Rumored to be in the free agency or draft market for secondary depth, as well, Minnesota has two handfuls of options based on Bowen's initial list, which highlights five cornerbacks — Alontae Taylor (12), Riq Woolen (14), Jaylen Watson (16), Greg Newsome II (34) and Nahshon Wright (37) — and five safeties: Bryan Cook (25), Reed Blankenship (32), Kam Curl (41), Jaquan Brisker (44) and Coby Bryant (47).
Wright likely rings a bell. He spent 2024 improving his skills on Minnesota's practice squad and then emerged as a 16-game starter for Chicago last season. He actually made the Vikings pay for letting him walk, returning an interception for a touchdown in Week 1 and snatching an end-zone pick in Week 11.
Bowen noted the 6-foot-4 Wright "lacks high-end recovery speed" but could be of value to a defense seeking help in man coverage and Cover 2 because of his length, play instincts and production in 2025.
Two other safeties, Kevin Byard III and Jalen Thompson, narrowly missed the cut on Bowen’s full list.
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