Five Big Questions Shaping the 2026 NFL Draft Class
With the 2026 NFL Draft set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, teams are deep into evaluation mode. And while most weeks are about tracking risers and fallers, this week is all about the big-picture questions that could define how the board shakes out. From the quarterback class to the battle for WR1, here are five key storylines that scouts and front offices are keeping a close eye on.
1. Just how deep is this quarterback class?
Let’s start with the most important position on the field - and the one that always dominates draft discussions. The 2026 quarterback class has talent, but depth could be a concern depending on who declares.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the headliner right now. He leads the FBS with 33 touchdown passes and just helped guide Indiana to a gritty 13-10 win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound signal-caller didn’t post eye-popping numbers - 15-of-23 for 222 yards, one touchdown and one interception - but the tape tells a better story than the box score. Mendoza showed poise, touch, and command in a pressure-packed environment, traits NFL teams covet.
Behind him, Oregon’s Dante Moore and Alabama’s Ty Simpson are the next names up. Moore (6'3", 206 lbs) and Simpson (6'2", 208 lbs) have both flashed NFL traits, but they’re first-year starters - and there’s real buzz that both could return to school. Moore reportedly plans to head back to Oregon, and Simpson’s recent struggles (four touchdowns, three interceptions over his last three games) might make a return to Tuscaloosa the smart move.
If both stay in school, the quarterback class thins out quickly. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers is currently viewed as QB4 by some analysts, but he’s taken a step back this season. After completing nearly 66% of his passes last year, he’s down to just 60.8% in 2025 - a concerning dip for a player whose passing consistency was already under the microscope.
Bottom line: If Moore and Simpson return, teams like the Raiders or Jets - who may be picking early and need a quarterback - could find themselves in a tough spot.
2. Will Ashton Jeanty’s rookie struggles hurt Jeremiyah Love’s draft stock?
It’s a fair question. The Raiders spent the No. 6 pick in 2025 on Ashton Jeanty after his historic 2,601-yard season at Boise State. But so far, the NFL transition hasn’t been smooth - Jeanty’s averaging just 3.5 yards per carry and ranks 21st in total rushing yards.
That could make teams a little more cautious about spending premium picks on running backs, including Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. But Love’s skill set might be too dynamic to ignore.
At 6 feet and 214 pounds, Love has been electric this season, ranking fourth in the FBS in rushing yards (1,372) and third in touchdowns (18). He’s not just a straight-line runner - he’s a modern, do-it-all back who can stay on the field for all three downs. Think Jahmyr Gibbs-type versatility: home-run speed, route-running chops, and legit pass-catching ability out of the backfield.
The league’s valuation of running backs has shifted, but when a player can impact the game in multiple ways - like Love can - he’s going to be in play for the first round.
3. Who’s the best defensive player in this class?
It’s a tight race, but two names are standing out: Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
Let’s start with Bain. At 6'3", 275 pounds, he’s a blend of speed and power off the edge - and he’s been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks all season. He ranks sixth in the FBS in pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, and his ability to win with both finesse and brute force has drawn comparisons to Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney.
But Reese might be the more complete package. He’s tied for second on the Buckeyes in sacks (6.5), and he brings the kind of hybrid skill set that NFL defenses are built around these days.
At 6'4", 243 pounds, he’s got the length, burst, and bend to be a terror off the edge - but he also moves well enough to drop into coverage and play in space. Think Nik Bonitto with more size.
Reese is currently sitting at No. 3 on one prominent big board, and if he tests well in the pre-draft process, he could absolutely be in play for the top overall pick.
4. Is Jordyn Tyson still the top wide receiver in this draft?
That WR1 label is starting to look a little less secure.
Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson entered the season as the top wideout on many boards, but a lingering hamstring injury has limited him to just 711 receiving yards after a breakout 1,101-yard campaign last year. He’s still a talented, NFL-ready receiver - 6'2", 200 pounds with good hands and route polish - but availability is starting to become a concern.
Meanwhile, Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is making a strong case to leapfrog him. Tate (6'3", 195 pounds) has been a steady riser all year and is now posting career highs in both receiving yards (838) and touchdowns (nine).
He’s a technician - a polished route-runner who can execute every branch of the route tree. That kind of refinement, especially at his size, is going to be very appealing to NFL teams looking for a plug-and-play weapon.
Right now, the WR1 race is wide open. If Tyson can get healthy and finish strong, he could reclaim the top spot. But Tate’s momentum is real - and he might just be the safer bet.
5. Who could make a big jump with a strong all-star game performance?
One name to watch: Navy’s Eli Heidenreich.
The 6-foot, 206-pound hybrid weapon has been invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl in January, and that could be his ticket to climbing draft boards. Heidenreich is a rare prospect - a wide receiver/running back hybrid who’s thriving in a triple-option offense that rarely throws the ball. Navy ranks second-to-last in the FBS in pass attempts, and yet Heidenreich has racked up 805 receiving yards and ranks eighth in the country in yards per catch (20.1).
That efficiency isn’t a fluke, either. Pro Football Focus has given him the highest receiving grade in the nation this season.
He’s not going to be a traditional WR1 in the NFL, but his ability to run routes like a true wideout while also bringing a running back’s vision and toughness could make him a unique chess piece for creative offensive coordinators. The Shrine Bowl is his chance to show he can thrive in a more conventional system - and if he does, don’t be surprised if he becomes a mid-round riser.
Final Thoughts
We’re still months away from draft night, but the storylines are already heating up. From quarterback depth to position battles at wide receiver and edge rusher, the 2026 draft class is shaping up to be full of intrigue - and plenty of movement still to come. For teams looking to build their future, the answers to these five questions could shape how the first round unfolds.