Texas Tech’s David Bailey rushes the Kent State offense during a non-conference football game, Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium. Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images8 NFL scouts share which prospect graded out as the top player at each position in the 2026 NFL Draft. Some of their answers may surprise you and show just how split the league is on this year’s class.

It if offically draft week, with the 2026 NFL Draft set to begin on Thursday, April 23. Opinions on this year’s class are all over the place, with multiple strong arguments to be had on who the best player is at each position. Two of our NFL Draft analysts here at A to Z Sports, Destin Adams and Ryan Roberts, surveyed eight NFL scouts to figure out who they had as the top prospect at each position. Only four position groups had a player sweep all the votes, showing just how split the league truly is on the class. Scouts that participated in the survey: 2 AFC South scouts2 NFC South scouts1 AFC North scout1 AFC East scout1 NFC North scout1 NFC West scout

Fernando Mendoza confirmed as the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft

Jeremiyah Love is the clear top running back in the class

Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson have NFL scouts split

Kenyon Sadiq a lock to be the top tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft

Vega Ioane leads a group of three interior offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft

Rueben Bain, David Bailey, and Arvell Reese all impress NFL scouts

A surprising defensive tackle is viewed as the top player at the position by one scout

A couple of Buckeyes battle it out for the top off-ball linebacker spot

A third corner joins the convo with Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy as the top corner in the NFL Draft

It's not just Caleb Downs fighting to be the top safety in the class

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana: 8"Everyone who was around Mendoza at Indiana gave a glowing review of him as a teammate and as a quarterback. I don't think he's ever going to be a top-10 quarterback in the NFL, but he doesn't have to be to be a hit for Vegas. He doesn't make many mistakes and will do everything in his power to master Kubiak's offense. If Vegas had made that pick available, they would have gotten a ransom, I'll tell you that right now." – AFC scout

Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame: 8"It's Jeremiyah Love, and I'm not sure it's that close. That kid is just different. You just don't see athletes move like he does, especially with the type of versatility." – AFC scout"Jeremiyah Love. He reminds us of (Jahmyr) Gibbs, but even more upside. Crazy part is he might even be a better person than a player. Unique young man." – NFC scout

Carnell Tate, Ohio State: 5Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State: 3"All of the top WRs in this class have a trait that will excite teams. What gives Carnell (Carnell Tate) an edge, though, is that he is by far the safest of that group. He could become a true WR1, but at worst, I think he is a productive WR2. The floor for the other top wideouts is all lower, and for some it's by a lot." – NFC scout"If I'm using a top 10 pick on a WR, I need to believe he has the ability to be one of the best in the league at his peak. The only guy that gives you that is Tyson (Jordyn Tyson), if he stays healthy, he's going to be a special player." – NFC scout

Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon: 8"If Sadiq were in last year's draft, he would have been TE2 for us behind Warren (Tyler Warren) and ahead of Loveland (Colston Loveland). An all-around tight end that can be a special pass catcher while also being a plus in the run game as a blocker is hard to find. Sadiq gives you that, and it's why he will end up hearing his name called in the first round." – NFC scout

Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL): 4Spencer Fano, Utah: 2Monroe Freeling, Georgia: 1Kadyn Proctor, Alabama: 1"Some may have Mauigoa (Francis Mauigoa) as a guard, which is fine. I think he can be dominant at either spot. He's the only offensive lineman that I'd feel good about using a top 10 pick on, to be honest." – AFC scout"Monroe Freeling has the highest ceiling of any offensive lineman in this year's class. And his floor is higher than some would lead you to believe. He will be a day one starter, and if he lands with an offensive line coach that can help him improve his technique quickly, the return on investment will be high." – NFC scout

Vega Ioane, Penn State: 5Spencer Fano, Utah: 2Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M: 1"Olaivavega Ioane is the best offensive lineman in the draft. He's a guard, so I'm sure a few tackles will get selected ahead of him. But there isn't an offensive lineman in this class that plays their position better than Ioane." – NFC scout"I don't think there's a player in this class that has risen up our board further than Chase Bisontis this cycle. People his size shouldn't be able to move so fluidly. He might be the best pass blocker in the class, and he has a ton of upside to get out into space and lead a runner to a big gain."- AFC scout

Rueben Bain, Miami (FL): 3David Bailey, Texas Tech: 3Arvell Reese, Ohio State: 2"His arms are short, but man does Bain (Rueben Bain) make the most of what he has at his disposal. A powerful rusher who flat out makes football not fun for the unlucky offensive linemen that have to try and stop him." – NFC scout"Bailey is the safest pass rusher in this class. If I had to bet on any player of this group having multiple double-digit sack seasons in his career, it's easily him." – AFC scout

Kayden McDonald, Ohio State: 4Peter Woods, Clemson: 2Caleb Banks, Florida: 1Gracen Halton, Oklahoma: 1"Kayden McDonald doesn't get enough love for how good he is. He was unblockable for most of the year in the run game for the Buckeyes. He's the only defensive tackle that got a first-round grade from our team. He gets painted as a high-floor, low-ceiling player, but we think he has a ton of unlocked potential as a pass rusher." – NFC scout"Halton (Gracen Halton) has next-level explosion off the snap that catches your eye immediately on film. You feel it even more when you're on the field with him, watching him work up close. He can be a scary pass rusher out of the interior. I don't know if someone will do it, but I wouldn't be shocked if someone is willing to use a late first-round pick on him." – AFC scout