NFL Draft big board 2.0: While Jeremiah Smith is No. 1, Arch Manning remains in top 10 trailing Drew Mestemaker

· Yahoo Sports

Here’s an updated NFL Draft big board as the league approaches its midseason mark and we enter the home stretch of the college football regular season with the playoffs to follow. The conundrum on the timing of this big board is that so many players, especially quarterbacks, could return to school or transfer. This makes me hesitant on how high to put players who could very well be on this board in a year’s time after returning to campus (or transferring to another campus).

I’m assuming the players are all declaring for the purposes of this board. With the ever-changing environment of college football and ever-moving targets of player evaluation, we have bob and weave with it.

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Here’s more than half-a-hundred names now that we’re about halfway home in a wild college football season that has made for a very interesting draft class.

A force of nature at receiver, Smith has been a standout player and absurdly productive at every level of his career. He is strong, explosive and has an excellent build that allows him to bounce off tackles and constantly eat up yards after the catch. His power makes him dangerous on inbreakers that allow him to build up speed and get downhill in a hurry, and his speed and burst out of breaks make him dangerous coming out of routes. Smith is a gravity-shifter and true math-changer for the offense and for the defense to account for. It’s hard to compare any athlete to Julio Jones, and welp, here we are with Smith. At worst you’re looking at a Josh Gordon-like player. 

A long athlete with range and advanced feel for the position, Moore affects a lot of throws with his length, and amplifies it with his body positioning. He has the speed to run with faster wideouts, and the hand-eye coordination and timing to constantly make plays on the football. He showed those skills immediately as a true freshman starter in South Bend. He shines when asked to shadow better WRs and remains an impact player when aligning in the slot. Moore has a chance to be one of the best cornerback prospects I’ve ever studied. 

A long, lean athlete with agility and Gumby-like bend, Stewart can move around blocks in ways that few can. He still needs refinement with how he uses his hands, but he has a wingspan like a pterodactyl to stave off blockers, and flashes violent stabs and slaps that would unlock a whole new level with more consistency. Stewart’s get-off and twitchiness make him dangerous off the edge or on games as either a penetrator or looper. He’s what teams look for at this position. 

An easy mover with length and pop with his hands, Seaton can latch on and dominate defenders in the run game. He still has work to do with his hand placement, but Seaton has improved in his polish, eye awareness and overall technique, especially in pass protection. Seaton has the twitch and size to be a valid blindside protector at the next level.

Much will be made about Mestemaker’s lack of experience as a starting quarterback at any level (he was a backup in high school and then a walk-on at North Texas). Despite not having the experience or snaps that other typically highly touted quarterbacks have, Mestemaker seems to know how to play the position. He has a good arm that can access all parts of the field and is willing to push the ball from muddy pockets. He can change arm slots and layer the football up and over defenders when needed. Mestemaker is tall and has a long frame that he has started to fill out. He is a solid athlete, albeit not an overwhelming one. But he has a loose arm, is very good at avoiding sacks despite his lack of experience, and can consistently throw on the move, even when working left. Mestemaker is willing to move and work from the pocket and has enough giddyup to work outside of it, too. He has had some inconsistent performances the past few weeks with his decision-making, plays in a very conducive offense that can make his eyes lock in a bit too much (he has yet to take an under-center snap, not a damning thing but worth noting), and hasn’t played the toughest competition so far this season. But Mestemaker has the ability to create throws within and out of structure, and has the size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and enough arm to translate to the next level.

(Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports)

Simmons is an explosive athlete who is asked to do everything for Texas’ defense. He has shined while pinning his ears back and getting after the passer. He wins with a quick first step and has the ability to run the hoop and turn a corner on offensive tackles. He has been asked to drop into coverage in his college career, and also mirror athletic quarterbacks on passing downs, showing off the front-seven versatility modern defenses love. Simmons’ agility and speed shine in these other areas. 

An outside receiver with size (6-foot-4, 208 pounds) and long speed, Becker burst onto the scene in a talented wide receiver room and was constantly coming down with big catches in big moments. Becker has strong hands and excellent hand-eye coordination in catching range that allows him to frequently come down with the football. He has long legs, but also shows enough quickness and bend to run a fully developed route tree, which raises his ceiling.

Manning’s 2026 season has been a journey of ups and downs. He still displays the size (6-foot-4, 222 pounds), athleticism, pocket movement and willingness to push the ball that make for an intriguing prospect. That willingness to push the ball, even in too-often mucky pockets, leads to exciting plays but also game-swinging negative ones, too. Manning’s results haven’t always set the world on fire, but he has a style that translates to the next level, namely that aggression and lack of fear throwing into tight windows or tight pockets. When grouped with his speed and arm, he makes for a still-intriguing package at quarterback. More consistent results will help it all feel better. Manning still has to learn to take an easier answer quicker, which to me is to use his legs and rushing ability more often, something he’s tapped back into in recent weeks. His process, while far from perfect, is cleaner when reviewing it on film, especially amid a frustrating Texas offensive ecosystem.

Williams is an easy-moving athlete who gets better each week. This former basketball player is an older prospect, but he is still tapping into his potential because of his relative lack of experience at the position and football altogether. He has twitchiness, foot speed and length to develop into a longtime blindside protector. There is also enough strength to be an asset in the run game.

Cole has sideline-to-sideline range, which isn’t hyperbolic as he actually displays it. He plays with his hair on fire, has the range to cover large swaths of the middle of the field, and shows an ability to come forward in the run game and as a blitzer. Cole’s versatility and four-down ability is what a modern linebacker looks like.

Hampton is a big and long corner who can play in zone and impact the game with his size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and awareness, but might actually be most unlocked as a player in man coverage situations. He is not overly twitchy, yet he’s a smooth athlete who can fluidly get in and out of his turns. His size, foot speed and ball skills give him a chance at being a lockdown player on the outside at the next level. He reminds me a bit of James Bradberry.

Note: Simmons has reportedly “re-signed” with Missouri for the 2027 season on Friday, but with a caveat that he can still explore the draft after the season. I have kept his ranking and report as is. 

Simmons can simply spin the football. His aggression, arm talent and weekly improvement has his stock soaring, even if the box score doesn’t always indicate that. Simmons is a redshirt junior but will turn just 21 soon. Simmons wants to win from the pocket and might not tap into his creativity as quickly as he should, but his high-end throws are as good as you’ll ever see. Simmons has the willingness to attack all areas and a feel for ball placement that keeps all windows alive with his top-shelf arm talent, and his arm and timing will allow that to translate nicely to the NFL. He is still young and has to show the ability to stay consistent when under pressure, but Simmons has put together some of the strongest tape at the position, despite the lack of points for Missouri’s offense at times.

Echoles is a uniquely built (6-foot-3, 315 pounds) but powerful player who flashes quick hands to win early and stays active throughout the rep. He has good pop when engaging blockers and can anchor down in the run game. Echoles is young (just turned 20 in August). He can stay on the field for all four downs and fill a variety of roles, with disruptive play and a unique combination of bulk, strength and quick feet.

He’s a disruptive defender who is asked to play all across OU’s defensive line. Stone will play a chunk of snaps at nose tackle, but I think his best snaps are when he gets to play as a defensive end. He is strong, constantly keeps his feet upon contact, and can eat and split double-teams in the run game. His versatility works in his favor, as his varied skills let him be a valid player at any spot. He’s also a nice option to use on stunts and twists. Stone battled injuries early this season, but he has shown off his ability to impact games even if it doesn’t always show up in the box score.

Harris is a big, fluid receiver who can win vertically on the outside and has the route-running feel to beat zone when aligned inside. He has strong hands and can win consistently in contested catch situations, and is agile enough to create yards after the catch on in-breaking routes and underneath touches. I’m a big fan of Harris’ game.

Chambliss rocks. But he’s going to be a knotty prospect for teams to unravel as I have to acknowledge his older age (turned 24 in August) and lack of ideal size (6-foot, 205 pounds). Despite being a short QB in NFL terms, Chambliss has good bulk and is excellent working from the pocket. The ball is constantly out on time and he has shown off the ability to work tight windows and between the numbers. His strong throwing style gets highlighted in the red zone. Chambliss has a strong arm and can get the RPMs to drive the football, even from awkward platforms and tight pockets. Despite being a good athlete, he is a keen and capable operator from the pocket who looks to scramble only as a last resort. I have likened his size and game to former NFL QB Jeff Garcia.

Johnson is just one of those players who boosts his teammates around him as a solidifying force with his smarts and sound play. He has athleticism and pop to his blocks, too. Johnson has positional versatility, but I think his best spot long-term will be at center. 

A disruptive interior lineman who can win instantly against the run or pass, Moten fires off the snap and constantly stays low and plays with quick and violent hands. Even when not winning with his first strike, Moten does a nice job of attempting a second move to win as a pass rusher. He has the size, quickness, explosiveness, with some versatility, too, to appeal to any defense.

He’s a ridiculous runner and playmaker with the football. Sellers has a high-end arm that he can access from all platforms and is an excellent athlete with size (6-foot-3, 240 pounds). He showed consistency from the pocket in 2025 and this season, despite said pockets constantly being obliterated. Sellers has continued to mitigate sacks and negative plays with his otherworldly athleticism, strength and balance.

He hasn’t had a lot of help with his surroundings at South Carolina, often having to pull a rabbit out of a hat just to throw the ball away because his protection broke down AND no one could get open. He is not a total wild horse, though; his decisions to scramble and improvise make sense. He will have the occasional spray, but I also think his calmer sense of play has led to improvements in accuracy, with an understanding of when to use touch on his throws. And he gets rid of the ball in a timely manner when the pocket is clean (and has shown a better understanding of when to throw the ball away), a trait that has shown up in areas like the red zone this year.

I had said before I was giving Sellers until Halloween to see how his consistency had improved and whether he was worth continuing to buy into despite a lack of consistent results (he was a top-10 prospect before the season). His uptick in overall decisiveness over the past month has me very encouraged, even if there is still a lack of depth to what he is asked to run in Kendal Briles’ offense. I’m continuing to buy into an exciting player who has more polish to his game than you’d expect, but still needs more refinement.

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla. AP Photo/Noah Lantor

Siani started on the right side to begin this season in Austin, but kicked over to the left tackle when teammate Trevor Goosby suffered an injury (Siani played at left tackle at Wake Forest too). He is still cleaning up his hand usage and his pad level can get too high at times, but he has the freaky bend and light feet to recover whenever he gets out of position. He also brings some real pop when he connects in the run game. Siani is still relatively new to football, but his athleticism in such a large frame has me betting on his upside.

Heard is a mammoth left tackle (6-foot-6, 325 pounds) who uses his size to his benefit. He will get after it in the run game, but is a surprisingly fluid mover in space as a puller, climbing to the second level, and when working horizontally. His hands usage can be inconsistent, and like most bigger linemen he can get caught playing too upright. He still manages to have winning reps because of his strength, tenacity and that surprising athleticism. 

Here’s a bowling ball who knocks bodies around on the inside. Gilliam can win instantly with his quickness and strong hands that can get under blockers because of his stout frame (6-foot-2, 305 pounds). He’s been a standout on a very fun Tennessee defense.

Marsh has strong hands, and very good body control and balance. He’s very quarterback friendly as a pass catcher and has a knack for finding soft spots against zone. And he’s an excellent blocker. He’s a useful and reliable player who can operate inside and outside. I especially like him as a power slot at the next level to highlight his blocking and route-running feel.

Robinson is a twitchy athlete with length and ball skills. He’s improved a ton this year in his technique and eye discipline. His awareness and burst let him quickly recognize and close on underneath throws, too.

Baugh is a big back (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) but has the quickness and twitchiness of a much smaller athlete. He runs with balance and constantly does a nice job of setting up his blocks at the second level. Baugh doesn’t have overwhelming long speed, but does have burst to get north in a hurry. He is a natural catcher of the football and has the size to hold up in pass protection, giving him every-down value. Just a cool player.

The former Legion of Boom coaches will drool over Jones, a tall (6-foot-4) and long outside cornerback who is constantly asked to work between high-low concepts on the outside. Jones has long speed to go with his size, too. He constantly is able to stay vertical with receivers and keep up with them on crossing routes. It’s not all perfect, but just a little more refinement and Jones can show off an exciting combination of tools and real football ability.

Traore plays with strong hands and can affect the run and pass with his ability to strike and push the pocket. He isn’t the longest player, but he knows how to use his length. Those skills, combined with the burst and aggressiveness he plays with, make him a tough player to block. He’s even flashed some successful spin moves this season. There’s some Jared Verse to his game.

Johnson has excellent ball skills and the ability to stretch the field. He’s not overly explosive but plays with balance and coordination. He also has some blocking chops, even if it’s not always perfect. He can come down with contested catches, has a knack for working himself into friendly spots for the quarterback, and can pick up some yards after the catch as well.

It’s not a shock that Green is a basketball player along with being a jumbo-sized (6-foot-7, 242 pounds) tight end. He is built like a power forward, but fluid and quick enough as a route-runner and athlete that LSU would split him out and isolate him as a receiver. He is constantly winning his routes and creating yards after the catch. His size and ball skills also make him an obvious asset in the red zone. Green has battled a knee injury this year, but came back recently and was productive.

Johnson is a long and rangy athlete who can cover ground easily with his bouncy strides. He can play in the deep spot but Notre Dame rotates him down as a buzz defender to be near the box constantly. Johnson is willing to come down from depth to close in the run game and is an effective blitzer and overall tackler. Just watch last year’s Pitt game to see what Johnson is capable of: he jumps a route for a pick-6, then follows it up on the next drive with a sack on a blitz and a tackle on the running back from depth. Johnson has been hurt for essentially the whole season with a foot injury, but it’s hard to dismiss his intriguing combination of athleticism and intelligence.

A tough finisher in the run game who is light on his feet, Lauck plays quick with good awareness for what defenses are attempting to do on each play. This allows him to move fast as a run blocker and pass protector. He can get caught playing too high in pass protection, which makes him vulnerable to longer pass rushers, but he shows good, patient hands.

Cheeks is a twitchy edge rusher with surprising pop when he goes from speed to power. He is a competitive player who is constantly attacking tackles on every snap. His energy and ability to hold up in the run game — with the athleticism and agility to turn the corner and get after the passer — make him an enjoyable watch.

Lopa has been one of the biggest risers this season, not only because he’s been productive in terms of interceptions, but he’s a unique player with elite size and versatility at safety (he’s listed at 6-foot-5 and lines up in the slot and in the box at times). He would be an exciting defensive backfield weapon to deploy for more creative play-callers and would help defenses go toe-to-toe with the tight ends and bigger slot players that NFL offenses are currently deploying.

Pierre is a relentless pass rusher who can also set the edge in the run game and drop into coverage when needed. He has developed his pass rush plan this year, and has shown more strength against the run.

Harris is a long, springy receiver who shows inside-outside ability because of his easy movement ability, catching range and willingness to scrap inside. He has strong hand-eye coordination that makes him a vertical threat, and Harris has enough agility to turn and pick up yards on underneath routes despite his long legs. He reminds me of a Diet Coke version of Tetairoa McMillan.

Coleman is an exciting package of size, twitch and length to be a starting outside receiver who can stretch the field and attack all three levels. But he has been maddeningly inconsistent this year, with brutal drops and a lack of feel and awareness, which especially shows up as a blocker. There’s still a lot of talent here, but Coleman needs a stronger, and more consistent, final stretch of the season to get his stock moving in the other direction.

He’s a hammerhead linebacker who flashes every game as a run defender and as a blitzer. Viliamu-Asa can blow up blockers and ball carriers on contact and is best when working downhill. He has shown off range to hold up in coverage, too.

Moore is a calm operator. He has good arm strength and is a good athlete who can throw consistently on the move. You can tell that Moore has really focused on his footwork and how to work through passing plays during his time at Oregon, and he constantly found good answers to the problems defenses showed him and tried to stay on time with the play.

There were times I wished Moore would push the ball a bit on high-low concepts in 2025, and I was still left wanting more when he played in 2026 before suffering a brutal hit and concussion. He too often defers to the “safer” of two options on a concept, and he missed throws early this year on shot plays and in the red zone. Moore is a complicated evaluation. There was a clear ascension in play in 2025, and he can be a really accurate thrower with sound timing when he’s feeling in rhythm. But his overall play stagnated at the end of the year and into a chunk of 2026 before his injury. He could return to school, transfer or declare and I would understand each choice.

Mensah has been über-productive in his first year for the Hurricanes. He is a sharp processor who maximizes his below-average arm strength with his timing and ball placement. Mensah benefits from a quarterback-friendly environment against a weak schedule, but shows off the ability to maximize his opportunities. More often than not the ball is going to the right spot at the right time. He has average size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and is a solid athlete who can run when needed, but prefers to do his work from the pocket. There’s some Kirk Cousins to his game in terms of accuracy, clean throwing mechanics and footwork, and total understanding of the offense. But he lacks the upper-echelon arm or creation ability. 

Carr is a smart player who understands the intent of every play that Notre Dame calls. He shows off an advanced understanding of the offense and operation, often changing up cadences and making play changes before the snap. He has the willingness to push the football when needed but lacks high-end tools in terms of size (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and athleticism. He has a solid arm that he maximizes with his timing. His accuracy can waver under pressure or when having to consistently create, and his advanced understanding of the game can be a double-edged sword when evaluating him, in terms of how much more there is to tap into given his more-or-less average tools. 

41. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
42. Sahir West, Edge, UCLA
43. Bear Alexander, DT, Oregon
44. Cayden Green, OG, Missouri
45. A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
46. Luke Reynolds, TE, Virginia Tech
47. Justin Scott, DT, Miami
48. KJ Bolden, Safety, Georgia
49. Vicari Swain, CB, South Carolina
50. DJ Vonnahme, TE, Iowa
51. Omarion Miller, WR, Arizona State
52. Corey Myrick, Safety, Clemson
53. Deuce Alexander, WR, Ole Miss
54. KJ Duff, WR, Rutgers
55. Carter Smith, OG, Indiana
56. Sammy Omosigho, LB, UCLA
57. Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon
58. AJ Holmes, DT, Texas Tech
59. Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
60. Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson

Mike Matthews, WR, Tennessee
Wayshawn Parker, RB, Utah
Kade Pieper, Center, Iowa 
Devan Thompkins, DL, Alabama

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