2026 NFL Draft rankings: Who's ahead of Fernando Mendoza in top 100?

Ranking the best players at any position in an NFL draft class can be an exceedingly difficult endeavor. Stacking the most promising prospects regardless of position can understandably spark plenty of dissent. Two weeks out from the start of the 2026 NFL Draft , there's little consensus about this year's collection of talent.

While there does seem to be some widespread agreement that this year's class comes up a bit short on truly elite players, differing opinions have emerged on who constitutes the best of the best. And that dynamic could lead to some big surprises come draft day. Here are our top 100 prospects for the 2026 NFL draft: 2026 NFL draft rankings 1.

Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State On a defense already dotted with stars, Reese rose from an occasional contributor to a bona fide star in his first full season as a starter. The 6-4, 241-pound linebacker exhibited uncommon fluidity for a player of his size, finding equal comfort dropping back in coverage as bullying his way into the backfield. His pass-rush plan is still rather rudimentary at the moment, but he has the toolkit of a double-digit sack artist.

In a league where defenses are constantly taxed against the pass and run, Reese displays a unique aptitude for detonating whatever play an offense might throw at him. 2. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana It's a testament to Mendoza's impeccable body of work that the pre-draft vivisection of his game has largely only turned up questions of how he'll fare operating from under center rather than in the shotgun.