A survey of NFL scouts' top players at each position in the 2026 NFL Draft reveals the reality of this year's volatile 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 scouts 2 NFC South scouts 1 AFC North scout 1 AFC East scout 1 NFC North scout 1 NFC West scout Table of contents 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 4 offensive tackles land votes 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 Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Fernando Mendoza confirmed as the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft 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 is the clear top running back in the class 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.