2026 NFL Draft Headquarters: Scouting Reports, Position Rankings, Big Boards

Welcome to Draft Season

This is the central hub for all of my 2026 NFL Draft work, updated regularly to provide convenient access to read scouting reports, boards and the supporting podcasts with Jon Ledyard. At the end of the process, I’ll post boards as stand-alone pieces. If you want full breakdowns of the top players (the strengths, weaknesses, and, most importantly, schematic fits) or to go scouring for late-round gems, this is the place to be.

This season, I’ll be putting out scouting reports and writing articles for prospects. If there is anything else you want to see or read, let me know in the comments section below.

As always, thank you for supporting The Read Optional. Draft season is where the majority of subscribers join. Jon and I like to think we do things a little differently on the pod, and this season I’ll be returning to my scouting roots for full reports on hundreds of prospects. If you haven’t signed up for a premium subscription yet, there has never been a better time

Scouting Reports

Edges:

Tier One — Impact Starter

Tier Two — Quality Starter

1. Rueben Bain, Edge, Miami (Grade: 7.94)

2. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech (7.74)

3. Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami (7.46*) *Injury Flag

4. Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF (7.45)

5. Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan (7.34)

Tier Three — Solid Starter/Rotational

6. Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M (6.95*) *Pass-rush specialist

7. R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma (6.95*) *Pass-rush specialist

8. Keyron Crawford, Edge/Hybrid, Auburn (6.84)

9. TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson (6.55*) *Heavy end

10. Keldric Faulk, DL/Edge, Auburn (6.45)

11. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State (6.40)

12. Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech (6.35*) *Pass-rush specialist

13. Gabe Jacac, Edge, Illinois (6.35)

14. Joshua Josephs, Edge, Tennessee (6.26*) *Pass-rush specialist

15. Zion Young, Edge, Missouri (6.16)

16. Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan (6.15)

17. Nadame Tucker, Edge, Western Michigan (6.05*) *Pass-rush specialist

Linebackers:

Tier One — Impact Starter

1. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (Grade: 8.83)

2. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (8.47)

Tier Two — Quality Starter

3. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia (7.65)

Tier Three — Solid Starter/Rotational/High-Value Sub-Package

4. Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State (6.98)

5. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech (6.95)

6. Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri (6.84)

7. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati (6.75)

8. Anthony Hill, LB, Texas (6.70)

9. Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt (6.67)

Tier Four — Backup / Development

10. Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama (5.95)

11. Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon (5.91)

12. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU (5.90)

13. Aidan Fisher, LB, Indiana (5.85)

14. Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M (5.85)

Tier Five — Camp Level

15. Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo (4.97)

Safeties:

Hybrids

Tier One — Impact Starter

1. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (Grade: 8.74)

Tier Two — Quality Starter

2. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (7.93)

3. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (7.15)

Tier Three — Solid Starter/Rotational/High-Value Sub-Package

4. Louis Moore, S, Indiana (6.98)

Tier Four — Backup / Development

5. VJ Payne, S, Kansas State (5.95)

6. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State (5.84)

7. Bud Clark, S, TCU (5.73)

Tier Five — Camp Level

Post Safety

Tier One — Impact Starter

Tier Two — Quality Starter

1. AJ Haulcy, LSU (7.12)

Tier Three — Solid Starter/Rotational/High-Value Sub-Package

2. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (6.35)

3. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC (6.05)

Tier Four — Backup / Development

5. Michael Taaffe, S, Texas (5.85)

6. Genesis Smith, S, Arizona (5.21)

Tier Five — Camp Level

Slot/Overhangs

Tier One — Impact Starter

Tier Two — Quality Starter

1. Keionte Scott, S/Nickel, Miami (7.05)

Tier Three — Solid Starter/Rotational

2. Treydon Stukes, S/Nickel, Arizona (6.74)

3. Jadon Canady, S/Nickel, Oregon (6.16)

Tier Four — Backup / Development

4. Jalon Kilgore, S/Nickel, South Carolina (5.40)

Podcasts

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Quarterbacks

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Wide Receivers — Part I

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Wide Receivers — Part II

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Wide Receivers — Part III

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Edges — Part I

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Edges — Part II

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Edges — Part III

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Edges — Part IV

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Interior DL — Part I

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Interior DL — Part II

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Linebackers — Part I

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Linebackers — Part II

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Safeties — Part I

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Safeties — Part II

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Safeties — Part III

2026 NFL Draft Tiers & Evaluations: Slot Corners/Overhangs

Draft Boards