It's time to head to Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL draft. Round 1 begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App. Before we get to all the exciting picks, wild trades and overall chaos, I'm updating my Big Board one last time.

These final rankings stack the top 150 players in this year's class. I have scouting reports for the top-25 players, then list out Nos. 26-150. But then I also go deep at every position, from the 27 best quarterbacks to 62 promising edge rushers to eight long-snappers to know. I reserve the right to make minor tweaks right up until the draft begins based on late-breaking reports, but after nearly a full year of watching tape, sizing up predraft workouts and making calls to NFL scouts, coaches and execs, this is how I see the class.

My usual disclaimer still stands: This is not a mock draft or a prediction of where players will be drafted Thursday. These are my personal rankings focusing on talent -- the best players based on what I'm seeing and my own evaluations. OK, let's get to it.

2025 stats over 16 games: 72.0% completion rate, 3,535 passing yards, 41 TD passes, 6 INTs, 7 rushing TDs

Mendoza transferred to Indiana after playing two seasons at Cal, and his game took off. Part of the reason for the jump? He cut down on sacks, with 25 last season after 41 in 2024. Mendoza got the ball out quicker. And though he doesn't have a huge arm, he can make all the necessary NFL-level throws. His ball placement is fantastic, and he's poised in the pocket. I wouldn't consider him a dual threat, but Mendoza also has enough mobility to pick up first downs as a scrambler. He's a franchise quarterback at the next level.

2025 stats over 12 games: 199 carries, 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs, 27 catches, 280 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs

Love reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush. The 20-year-old has vision and burst between the tackles and to the outside, and he can break tackles with ease (60 forced missed tackles in the 2025 season). Once he gets into space, he can take it to the house with his 4.36 breakaway speed too. But Love isn't only an outstanding runner. He also is a high-impact pass catcher. An NFL team will be able to flank him out wide and create a whole other dimension of the offense.

2025 stats over 14 games: 69 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 9 run stops, 2 pass breakups

This is a complete football player. Reese jumps off the Ohio State tape, playing the game like a veteran. I see natural instincts at the linebacker position that allow him to make plays most guys just can't make, and he has the burst to get home when turned loose as a pass rusher. Reese has been a big riser in this class and brings a ton of potential to the table.

2025 stats over 14 games: 77 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 9 run stops, 3 pass breakups, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack

You can tell Styles is a former safety; he has outstanding 4.46 speed, and his burst allows him to spy the QB. His explosion popped at the combine, with a 43½-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. Styles is also a dependable tackler and closes in a flash. He really took the next step last season, even as he adapted to a new system under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

2025 stats over 14 games: 76 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 71 pressures, 8 run stops, 3 forced fumbles, 4 pass breakups

A transfer from Stanford, Bailey gets after the quarterback. He had 14.5 sacks over three seasons for the Cardinal, and he matched that total in 2025 after notably becoming more of a finisher. His 20.2% pressure rate was the best in the nation in 2025 -- despite being lower than it was in 2024 (22.2%) and 2023 (22.1%). He impressed at the combine with a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, and you can see that speed on tape. Bailey displays a variety of ways to get to the QB, including an effective spin move and a good bull rush.

2025 stats over 14 games: 67 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 INTs, 1 sack, 6 run stops

Downs -- the brother of NFL wide receiver Josh Downs and the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs -- is basically an extension of the defensive coordinator. His football knowledge shows in his play; it's obvious when you watched him in the Ohio State defense. But what really impressed me is how well he picked up Nick Saban's system as a 2023 freshman at Alabama before transferring.

He diagnoses quickly thanks to excellent pre-snap instincts, and that allows him to play faster than his straight-line speed might suggest. Plus, Downs is solid in coverage, and he is a very reliable open-field tackler.

play0:49Caleb Downs' NFL draft profile

Check out some of the top highlights from Ohio State's Caleb Downs.

The Colorado transfer lit up defenses for two seasons with the Sun Devils. Tyson's superpower is being open even when it looks like he's completely blanketed. It makes him essentially uncoverable in the red zone. He wins on 50-50 balls and outmuscles defensive backs. A hamstring injury cost him time last season, but he still posted solid numbers.

Ohio State has turned into Wide Receiver U, with Emeka Egbuka being the most recent star wideout to come out of Columbus. And while most of the college football world focused on Jeremiah Smith (who isn't eligible for the 2026 draft), Tate put up some serious numbers and showed why he is a top prospect for this class. Tate produced big plays on a regular basis, averaging 17.2 yards per catch last season. He is a precise route runner, has great hands and displays outstanding body control. And he'll also happily block for ball carriers, which NFL coaches love to see.

Here's a true mauler. Mauigoa is fun to watch for the way he just destroys pass rushers at the point of attack. He had more than 2,700 snaps at right tackle and has the pass protection skill to stick there, but he could absolutely slide inside and become a Pro Bowl-caliber guard at the next level. Mauigoa allowed two sacks and blew only 13 run blocks since the start of the 2024 season.

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Fano started 12 games at left tackle in 2023 before moving to the right side in 2024, and he started 24 games there over two seasons. Working opposite another highly regarded bookend in Caleb Lomu, Fano did a great job of keeping his big frame between the pass rusher and his QB. He is technically sound, ran 4.91 in the 40-yard dash and shows good punch to compensate for his lack of ideal arm length. But with 32⅛-inch arms, I think he could kick inside in the pros.

This kid is a warrior who plays with passion. I'd want Lemon on my roster. He snatches the ball away from his body in an attacking manner then runs with a fierce approach after the catch. He is one of my favorite players in the class, and he ranked third in the nation in receiving yards per game in 2025.

Ioane drives defensive tackles off the ball and sustains his blocks well. He can get to the second level and torque defenders out of the way. And he's incredibly agile at left guard for his size. Ioane had 32 career starts and gave up only two sacks over that time -- both in 2023.

Freeling is still developing -- he started 18 games in college, and only five of those came before last season. But his year-over-year improvement stood out, especially in pass protection. He's quick out of his stance (4.93 in the 40-yard dash), shows good hand placement and is alert when dealing with stunts. With long 34¾-inch arms, Freeling does a nice job taking away the inside move of edge rushers, too. He needs to work on his run blocking, though.