The 2026 NFL Draft is going to be a fascinating class overall. While some have downplayed the quality of the class, there is always value to be had every year. This 2026 group is no different. Like every group, there are going to be some strong points, sleepers, and flaws to discuss.

When it comes to the “critical flaws” of some top prospects in the 2026 class, there are some that hold legitimacy, and others that are seriously overstated. As we dive into some of them, including Rueben Bain’s (Miami) short arms and Jordyn Tyson’s (Arizona State) medicals, I decided to buy or sell the concern for each. Here is what we can make about the most controversial issues surrounding the headliners of the 2026 class.

Miami EDGE Rueben Bain: Arm length

With arms that are reportedly under 31 inches, Bain is a historical outlier, whether he succeeds or misses. My issue isn’t solely with his lack of length. When a player lacks some sort of physical trait, those who succeed typically have other overcompensating ones to make up for those shortcomings. When I watch Bain’s film, I also see below-average closing speed for an EDGE. If you don’t have the ability to play outside of your frame physically, you need to be able to close in some other way. Those two deficiencies combined make it hard for me to envision Bain finishing a lot of plays on the next level, particularly as an outside pass rusher. He is a good player, but not one that I would invest a top-5 selection into personally.

Verdict: Buy

Miami OT Francis Mauigoa: Arm length

We are still waiting to hear a verified arm length measurement for Mauigoa, but most believe that it is going to gift him the “outlier” label, as well. For Mauigoa, I personally already believe that he would be better off transitioning inside at guard anyway, so I am not that concerned about him potentially failing outside. I also understand that finding good offensive tackles is very difficult, which is why I am okay with him getting a shot to play right tackle early on in his career. I am buying the length concern, but I believe Mauigoa ends up being a plus starter inside regardless.

Verdict: Sell (kinda)

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson: Medicals

When you do a deep dive into Tyson’s medicals, they are incredibly concerning. During the 2022 season with the Colorado program, Tyson had a significant knee injury, where he tore his ACL/MCL/PCL. The talented wide receiver also missed time during the 2024 season with a broken collarbone and was limited this past season with hamstring issues. That is a lot of tread on the tires for a wideout with a thinner frame. As a football player, I have very little concern about Tyson. When it comes to those injuries, I am admittedly pretty terrified.

Verdict: Buy

Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy: Medicals 

I keep seeing people showing a lot of worry for the McCoy injury, and I’m just a little puzzled by it. He tore his ACL in the spring and proceeded to miss the entire 2025 college football season. While I understand the optics aren’t great with that missed time, I was also told that the talented cover corner may have been able to return if the Volunteers had made a playoff run. Without Tennessee playing for something substantial, there just wasn’t any need to rush him back. Barring something popping up during medials, a torn ACL just isn’t going to scare me away, especially over a year removed from the injury. 

Verdict: Sell

Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk: Underwhelming production

After a very promising 2024 season for Faulk, he didn’t have the junior campaign many had hoped for with four tackles for loss and two sacks. Although that is troubling production on the surface, I am just not overly concerned with Faulk’s projection to the next level right now for two reasons. One, Auburn misused Faulk quite a bit last season. With him being such a unique athlete at 6-6 and 288 pounds, the Tigers staff chose to use him everywhere. That usage hurt the comfort for Faulk as a player to just let loose and make plays. Two, I generally like to bet on traits on the EDGE. Faulk is very young, and you just can’t teach those movement skills for a player of his size profile. Faulk will be just fine.

Verdict: Sell

Clemson DT Peter Woods: Underwhelming production

Like Faulk, Woods had a strong 2024 campaign but took a step back this past season. If Woods was the only member of the Clemson team that regressed, then I would be much more worried about his individual play. The Tigers just weren’t very well coached and everyone suffered. At 6-2 and 315 pounds, I thought that Woods was still quite disruptive on the interior, even if the box score didn’t back it up all the time. Woods is a young football player who still has his best game in front of him. I am hoping he lands with a good defensive staff that can get the most out of him.

Verdict: Sell

Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq: Inconsistent usage 

One of the more important scouting lessons to consider when evaluating: Just because a player wasn’t asked to do something, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable of doing it. The usage was very odd for Sadiq at times, which hurt his production from a week-to-week perspective. When you break down the evaluation to the micro view, it is important to isolate the traits that he brings to the table. Sadiq is a dense athlete who has big time moments as a blocker, is an incredibly gifted mover, is impressive after the catch, and is still young. There are no physical limitations to his game. I very much believe that the best of Sadiq’s game is still very much in front of him. I am betting on this athlete every single day, twice on Saturdays, and three times on Sunday.

Verdict: Sell

Alabama QB Ty Simpson: Lack of experience 

Not every player is the same, but I do mostly subscribe to the theory on quarterback experience. With just 15 starts under his belt, Simpson just hasn’t played enough football. He needs to see more pressure looks. He needs to see more coverage variations. He needs to experience more highs and lows. I just don’t think that Simpson is ready to play on the NFL level. That lack of experience would terrify me to invest a top-64 selection in him right now. When it comes to developing quarterbacks and offensive linemen, experience matters a lot.

Verdict: Buy

Ohio State LB Arvell Reese: Tweener traits

There is this somewhat interesting debate about whether Reese is better as a stacked linebacker or as an EDGE on the next level. I am not sure why so many people have rushed to judgement that Reese isn’t a linebacker on the next level. He has a great frame, tremendous athleticism, and already has a great feel on the second level. The impact that Reese can also bring as a pass rusher and spy is a major bonus. This is a rare football player who can play multiple positions on the NFL level, and be tremendous at it. Reese is not a tweener. He is a versatile defender with All-Pro potential.

Verdict: Sell

USC WR Makai Lemon: Lack of physical traits

In the scouting industry, you have to be willing to bet on outliers at times. At around 5-10 and 195 pounds, Lemon is only going to run somewhere around the 4.50 range in the forty-yard dash. That isn’t usually a physical profile that you should bet on, but I am betting on Lemon in this class. Week after week, Lemon seemingly changed the game for the USC offense. He is such an easy separator as a route runner, is dynamite after the catch, and surprisingly sturdy in the air. Lemon can play on my team any day.

Verdict: Sell

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