The 2026 NFL Draft is finally set to kick off on Thursday night. As the last stretch of intel rolls in, pretty soon, we will all know how the NFL views the 2026 class. The speculation season is almost over.

With some intel and feedback considered, I have decided to put together a list of talented prospects who are set to get drafted pretty high once the event begins. For these particular players, the hype may be a bit over the top. Every year, there are players we are higher on, and here’s my list of the players who are going to go earlier than they probably should.

Buyer beware on these six prospects, at least at the current projected valuation.

OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)

The attraction to Proctor is understandable. He is a massive offensive tackle at nearly 6-7 and 352 pounds with impressive explosiveness. The problem is that he struggles in a couple of key areas that matter for offensive tackles on the NFL level: flexibility and change of direction. Proctor really struggles when defensive ends can cross his face. With weight issues out there, and the knowledge that Proctor could go inside the top-20 selections, it is just far too rich for me. There is a lot of Mekhi Becton in Proctor’s game.

OG Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech)

Rutledge spent his first couple of seasons with the Middle Tennessee State program, becoming a notable starter before earning an opportunity with Georgia Tech. He has now become a fan favorite in this 2026 class, which is understandable to a degree. Rutledge is a physical offensive guard who plays to the echo of the whistle. The issue surrounding Rutledge is that some have tried to paint him as an outstanding athlete based on his testing, but it just doesn’t translate to the field. If you like Rutledge as a Day Three interior offensive lineman who plays with an angry demeanor, that’s great, but the borderline first round hype is crazy. 

WR Denzel Boston (Washington)

The catch point wide receiver battle has been a draft argument since the beginning of time. There is no question that Boston can potentially add value to an offense. At nearly 6-4 and 212 pounds, he has a bigger frame, strong hands, and good ball skills to elevate and finish in the air. There is also no question, however, that Boston’s style of play can be extremely hit or miss in terms of translating to the next level. Without great long speed or hip fluidity, the limitations as a separator are going to be constantly discussed. That leaves a lot of questions that Boston is going to need to answer, especially if he ends up cracking the first round. 

LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)

The legend of Jacob Rodriguez is a fun one. From a Virginia quarterback to a Heisman Trophy candidate at linebacker is one interesting journey. You have to love the way that Rodriguez plays the game, always seeming to be around the football and having a propensity to create turnovers. Rodriguez is a smaller linebacker who lacks the size and power to consistently shock blockers at the point of attack. Despite good testing, he also isn’t a great athlete, and there was a reason why so many had those concerns when watching his film. Rodriguez has some upside to eventually develop into an average starter, but he isn’t anywhere close to a first round linebacker, which he may end up being on Thursday night.

EDGE Malachi Lawrence (UCF)

There is no question that Lawrence is explosive, but he is still a very developmental player. Despite three years of significant playing time, the production has been very spotty for Lawrence, and he never really took the massive step that many hoped for. With the explosiveness, closing speed, and length, you would expect Lawrence to be a good finisher, but that’s something he has struggled with during those three years. He is also a below average run defender, raising the question of what impact he can have on early downs. A below average run defender who doesn’t consistently finish is a tough sell inside the first round.

OT Gennings Dunker (Iowa)

A college right tackle, Dunker just doesn’t have the requisite movement skills or pass blocking profile to last on an island in the NFL. Despite that, there is a ton of offensive tackle feedback from the NFL. There is also top-50 feedback for Dunker, which I just don’t get. This is a developmental offensive guard who has some clear physical deficiencies on the field. The thought of Gennings Dunker has long been better than the actual play of Gennings Dunker – hyperfocusing on his mullet, weird diet, and cool personality.