Notable 2026 NFL Draft prospects who are most in danger of falling down the board due to a variety of reasons 

There are several 2026 NFL Draft prospects who could tumble down board at the end of April, and some could shock you.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers offensive lineman Kahlil Benson (67) attempts to block Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) in the first half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away. This time of the year is dedicated to rumors, lies, deflections, and a small amount of truth. On the media side, it’s about deciphering what information about the class is trustworthy, and also what not to trust. 

The big day will be here before we know it, and those truths will finally show themselves. In talking with sources in the scouting world, I’ve done my best to figure out what prospects are getting a bit too much buzz right now. Just like every year, there are going to be some players who seemingly fall down the board for a variety of reasons. 

Here are some prospects who I expect to go later than most are projecting right now. 

DT Caleb Banks (Florida) 

There are no questions about Banks when it comes to raw talent. At 6-6 and 330 pounds, he is a rare athlete with unlimited upside. The durability concerns, however, are very real. The former Gator star has had to deal with recurring issues with a foot injury. That type of chronic ailment is incredibly unsettling for a player of Banks’ size. If not for that injury setback, Banks would have had a chance to go inside the top-20 selections. With this flare-up, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Banks fall to the late second round. 

EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) 

Bain isn’t going to fall incredibly far, obviously, but it wouldn’t shock me if he drops out of the top-10 selections. The arm length and wingspan concerns have been talked about constantly, so there is no need to rehash too much. There is just no proof historically of an EDGE with Bain’s dimensions becoming a notable performer. The league is a lot more mixed on Bain for several reasons compared to the media side. He is a divisive prospect. 

TE Michael Trigg (Baylor)

If the focus were solely on talent and potential on-field impact, Trigg would be getting similar hype to Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers. The athleticism is very easy to see, as is his mismatch upside in the passing game. The 6-4, 240-pound pass catcher has had a long journey, which has included stops at USC and Ole Miss. There are questions that Trigg needs to answer concerning his exits from those previous stops. The opinions and comfort in Trigg are all over the place around the league. 

EDGE LT Overton (Alabama) 

Hyped as a potential top-50 selection going into the season, Overton underwhelmed for Alabama for the second straight season. There’s a big difference between being versatile and being a tweener, and unfortunately, Overton is the latter. He isn’t dynamic enough of an athlete to consistently win off the edge and too small to play inside on a full-time basis. I don’t expect to hear his name called until sometime on Day Three as a situational run stopper. 

DT Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati) 

Corleone feels like he’s been on the draft radar forever. While he is liked by many across the league, there are just several question marks with the former Bearcat. He has been a pretty consistent fixture in the third round of mock drafts, but I don’t see a world where he goes that early. At 340 pounds, there are some questions about conditioning. Corleone is also dealing with a foot injury he suffered during the Senior Bowl that has cost him the majority of the draft process, while also having a past issue with blood clots that teams need to work through. 

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