Has Ty Simpson done enough to be crowned QB1 in the 2026 draft class? Butch Dill / Getty Images
As college football’s regular season winds down, let’s turn our attention to the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Our consensus NFL Draft board combines rankings from a wide range of experts to identify how the top prospects are viewed relative to the rest of their class. In theory, by the time we reach draft weekend, these rankings should help give us a handle on how the picks could (or, at least, should) play out.
Here’s the latest top 50 (quarterbacks are highlighted):
NFL Draft consensus board (Nov. 19)
RkPlayerPosSchool
1
Arvell Reese
LB
2
Caleb Downs
S
3
Rueben Bain Jr.
Edge
4
Jeremiyah Love
RB
5
Ty Simpson
QB
6
Peter Woods
DT
7
Keldric Faulk
Edge
8
Jordyn Tyson
WR
9
Fernando Mendoza
QB
10
Dante Moore
QB
11
Spencer Fano
OT
12
David Bailey
Edge
13
Carnell Tate
WR
14
Jermod McCoy
CB
15
Francis Mauigoa
OT
16
Mansoor Delane
CB
17
Kadyn Proctor
OT
18
Kenyon Sadiq
TE
19
T.J. Parker
Edge
20
Denzel Boston
WR
21
Makai Lemon
WR
22
Sonny Styles
LB
23
Avieon Terrell
CB
24
LaNorris Sellers
QB
25
Caleb Banks
DT
26
Olaivavega Ioane
G/C
27
Colton Hood
CB
28
A’Mauri Washington
DT
29
Brandon Cisse
CB
30
CJ Allen
LB
31
Caleb Lomu
OT
32
Cashius Howell
Edge
33
Matayo Uiagalelei
Edge
34
Chris Bell
WR
35
LT Overton
Edge
36
Germie Bernard
WR
37
KC Concepcion
WR
38
Kayden McDonald
DT
39
Chris Brazzell II
WR
40
Zion Young
Edge
41
Christen Miller
DT
42
R Mason Thomas
Edge
43
Quincy Rhodes Jr.
Edge
44
Romello Height
Edge
45
Anthony Hill Jr.
LB
46
Gennings Dunker
OT
47
Connor Lew
C
48
Drew Shelton
OT
49
Joshua Josephs
Edge
50
Domonique Orange
DT
It’s obviously still early in the process — Will Johnson was the No. 2 player on the consensus board around this time last year and ultimately was the 47th pick. So, a lot can change, but I’m interested to see if we end up with a non-premier position player at the top of the consensus board this draft cycle. Between the lack of a clear QB1 and questions about how “can’t miss” those prospects at other premier positions are, there will be some debate over the best player in this class.
The two front runners (even with Arvell Reese currently at No. 1) are Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (No. 2) and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (No. 4). Downs is closer to the top by average rank than Johnson was at this point in last year’s process, and Love is at about the same distance.
Running back Ashton Jeanty was close to pulling off the feat last year (he finished No. 3), but Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter were seen as more surefire prospects and held him off.
At this point, I’m not quite sure either Reese or Rueben Bain Jr. is seen as that level of prospect, which could mean we’ll have a wide range of opinions going forward. Factor in that just about everyone loves Downs and Love, and I think they’ll be in the hunt for the consensus board’s top spot throughout the draft process and deep into April, if experts can get past positional value.
Nov 20, 2025
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