2026 NFL Draft Breakdown: Jeremiyah Love, Caleb Downs Lead Loaded RB and Safety Classes

The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a deep and balanced class with standout talent across multiple positions. While the quarterback and running back groups lack a clear generational star, the wide receiver, tight end, and defensive back classes are loaded with impact players. With names like Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs leading the charge, scouts and front offices are already circling their calendars for the May festivities.

At the top of the running back class, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is the clear No. 1 prospect. The junior has rushed for over 1,800 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024, flashing elite speed and vision. Love’s combination of power and agility makes him a potential Hall of Fame candidate if he can stay healthy in the NFL. He’s joined by Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, who ran for 1,620 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, and Jadarian Price of Notre Dame, who adds versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

The tight end class is also intriguing, with Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq and Ohio State’s Max Klare leading the way. Sadiq, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound target, caught 48 passes for 620 yards and five touchdowns in 2024, while Klare, a 6-foot-6, 255-pound redshirt sophomore, is a prototypical “Y” tight end with the size and athleticism to line up anywhere on the field. Both could be first-rounders if they continue to develop.

Defensively, Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Texas Tech’s David Bailey are two of the most exciting edge rushers in the class. Reese, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior, recorded 12.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss in 2024, while Bailey, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound senior, tallied 13.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss. Both have the traits to become perennial Pro Bowlers if they refine their games in the pros.

The 2026 class also features five red-star prospects who could outperform their draft grades. Leading the pack is Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound safety who led the nation with seven interceptions in 2024. Louis has the versatility to play in the box or in coverage, making him a valuable chess piece for any defensive coordinator.

With the NFL Combine and Pro Days approaching, the 2026 draft class will only get more defined. Scouts will be watching closely as teams prepare for the May 1–3 draft.