Ranking 11 position groups in 2026 NFL Draft from strongest to weakest: Edge rusher, linebacker loaded

Quarterback and running back are two of the most high-profile positions in college football, but this year, we could see a record-low number of QBs and RBs selected inside the top 100 of the draft. Meanwhile, it is becoming a recurring theme, but edge defenders sit atop the prospect food chain once again. Notably, the linebacker position offers a far greater number of starters (and potential starters) than we usually see.

In total, I rank the 2026 NFL Draft very slightly ahead of last year’s talent pool, but by a small margin.

Before we dive into my ranking of the 11 major position groups in this year’s draft, it’s important to explain the criteria I used. In assessing each position, I identified star-caliber players, future starters and overall depth. Generally speaking, I concentrated on prospects who are most likely to be drafted in Rounds 1 through 5. I weighed star players and future starters twice as heavily as overall depth, and my ranking scale ranged from 10 to 30 points. A score of 20 points or higher for a position group is considered strong. Anything below 17 is poor for the position as a whole.