2026 NFL Draft: Ranking the Value of Every Position in the Pro Game

With the NFL Draft less than a month away, it is the perfect time to delve into how team-builders around the league assign positional value across the board. As the NFL continues to trend toward a pass-centric approach, with franchise quarterbacks expected to carry their teams to victory, executives, scouts and coaches are building rosters focused on helping the QB1 spark a title run. 

As a former NFL player and scout, here is how I rank the importance of every position on the field in today's game, which provides a blueprint for how I would build my roster. The value of the 25 positions is listed in descending order and each includes three notable examples of the best in the league.

The implementation of the dynamic kickoff has brought the return specialist back into prominence. Teams looking to upgrade their starting field position or boost their offensive output are willing to pour resources into the position to elevate the kicking game.  

Three of the best:
Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys
Kene Nwangwu, New York Jets 

After being named USFL MVP in 2022, KaVontae Turpin has made three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams as the Cowboys' kick returner. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images)

The significant field position exchange on punts is often overlooked, but astute coaches will utilize this aspect of the kicking game to set their respective teams up for success. With directional kicking and ball placement, particularly inside the 10-yard line, coveted at a premium, the top punters are hot commodities on the open market. 

Three of the best:
Logan Cooke, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tress Way, Washington Commanders
Jack Fox, Detroit Lions

The long-distance kicking boom has elevated the profile of