NFL Confidential: Who is Actually the Best Player in 2026 Draft? Execs, Scouts Differ

INDIANAPOLIS — Everyone in the NFL is in agreement that Fernando Mendoza will be the top pick in the draft. But who is the best player in the draft?

On that topic, there’s no agreement at all.

In fact, when we polled a small group of NFL executives and scouts at the Scouting Combine this week and asked them to name the top overall prospect in the draft, four different players received votes. Mendoza and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs tied for first with three votes apiece.

But Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love were right behind them with two votes each.

Let's take a closer look at what people around the NFL are saying about the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Ralph Vacchiano: How do you determine who the best player in the draft is? Well, sometimes it comes down to positional value, which is why one NFC scout believes Mendoza might be getting votes. But that person doesn't agree with that notion.

"Everyone is going to have their own definition of ‘best’ this year," the NFC scout told me. "It’s hard to go against a quarterback, but if we’re being honest, [Mendoza] probably isn’t the best player or prospect. He’ll have the biggest impact, sure, because of his position. But other players are better."

[2026 NFL Draft: Would Fernando Mendoza Have Been the Top QB in 2025 Draft Class? ]

An NFL general manager, meanwhile, told me that if you took away positional value, the question of who is the best player available is up for debate between several players.

"There are five names you could put in a hat and any one of them is the right answer," the general manager told me. "I know we all say ‘best player available,' but in this case, the best player available might