Devin Jackson’s 2026 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 175 Prospects

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches in Pittsburgh, analyst Devin Jackson has released Version 3.0 of his Big Board, providing an updated ranking of the top 175 prospects in the current class.

The updated rankings highlight several elite prospects who are expected to be high-value targets for NFL teams. The list is a personal evaluation by Jackson and differs from the individual grades assigned by the broader Steelers Depot team.

Top Prospect Analysis

Sonny Styles of Ohio State currently holds the top spot on Jackson’s board. A former safety, Styles is described as a block deconstructor with an All-Pro caliber skill set. He is projected as a starting MIKE linebacker, supported by elite range, sound tackling, and coverage instincts.

Styles’ athletic profile was further validated by his NFL Combine performance, where he recorded a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at a weight of 244 pounds.

Ranking second is Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Love is characterized as a dynamic threat with excellent burst, contact balance, and vision. His ability to turn short gains into chunk-yardage plays is paired with receiving upside and a willingness to engage in pass protection.

Love’s speed was a focal point of his Combine testing, where he clocked a 4.36-second 40-yard dash.

Caleb Downs of Ohio State occupies the third position. Described as a floor raiser for any defense, Downs possesses the strength to defend tight ends and operate in the box. He projects as a low-hole safety capable of erasing the middle of the field and acting as an additional box defender on run downs.

Unlike Styles and Love, Downs did not participate in testing at the Combine or his Pro Day, though his versatility at the college level remains a key part of his evaluation.

Comparative Draft Boards

While Jackson’s board prioritizes Styles and Love in the top two spots, other industry evaluations show varying perspectives on the 2026 class. Data from PFF indicates a different hierarchy among the top prospects.

According to the PFF Big Board updated April 2, 2026, the rankings differ significantly from Jackson’s list. PFF places Arvell Reese at number two, while Jeremiyah Love is ranked third and Sonny Styles is ranked fourth.

The PFF list also identifies Rueben Bain Jr. At number five and David Bailey at number six. This contrast in rankings underscores the differing evaluations of prospect value and positional priority as teams prepare for the draft.

Draft Outlook and Timeline

The 2026 NFL Draft will be hosted in Pittsburgh. The release of Version 3.0 comes as the evaluation process nears its conclusion.

A final edition of the Big Board is scheduled to be posted next week, providing the definitive rankings ahead of the draft events.

The current landscape of the top prospects includes a mix of high-impact defensive playmakers and dynamic offensive threats, with Ohio State and Notre Dame featuring prominently in the top tiers of the 2026 class.