Part 4 of my 2026 NFL Draft Big Board series gets into prospects 21–30, and this is where the board starts feeling even more personal.
We all know the top 10 get the attention, the teens get they should be ranked higher or lower treatment, but this is the part of the board where you really start finding out what you trust.
For me, this tier has a little bit of everything: receiver, edge rushers, a safety, and we can’t forget about the corners and linemen.
21. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona
I like Jordyn Tyson in this draft range because the talent is obvious even if his health is a question mark.
In 2025, he had 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns while only playing 9 of 13 games. He has only played 33 of 49 games in his four-year career.
Player comp: Calvin Ridley
I think this fits because Jordyn Tyson has the ability to sell vertical routes, break off comebacks and in-breakers. He can also work inside or outside, and track the ball well downfield. That polished route—running with some speed is very Ridley-like.
22. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
I don’t think I’m much higher than most on Warren, but if I am, I’m fine with that.
In 2025, he had 77 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. That is the kind of production I want from a safety, and he plays like a tone-setter, which just adds another level to his game.
Player comp: Jeremy Chinn with better instincts
Much like Chinn, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a big safety who has been described as a hard-hitting, turnover-forcing safety with strong instincts.
23. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Kendric Faulk is solely a traits bet for me, but there is enough production to work with.
He finished 2025 with 29 tackles and two sacks. Over his career he has 109 tackles, 19,5 tackles for a loss, and 10 sacks. This isn’t a dominant top-10 stat line, but it is enough to keep him in the top 30.
Player comp: Denico Autry with more pass rush
Kendric Faulk’s appeal to me isn’t just pure edge speed. It is much like Autry, who has a mix of length, power, run defense, and inside-outside flex.
24. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Avieon Terrell is one of those corners I trust because his stats fit his playing style.
2025 saw him put up 30 solo tackles, five forced fumbles, and nine passes defended. The lack of interceptions may turn some people off, but five forced fumbles and nine passes defended tells you he still affects games.
Player comp: Tyrann Mathieu
I want everyone to know this comp isn’t about being identical, but about that disruptive energy. I think Avieon Terrell just has that “Honey Badger” mentality, and it tracks with the fumbles, blitzing, and aggressiveness.
25. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Omar Cooper Jr. is probably my favorite receiver in this draft class, but he is just not as talented as the receivers above him. He’s a lunch pale receiver to me, meaning he just comes in and puts in work.
As a national champion receiver, he had 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns, plus 44 first downs on 91 targets and only three drops.
Player comp: Amari Cooper
I feel like this is a good comp because both players coming out of college are and were smooth route runners, can play all receiver positions, natural separation ability, and a polished all-around receiver game.
26. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Miller is an athletic and steady tackle, and I like those players more than a lot of people do. PFF gave him a 76.8 overall grade in 2025, including an 81.6 pass-blocking grade, and a 72.4 run-blocking grade.
He just feels dependable, and we all know how important a dependable tackle is, especially us Cowboys fans.
Player comp: Mike McGlinchey-lite
Both of these players are big, athletic right tackles and have the type of frame teams like on the edge. The reason I say lite is Miller has technical hiccups with hand placement and pad level.
27. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
I like Cashius Howell in this area of the draft board because the production looks like the type of edge prospect worth betting on.
He was the 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year with 11.5 sacks. That number can get a lot of attention.
Player comp: Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue is more of a pass rush specialist and not much help in the run game. I see this type of profile for Howell in the NFL. He will be a speed rusher, but does not have the length to hold up against the run.
28. Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor, in my opinion, is one of the most interesting prospects in this draft. The physical tools and blocking grades back up the fact he should be in this range of draftees.
He received a PFF grade of 85.4 overall, which was 9th out of 632 tackles, but is he a guard or a tackle? That is the question many teams will debate.
Player comp: Mekhi Becton coming out of college
Proctor is enormous, like Becton, and can overwhelm people when he is technically sound. The athletic profile is there at 352 pounds with a 5.21 forty and 32.5 inch vert.
29. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Let’s keep the Kayden’s together on this draft board. This is a player who is the kind of physical presence you want in the middle of the defense.
In 2025, he totaled 65 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, three sacks, one pass defended, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles. This earned him unanimous All-American honors and Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Player comp: DJ Reader
These players are about the same size and their game is built on power, anchor, gap control, and making life easier for everyone else up front. McDonald just brings a little more pass rush.
30. TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
TJ Parker makes more sense in the top 30 for me than Akheem Mesidor because the age-upside (age 19 compared to age 30) is better and not much of a statistical drop-off.
Parker had 126 tackles, 41.5 tackles for a loss, 21.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and four pass breakups.
Player comp: George Karlaftis
I like this fit. Both of these players are high motor, athletic, and all-around sturdy edge play. These players are more complete defensive ends than flashy, twitch-first specialists.
That’s my 21–30 at this point, and this is usually the part of the board where the names stop being automatic, and the evaluator preferences start showing.
Some of these guys are safer bets than others, some are projection plays, and a few are prospects I think the draft world is still catching up to.
That’s why I love this tier of the draft board.
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