2026 NFL Draft Stock Up
Sam Hecht, S, Kansas State
Heckt has been a rock-solid center for the Wildcats over the past two seasons, and he is a love/hate prospect with team sources. Listed at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, some sources say Hecht is maxed out in his frame and has below-average power. The sources that don’t like him say he is very scheme-specific as a fit for zone blocking only. They feel he has a sawed-off body type, but he is a great kid, works hard, plays hard, and is smart. Other sources that like him more see him as a well-balanced blocker at the point of attack with the ability to protect the quarterback and get a push in the ground game. However, the injury to Auburn’s Connor Lew, Hecht is in the running to be the top center prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft with second-round potential.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Washington ran well for the Razorbacks in 2025, averaging 6.4 yards per carry for 1,070 yards with eight touchdowns. He also contributed 28 catches for 226 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot-2, 223-pound Washington is a strong and physical runner with a thick build for the NFL. The 2026 draft is not a good class of running back talent, so if Washington plays well at the Senior Bowl, he could be a riser.
Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
Rutledge had a quality 2025 season for the Yellow Jackets, showing strength at the point of attack. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, Rutledge has a thick frame with some strength to contribute to the ground game. Rutledge earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and if he blocks well in the pass-rushing one-on-ones, he could be a riser.
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
Bain produced a quality tape against the Aggies. Bain was strong at the point of attack, setting the edge in the ground game and getting some pressure on the quarterback. Throughout the game, Bain was being disruptive and was staying around the ball. Late in the first quarter, Bain pushed through a block and took down a running back for a loss of two yards. Shortly later, Bain used his strength to push a blocker back and make a leaping block of a field goal. In the third quarter, Bain was initially blocked, but after Marcel Reed had to dodge a few other defenders, Bain was able to track him down for a coverage sack. This tape will help Bain with pro evaluators.
Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
Trigg had an impressive season for the Bears in 2025. He caught 50 passes for 694 yards with six touchdowns. In 2024, he had 30 catches for 395 yards with three touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Trigg has enough size and could be a riser if he shows well as a receiver at the Senior Bowl.
Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
Koziol was one of the most productive tight ends in college football in 2025, hauling in 65 passes for 651 yards with five touchdowns. In 2024, he had 94 catches for 839 yards with eight touchdowns at Ball State. At 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, Koziol has mismatch height to be a red zone weapon in the NFL. If he shows the speed to separate and the strength to block in Mobile, he could be a fast riser from the Senior Bowl.
Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
The Bearcats got a quality season out of Royer as he tallied 29 receptions for 416 yards with four touchdowns. He had 50 catches for 522 yards and three touchdowns in 2024. Royer (6-5, 250) has quality size to be a Y or F tight end candidate in the NFL.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Jaylon Guilbeau, CB, Texas
Guilbeau is a love/hate prospect in speaking with team sources. Some feel that he has a good skill set with upside to develop for the NFL. Others feel that Guilbeau is not polished in coverage and could struggle to develop into a good pro. Guilbeau needs to work out well before the draft to help him with team evaluators.
