2026 NFL Draft Stock Up
Nico Iamaleava, QB, UCLA
Iamaleava was incredible to lead his team to a huge upset over the No. 7-ranked team in the nation. The 0-4 Bruins got their first win of the season with Iamaleava carrying them. On the opening drive, Iamaleava completed a few passes for some short gains and keyed the drive with a 22-yard run up the middle of the Penn State defense, with Iamaleava powering through a few tacklers. To cap the drive, Iamaleava threw an 11-yard touchdown strike. Early in the second quarter, Iamaleava showed his speed and running ability to scramble for a 20-yard gain to convert a third-and-15 to the Penn State five. On third-and-goal, Iamaleava threw a strike on a slant for a touchdown. On the next drive, Iamaleava dropped in a beautiful deep ball for a 43-yard gain, and then ran it into the end zone from a few yards out.
In the third quarter, Iamaleava had another excellent run, but a missed field goal hurt the Bruins. After Penn State got a long touchdown pass and a blocked punt for a touchdown, Iamaleava came through with a clutch play. On a third-and-7, Iamaleava took off up the middle of the defense. He sprinted away from defenders, broke tackles, spun away, and rumbled for 52 yards. To end the drive, Iamaleava scored a short touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, Iamaleava used his feet again and scrambled to run for a touchdown from about seven yards out. He made a superb play to dodge the sack and then throw a strike to the back of the end zone for a two-point conversion. He finished completing 17-of-24 passes for 166 yards with two touchdowns. On the ground, Iamaleava ran for 128 yards on 16 carries with three touchdowns.
For the NFL, Iamaleava has a good skill set with a strong arm and dynamic running ability. Iamaleava has a burst to accelerate into the open field, shiftiness as a runner, and strength to run through tackles. As a passer, Iamaleava has the arm strength to push the ball vertically and throws some fastballs in the short to intermediate part of the field. He could use development, but Iamaleava has the skill set to be a starter in the NFL, and this game tape is going to help his draft stock.
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
To open 2025, Bell has 35 catches for 502 yards and four touchdowns. Bell (6-2, 220) was a solid receiver for the Cardinals in 2024, catching 43 passes for 737 yards and four touchdowns. With a strong build, Bell is physical and tough, but he also has good speed and runs well for a thick-built receiver. Bell is a rising prospect, and some evaluators think he could be a second-round prospect for next April.
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
Thus far in 2025, Allen has 23 tackles and one pass broken up. Allen came on for the Bulldogs during the 2024 season and showed improvement throughout the season. In 2024, he totaled 76 tackles with an interception and four passes broken up. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Allen is a smart linebacker with good instincts and read-and-react skills. He looks like a future three-down starter in the NFL and has shown early-round talent this season.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Ohio State has been a factory for wide receiver talent for the NFL, and Tate will keep that tradition alive in 2026. With teammates like Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Jeremiah Smith, Tate has gone under the radar, but he is a talented receiver in his own right. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder has good size, runs well enough, and has flashed big-play ability while never being the No. 1 featured receiver. In 2025, Tate has produced some big plays for the Buckeyes and has helped the offense when Smith has seen extra coverage. Tate could be an early-rounder next April.
Damon Wilson II, DE, Missouri
In 2025, Wilson has eight tackles and 3.5 sacks thus far. Wilson was a rotational backup at Georgia in 2024, totaling 22 tackles with three sacks and two forced fumbles. He transferred to Missouri after the season, and Wilson has been impressive with the Tigers. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Wilson has quality size with dangerous speed off the edge. He looks like an early-round prospect for the 2026 draft.
Zion Young, DE, Missouri
Young has 13 tackles, two sacks, and one pass batted thus far, but has been among the nation’s leaders in pressures. In 2024, Young had 41 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Young has good size, length, and upside to produce more as he gets developed. If Young plays well against Alabama’s Kayden Proctor on Saturday, his stock could really take off.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
Team sources say they see Everette as a potential mid-rounder. While Everette has good size and is physical, they feel he has some stiffness and some limitations as a cover corner. Everette has not progressed since the early years of his career. He looks like a mid-round backup for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Earnest Greene, OT, Georgia
Greene has been starting at right tackle this year for Georgia, and team sources feel his play has regressed from previous seasons. Greene was underwhelming against a few opponents this season, and Greene looks like he might be better off moving inside to guard for the NFL.
