2026 NFL Draft Stock Up
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
After Alabama’s rough start to the year in a loss to Florida State, Simpson has been superb, leading the Crimson Tide to six straight wins. Simpson has shown some serious arm talent, making some beautiful throws downfield with superb ball placement to beat tight coverage. In tight games, Simpson made some great passes to lead his team to wins over Georgia and Missouri. Simpson (6-2, 208) is accurate, smart, has a strong arm, and throws with timing and anticipation. Simpson has shown superb ball security this season as well, with only one interception. If Simpson stays consistent, he could be a high first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft.
Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
While an injury currently has him derailed, Haynes has been the Big 10’s leading rusher this season, and the Alabama transfer has been superb for the Wolverines. In 2025, Hayens has averaged 7.4 yards per carry for 705 yards with eight touchdowns. He has 10 catches for 31 yards. Last Saturday, Haynes warmed up but could not play against Washington. Haynes played three series in the previous game before he was knocked out with an upper-body injury. Haynes is a very smart player who is good as a pass blocker and an instinctive runner. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Haynes could be a day-two pick if he enters the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Bell was electric on Friday night, helping Louisville pull off a big road upset over Miami. Bell caught nine passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns against the Hurricanes. In 2025, Bell has 44 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns thus far. 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 similar to A.J. Brown in his skill set and style of play. Bell looks at worst to be a second-rounder, but if he continues to produce like this and runs well before the draft, he could be a first-round pick next April.
Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
After Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, Claiborne is in the running to be the second running back drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. Claiborne has been very good this season, averaging 7.8 yards per carry for 539 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has 16 catches for 73 yards. The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder has good speed and natural running instincts. It would help him to gain weight for the NFL, but Claiborne has day two potential.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Deonte Lawson, LB, Alabama
Team sources say that Lawson has a lot of medical concerns. Lawson was impressive at times during the 2024 season, but because of the medical, sources say they project Lawson to day three of the draft. It will be important for Lawson to have positive medical exams at the NFL Scouting Combine to help offset the durability concerns that teams have.
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
As we reported in the Hot Press, Klubnik is getting projected to day three of the draft by some team sources. Entering the 2025 college football season, there were many in the national media who were projecting Klubnik as a potential high first-round pick. Team sources see Klubnik having limitations in his skill set for the NFL, and they think he could be more of a third-string backup. Listed at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Klubnik has less than ideal size, and he does not have a power arm or dynamic running ability. Hence, Klubnik is not being viewed by these sources as a potential starter in the NFL. Opinions can vary, but in speaking with multiple team sources, they did not have Klubnik as an early-round prospect.
Carson Beck, QB, Miami
Last year, teams gave Carson Beck mid-round grades because they didn’t like his lack of composure, the way he would get rattled by the pass rush, and how he would melt down in pressure situations. Those issues had not come up thus far in 2025 with Miami, that is, until last week, when Beck had a horrible outing and lost to Louisville. Beck threw four interceptions in a three-point loss. This tape will hurt Beck with pro evaluators.
Daylen Everette , CB, Georgia
Everette has had a disappointing season, but that got an ugly exclamation point against the Rebels last Saturday. While Everette was beaten for a few completions, he gave up a 75-yard touchdown on a routine catch. The receiver ran a little five-yard stop route. Everette overpursued, and the receiver ran a circle around Everette to explode down the field for the score. That one play showed that Everette has some stiffness and lacks speed. Those could be crippling issues for Everette when taking on pro receivers. Everette looks like a day-three pick and only backup caliber in the NFL.
