2026 NFL Draft Stock Up
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
In an impressive performance against Penn State, Tate made big plays downfield that produced some critical points for his team. In the early going, Tate was catching some short passes to move the chains. Late in the second quarter, Tate ran a go route down the field and gained some separation on the deep safety. Tate adjusted to an underthrown pass and outfought the safety to reel the ball in for a 35-yard touchdown catch. In the opening minute of the third quarter, Tate got an opening running a deep post, and Sayin lofted in a pass to Tate for a 57-yard gain to set up a first-and-goal. Tate finished catching five passes for 124 yards and a touchdown.
For the NFL, Tate is a big outside receiver who can challenge pro cornerbacks downfield and on the sideline. Tate has the size to win contested catches and is capable of beating them on jump balls or back-shoulder throws. Tate is not an elite burner like Tyreek Hill or Jameson Williams, but he runs well enough to get downfield with speed. Some team sources who have watched him in person for years, say that Tate does not look as talented as Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., or Emeka Egbuka. But they feel that Tate is a legit early-rounder. Tate looks like a potential late first-round or early second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Reese has been superb in 2025, and he continued his strong play with an excellent performance against Penn State. In the first quarter, Reese showed his pass-rush ability when he blew by left tackle Drew Shelton to chase the quarterback out of the pocket for a third-down incompletion. Later in the third quarter, Reese slapped down the hands of Shelton to chase down the quarterback for a sack. On the next possession, Reese read a screen being set up, and he fired to the back to tackle him for a loss. Those plays showed tremendous speed from Reese. Reese was an animal in the ground game, firing to the backs and shutting down the tackle box with teammate Sonny Styles. This tape was outstanding as Reese was all over the field for the Buckeyes.
For the NFL, Reese is a do-it-all linebacker as he is big, fast, and athletic. While Reese has a great skill set, what sets him apart is his good instincts. He has advanced read-and-react skills with quick diagnosis. Reese is fast to read his keys, and that puts him in a position to be around the ball. With his size and speed, Reese is a dangerous pass rusher who brings some serious speed around the edge or up the middle. He can drop into coverage and is a tough run defender. Reese is a first-round talent for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
In 2025, Roush has been a solid player for the Cardinal. He has 29 catches with 305 yards and two touchdowns. In 2024, he had 334 yards on 40 catches and two scores. He is a good player with size and is an old-school Y tight end. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder could be a nice mid-round value that is a solid rotational tight end.
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Cisse has played really well for the Gamecocks this season, and team evaluators have noticed. In speaking to sources at five different teams, four had Cisse projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick, and one team had him as a second-rounder. One AFC general manager said he thought Cisse would end up being a first-rounder. He plays a premium position that gets valued early in the draft. In 2025, Cisse has totaled 19 tackles with an interception, three passes batted, and a forced fumble. He had 28 tackles with five breakups the previous season. Listed at 6-foot, 190-pounds, Cisse has quality size for the NFL. He could continue to rise through the draft process.
Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
Team sources feel that Lance could be a nice sleeper prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. They feel he has good ball skills, tracks the ball well, and can run well enough. Lance had a breakout year with the Bison in 2024, catching 75 passes for 1,053 yards and 17 touchdowns. As the younger brother of former Bison quarterback Trey Lance, Bryce Lance has a nice skill set at 6-foot-3, 204 pounds. Sources say he could stand to get stronger and will need to show he can contribute on special teams, but they feel he has helped himself and turned into a potential nice mid-round pick with his play over the past two seasons.
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
Allen has been superb this season and the constant on a Bulldogs defense that has been very feast-or-famine. He was very active in helping the Bulldogs avoid an embarrassing upset to rival Florida. In the first half, Allen was doing a nice job of making tackles in the ground game and keeping Florida from establishing a consistent rushing attack. In the third quarter, Allen had a clutch tackle as Florida had set up a quarterback draw with blockers and space in front, but Allen worked off his blocker and tackled D.J. Lagway just past the line of scrimmage to sniff out a potential touchdown run. Shortly later, Allen showed his speed, flying to the perimeter to snuff out a screen. In the fourth quarter, with the Gators driving, Allen had a clutch stop with open field behind him on a perimeter run by the Gators. It was an excellent open field tackle after Allen shed a block.
For the NFL, Allen looks like a future starter. He is fast, physical, and has good instincts. He is an excellent run defender with good read-and-react skills and is a physical tackler. In pass coverage, Allen shows the ability to get depth in his drop and covers a lot of ground in zone.
George Gumbs Jr., DE, Florida
George Gumbs Jr. had a huge game to help a gritty Gators defense. Gumbs was all over the field for the Gators and was causing disruption in the backfield for all four quarters. In the early going, Gumbs had a few good tackles on running plays to stop Georgia backs near the line of scrimmage. He was also putting some pressure on Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton. Late in the second quarter, Gumbs chased down Stockton for a tackle at the line of scrimmage just before Stockton broke into the open field. Early in the fourth quarter, on a third down, Gumbs bullrushed through the left tackle and took out the legs of Stockton for a sack.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Gumbs is quick and athletic off the edge. He shows some functional strength to push off blocks and plays with an excellent motor. Gumbs had five sacks in 2024 and flashed as a rotational player. Gumbs may not have the size to be an every-down starter, but he could be a good rotational edge rusher with the potential to develop into a starting Sam linebacker.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
Shelton had a bad performance taking on Ohio State. He was beaten repeatedly in one-on-one pass pro reps by Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese and defensive end Kenyatta Jackson. The Penn State left tackle has a nice skill set with size, strength, and athleticism, but he has poor technique and does not move his feet quickly enough to cut off the edge from speed rushers. That leads to Shelton reaching after rushers and bending at the waist. He should return to the Nittany Lions next year to improve before going to the NFL.
