Draft order is based on my power rankings. Once we hit the mid way point of the season, I will switch over to the “if the draft was held today” draft order.

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Power Rankings – Week 6

1. (3) Detroit Lions (4-1)
2. (1) Buffalo Bills (4-1)
3. (2) Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
4. (6) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1)
5. (7) Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)
6. (9) San Francisco 49ers (4-1)
7. (14) Indianapolis Colts (4-1)
8. (10) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
9. (13) Denver Broncos (3-2)
10. (15) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1)
11. (5) Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
12. (8) Los Angeles Rams (3-2)
13. (11) Seattle Seahawks (3-2)
14. (17) Washington Commanders (3-2)
15. (18) New England Patriots (3-2)
16. (4) Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
17. (16) Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
18. (22) Houston Texans (2-3)
19. (20) Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1)
20. (21) Chicago Bears (2-2)
21. (19) Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
22. (23) Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
23. (24) Cleveland Browns (1-4)
24. (12) Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
25. (30) Carolina Panthers (2-3)
26. (27) New York Giants (1-4)
27. (28) Miami Dolphins (1-4)
28. (31) New Orleans Saints (1-4)
29. (25) Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
30. (29) New York Jets (0-5)
31. (26) Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
32. (32) Tennessee Titans (1-4)

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The Titans have their quarterback of the present and future, but not much else. This is a best player available situation for one of the worst rosters in the NFL. Rueben Bain Jr. has been one of the best overall defenders in the nation as a junior. While he may “only” have 2 sacks on the year, he has lived in the opponents backfield, causing constant havoc. He is big, strong and agile, and is comparable, and I believe better, than Travon Walker, who was the top overall pick a few years ago.

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Different year, same mess for one of the worst originations in the NFL. Geno Smith has been an absolute disaster for Las Vegas, handing out interceptions like Halloween candy. Pete Carroll may not like it, but the Raiders have to find a long term replacement. Fernando Mendoza has emerged as the best quarterback in this class. He may be more on the Jared Goff than Andrew Luck level, but I believe he could work his way into a top ten quarterback in the NFL. He is tall, has a strong arm and makes solid decisions with the football.

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I do not believe that Justin Fields is a long term option, but he is hardly the problem in New York this year. Still, he is on his third team in three seasons, and the Jets are winless. New York may be gun-shy after whiffing on Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson, but you have to keep trying, especially with a talent like Dante Moore available .I am always scared of redshirt sophomores in the draft, especially one year wonders like Moore. But he is having such a good season and has shown such solid improvement that he has forced me to put him in the 2026 draft. Transferring to Oregon, swallowing his pride and sitting behind Dillon Gabriel for a year has done wonders for his draft stock. He may be the best player in college football.

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Joe Burrow is an elite talent, but for the third time in six seasons, he will fail to play more than ten games. The Bengals simply cannot win without him, however, and this season has quickly gone off the rails. The slight, slight upside is the team has the ability to add an elite talent to its porous defense. The raw stats for Peter Woods may not jump out on the page, but make no mistake about it; he is a complete, all around elite defensive tackle. He is a double team must when teams try to run, and he has enough athleticism to push for double digit sacks during his prime. Cincinnati could definitely use someone like him in the middle of its defense.

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Quarterback may be an eventual need in New Orleans, but Spencer Rattler has played well enough that he could hold down the fort for another year or two while the Saints rebuild a roster ravaged by age and salary cap issues. Giving Rattler more to work with in the passing game would be a smart idea. Jordyn Tyson has picked up where he left off in 2024, and is the clear cut best skill position player in this class. He is a great route runner, and is on pace to haul in double digit touchdowns.

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Clueless Dolphins fans are going to blame Tua Tagovailoa for everything, but he cannot step on the field and keep a backup running back from rushing for 200 yards. This defense just does not have the talent to win games, and needs major upgrades everywhere. Caleb Downs would be an absolute perfect fit in Miami. Safeties are usually not top ten picks, look at Kyle Hamilton for an example, but Downs checks all the boxes for what Miami needs. He is a great run defender, can even handle some slot coverages against wide receivers, and has a high floor, meaning he is almost guaranteed to be a plus starter in the NFL.

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The Giants are going all in with youth on offense, so keeping those guys protected should be paramount. This is a very solid offensive line class, so New York could undo its Evan Neal whiff with a replacement here. Francis Mauigoa is my favorite tackle in this class. He is athletic, talented, and has blocked for several pro style quarterbacks, so he should be ready to step in and produce as a rookie,.

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With a 2-3 record, Carolina is slightly overachieving, but this is a roster that needs talent infusions at every level of its defense. T.J. Parker has been off to a bit of a slow start sacks wise, but his advanced pass rush analytics are on par with his tremendous sophomore season. He is not the most talented pass rusher in this class, but has a tremendous motor, and enough size to hold up as a run defender when is not rushing the quarterback. The Panthers do not have anyone with his talent level and ability at the EDGE position.

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You hate to use injuries as an excuse, but sometimes, that is just what it is. It is hard for any team to win without it’s MVP quarterback (looking at you, Cincinnati), not to mention half of its best players on defense. This is dangerously close to being a lost year in Baltimore, but we shall see. Both David Ojabo and Kyle Van Noy will be free agents in 2026. Keldric Faulk only has 10 career sacks, but has double digit potential. He is also a plus run defender, and should be able to stay on the field for all three downs.

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Cleveland may have the most talented defense in the NFL, but the offense is too young and raw for the team to compete this year. No matter who the team goes with at quarterback long term, the offensive line has to improve. Spencer Fano is the best left tackle in this class, and a potential top five pick. Unlike most left tackles, his run blocking is ahead of his pass blocking at this stage, but with the Browns building around Quinshon Judkins on offense, they will be just fine with that.

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The Rams drafting a quarterback would be the type of long term thinking that NFL teams do not often do these days. Pretty much every first round quarterback is expected to start right away. Even a situation like the 2024 Atlanta Falcons, Michael Penix Jr. overtook Kirk Cousins. That would not happen in 2026, but Matthew Stafford would be a 38 year old free agent, so perhaps Los Angeles could think about the future here. LaNorris Sellers has not set the world on fire during his third season, but scouts remain intrigued. He is a true dual threat who has strong potential as a passer. He has the frame to hold up as a runner, and with proper development, could be a strong long term option.

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James Conner was struggling for Arizona before going down with a season ending injury. For a 30 year old running back without elite physical traits, that could spell a death sentence for Conner. Jeremiyah Love is the type of talent that could take this Arizona offense to the next level. After inexplicably giving Love 10 carries during its opening game, Notre Dame has ridden its star running back, feeding him early and often. Love is a true three down threat. He is quick, strong, and a good receiver out of the back field. Three down threats at running back are still taken in the first round.

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The Bears have devoted a lot of recent draft capital on its young offense, but could opt to add some pass rush with this pick. Matayo Uiagalelei needs to work on his technique, and may never be an asset against the run, but he can really get after the quarterback. He has 16.5 sacks in two and a half years at Oregon.

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Yes, the Cowboys defense is once again one of the worst in the NFL, but this is a team that knows its bread is buttered on offense. I doubt they will resign George Pickens, so they will have to add someone to take some pressure off of CeeDee Lamb. If Carnell Tate played for any other team that Ohio State, he would be a household name. Still, he is having a tremendous junior season, and is coming off perhaps his best career game, a 9 catch, 183 yard, 1 touchdown performance against MInnesota.

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Kadyn Proctor has bounced back nicely, following a tough opening week performance against Florida State. He is more athletic than someone his size has any business being. The only worry is whether he is a tackle or a guard long term. The Titans, who chose to trade Laremy Tunsil, would be ecstatic to land Proctor here. The offensive line is the clear weakness on this team, and Proctor would be an asset at guard or tackle.

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Nearly every cornerback who played snaps for Minnesota was a 2025 free agent. The secondary continues to be taped together by mid round draft picks and short term free agent options. Jermod McCoy had a tremendous sophomore season, picking off four passes. He has yet to make his 2025 debut, but is expected to be healthy and productive. If he can build off of his sophomore season, he could be the first cornerback drafted in 2026.

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The Texas Longhorns team is in shambles, but Anthony Hill Jr. continues to produce. He is not on his sophomore pace, where he racked up 113 tackles and 8 sacks, but may be the most talented off the ball linebacker in the nation. You can line him up anywhere and he will produce. The Chargers defense lacks that elite talent in the middle of its defense. Hill could play middle linebacker in a 3-4, and even line up on the edge in certain situations.

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Washington has a good defense, but it has struggled to add EDGE talent since trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young. David Bailey may lack the size and strength to be a three down defender, but he can really get after the quarterback. he has upped his sack total every season, and is already at 5.5 as a senior.

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Despite a less than stellar group of pass catchers, Drake Maye is having a great sophomore season. I wonder what he could do with a true alpha receiver. Makai Lemon has exploded onto the scene as a junior. He has upped his stats across the board as a sophomore for a USC team that has to throw early and often to remain competitive. Lemon is a deep threat, a slot option and can even handle carries out of the backfield.

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The Seahawks are in the middle of the pack with 13 sacks on the season, but other than Uchenna Nwosu (2.5 sacks), no other EDGE rusher has a single sack. Cashius Howell is yet another undersized EDGE with double digit sack potential. Perhaps I value those guys higher than most, but pass rushers tend to go in the first round quite often.

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The Rams could use a young offensive tackle, but I do not see any first round prospects available here, so they go defense. Mansoor Dalene was a fringe first rounder as a Virginia Tech junior, and the decision to move on to secondary factory LSU was a good one. He has had a great season, showing strong ability as a cover guy as well as a tackler. He may not have the upside of an Aveion Terrell, but should be more steady.

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For the first time in more than half a decade, there is worry in Kansas City. Losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars would do that to you. With Patrick Mahomes making so much money, this is a roster that needs to hit on its draft picks. Aveion Terrell would make a nice running mate for Trent McDuffie. He may be a bit undersized and needs to work on his technique, but is tough and plays like a safety, especially in the running game. He has more career forced fumbles than interceptions.

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Cleveland once again goes offense, this time adding a skill position player. Chris Brazzell II has been nearly impossible to cover as a fourth year junior. He is Joey Aguilar’s favorite target, thanks to his 6’5 frame and solid deep speed. He has 7 touchdowns and is averaging over 17 yards per reception.

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Despite yet another year racked by injuries, the San Francisco 49ers keep finding ways to win. This is still a roster with too many holes and not enough young players to fill them. The defensive line continues to be hit hard by injuries and free agent losses. Kayden McDonald has burst onto the scene as a junior. He has registered the first three sacks of his career and has already surpassed his career tackle total. After Peter Woods, there is not a true first round prospect at tackle, and McDonald could emerge as that second guy.

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Denver drafted Oregon quarterback Bo Nix in 2023 and Oregon receiver Troy Franklin in 2024. Why not make it three Ducks in three years? Kenyon Sadiq has been a dynamic weapon for Dante Moore in 2025, averaging almost 14 yards per reception and scoring three touchdowns. In a weak tight end class, Sadiq is the clear cut top option and only potential first round selection.

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With a late first round pick, Pittsburgh could easily draft either Garrett Nussmeier or Drew Allar, but I have not seen enough from either senior to comfortably put them in the first round conversation right now. Both have struggled mightily against top competition. Other than when they misjudged the quarterback draft market when selecting Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh does not usually reach on its draft picks. The Steelers are veteran heavy in the secondary, and could use a young safety after trading Minkah Fitzpatrick. Jalon Kilgore hits like a linebacker, and is a big play threat, as he showed as a sophomore, when he picked off five passes.

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Remember that porous Dallas defense I mentioned earlier? Yeah, lets try to address that. Dallas has sorely missed Micah Parsons off the edge, and only have ten sacks on the season. Here, they attempt to replace some of his lost production with another former Nittany Lion, Dani Dennis-Sutton. Penn State has also been abysmal defensively, but Dennis-Sutton remains a first round prospect, thanks to his solid all around ability as a defender.

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Lavonte David’s hall of fame career is winding down, and Tampa Bay could soon use two new interior linebackers. Off the ball linebacker is not a premium position when it comes to the NFL draft, but one or two guys usually finds their way into the first round. Allen is a tackling machine, and has already generated two sacks this season.

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The Colts are easily the early surprise of the 2025 NFL season, especially on offense, where they are routinely demolishing defenses. Redshirt sophomore Arvell Reese has been a monster for the Ohio State defense. He can chase down ball carriers and get after the quarterback, and would be a tremendous young running mate for Zaire Franklin at linebacker.

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For a team that has lost one game this calendar year, there sure is a lot of turmoil in Philadelphia. Both starting receivers are unhappy, and AJ Brown could be a prime trade candidate. Denzel Boston could help make up for that potential loss. Like Brown, he is a big bodied receiver with a large catch radius.

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Buffalo likes to employ a deep rotation along its defensive line. LT Overton is not a pure pass rusher, which is why he is available here, but is a strong run defender with good size who could flirt with 6-8 sacks a year in his prime.

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The Colorado Buffalos defense has struggled mightily, but DJ McKinney has done his part. The tall, lanky cornerback is strong against the run and can pick off the occasional pass. Detroit’s defense will never be able to keep up with its offense, but they should continue to add young talent to that side of the football.