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Matt Bowen
A number of Authors
Forward of the 2026 NFL draft, it is essential to do not forget that crew match can typically be extra essential than expertise. To ensure that the highest prospects like Arvell Reese, Jeremiyah Love and Mansoor Delane to achieve their star potential, they want the appropriate scheme to maximise their talent set.
I took it upon myself to provide you with the 20 finest player-to-team matches for Rounds 1 and a pair of. I factored in participant strengths and weaknesses, organizational wants, schemes and training employees tendencies. Numerous the tendencies are speculative, as the ten head coaching changes from this offseason will result in loads of system adjustments. However the general thought was to search out spots the place gamers could be put able to succeed due to their traits and the crew’s present infrastructure.
So which groups take advantage of sense for Reese, Love, Delane and the remainder of the highest draft prospects? Listed below are 20 supreme suits.
Leap to suits in:
Early Round 1 | Late Round 1 | Round 2
Top: 6-4 | Weight: 241
School: Ohio State
The place New York may get him: Choose No. 2
Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey could possibly be a match right here, too, however I like Reese due to the positional versatility he would carry to teach Aaron Glenn’s protection. On his faculty tape, Reese exhibits the power to shut the perimeter within the run recreation, utilizing his 4.46 pursuit pace to blow up downhill. Plus, he can strain or match beneath in protection.
Nevertheless, if I am drafting Reese at No. 2, I might actually wish to maximize his pass-rush upside. Reese had 6.5 sacks in 2025, utilizing a wide range of rush paths to disrupt the pocket — his short-area burst helps on stunts and loops. With the Jets, Reese needs to be seen as a playmaker who may enhance the second-worst scoring protection from 2025 (29.6 factors allowed per recreation).
Top: 6-5 | Weight: 244
School: Ohio State
The place Tennessee may get him: Choose No. 4
This could be a fantastic first decide for brand spanking new coach Robert Saleh, giving him a uncommon “stack” linebacker — inside linebacker or 4-3 outdoors linebacker — with high-level testing numbers. Types’ 43½-inch vertical leap on the mix was the best by an off-ball linebacker since 2003 and the second highest by any linebacker in that span.
Types will present up within the field and on the perimeters of the formation as a run defender. He can hearth into blockers to carry the purpose or scrape by means of to trace the ball along with his 4.46 pace. Plus, in Saleh’s loaded fronts, Types may be schemed as a blitzer or fall again late in protection. Regardless of his massive body, he can play the hook to twist or carry the seams. There’s big-time upside right here for a linebacker who can become the Fred Warner function beneath Saleh.
Top: 6-0 | Weight: 212
School: Notre Dame
The place Washington may get him: Choose No. 7
Love may go as excessive as No. 4 to Tennessee, however for this train, the previous Notre Dame star suits in Washington. New coordinator David Blough can carry extra stability to the decision sheet with Love — a scheme-transcendent participant — as a runner and maximize his traits as a receiver, just like how operating again Jahmyr Gibbs is utilized in Detroit.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels is in severe want of a high-percentage goal who can rattle off explosive performs. Love had 39 rushes of 10 or extra yards final season, sixth most within the nation. His quantity as a cross catcher ought to develop in a professional offense. Love may slot into the lead function right here, with free agent signing Rachaad White additionally seeing touches.
Top: 6-2 | Weight: 263
School: Miami
The place New Orleans may get him: Choose No. 8
There is a want right here so as to add a cross rusher in New Orleans, as veteran Cameron Jordan remains to be a free agent. Plus it is a possibility for coordinator Brandon Staley so as to add a possible game-wrecker for his protection.
With Bain’s means to show the nook, he may be schemed out of loaded fronts to get one-on-one pass-rush matchups. His energy on the level of assault means he will also be flipped inside in nickel fronts. And he’s stout on the sting versus the run recreation (54 tackles on designed rushes in 2025). Merely put, there is a sense of ruggedness to Bain’s recreation that ought to translate to the professional stage. And he put up his finest tape when everybody was watching, totaling 5 sacks in the course of the College Football Playoff.
Top: 6-0 | Weight: 187
School: LSU
The place Kansas Metropolis may get him: Choose No. 9
The Chiefs have some spots to fill at cornerback after buying and selling Trent McDuffie and dropping Jaylen Watson to the Rams. So, let’s give them Delane, who has the traits to slot in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system.
Kansas Metropolis performed man protection on 52.3% of opponent dropbacks in 2025, the fourth-highest fee within the league. Delane would thrive in these coverages (primarily Cowl 1, Cowl 0 and Cowl 2 Man) as a press nook with the pace to match vertically. Plus, he can jam and sink in Cowl 2. That is a straightforward match for who I feel is the highest cornerback within the class.
1:31
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Top: 6-0 | Weight: 206
School: Ohio State
The place Cincinnati may get him: Choose No. 10
I feel Downs may go larger within the prime 10, however this was the most effective slot in my eyes after the Bengals signed security Bryan Cook in free company.
Underneath coordinator Al Golden, Downs could be an interchangeable security. He may rotate low in single-high zone, whereas enjoying excessive from depth. Plus, with Downs’ means to create disruption close to the road of scrimmage, Golden can play him as a giant nickelback in three-safety personnel. He has the pressing play demeanor to set the id of Cincinnati’s protection.
Top: 6-3 | Weight: 241
School: Oregon
The place Los Angeles may get him: Choose No. 13
The Rams haven’t got a serious want at tight finish, however Sadiq needs to be seen as a matchup participant for Sean McVay’s offense. Along with his body and 4.39 pace, Sadiq could possibly be a seam stretcher for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Plus, McVay may use Sadiq as a bottom X receiver/energy slot to attract favorable man matchups. And he would match as a catch-and-run goal on boot motion ideas; Stafford led the NFL with 75 makes an attempt on designed rollouts in 2025.
Clearly, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are two prime targets within the cross recreation. However Sadiq, who had 51 receptions and eight touchdowns final season, would make the Rams’ offense even more durable to cease.
Top: 6-6 | Weight: 311
School: Utah
The place Baltimore may get him: Choose No. 14
Fano performed the whole lot of his collegiate profession at each deal with positions, however he may transfer inside for the Ravens. His means to win in area would match beneath new coordinator Declan Doyle, who labored with Ben Johnson final season in Chicago.
We must always anticipate the Ravens to main within the extensive zone run scheme, and Fano can even pull to kick/wrap on hole ideas. Along with his foot pace, Fano can also hold the pocket agency in cross safety for quarterback Lamar Jackson. He gave up simply 4 pressures and nil sacks in 2025.
Top: 6-7 | Weight: 352
School: Alabama
The place Detroit may get him: Choose No. 17
With studies of Penei Sewell doubtlessly moving to the left deal with and replacing Taylor Decker, the Lions may discover their new proper deal with in Proctor. His 2025 tape confirmed some lapses in cross safety, however he has the energy to close down energy rushers. His means to displace defenders within the run recreation would additionally match with Detroit’s id. And he is nonetheless simply 20 years outdated with 40 begins beneath his belt.
Top: 6-4 | Weight: 201
School: Toledo
The place Minnesota may get him: Choose No. 18
McNeil-Warren is right for coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme, which focuses on creating chaos for opposing offenses with late motion and strain. Flores and the Vikings performed two-high protection on 56.5% of opponent dropbacks final season, the second most within the league. McNeil-Warren has the explosive ahead means to drive on the ball from the deep half or a “quarters” alignment. And he has the vary to trace it deep.
Flores can even use his third-level defenders on strain ideas; Minnesota’s defensive again blitz fee of 15.1% ranked fourth highest final season. That lends nicely to McNeil-Warren’s ahead burst.
Top: 6-0 | Weight: 193
School: Tennessee
The place Dallas may get him: Choose No. 20
Cornerbacks with Hood’s talent set in protection are inclined to go larger than projected. And I just like the match beneath new coordinator Chris Parker, who will carry parts of Vic Fangio’s protection from Philadelphia. Right here, Hood can match up one-on-one outdoors, enjoying reverse free agent addition Cobie Durant with DaRon Bland within the slot.
Plus, Hood is a devoted run defender who is aware of reduce off huge positive aspects on the perimeter. He’s extra of a ball disruptor than true playmaker, posting 17 cross breakups over the previous two seasons. Parker and the Cowboys can land their Quinyon Mitchell in Hood.
Top: 6-6 | Weight: 262
School: Missouri
The place Chicago may get him: Choose No. 25
After signing three defensive tackles in free company, the Bears can look to the perimeters of their entrance by taking Younger to play reverse Montez Sweat. Along with his lengthy body, Younger suits the profile of the defensive ends in coordinator Dennis Allen’s system.
Younger has the play energy and tackling vary to set the perimeters versus the run recreation, which might improve a protection that allowed 5.0 yards per carry final season (fourth most within the NFL). Younger additionally has the bodily traits to develop as a speed-to-power cross rusher; he had 6.5 sacks and 43 pressures in 2025.
Top: 6-3 | Weight: 253
School: Texas A&M
The place Buffalo may get him: Choose No. 26
The Payments signed veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb in free company to play beneath new coordinator Jim Leonhard, however touchdown Howell would give them an influence participant in sub packages. Along with his fast first step and pure bend, Howell can dip beneath offensive tackles and shut on the quarterback.
Howell can even press tackles vertically to open the door for inside counter strikes. He had a complete of 25 sacks over the previous three seasons.
Top: 6-4 | Weight: 212
School: Washington
The place Miami may get him: Choose No. 30
The Dolphins may go for a large receiver at No. 10, however Boston needs to be on the board for them with their second decide of the primary spherical. Boston’s massive body would enable him to emerge early as a quantity goal for new quarterback Malik Willis. He has the bodily catch-and-run means to provide on quicks and unders, whereas giving the Dolphins a matchup goal contained in the pink zone. Boston had 14 pink zone touchdowns over his closing two collegiate seasons.
With the ball abilities to win one-on-one, Boston may additionally isolate for this Miami offense in essential down-and-distance conditions.
Top: 6-1 | Weight: 211
School: Alabama
The place Arizona may get him: Choose No. 34
A crew may commerce again into the primary spherical to seize Simpson, however the match works right here on the prime of the second spherical for the Cardinals. With veteran Jacoby Brissett in place, they’ve time to teach and develop Simpson given his restricted faculty reps (15 begins).
Underneath new coach Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals will possible use pre- and post-snap motion — with decreased formations — to present Simpson extra outlined reads on middle-of-the-field throws and play-action ideas. He can function as a rhythm and timing passer, and he has the mobility to get to the sting of the formation on boot ideas. Simpson accomplished 64.5% of his passes at Alabama final season, throwing for 28 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
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Top: 6-2 | Weight: 326
School: Ohio State
The place Las Vegas may get him: Choose No. 36
Edge rusher Maxx Crosby is staying with the Raiders, and the crew additionally signed edge rusher Kwity Paye in free company. So, Las Vegas ought to look to improve the inside of its D-line with McDonald, who can play the nostril deal with spot beneath new coordinator Rob Leonard.
With extra vary than a transitional nostril deal with, McDonald is a real run recreation disruptor. He makes use of his foot quickness and energy to make splash performs, resulting in 17 tackles at or behind the road of scrimmage in 2025. McDonald additionally had three sacks and two pressured fumbles.
Top: 6-2 | Weight: 238
School: Texas
The place Houston may get him: Choose No. 38
Hill can add each pace (4.51-second 40-yard sprint) and playmaking means to the second stage of coach DeMeco Ryans’ protection. At his measurement, Hill can drop the hammer within the run recreation or make stops on the perimeter. And he could possibly be schemed up on blitzes beneath Ryans. Hill had 17 sacks in three faculty seasons.
Houston has loads of younger expertise in its secondary, however it may make a play right here so as to add younger expertise to the entrance seven.
Top: 5-9 | Weight: 177
School: Georgia
The place New York may get him: Choose No. 44
The Jets want so as to add receiving expertise reverse Garrett Wilson, so Department is sensible as a dynamic slot goal who is electrical after the catch. Department lacks the scale to make contested catches at a excessive fee, however he can produce explosive performs on routes that enable him to run away from protection (crossers, overs) along with his 4.33 pace. Plus, new coordinator Frank Reich can even scheme touches for Department as a movement/motion goal on screens, fly sweeps and RPOs.
Top: 5-9 | Weight: 182 kilos
School: Indiana
The place Los Angeles may get him: Choose No. 55
Underneath new coordinator Chris O’Leary, the Chargers will possible play a number of zone match protection. That will cater to the power of Ponds, who has the short-area pace to shut on the ball and may match up nicely on intermediate routes. Ponds can also be aggressive on the catch level, ending with two interceptions and 10 cross breakups final season. And he is a aggressive run defender regardless of his measurement.
Top: 6-1 | Weight: 223
School: Arkansas
The place Seattle may get him: Choose No. 64
Washington may go afterward Day 2, however he has the tape and pace to maneuver up into the ultimate slot of the second spherical. Seattle has a necessity on the place, as Kenneth Walker III signed with the Chiefs and Zach Charbonnet remains to be recovering from a torn ACL.
Underneath new coordinator Brian Fleury — who coached with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco — we must always anticipate a run recreation that leans on movement and motion in each zone and hole ideas. Washington has the lateral agility to slot in that scheme, and he can dart by means of daylight along with his 4.33 pace. His body can deal with NFL quantity, plus he can produce on swings and screens as a cross catcher. Washington averaged 8.1 yards per reception in 2025.
