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Jeff Legwold
A number of Authors
Throughout a dialogue final season about placing a scouting workers collectively, Washington Commanders common supervisor Adam Peters revealed the timetable on how an NFL draft board is constructed.
“You are constructing it, primarily, for a 12 months yearly,” Peters mentioned. “From the spring to the season to the mix, professional days, visits and again round to the subsequent spring, when the scouts are trying on the calendar to see the primary locations they will go. The actual motion for gamers and grades in that point in all probability comes lengthy earlier than folks may suppose it does.”
That makes the idea of a March “riser” rarer than a no-doubt franchise quarterback. The precise rise of a prospect up draft boards is a multi-month course of that consists of on-field manufacturing and predraft work.
With the 2026 NFL draft lower than two weeks away, we recognized seven gamers who’ve gained essentially the most floor for the reason that starting of the 2025 season. Last year’s list included two first-round offensive linemen in Armand Membou (No. 7, New York Jets) and Grey Zabel (No. 18, Seattle Seahawks). Listed below are the highest risers in 2026, beginning with among the finest offensive deal with prospects on this class.
Scouts Inc. rating: No. 14
How far he climbed boards: Freeling opened his first season as a full-time starter labeled as a potential Day 2 decide by many scouts merely due to his measurables (6-foot-7, 315 kilos). However he is now a strong first-rounder after making 13 begins final season, holding up effectively towards SEC cross rushers and presenting some high-quality work within the predraft windup.
Turning level: Scouts who monitor the SEC mentioned they might see Freeling’s pass-protection approach enhance in actual time. His hand placement received higher all through the season towards a number of the most explosive defensive gamers on this draft board. Video games towards Auburn and Texas final season are ceaselessly talked about by evaluators.
Why he rose: A few of it’s physics. He has uncommon fluidity in his decrease physique for a participant his measurement and will be capable of add extra power since he will not flip 22 till July. He ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.93 seconds, has 34¾-inch arms and strikes like a good finish in area. Freeling additionally confirmed high quality means to react to inside counters from rushers, get better, get his ft proper and win the play.
What they’re saying: “Actually, yoga simply actually helps with damage prevention. It is big on getting comfy, simply being versatile, and likewise the mindfulness half. Being conscious of your physique and the way you are feeling is actually essential on the way you keep twitchy and play quick on the soccer subject.” — Freeling on how his coaching routine has helped him enhance
Scouts Inc. rating: No. 20
How far he climbed boards: There are a couple of gamers in each draft with an in depth sufficient physique of labor to make league evaluators comfy. Then there are the gamers who shake issues up a bit on the Senior Bowl or the mix, forcing evaluators to take one other look. Thieneman matches into the latter bucket and has seemingly moved from a mid-to-late Day 2 decide into the primary spherical as a part of a sturdy security class.
Turning level: Thieneman has an in depth résumé as a three-year starter (two at Purdue, one at Oregon), with 302 tackles and eight interceptions in his profession. That is a big pattern measurement. However then he uncorked a 4.37-second 40-yard sprint and a 41-inch vertical on the mix at 6-foot, 201 kilos. That makes people circle again.
Why he rose: Together with the statistical manufacturing, Thieneman shows wonderful instincts. The most effective instance of that got here within the win over Penn State final season, as his interception of Drew Allar in double extra time sealed a Geese win. Thieneman matches the NFL recreation together with his body, attain and plus-level athleticism.
What they’re saying: “I simply felt like his eyes are in the fitting spot and he would not lose that eye contact. Man understands what routes could be run out of what the offense is in and what he can remove. And he can transfer.” — AFC space scout
Scouts Inc. rating: No. 41
How far he climbed boards: Iheanachor has seemingly moved himself into early Day 2 consideration as a projection participant who has improved faster than anticipated. He moved to america from Nigeria as a youngster and didn’t play soccer till he enrolled at East Los Angeles School earlier than transferring to Arizona State.
Turning level: The 6-foot-6 321-pounder began 5 video games in his first season at Arizona State in 2023, but it surely’s his full résumé of 26 faculty begins that exhibits how far he has come. Scouts took observe of Iheanachor’s one-on-one work towards Texas Tech’s edge gamers last season, and he was constantly impactful in Senior Bowl exercises.
Why he rose: For some, the draft is about potential over manufacturing, and Iheanachor remains to be an ascending participant who must clean out some tough edges. However together with his measurement, mobility (4.95-second 40) and 83¼-inch wingspan, he has the qualities offensive line coaches need in a deal with.
What they’re saying: “I’d primarily say [playing] protection, for actual. Like, the slide in, boxing out, all that stuff. I really feel like, as an offensive lineman, you want good ft … I imply, that is one of many greatest requirements.” — Iheanachor on how basketball helped transition to soccer in junior faculty
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Scouts Inc. rating: No. 71
How far he climbed boards: Hurst has labored himself from a late Day 3 participant to at least one who may hear his title on Day 2. A 3-year starter — one at Valdosta State and two at Georgia State — after being a zero-star recruit as a prep participant, he has been an everyday on the top-30 go to circuit in current weeks.
Turning level: It has been a gradual rise, as his play caught as much as his 6-foot-4, 206-pound measurables. Hurst had 1,004 receiving yards in a season that Georgia State had 3,049 passing yards; in different phrases, he accounted for about one third of the Panthers’ passing offense.
Why he rose: With a 4.42-second 40 on the mix at his measurement, Hurst presents as an intriguing possibility for offenses. What groups should work out is how he’ll fare towards skilled defensive backs, whereas Hurst should learn to implement his measurement to win the ball in tight locations.
What they’re saying: “You’d prefer to see extra towards one of the best corners, however I just like the arc. He is received plenty of good soccer ready for him.” — NFC common supervisor
Scouts Inc. rating: No. 146
How far he climbed boards: It varies amongst evaluators, as a result of there are some tough edges to Caldwell’s recreation and his route tree wants be extra strong. However he has seemingly proven sufficient in a single season at Cincinnati (after three seasons at FCS Lindenwood) together with his high-end measurables to probably transfer from late Day 3 into early Day 3 consideration.
Turning level: People observed Caldwell’s closing season at Lindenwood in 2024, when he averaged 19.5 yards per reception with 11 touchdowns and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the highest FCS participant. He flashed in his season with the Bearcats — his six landing catches got here in 5 video games — and his work on the mix was arduous to dismiss.
Why he rose: Offenses seeking matchup wins within the pink zone will at all times discover Caldwell’s measurement/velocity mixture. He was the tallest receiver on the mix at 6-foot-5, and his 4.31-second 40 was the second quickest amongst receivers who ran.
What they’re saying: “I have a look at the board, and you do not see many guys with that sort of size who run like that. He wants work, he wants teaching, he must assault the ball, however the traits are there.” — AFC director of faculty scouting
Scouts Inc. rating: No. 222
How far he climbed boards: There’s a smattering of evaluators who mentioned they might see the 6-foot-7, 228-pound Gentry sneaking into the late fourth or fifth spherical. The largest questions are what his physique will appear like after going via an NFL power program for a 12 months or two and the place he would match. And which may take important crystal ball abilities.
Turning level: Gentry had 12 begins for the Trojans final season a 12 months after taking part in solely 5 video games as a consequence of multiple concussions. He returned for USC’s bowl game to shut out the 2024 season and had no points in a 75-tackle season in 2025.
Why he rose: He labored out with the defensive linemen on the mix, and his measurements are tempting for groups that really feel he can add power and extra mass to enhance his means to get off blocks. He has an 86¼-inch wingspan and ran a 4.6 within the 40 at his professional day (some scouts had him within the 4.5s), which presents pass-rush choices. Gentry was additionally productive, with 5 compelled fumbles final season and 9 in his faculty profession.
What they’re saying: “He is a novel physique kind, however he is performed plenty of video games (52 over 5 seasons), has some sacks, knocks the ball down, will get the ball out. If he’ll put within the work, there are snaps for him, [he has] the sort of wingspan to assault the ball.” — AFC defensive coordinator
Scouts Inc. rating: Unranked
How far he climbed boards: Kpeenu exploded as a senior, with 1,005 dashing yards and 20 touchdowns final season, to emerge as a possible precedence free agent. However some within the league say he has the potential to squeeze into the draft late on Day 3.
Turning level: The Bison are identified for producing offensive linemen who give working backs a tidy yards-before-contact cushion, however Kpeenu averaged 5.3 yards per carry over his profession. That kind of manufacturing at all times will get a glance from scouts, and evaluators like his consistency and willingness to cross shield. He additionally had seven video games final season with not less than two dashing touchdowns.
Why he rose: Whereas his 4.68-second 40 at North Dakota State’s professional day will trigger some to pause, Kpeenu gained 10 or extra yards on 17% of his runs this previous season. He had two 100-yard dashing video games final season wherein he carried the ball fewer than 15 instances (14 carries for 116 yards towards Illinois State and 10 for 107 towards St. Thomas). Groups additionally favored what they noticed and heard from him on the American Bowl.
What they’re saying: “I might take a flyer, he is robust, finishes runs, robust and can commit in cross safety.” — NFC working backs coach
