Way Too Early 2026 NFL Draft Defensive Back Rankings

Way Too Early 2026 NFL Draft Defensive Back Rankings

Last one. It’s been a hell of a run with draft coverage here at VSM. Maybe say thank you once in a while. The Way Too Early 2026 NFL Draft rankings conclude with the defensive backs. An interesting group we’ll dive into. Remember, use this last for tracking purposes. This is American Idol. We’ll find out together who can sing and who can’t once the games resume.

Safeties

10: Zakee Wheatley (Penn State)

Three picks and four pass breakups last year. Kevin Winston Jr and Jaylen Reed are fully off to the NFL. It’s Wheatley and Elliott Washington now. We’ll see what the new duo can come up with this year.

9: Bud Clark (TCU)

Been in college since 2020, and we’re hoping for a final hurrah, breakout type thing. Has 11 picks over the last three years. We’ll see what we get to close things out.

8: Rod Moore (Michigan)

Six picks over the last two years. He’s becoming a force for Michigan in the back end. If we get another leap here this year, it will be time to take this thing seriously.

7: Elliott Washington (Penn State)

Haven’t totally seen him yet, but we will coming up. Can stay in school a while yet. Former big recruit who has a burst.

6: Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)

Purdue got shanked in the portal. Thieneman had six picks in 2023, but none last year. Now moves to Oregon to be the dude in the safety group for them. Let’s see how this plays out.

5: Joenel Aguero (Georgia)

Former big time recruit who now gets his turn after Malaki Starks and Dirty Dan left for the NFL. Incredibly small sample size, but former monster recruit who should step in and perform right away.

4: Peyton Bowen (Oklahoma)

Telling you, I always got him and Billy Bowman confused when they were tag team guys in the OU secondary. Now It’s Bowen’s turn to be the alpha of the group. Something I anticipate happening.

3: Michael Taaffe (Texas)

Dan Jackson vibes, except maybe with more talented dropped in? Former zero star recruit who has turned himself into a stud. Five picks over last two years. Let’s see if we get even more of an encore this year.

2: Keon Sabb (Alabama)

Thought he had some insane moments after coming over from Michigan last year. Great chess piece for any secondary. I imagine he only continues to improve this year with no rush to even come out.

1: Caleb Downs (Ohio State)

Freak. Best overall player in the draft. Should be the first pick if you don’t need a quarterback. If you haven’t figured that out by now, go watch more. It won’t take you long to see it.

Way Too Early 2026 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings

Cornerback Rankings

10: Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina)

6-foot-2 and had five picks last year as a sophomore. Yeah…

9: Ricardo Hallman (Wisconsin)

He’s been mentioned in the stock notes before. Not a typical Wisconsin corner. From the Miami area. Has real ball skills and can play.

8: Chandler Rivers (Duke)

Another guy who caught my eye last year. Three picks and eight pass breakups last season. Doesn’t have crazy size, but you can tell he has instincts.

7: Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State)

Needs to be less grabby, but no question he can play. No Denzel Burke to bail him out. Wait til you see the true freshman Devin Sanchez…

6: D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana)

Another Indiana guy who didn’t miss a beat after coming over from James Madison. Thought he covered his balls off last year. Also, from the Miami area, and had three picks. I think the talent is real and he’s playing a role he won’t even be asked to play the NFL level. More of a slot guy who has to be the number one at Indiana.

5: Avieon Terrell (Clemson)

Yes, this is AJ Terrell’s brother, and Avieon is just way better. I don’t care what anybody says. We’ll know for sure this year.

4: AJ Harris (Penn State)

Former big recruit at Georgia who stepped in really nice as the top dog at Penn State. I’d imagine another leap coming here.

3: Daylen Everette (Georgia)

Wasn’t always perfect last year, but he can really make plays on the ball and beat people up at the catch point. Could be the it all comes together moment this year.

2: Malik Muhammad (Texas)

I think he’s better than Jahdae Barron, but the ball production hasn’t been there yet. Let’s see what happens without Barron, and if he can start creating more turnovers on his own. Really nice player though.

1: Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)

I doubt others will have McCoy as their number one, but I was just so damn impressed every time I watched Tennessee.  Torn ACL in January may hamper things, but four picks last year, and his coverage stuff is really good. Doesn’t need to come out either, so we’ll see.

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