Top 10 defensive back prospects for 2026 NFL Draft

Caleb Downs, Mansoor Delane, and Jermod McCoy lead a deep class of defensive backs

Apr. 1, 2026 at 6:19pm

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The 2026 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented defensive backs, including Ohio State's Caleb Downs, LSU's Mansoor Delane, and Tennessee's Jermod McCoy. Experts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald break down the top 10 defensive back prospects, highlighting their strengths and potential at the next level.

Why it matters

Defensive backs are highly valued in the modern NFL, with teams seeking versatile players who can excel in both coverage and run support. This deep class of defensive back prospects gives teams plenty of options to upgrade their secondary in the upcoming draft.

The details

Caleb Downs, the top-ranked defensive back, has been one of the best in college football since his freshman year at Alabama. Mansoor Delane of LSU is a smart, quick-reacting player with the ability to excel in both zone and man coverage. Jermod McCoy of Tennessee is a quick-twitch athlete with good size and the footwork to stay sticky with receivers in man coverage.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April.
  • Prospects recently participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

The players

Caleb Downs

A safety from Ohio State who has been one of the best defensive backs in college football since his freshman year at Alabama.

Mansoor Delane

A cornerback from LSU who is a smart player with the ability to excel in both zone and man coverage.

Jermod McCoy

A cornerback from Tennessee who is a quick-twitch athlete with good size and the footwork to stay sticky with receivers in man coverage.

Avieon Terrell

A cornerback from Clemson who, like his older brother A.J. (a star for the Falcons), has a chance to be a first-round pick and true starting cornerback in the league.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

A safety from Toledo with size, explosiveness, and an edge that makes him a hard-hitting presence in the secondary.

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What they’re saying

“Downs has been arguably the best defensive back in college football since his freshman year at Alabama. He won't be the first pick in the draft because safeties tend to slide on draft day, but he has all the skills and smarts to immediately be one of the better safeties in the league from Day 1 with real deal upside to be an elite, premier defensive player in the league.”

— Charles McDonald

“A smart player who's quick to read and react in coverage, Delane has had strong moments as both a zone and man coverage defender this season. He has the twitchiness to stay sticky in man coverage and his high football awareness showed up in zone coverage, where he has a knack for reading quarterbacks and making plays on the football.”

— Nate Tice

“McCoy is a quick-twitch athlete who constantly makes plays on the football. He has good size and already shows the footwork and patience to stay sticky with receivers and be consistent in man coverage.”

— Nate Tice

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April, where these top defensive back prospects will look to hear their names called early and begin their professional careers.

The takeaway

This year's NFL Draft class is exceptionally deep at the defensive back position, with several players who have the potential to become immediate impact starters and future stars in the league. Teams in need of secondary help will have plenty of options to choose from in the upcoming draft.