6 Prospects Seeing NFL Draft Stock Rise

Nate Tice and Charles McDonald highlight 6 players who are climbing up draft boards ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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In a new episode of their Football 301 podcast, analysts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald dive into the 2026 NFL Draft class and highlight 6 prospects who are seeing their draft stock rise. Tice spotlights offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, and cornerback D'Angelo Pool, while McDonald breaks down edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., defensive lineman Caleb Banks, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. The analysts also touch on a talented wide receiver class that could make waves at the upcoming NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Why it matters

With the 2026 NFL Draft still several months away, identifying players whose stock is on the rise can give teams an early advantage in their scouting and evaluation process. These 6 prospects highlighted by Tice and McDonald represent some of the top talent in this year's draft class and could see their draft positions improve significantly with strong pre-draft performances.

The details

Tice and McDonald each highlighted 3 prospects whose draft stock is climbing. Tice focused on offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, and cornerback D'Angelo Pool, while McDonald broke down edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., defensive lineman Caleb Banks, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. The analysts also touched on a talented wide receiver class that could make a big impression at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April/May 2026.

The players

Max Iheanachor

An offensive tackle prospect whose draft stock is rising according to analyst Nate Tice.

Monroe Freeling

An offensive tackle prospect whose draft stock is rising according to analyst Nate Tice.

D'Angelo Pool

A cornerback prospect whose draft stock is rising according to analyst Nate Tice.

Rueben Bain Jr.

An edge rusher prospect whose draft stock is rising according to analyst Charles McDonald.

Caleb Banks

A defensive lineman prospect whose draft stock is rising according to analyst Charles McDonald.

Garrett Nussmeier

A quarterback prospect whose draft stock is rising according to analyst Charles McDonald.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This episode of the Football 301 podcast provides valuable insight into some of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, highlighting 6 players whose draft stock is on the rise. With the draft still several months away, identifying these potential risers can give teams an early advantage in their scouting and evaluation process as they look to build their rosters for the future.