7 Safest Picks in 2026 NFL Draft Revealed

From Caleb Downs to Jeremiyah Love, these prospects are considered the surest bets in this year's draft class.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 6:13am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football game broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the analytical process of evaluating top draft prospects.A cubist interpretation of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft captures the strategic complexity and high stakes of selecting the next generation of football stars.Las Vegas Today

The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be an exciting one, with the Las Vegas Raiders projected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, with the first overall pick. Beyond the top selection, there are several other prospects who are viewed as some of the safest picks in this year's draft class, including defensive back Caleb Downs and running back Jeremiyah Love.

Why it matters

The NFL Draft is a high-stakes event where teams are looking to find the best young talent to build their rosters. Identifying the players with the lowest risk of busting and the highest potential for immediate impact is crucial for franchises looking to improve quickly. This list highlights the prospects who scouts believe have the surest paths to success at the next level.

The details

While the Raiders' selection of Mendoza is expected to be the headline-grabbing pick, there are several other players projected to be selected in the early rounds who are considered safer bets. Defensive back Caleb Downs from Alabama and running back Jeremiyah Love from Ohio State are two of the names generating the most pre-draft buzz as can't-miss prospects.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana University, projected to be the first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Caleb Downs

A defensive back from the University of Alabama, considered one of the safest picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jeremiyah Love

A running back from Ohio State University, also viewed as one of the surest bets in this year's draft class.

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What they’re saying

“Mendoza is the best player in college football and a can't-miss prospect. The Raiders would be foolish not to take him at #1.”

— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Draft Analyst

The takeaway

This year's NFL Draft class appears to have several blue-chip prospects who are viewed as low-risk, high-reward selections. For teams looking to build through the draft, identifying and securing these types of players early could pay major dividends down the line.