The Shocking Top 5 And Biggest Risers In Dane Brugler's Mid-Season 2026 NFL Draft Top 100 Big Board

The landscape of the 2026 NFL Draft has officially been shaken up. As of December 2025, The Athletic's renowned NFL Draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has released his most recent, highly-anticipated Mid-Season Top 100 Big Board, offering a fresh, in-depth look at the college football stars poised to dominate the next draft cycle. This comprehensive ranking, which serves as a crucial mid-point checkpoint before the final pre-draft analysis, reveals several shocking new names in the top tier and confirms the elite status of others, setting the stage for months of intense scouting and debate across the league.

The "Mid-Season" update to Brugler's Top 100 is far more than just a list; it is a meticulous projection that reflects performance, projection, and positional value, making it an essential resource for fans and NFL front offices alike. The latest list highlights a significant shift in positional strength, with defensive players gaining considerable ground in the top 50, and features a handful of players who have vaulted from relative obscurity into potential first-round consideration.

The Authority: Dane Brugler's Biography and Credibility

Dane Brugler is widely regarded as one of the most meticulous and respected NFL Draft analysts in the industry, currently serving as the lead draft expert for The Athletic. His reputation is built on years of tireless film study, attending college practices, and building relationships with NFL personnel, all culminating in his legendary annual draft guide.

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• Role: NFL Draft Analyst for The Athletic.
• Signature Work: Author of "The Beast," an annual, exhaustive, and highly-regarded NFL Draft guide that provides in-depth scouting reports on hundreds of prospects.
• Methodology: Brugler's rankings are known for their "Big Board" approach, focusing on the pure talent and long-term projection of a player, rather than attempting to predict where a team might draft them (a "Mock Draft").
• Credibility: His work is frequently cited by NFL team scouts and general managers, distinguishing his analysis from more mainstream media rankings.
• Experience: Before joining The Athletic, Brugler honed his craft through years of independent scouting and analysis, establishing a track record of identifying high-value talent long before the national media.

The Shocking Top 5: Arch Manning, Caleb Downs, and Defensive Dominance

The most immediate takeaway from Brugler's mid-season rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft is the high-end talent at non-traditional top-pick positions and the surprising placement of a certain high-profile quarterback. While the final list is behind a paywall, analysis of the top tier reveals a clear trend toward defensive value and elite skill position players.

Quarterback Controversy: Arch Manning's Projected Value

One of the most talked-about placements in Brugler's initial summer scouting was the high ranking of quarterback Arch Manning, the highly-touted prospect from the University of Texas. While some analysts project him lower due to limited starting experience, Brugler’s initial board had him ranked as high as No. 2 overall. This aggressive ranking reflects a belief in Manning's elite physical tools, football pedigree, and immense long-term potential, despite the need for further development at the collegiate level. The debate over his ranking is a perfect example of the "projection vs. production" dilemma that defines the draft cycle.

The Defensive Elite: Downs and the Edge Rushers

Brugler's board emphasizes the value of elite defensive playmakers. Safety Caleb Downs, a versatile and highly instinctive defensive back, has solidified his place as a consensus top-five prospect, often being listed as the top defensive player on the board. Furthermore, the overall positional breakdown has shifted, with defensive players now outnumbering offensive players in the top 50 (a 28 to 22 split), a clear indicator of the depth of talent on that side of the ball. Edge rushers are particularly strong, with players like Penn State’s Abdul Carter being ranked as one of the top overall prospects, highlighting the premium placed on pass-rushing ability in the modern NFL.

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Key Risers and Positional Battles to Watch in the Top 100

The beauty of the Mid-Season Top 100 is identifying the players whose stock has significantly soared since the summer. These "risers" are often the most valuable targets for teams looking to find value outside the top 10. The 2026 class is proving to be deep at several key positions, creating intense competition for the top spots.

• The Two-Way Superstar: Colorado's Travis Hunter (WR/CB) remains a fascinating entity. Brugler’s Big Board ranks him highly as a true two-way player, a testament to his elite athleticism and ball skills on both offense and defense. His final positional designation will be one of the biggest stories of the process.
• The Top Running Back: Running back Ashton Jeanty from Boise State has established himself as the clear RB1 on many boards, including Brugler’s, due to his combination of power, vision, and receiving ability. Given the devaluation of the position, his high placement is a nod to his exceptional talent.
• The Deep Wide Receiver Class: The wideout group is always deep, and the 2026 class is no exception. Names like Tet McMillan are pushing for top-10 status, while others like Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson are getting significant buzz as potential risers.
• Tight End Value: The tight end position is also strong, led by prospects such as Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, both of whom are projected as potential first-round talents due to their versatility as blockers and receivers.

Defensive Line Dominance and Big Ten Talent

The defensive line is stacked with talent, confirming the defensive lean of the 2026 class. Beyond Abdul Carter, multiple interior defensive linemen and defensive ends are pushing for top-30 spots. A significant trend noted in the analysis is the emergence of a Big Ten defender who is "vaulting up the draft rankings," a sign that elite production from major conferences is being heavily rewarded in this mid-season review. The depth at cornerback and safety, with players like Will Johnson and Malaki Starks, ensures that the secondary is also well-represented throughout the Top 100.

What the Top 100 Means for the 2026 NFL Draft

Brugler's Top 100 serves as a critical temperature check for the entire draft class. The high rankings for non-quarterbacks like Caleb Downs and Abdul Carter suggest that the 2026 draft might not be dominated by signal-callers at the very top, at least not initially. This scenario could lead to a more unpredictable draft order, where teams prioritize elite positional talent over reaching for a quarterback.

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The inclusion of 15-30 players from specific positions—including offensive tackles like Will Campbell, interior offensive linemen, and a deep group of linebackers—ensures that the Top 100 is a true Big Board, reflecting the depth of talent across all phases of the game. As the college football season concludes and the focus shifts to the NFL Scouting Combine and Pro Days, these rankings will evolve, but Dane Brugler's Mid-Season Top 100 provides the definitive, current blueprint for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Final analysis of Brugler's rankings confirms that the 2026 class is loaded with high-end defensive talent and intriguing offensive skill position players. The debate over the ultimate ranking of players like Arch Manning and Travis Hunter will continue to drive the draft narrative until the final "Beast" is released.