Who Are “My Guys” in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The 2026 NFL Draft is quickly approaching as teams around the league gather to put the finishing touches on their draft boards. During the final days leading up to the event, many teams will allow their scouts to pound the table for their favorite prospects in each year’s draft class. While teams may go about it differently, it allows everyone to put their stamp on a prospect as their guy.

In each of the last three years, I have joined Mar’Quell Fripp-Owens of The Philly Blitz on his “Boom or Bust” podcast series ahead of the NFL Draft. The annual recoding is titled the “My Guys” episode, as we take turns going to bat for a prospect that we believe in at 10 different positions: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, IDL, EDGE, LB, CB and S.

The 2026 NFL Draft is loaded with plenty of intriguing prospects. This year’s draft class is especially strong at wide receiver and edge rusher. Yet who are “My Guys” at every position? Here are 10 prospects that I would pound the table for in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

While I know fans of the Philadelphia Eagles may be scared off by another North Dakota State quarterback, Cole Payton is so much fun to watch. Payton is a true dual-threat quarterback that only spent one season as the starting quarterback for the Bison. Yet he truly made the most of his opportunity, as he scored 29 total touchdowns and completed 72% of his passes.

If you can get past Payton’s quirky throwing motion, it’s easy to see why he is such an intriguing quarterback prospect. While his lack of starting experience could be a turn off, he possesses all of the tools that I look for in a developmental quarterback. At 6’2 5/8” and 232 lbs., Payton completed the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds, while also posting a 40” vertical jump and a 10’10” broad jump.

Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy

I genuinely don’t know what position Navy’s Eli Heidenreich will play at the next level. While he participated in the running back group at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Heidenreich can truly do it all. His unique production speaks for itself as he hauled in 51 receptions for 941 yards last season, while also rushing for 499 yards on the ground.

Heidenreich’s skillset and versatility feels like a perfect fit for what Sean Mannion’s could be in Philadelphia. Remember how Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay found a unique role for Ben Skowronek early in his career? I feel like Heidenreich can do all of that and more, while also possessing a significantly higher ceiling at the next level.

Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has been one of the darlings of the pre-draft process this offseason. Yet it feels like people are completely forgetting about his teammate, Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt. At 6’2 1/2” and 210 lbs., Sarratt has the size to succeed on the outside at the next level.

While many people have been quick to label Sarratt as a contested catch merchant, he is able to win with the subtleties of playing wide receiver. Sarratt has a great understand of leverage and using his size to his advantage, which has become a lost art in some ways. I’d take a chance on Sarratt on day two over selecting Cooper in the first round all day long.

Sam Roush, TE, Stanford

If you follow me on X, you are likely already aware of my draft crush on Stanford tight end Sam Roush. This year’s draft class is loaded with talent at the position, yet Roush stands out due to his size, athleticism and blocking ability. It’s rare to find college tight ends that have the blocking experience and willingness that Roush possesses.

At 6’6” and 267 lbs., Roush surprised many with his performance at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Roush earned a Relative Athletic Score of 9.94, which ranks 10th among 1,471 tight ends since 1987. While Roush’s short arms will scare off some, his experience as a blocker and upside as a total package at tight end is rare these days.

Travis Burke, OL, Memphis

I got a late start to the pre-draft process and my evaluations of prospects. Yet Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke immediately caught my eye during on-field drills at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Burke’s hands have some legitimate pop in them and that was clearly evident during the broadcast of the on-field drills at the event.

At 6’8 3/4” and 325 lbs. with 34 1/4” arms, Burke checks all of the boxes from a size standpoint, yet his physicality and demeanor is what makes him my favorite offensive lineman in this year’s draft class. Burke is a violent finisher and makes sure that the defender feels him when he latches on. His starting experience at both left tackle and right tackle is also incredibly valuable.

Lee Hunter, IDL, Texas Tech

Texas Tech’s defense was loaded with talent last season that’ll likely be selected early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Texas Tech interior defensive lineman Lee Hunter felt like the key cog in the middle of the Red Raiders defense that truly made everyone else’s job easier. At 6’3 1/2”, 318 lbs. with 33 1/4” arms, Hunter has the size to man the middle of a defensive lineman.

Yet Hunter provides significantly more juice than you would expect from a traditional two-gaping nose tackle. In a world where we just saw Dexter Lawrence traded for the 10th overall pick, it feels like Hunter should be receiving more hype than he currently is. I could see Hunter enjoying a Jordan Davis-esque trajectory at the next level.

George Gumbs Jr., EDGE, Florida

Prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, I stamped Houston Christian edge rusher Jalyx Hunt as “My Guy” at the position. Hunt’s experience playing different positions and upside as an edge rusher was too enticing to ignore. Fast forward to 2026 and Hunt is arguably the best edge rusher on Philadelphia’s roster.

Which brings me to Florida edge rusher George Gumbs Jr., who similar to Hunt, is also new to the edge rusher position. Gumbs started his college career as a walk-on wide receiver at Northern Illinois. He then moved to tight end before finally sticking at edge rusher. At 6’4 3/8”, 249 lbs. with 33 5/8” arms, Gumbs possesses all of the tools and upside to make an impact at the next level as an edge rusher.

Eric Gentry, LB, USC

Let’s travel back in time to 1996, when Shawn Bradley was playing center for the Monstars in Space Jam. Bradley’s height and length was absurd and that’s exactly what I think of whenever I watch USC linebacker Eric Gentry. While I’m not exactly sure what position he’ll play at the next level, I wouldn’t want to be the team that passed on such a unique prospect.

At 6’6 5/8”, 221 lbs. with 35” arms and 10 1/2” hands, Gentry looks like he would be better off playing in the NBA. Yet he continued to make an impact on the Trojans’ defense, as he forced five fumbles and recorded 75 tackles last season. Gentry will likely be forced to play a limited, unique role at the next level, yet I would want him to do so on my team.

Tacario Davis, CB, Washington

Washington cornerback Tacario Davis is another player with a unique body style. At 6’3 7/8”, 194 lbs. and 33 3/8” arms, Davis looks like he was built to play for the Legion of Boom. Yet his impressive size doesn’t impact his speed, as he was able to run the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

The Eagles added a similarly built cornerback in Riq Woolen this offseason. While Davis isn’t quite as fast as Woolen, his length has a similar impact as he’s able to close throwing windows that appeared to initially be open. If Davis can stay healthy and avoid the nagging injuries that plagued him in college, he could have a long career as a starting outside cornerback at the next level.

Bud Clark, S, TCU

If you’re a fan of ballhawking production and trash talking at safety, TCU’s Bud Clark is for you. Clark will be an older rookie, as he turns 24-years old in May, yet his age shouldn’t be a deterrent given his versatility and the immediate impact that he will likely have at the next level. Clark checks all of the boxes that the new age of the NFL looks for at safety.

Clark looks comfortably working from a variety of alignments and was able to take the ball away at an elite level, with 15 interceptions in his last four seasons. While Clark’s production speaks for itself, how he carries himself on the field is what really won me over. He isn’t afraid to talk trash and Fran Duffy of PHLY shared a great quote from Clark: “There’s an art in trash talking. I’m fluent in it.”