2026 NFL Draft Buzz: Can Carson Beck rebound, and Avieon Terrell turns heads

With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, prospects will soon find their new homes. Meanwhile, NFL scouts are already shifting their attention toward the 2026 draft class. This group features plenty of intriguing talent, and in this week’s edition of NFL Draft Buzz, we shine a spotlight on the ACC.

We kick things off with a breakdown of Miami's new quarterback, Carson Beck, as he steps in for likely No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. We also highlight several other ACC prospects generating early buzz— including an underappreciated offensive lineman. Alongside these evaluations, we’ll also bring you up to speed on the latest draft news, including notable transfer portal activity.

2026 NFL Draft news and notes

Carson Beck’s draft grade going into 2025

Heading into the 2024 season, Carson Beck was viewed as one of the top NFL Draft prospects in college football. But his stock took a hit after a rocky year that saw him struggle with decision-making, recording 20 turnover-worthy plays—sixth most in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus. His season was cut short due to an elbow injury, adding further uncertainty to his outlook. Now entering a new chapter at Miami after transferring from Georgia, Beck will look to reset his trajectory. I currently have him graded as a third-round prospect. He still possesses the arm strength to stretch defenses and has underrated accuracy, but his lack of mobility and tendency to force throws make it difficult to project him reclaiming the first-round buzz he once had.

Nico’s new home

The biggest storyline in college football over the past couple of weeks has been the drama surrounding former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. That saga has finally come to an end, with Iamaleava joining the UCLA program. To say the least, it’s a downgrade in situation, as the Bruins had one of the worst offenses in college football last season and lost key contributors like wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant this offseason. It will be interesting to see how his below-average supporting cast impacts his draft stock moving forward.

Texas Tech adds yet another transfer

Texas Tech continues to be one of the most aggressive programs in the transfer portal this year, assembling one of the top classes in the country according to The Athletic. Their latest pickup is Stanford defensive end David Bailey, who recorded seven sacks last season and earned a late-round grade on my draft board before opting to return to college. As a pro prospect, Bailey stands out for his explosive first step and the agility to bend the edge as a pass rusher.

Clemson defender catches my eye

One of my favorite cornerbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft is Avieon Terrell of Clemson. Several traits make him stand out, starting with his elite quickness and ability to break on the ball, which helped him register 13 pass breakups last season and force the most incompletions in the FBS. He’s also a smooth, fluid corner who has no trouble keeping up with even the shiftiest wide receivers in college football. Another key strength is his aggressive play against the run, which could make him an ideal fit as a nickel corner at the next level.

NFL Draft sleeper

One underrated offensive lineman to watch next season is Louisville’s Pete Nygra. His standout trait is his exceptional pass-blocking ability, having surrendered just one sack on 1,185 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. A key factor in his success is his strength, which makes him difficult to overpower with a bull rush. Additionally, he’s an underrated athlete who moves well laterally in pass protection and effectively reaches the second level in the run game. Heading into the season, he carries a fifth-round draft grade on my board.

Duke’s big risk

The Duke coaching staff is taking a huge risk on Darian Mensah, reportedly paying him $8 million over two years. This investment is downright insane for a player who isn’t elite. One major area he needs to improve is getting the ball out faster—his average time to throw was 3.24 seconds, nearly a quarter of a second longer than Shedeur Sanders, whose release speed has been a major concern for NFL scouts. Additionally, his arm strength is just solid, and his deep throws tend to hang in the air. Another concern is his turnover problem, particularly ball security, as he fumbled seven times last season.

Ott hopes to rebound with his new team

New Oklahoma running back Jaydn Ott is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season as he joins the Sooners after transferring from California last week. Expectations were high heading into 2024 after Ott led the Pac-12 in both all-purpose and rushing yards in 2023. However, an ankle injury in the season opener forced him to miss two games and limited his effectiveness the rest of the year, holding him to just 385 rushing yards. When healthy, Ott has proven to be a legitimate NFL prospect with explosive speed, patience in the run game, and reliable hands as a pass catcher. If he can stay on the field this season, he has the potential to rise back up draft boards and position himself as a Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

California loses two more draft prospects

In addition to losing Jaydn Ott, the Bears have now lost their only other two players who carried a draftable grade on my board, as both have entered the transfer portal. One is fellow running back Jaivian Thomas, who led the team in rushing last season with 626 yards. The other is tight end Jack Endries, a former walk-on who earned a seventh-round grade after catching 56 passes for 623 yards this past season. Both departures further weaken a Cal roster already short on NFL-caliber talent.