It may seem like a quiet time of year for NFL Draft prospects, but scouts are deep into evaluations for the 2026 class. At NFL Mocks, we’re doing the same. This week’s NFL Draft Notebook puts the spotlight on several intriguing Big Ten prospects, including Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton, and Rutgers wide receiver Ian Strong. We also break down a fresh pro comparison for Texas QB Arch Manning.
Latest 2026 NFL Draft buzz
Where Dante Moore must improve
Expectations are sky high for Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, with some inside the program already talking Heisman. But a look at his UCLA tape shows he’s nowhere near that level yet. In just five starts, Moore threw nine interceptions and fumbled five times—a turnover rate that simply won’t cut it. He also struggled with pocket awareness, taking at least four sacks in four of those games. While sitting for a year should help his development, the former five-star recruit has a long way to go before he can be considered one of the top quarterbacks in college football.
The man tasked with protecting Dante Moore
New Oregon offensive tackle Isaiah World, a transfer from Nevada, will be one of the key players protecting quarterback Dante Moore this season. In 2024, World earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention honors and posted an impressive 82.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. What has NFL scouts intrigued are his raw tools, including ideal length at 6-foot-8, fluid movement, and strong pass protection skills. The biggest concern is discipline on the field. World has racked up 32 penalties over the past three seasons. Improving his hand placement and pad level will be critical if he wants to clean that up and solidify his draft stock.
Look for Shelton to fly up draft charts
One player who could significantly boost his NFL Draft stock this season is Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton. He had his share of struggles in 2024, allowing 18 pressures and earning just a 57.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Still, his physical upside is hard to ignore. Shelton brings elite mobility, impressive flexibility, and ideal length for the position. Those raw tools alone could get him first-round attention, but he’ll need to refine his technique. If he can clean up his footwork and hand placement to stay balanced and win more consistently, don’t be surprised if his name starts showing up in first-round projections by midseason.
Pro comparison for Arch Manning
Last week on The Herd, Fox’s Joel Klatt compared Arch Manning to Trevor Lawrence, highlighting their similarities in accuracy, arm strength, and football IQ. While that’s a fair take, I see a better comp in Andrew Luck. Like Luck, Manning shows above-average mobility, comes from a deep football background, and carries himself with mature leadership. Combine that with the traits Klatt mentioned, and the comparison to the four-time Pro Bowler makes more sense.
Sleeper wide receiver to watch
One under-the-radar wide receiver prospect to keep an eye on is Rutgers’ Ian Strong. He has the size, strength, and production to warrant serious NFL attention. At 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, Strong consistently wins in contested catch situations, hauling in 65% of targets thrown into tight coverage last season according to Pro Football Focus. He finished the year on a high note, averaging 5.7 receptions over his final four games and topping 86 receiving yards in three of his last five. If he builds on that momentum and posts a strong 40-yard dash time, he has the tools to rise into the third-round conversation for the 2026 NFL Draft, should he declare early.
Scarlet Knights' new edge rushing combo
Rutgers isn’t just producing talent at wide receiver—its defensive front also got a major boost this offseason with the additions of two promising edge rushers: Eric O’Neill from James Madison and Bradley Weaver from Ohio. Of the two, O’Neill is the more highly regarded NFL prospect, entering the season with a fifth-round grade on my board. He’s a powerful defender who uses his strength to set the edge against the run and recorded an impressive 13 sacks last season. Weaver, who carries a seventh-round grade, may be better suited for a 3-4 defensive end role due to his stout build and strong hands, though he lacks the initial burst off the ball to be a consistent edge threat in a four-man front.
Bruins' new back
While most of the attention at UCLA has centered on quarterback Nico Iamaleava, he’s not the only new weapon in the backfield. Running back Jaivian Thomas, who transferred from Cal after averaging 6.3 yards per carry and rushing for 626 yards, brings big-play potential. Nicknamed "The Jet," Thomas showed his burst with nine runs of 15 or more yards on just 100 carries. He hits the hole with speed and urgency, and if he can add a little more power to his game, he has the tools to be a day three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Stewart done for the year
Earlier in this article I touched on a couple of promising Oregon prospects to watch this season, but one highly regarded Duck who might not see the field is wide receiver Evan Stewart. He recently suffered a serious knee injury, and if he's sidelined for the year, it will be a major blow to his draft stock. I had him graded as a fourth-round prospect before the injury, but now he’s likely looking at either a return to Oregon next season or a slide into the later rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.