One of the more intriguing prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft is Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, and in this week’s NFL Draft Notebook, we take a closer look at the traits in his game that draw comparisons to Hall of Famer Joe Montana. We also spotlight a wide receiver who could be a perfect fit for the Denver Broncos, a small-school defensive tackle flying under the radar, concerns about a high-profile quarterback prospect, and more from around the draft landscape.
NFL Draft news and notes
What Hall of Famer Sam Leavitt reminds me of
While it’s a long shot for Leavitt to reach Hall of Fame status, his game draws a clear comparison to 49ers legend Joe Montana. Both have elite pocket presence, the ability to slide and reset under pressure, and the discipline to keep their eyes downfield to create big plays. Like Montana, Leavitt lacks top-tier arm strength, but it doesn’t limit him as he still led the Big 12 with eight completions of 50+ yards, tied for second-most in the FBS.
Denver Broncos draft target
One of the Broncos’ top needs in the 2026 NFL Draft, especially if they lose Courtland Sutton to free agency, is wide receiver. One wide receiver who fits Sean Payton’s prototype of a big, tough receiver is Washington’s Denzel Boston, whom I currently grade as a late first-round pick. Boston, standing 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, caught 55% of passes thrown to him in tight coverage last season. He also has some of the surest hands in the 2026 wide receiver class, dropping only three passes all season. He could give Bo Nix the true number one receiver he needs to develop as a quarterback.
Denzel Boston takes it 51 yards to the house! 🔥
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024
Touchdown @UW_Football pic.twitter.com/4EB1J23IfL
Red flag for Carson Beck
ESPN and Sirius XM analyst Aaron Murray flagged Beck’s lack of leadership and maturity on an On3 podcast. I agree and highlighted this in my May 5th NFL Draft Buzz article. His leadership deficit was obvious when the team rallied behind Gunner Stockton after Beck’s elbow injury. Off the field, Beck’s drama with ex-girlfriend Hanna Cavinder adds to concerns. Combined with below-elite physical skills, this is why I rate him only as a third-round prospect.
Small school prospect
A small school nose guard to watch in the 2026 NFL Draft is Central Arkansas’s Bradley Clark. The 6-foot-2, 320-pound defensive tackle was rated the seventh-best FCS interior defender by Pro Football Focus last season, recording 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He lacks burst off the snap but makes up for it with impressive strength that clogs running lanes. While Clark is unlikely to be drafted, expect a 3-4 defense team to sign him as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 draft.
A man without a position
USC linebacker Eric Gentry doesn’t fit the prototype for any one defensive position, which makes his NFL projection tricky. He’s too light to be a true linebacker, and even after adding about ten pounds this offseason, his 225-pound frame still looks lean for someone 6-foot-6. His height and build also limit the agility needed to transition to safety. Still, I have a fifth-round grade on Gentry because of his sideline-to-sideline speed, strong coverage skills with USC linebackers coach Rob Ryan calling him the best coverage linebacker he’s ever coached, and his rare length, which allows him to consistently disrupt passing lanes.
What Washington running back Jonah Coleman Is working on
Washington’s Jonah Coleman is coming off a strong season with 1,053 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns, and All-Big Ten third team honors. But the former Arizona back isn’t satisfied. This offseason, Coleman has focused on trimming body fat to add explosiveness and become more of a home-run threat. He’s also working to expand his role in the passing game—especially as a downfield option, after averaging a shockingly low -1.7 yards per target depth on just 23 catches last year. If he makes strides in these areas, Coleman’s physical style and contact balance could push him into the mid-round range of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Playmaker
One of the most explosive weapons in the Big Ten last season was Wisconsin wide receiver Vinny Anthony II. Despite only 39 receptions, he racked up nine catches of 30+ yards, which ranked second in the conference, and averaged 17.2 yards per catch, the highest by a Badger with at least 30 receptions since 2005. He also made an impact on special teams, ranking second in the Big Ten with a 27.9-yard kick return average. Heading into this season, I have a fifth-round grade on Anthony because of his big-play ability, reliable hands, and toughness that allows him to make catches in traffic.
Clemson dominates mock draft
In my first mock draft of the year, no team made a bigger statement than Clemson, landing four players in the top ten. Defensive end T.J. Parker (Browns), defensive tackle Peter Woods (Jets), cornerback Avieon Terrell (Panthers), and quarterback Cade Klubnik (Raiders) all cracked the top of the board. These elite prospects are a big reason why Clemson is my pick to win the ACC and make the College Football Playoff.