NFL Draft Notebook: Bears left tackle target; Day 3 prospects for the Vikings

All the all-star games are officially in the books for the 2026 NFL Draft, with both the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl wrapping up last week. While the events are over, the ripple effects are still showing up in team evaluations. In this edition of my NFL Draft Notebook, I break down which prospects impressed, which underperformed, and how that could affect their draft outlook.

Most natural left tackle

The most natural left tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft is Utah’s Caleb Lomu. He has the traits teams look for at the position, starting with high-level athletic ability that allows him to slide smoothly in pass protection. That movement skill is a big reason he did not allow a single sack this season. Lomu also shows excellent body control, making it difficult for defenders to knock him off balance or win through his frame. A logical potential landing spot for him is the Chicago Bears.

Speedster

The fastest player at the Senior Bowl with a draft-able grade on my board is LSU wide receiver Barion Brown, who posted a 20.87 MPH time, the second-fastest of any prospect at the event. His speed is especially evident on special teams, where he holds the SEC career record with six kickoff returns for touchdowns. A team that should be paying close attention to Brown is the Cleveland Browns, who averaged just 23.7 yards per kickoff return this season, the second-worst mark in the NFL.

Not helping his stock

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia saw his draft stock slip further at the Senior Bowl weigh-in, measuring just 5‑9⅞. His height is just one concern; he also has off-field issues, particularly following his behavior after losing the Heisman Trophy. On the field, he’s an average passer. With all these flaws, it’s difficult to see him getting drafted.

Notre Dame's 22-year streak

Look for Notre Dame to extend its streak to 22 straight years with its starting tight end selected in the NFL Draft. This year, Eli Raridon is likely to come off the board on Day Three. Raridon finished the season with 32 catches for 482 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per reception. As a pro prospect, he brings good power after the catch and the size quarterbacks value, standing 6-foot-6.

Eli Heidenreich proves he is worth a draft pick

Navy’s Eli Heidenreich boosted his draft stock at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Though listed as a running back at the Naval Academy, he projects more as a slot receiver in the NFL due to his reliable hands. This season, he caught 51 passes, including 13 in tight coverage, and dropped only two all year. His receiving skills were on full display during Shrine Bowl practices in Frisco, Texas, where he made several difficult catches. Back in October, I noted he could be a good fit for Minnesota, and that fit still makes sense on Day Three of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Speaking of the Vikings

In addition to possibly selecting a slot wide receiver late in the 2026 NFL Draft, Minnesota could also target a tight end with one of their two seventh-round picks. According to Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports, the team was paying close attention to the position at the Senior Bowl. One player who fits this profile is Stanford’s Sam Roush, whom I named as one of the top sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Versatile lineman

Iowa offensive tackle Gennings Dunker turned heads at the Senior Bowl, displaying the power and toughness Iowa linemen are known for. Scouts also noted his versatility, as he saw time at both guard and center during the week. While Dunker spent the past three seasons at right tackle, his best NFL position might be offensive guard. His raw power makes it difficult for defenders to bull-rush him, and his strong lower body allows him to consistently drive defenders off the line of scrimmage.

Perfect fit as a West Coast offense fullback 

A player who would be a perfect fit as a West Coast offense fullback is Arkansas’s Rohan Jones. This is due to his impressive speed out of the backfield as he averaged 27.3 yards per catch this past season, and while the Razorbacks list Jones as a tight end he saw plenty of time at fullback. He is also a quick change of pace runner averaging five yards per carry this season. He also fits best as a fullback due to his lack of size, coming in at just 6-3 236 pounds.

Lions NFL Draft target

One player the Lions have shown interest in is Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor. That interest makes sense, as Detroit ranked 20th in run block win rate (70.7%) and 30th in pass block win rate (55.2%) last season. Proctor is coming off by far his best year, earning All-American honors and allowing a career-low two sacks. If the Lions add him, expect them to move him inside to guard, where he could replace Christian Mahogany.

Smart wide outs

Two wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft who will likely draw praise for their football IQ are Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance. This past week, both were named Academic All-Americans. Their intelligence translates on the field, allowing them to find open space in coverage and adjust routes on the fly. That high football IQ makes them ideal fits for teams like the Rams and 49ers, which rely on receivers to read defenses and make adjustments in real time.