Top 10 NFL Draft prospects, Week 6: Rueben Bain Jr. & Nico Iamaleava among standouts

Week six of the college football season brought several surprises, starting with UCLA putting up 42 points in a win over Penn State and Florida outmuscling Texas in a 29–21 victory. Along with those team upsets, a few day-three prospects made major statements, including Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Navy’s Eli Heidenreich, who flashed the skills to become a high-caliber slot receiver against Air Force.

On the higher end of the draft board, Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. continued his climb toward top-ten status, and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate strengthened his case as one of the premier receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Top 10 performances from Week 6

1. Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

NFL Fit: Tennessee Titans

Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. continues his rapid rise up draft boards. At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Titans took him with the number one overall pick. Against Florida State, Bain was dominant, recording 11 pressures and earning a 90.7 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus.

2. Nico Iamaleava, QB, UCLA

NFL Fit: Baltimore Ravens

The biggest story of Week 6 was UCLA’s upset win over Penn State, led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava. He completed a season-high 71% of his passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, but his impact on the ground was even greater. Iamaleava rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. Right now, he projects as a late-round pick, and his dual-threat style would fit well behind Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

3. Eli Heidenreich, WR, Navy

NFL Fit: Minnesota Vikings

Although Eli Heidenreich plays running back at Navy, he projects as a slot receiver in the NFL thanks to his reliable hands, as he hasn’t dropped a pass in the last two seasons, and his strong ball skills. He showcased that talent against Air Force, catching eight passes for a Navy single-game record 243 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings could be in the market for a slot receiver this offseason with both Jalen Nailor and Adam Thielen set to hit free agency.

4. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

NFL Fit: Los Angeles Rams

Heading into the season, I said Alabama was in good hands with Ty Simpson at quarterback, but he has exceeded even my expectations. In his latest game against a tough Vanderbilt defense, he completed 74% of his passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-14 win. His high football IQ and impressive accuracy make him an ideal fit for Los Angeles.

5. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

NFL Fit: Miami Dolphins

Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell has been on a tear over the last two weeks, catching 22 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns. His standout performance came in Week 6, when he caught a career-high 12 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Bell could be a strong addition for Miami as the Dolphins look to reshuffle their wide receiver group.

6. Nathan Voorhis, DE, Ball State

NFL Fit: New York Jets

Ball State defensive end Nathan Voorhis, a late-round or undrafted prospect, had a monster Week 6, recording 3.5 sacks against Ohio and now leading the nation with eight sacks on the season. While his production is impressive, his testing numbers are likely to be average in the eyes of NFL scouts. Still, don’t be surprised if a team like the Jets takes a late-round flyer on this Group of Five pass rusher.

7. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor

NFL Fit: Denver Broncos

Baylor tight end Michael Trigg is coming off the best game of his career, recording eight receptions for a career-high 155 yards against Kansas State. Over the last three games, he has 16 receptions for 288 yards, making him one of the most productive tight ends in college football. After his strong performance in Week 4, I mentioned that Denver would be a great fit for him, and that assessment still holds.

8. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

NFL Fit: Dallas Cowboys

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik finally looked like a top prospect against North Carolina after struggling in his previous four games. He completed 22 of 24 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half. While the Dallas Cowboys are set at quarterback with Dak Prescott, if Klubnik falls to the second round, it’s hard to imagine they wouldn’t at least consider him given Prescott is 32 years old.

9. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

NFL Fit: New England Patriots

No school has produced more NFL-elite wide receivers than Ohio State, and their next likely first-round prospect is Carnell Tate. He had the best game of his career against Minnesota, catching a career-high nine passes for 183 yards and one touchdown. While Stefon Diggs has been impressive this season, he is getting older, and adding a young go-to receiver would be a smart move for the Patriots.

10. David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech

NFL Fit: Baltimore Ravens

Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey rounds out this week’s top ten after recording two sacks and three tackles for loss against Houston. His elite quickness off the edge makes him one of the top pass-rushing prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. The Ravens need to upgrade their defense next season, and adding a player like Bailey in the second round would be a strong start.