There isn't much splash to Miller's game, primarily because he won't enter the NFL as a good pass-rusher, but he is a consistent and reliable run defender. The Saints' defensive tackle room is pretty weak heading into this season, especially since the one up-and-comer in the position group, Bryan Bresee, is already out for the year. That creates an opportunity for the Georgia product to be a Week 1 starter and the best interior defender in New Orleans as a rookie.

Stribling has the size (6'2", 207 lbs), strength, ball-tracking and speed to become a favorite target for quarterback Brock Purdy, even as a rookie. This year's 33rd overall draft pick is fearless working over the middle of the field and possesses the speed to take the top off defenses. He tends to get progressively better over time, too. The Niners will definitely need him since Ricky Pearsall will miss the 2026 campaign.

Freeling is switching from left to right tackle as an accommodation for Taylor Moton being out indefinitely with blood clots. He will have all of camp to get comfortable on the strong side. Freeling is a toolsy, athletic blocker with prototypical size (6'7", 318 lbs) for the position, but a raw, unrefined skill-set indicates a high-variance rookie year.

Banks is the biggest wildcard in the 2026 rookie class. He has rare movement skills for a 6-foot-6, 330-pound defensive tackle, which showed up on the 2024 tape. However, the Florida product needed to improve his technique, and multiple foot injuries prevented him from doing (or at least showing) that this past season. Banks could be the interior pass-rusher the Vikings have been looking for, or a complete bust who struggles to stay healthy and doesn't see the field much.

After Mike Green's disappointing rookie season, the Ravens were big players in the edge market this offseason. Backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade led to signing Trey Hendrickson, who enters his age-32 season after missing the majority of the 2025 campaign with an injury. While Tavius Robinson is expected to be the starter right now, it wouldn't be surprising if Young ends up winning that job and becomes the Ravens' best player at the position. He's entering a great situation, especially since the Missouri product will be playing for a creative defensive play caller in Jesse Minter.

Proctor is switching from left tackle to left guard, while playing for what is expected to be a subpar team. However, the Dolphins should feature a run-first system, while Proctor is flanked by two quality players in left tackle Patrick Paul and second-team All-Pro center Aaron Brewer. Proctor's ceiling-floor variance is wider than most, but rare physical tools provide an enticing ceiling at guard, where he should be able to more consistently dictate terms to defenders.

Lemon has the route-running ability and toughness to be a gritty run-after-catch slot receiver in the Eagles' offense. His presence and skill set can help Philly's short passing offense and partially fill the void left by AJ Brown after his trade to the New England Patriots. Lemon's skill set should complement DeVonta Smith's quite well.

Rutledge is switching to a new position, which adds variance to his projection. But early reports of his play at center are positive. When those early returns are paired with his renowned football character, power and underrated athletic ability, the recipe is in place for the former Yellow Jacket to be a solid, physically imposing pivot. The Texans have struggled to provide a reliable front five for the last two seasons. Rutledge can be the anchor to solidify the entire group.

Playing for a defensive-minded head coach in DeMeco Ryans is a good situation for McDonald's development. He was one of the best run defenders in the country last year, but his technique and pass-rush skills could use some fine-tuning. The former Buckeye projects to be an impactful player in Houston long-term, but it's hard to gauge how much playing time he'll get as a rookie. The Texans have a pair of good starting defensive tackles in Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai, and Logan Hall is a solid depth piece, clouding McDonald's projection in year one.

Concepcion is a well-rounded, dynamic, open-field receiver with high-impact traits and abilities. His speed, acceleration and release package will help bolster the Browns' offense. This year's 24th overall pick can win quickly off the snap and create big plays after the catch—which makes him an ideal target in today's game. Cleveland's offense could be held back by its quarterbacks again, though the quality found among the squad's wide receivers shouldn't be an excuse anymore.