Players Boosting Their NFL Draft Stock Weekly

Arvell Reese Rose From Late First to No. 1 Overall

Arvell Reese at Ohio State is the single most dramatic stock-riser of the entire cycle.

A linebacker who entered the season projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick, Reese finished the year as CBS Sports' No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 draft class.

The top player at any position.

Reese's dramatic rise:

• Entered season as late first or early second-round projection
• Finished as CBS Sports' No. 1 overall prospect
• 6-foot-4, 243 pounds
• Runs like safety, plays with power of traditional inside LB

Reese's ascent was driven by a combination of statistical dominance and film that showed rare physical tools.

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Reese's Week 12 Performance Was Defining Moment

His Week 12 performance (which Pro Football Network cited as one of the season's defining individual defensive efforts) established him in national conversations that had previously been reserved for quarterbacks and edge rushers.

Reese is the prototype of the modern NFL linebacker.

Modern NFL LB prototype:

• Blitz from multiple alignments
• Cover tight ends and RBs in man coverage
• Make gap tackles without being blocked off line
• Physical tools plus football IQ

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Caleb Downs Made Similar Trajectory at Safety

Caleb Downs, also at Ohio State, made a similarly dramatic trajectory from "very good safety prospect" to "potential top-five overall pick."

USA Today's defensive prospect rankings placed Downs as the No. 1 safety in the class and noted that he "stands at a distinct level above the rest of the safety class."

A player who offers prototypical size, exceptional football IQ, and elite coverage and run defense skills.

Downs' projection:

• USA Today's No. 1 safety in class
• Distinct level above rest of safety class
• Prototypical size, exceptional football IQ
• Elite coverage and run defense skills

The combination of Reese and Downs on the same defense is historically unusual.

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Keldric Faulk Emerged as Top Edge Rush Prospect

Keldric Faulk at Auburn emerged as the most compelling edge rush prospect in the class through consistent week-over-week production that scouts corroborated with tape study.

At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Faulk has the physical profile that teams routinely select in the top 10 regardless of production.

His inside-outside versatility and continued developmental runway project to an elite NFL pass rusher.

Faulk's edge rush dominance:

• 6-foot-6, 285 pounds (rare physical profile)
• 12 sacks against SEC competition
• Drew consistent double-teams
• USA Today's top edge rusher

His 12-sack season at Auburn was achieved against SEC competition while drawing consistent double-teams.

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Senior Bowl Provided Concentrated Stock Movement

The Senior Bowl provided the most concentrated week of stock movement in the entire cycle.

Max Iheanachor, the Arizona State offensive tackle, became the consensus most-improved prospect of the event.

Scouts described him as "big and long," noting his ability to extend the pocket and his firmness as an anchor in pass protection.

Senior Bowl impact:

• Iheanachor entered as borderline Day 2 pick
• Left Mobile as potential late first-rounder
• Based entirely on one week of performance
• Creates apples-to-apples evaluation environment

A player who entered Senior Bowl week as a borderline Day 2 pick left Mobile as a potential late first-round selection.

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Gabe Jacas From Illinois Is Pure Stock Riser

Gabe Jacas from Illinois at edge rusher is the draft cycle's quintessential pure stock riser.

A player who was unranked in most pre-Senior Bowl projections but generated the kind of buzz that changes careers.

Scouts described Jacas as combining "size and physicality," noting that he "put guys on their ass a few times" with his "strength and power in both the run game and as a rusher."

Jacas' Senior Bowl performance:

• Unranked in most pre-Senior Bowl projections
• Scouts: "put guys on their ass a few times"
• Size, physicality, strength, power
• Specific, visceral, unambiguous language from scouts

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The Bottom Line on Draft Stock Risers

Arvell Reese most dramatic stock-riser (entered as late first-round, finished CBS Sports' No. 1 overall, 6-4 and 243 pounds runs like safety). Caleb Downs made similar trajectory (USA Today's No. 1 safety, distinct level above rest of class). Keldric Faulk emerged as top edge rusher (6-6 and 285 pounds, 12 sacks against SEC with double-teams). Senior Bowl provided concentrated stock movement (Max Iheanachor from borderline Day 2 to potential late first-rounder in one week). Gabe Jacas from Illinois pure stock riser (unranked pre-Senior Bowl, scouts said "put guys on their ass").

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