Ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, it’s important to remember that team fit can sometimes be more important than talent. In order for the top prospects like Arvell Reese, Jeremiyah Love and Mansoor Delane to reach their star potential, they need the right scheme to maximize their skill set.
I took it upon myself to come up with the 20 best player-to-team matches for Rounds 1 and 2. I factored in player strengths and weaknesses, organizational needs, schemes and coaching staff tendencies. A lot of the tendencies are speculative, as the 10 head coaching changes from this offseason will lead to plenty of system changes. But the overall idea was to find spots where players would be put in a position to succeed because of their traits and the team’s existing infrastructure.
So which teams make the most sense for Reese, Love, Delane and the rest of the top draft prospects? Here are 20 ideal fits.
Jump to fits in:
Early Round 1 | Late Round 1 | Round 2
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 241
College: Ohio State
Where New York could get him: Pick No. 2
Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey could be a fit here, too, but I like Reese because of the positional versatility he would bring to coach Aaron Glenn’s defense. On his college tape, Reese shows the ability to close the perimeter in the run game, using his 4.46 pursuit speed to explode downhill. Plus, he can pressure or match underneath in coverage.
However, if I’m drafting Reese at No. 2, I’d really want to maximize his pass-rush upside. Reese had 6.5 sacks in 2025, using a variety of rush paths to disrupt the pocket — his short-area burst helps on stunts and loops. With the Jets, Reese should be viewed as a playmaker who could boost the second-worst scoring defense from 2025 (29.6 points allowed per game).
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 244
College: Ohio State
Where Tennessee could get him: Pick No. 4
This would be a great first pick for new coach Robert Saleh, giving him a rare “stack” linebacker — inside linebacker or 4-3 outside linebacker — with high-level testing numbers. Styles’ 43½-inch vertical jump at the combine was the highest by an off-ball linebacker since 2003 and the second highest by any linebacker in that span.
Styles will show up in the box and on the edges of the formation as a run defender. He can fire into blockers to hold the point or scrape through to track the ball with his 4.46 speed. Plus, in Saleh’s loaded fronts, Styles can be schemed as a blitzer or fall back late in coverage. Despite his large frame, he can play the hook to curl or carry the seams. There’s big-time upside here for a linebacker who can develop into the Fred Warner role under Saleh.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 212
College: Notre Dame
Where Washington could get him: Pick No. 7
Love could go as high as No. 4 to Tennessee, but for this exercise, the former Notre Dame star fits in Washington. New coordinator David Blough can bring more balance to the call sheet with Love — a scheme-transcendent player — as a runner and maximize his traits as a receiver, similar to how running back Jahmyr Gibbs is used in Detroit.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels is in serious need of a high-percentage target who can rattle off explosive plays. Love had 39 rushes of 10 or more yards last season, sixth most in the country. His volume as a pass catcher should expand in a pro offense. Love could slot into the lead role here, with free agent signing Rachaad White also seeing touches.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 263
College: Miami
Where New Orleans could get him: Pick No. 8
There’s a need here to add a pass rusher in New Orleans, as veteran Cameron Jordan is still a free agent. Plus it’s an opportunity for coordinator Brandon Staley to add a potential game-wrecker for his defense.
With Bain’s ability to turn the corner, he can be schemed out of loaded fronts to get one-on-one pass-rush matchups. His power at the point of attack means he can also be flipped inside in nickel fronts. And he is stout on the edge versus the run game (54 tackles on designed rushes in 2025). Simply put, there’s a sense of ruggedness to Bain’s game that should translate to the pro level. And he put up his best tape when everyone was watching, totaling five sacks during the College Football Playoff.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 187
College: LSU
Where Kansas City could get him: Pick No. 9
The Chiefs have some spots to fill at cornerback after trading Trent McDuffie and losing Jaylen Watson to the Rams. So, let’s give them Delane, who has the traits to fit in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system.
Kansas City played man coverage on 52.3% of opponent dropbacks in 2025, the fourth-highest rate in the league. Delane would thrive in those coverages (mainly Cover 1, Cover 0 and Cover 2 Man) as a press corner with the speed to match vertically. Plus, he can jam and sink in Cover 2. This is an easy fit for who I think is the top cornerback in the class.
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Height: 6-0 | Weight: 206
College: Ohio State
Where Cincinnati could get him: Pick No. 10
I think Downs could go higher in the top 10, but this was the best fit in my eyes after the Bengals signed safety Bryan Cook in free agency.
Under coordinator Al Golden, Downs would be an interchangeable safety. He could rotate low in single-high zone, while playing over the top from depth. Plus, with Downs’ ability to create disruption near the line of scrimmage, Golden can play him as a big nickelback in three-safety personnel. He has the urgent play demeanor to set the identity of Cincinnati’s defense.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 241
College: Oregon
Where Los Angeles could get him: Pick No. 13
The Rams don’t have a major need at tight end, but Sadiq should be viewed as a matchup player for Sean McVay’s offense. With his frame and 4.39 speed, Sadiq could be a seam stretcher for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Plus, McVay could use Sadiq as a backside X receiver/power slot to draw favorable man matchups. And he would fit as a catch-and-run target on boot action concepts; Stafford led the NFL with 75 attempts on designed rollouts in 2025.
Obviously, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are two prime targets in the pass game. But Sadiq, who had 51 receptions and eight touchdowns last season, would make the Rams’ offense even harder to stop.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 311
College: Utah
Where Baltimore could get him: Pick No. 14
Fano played the entirety of his collegiate career at both tackle positions, but he could move inside for the Ravens. His ability to win in space would fit under new coordinator Declan Doyle, who worked with Ben Johnson last season in Chicago.
We should expect the Ravens to major in the wide zone run scheme, and Fano can also pull to kick/wrap on gap concepts. With his foot speed, Fano also can keep the pocket firm in pass protection for quarterback Lamar Jackson. He gave up just four pressures and zero sacks in 2025.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 352
College: Alabama
Where Detroit could get him: Pick No. 17
With reports of Penei Sewell potentially moving to the left tackle and replacing Taylor Decker, the Lions could find their new right tackle in Proctor. His 2025 tape showed some lapses in pass protection, but he has the strength to shut down power rushers. His ability to displace defenders in the run game would also fit with Detroit’s identity. And he’s still just 20 years old with 40 starts under his belt.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 201
College: Toledo
Where Minnesota could get him: Pick No. 18
McNeil-Warren is ideal for coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme, which focuses on creating chaos for opposing offenses with late movement and pressure. Flores and the Vikings played two-high coverage on 56.5% of opponent dropbacks last season, the second most in the league. McNeil-Warren has the explosive forward ability to drive on the ball from the deep half or a “quarters” alignment. And he has the range to track it deep.
Flores will also use his third-level defenders on pressure concepts; Minnesota’s defensive back blitz rate of 15.1% ranked fourth highest last season. That lends well to McNeil-Warren’s forward burst.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 193
College: Tennessee
Where Dallas could get him: Pick No. 20
Cornerbacks with Hood’s skill set in coverage tend to go higher than projected. And I like the fit under new coordinator Chris Parker, who will bring elements of Vic Fangio’s defense from Philadelphia. Here, Hood can match up one-on-one outside, playing opposite free agent addition Cobie Durant with DaRon Bland in the slot.
Plus, Hood is a dedicated run defender who knows how to cut off big gains on the perimeter. He is more of a ball disruptor than true playmaker, posting 17 pass breakups over the past two seasons. Parker and the Cowboys can land their Quinyon Mitchell in Hood.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 262
College: Missouri
Where Chicago could get him: Pick No. 25
After signing three defensive tackles in free agency, the Bears can look to the edges of their front by taking Young to play opposite Montez Sweat. With his long frame, Young fits the profile of the defensive ends in coordinator Dennis Allen’s system.
Young has the play strength and tackling range to set the edges versus the run game, which would upgrade a defense that allowed 5.0 yards per carry last season (fourth most in the NFL). Young also has the physical traits to develop as a speed-to-power pass rusher; he had 6.5 sacks and 43 pressures in 2025.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 253
College: Texas A&M
Where Buffalo could get him: Pick No. 26
The Bills signed veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb in free agency to play under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, but landing Howell would give them an impact player in sub packages. With his quick first step and natural bend, Howell can dip under offensive tackles and close on the quarterback.
Howell can also press tackles vertically to open the door for inside counter moves. He had a total of 25 sacks over the past three seasons.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 212
College: Washington
Where Miami could get him: Pick No. 30
The Dolphins could opt for a wide receiver at No. 10, but Boston should be on the board for them with their second pick of the first round. Boston’s large frame would allow him to emerge early as a volume target for new quarterback Malik Willis. He has the physical catch-and-run ability to produce on quicks and unders, while giving the Dolphins a matchup target inside the red zone. Boston had 14 red zone touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons.
With the ball skills to win one-on-one, Boston could also isolate for this Miami offense in critical down-and-distance situations.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 211
College: Alabama
Where Arizona could get him: Pick No. 34
A team could trade back into the first round to grab Simpson, but the fit works here at the top of the second round for the Cardinals. With veteran Jacoby Brissett in place, they have time to coach and develop Simpson given his limited college reps (15 starts).
Under new coach Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals will likely use pre- and post-snap movement — with reduced formations — to give Simpson more defined reads on middle-of-the-field throws and play-action concepts. He can operate as a rhythm and timing passer, and he has the mobility to get to the edge of the formation on boot concepts. Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes at Alabama last season, throwing for 28 touchdowns and five interceptions.
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Height: 6-2 | Weight: 326
College: Ohio State
Where Las Vegas could get him: Pick No. 36
Edge rusher Maxx Crosby is staying with the Raiders, and the team also signed edge rusher Kwity Paye in free agency. So, Las Vegas should look to upgrade the interior of its D-line with McDonald, who can play the nose tackle spot under new coordinator Rob Leonard.
With more range than a transitional nose tackle, McDonald is a true run game disruptor. He uses his foot quickness and power to make splash plays, leading to 17 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage in 2025. McDonald also had three sacks and two forced fumbles.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 238
College: Texas
Where Houston could get him: Pick No. 38
Hill can add both speed (4.51-second 40-yard dash) and playmaking ability to the second level of coach DeMeco Ryans’ defense. At his size, Hill can drop the hammer in the run game or make stops on the perimeter. And he could be schemed up on blitzes under Ryans. Hill had 17 sacks in three college seasons.
Houston has plenty of young talent in its secondary, but it could make a play here to add young talent to the front seven.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 177
College: Georgia
Where New York could get him: Pick No. 44
The Jets need to add receiving talent opposite Garrett Wilson, so Branch makes sense as a dynamic slot target who is electric after the catch. Branch lacks the size to make contested catches at a high rate, but he can produce explosive plays on routes that allow him to run away from coverage (crossers, overs) with his 4.33 speed. Plus, new coordinator Frank Reich can also scheme touches for Branch as a motion/movement target on screens, fly sweeps and RPOs.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 182 pounds
College: Indiana
Where Los Angeles could get him: Pick No. 55
Under new coordinator Chris O’Leary, the Chargers will likely play a lot of zone match coverage. That would cater to the ability of Ponds, who has the short-area speed to close on the ball and can match up well on intermediate routes. Ponds is also competitive at the catch point, finishing with two interceptions and 10 pass breakups last season. And he’s a competitive run defender despite his size.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 223
College: Arkansas
Where Seattle could get him: Pick No. 64
Washington could go later on Day 2, but he has the tape and speed to move up into the final slot of the second round. Seattle has a need at the position, as Kenneth Walker III signed with the Chiefs and Zach Charbonnet is still recovering from a torn ACL.
Under new coordinator Brian Fleury — who coached with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco — we should expect a run game that leans on motion and movement in both zone and gap concepts. Washington has the lateral agility to fit in that scheme, and he can dart through daylight with his 4.33 speed. His frame can handle NFL volume, plus he can produce on swings and screens as a pass catcher. Washington averaged 8.1 yards per reception in 2025.
