‘Huge Red Flags’ — 7 Most Overrated Players in the 2026 NFL Draft, Including Ty Simpson, KC Concepcion

The most overrated prospect has to come from the most overrated group in 2026: wide receiver. I just don't see the appeal for KC Concepcion above so many of the other "Z" options in the class. A knee scope (which isn't ideal) before his pro day means we didn't get to verify what seems to be just good -- not great -- top-end speed on tape for a guy who butters his bread with short-area quickness and separation. It's not an archetype I love for the top-40 pick he'll cost.

The consensus view on Jermod McCoy is that he’s a surefire first-round prospect, with some believing he could come off the board as early as No. 12 overall. However, McCoy missed all of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL.

His talent absolutely warrants first-round consideration, but the reality is we haven’t seen him play football in over a year. He opted not to work out at the Combine. While his pro day provided a look at where he is right now, it’s still a controlled environment, and that alone isn’t enough to fully justify investing a premium pick in a player coming off a major injury. The juice is simply not worth the squeeze in Round 1.

The 2026 QB class is widely considered to be weak after projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. Combining this with a 2027 QB class that is expected to be excellent, front offices should not be rushed into selecting one of the other QB prospects. Alabama’s Ty Simpson in the first round has been a conversation throughout the offseason, and it could happen. Should it? No. Simpson has little college starting experience, and if he does get drafted, he should sit out for at least a year to develop. He is a high-potential bet, but doing that in the first round when you can just wait another year is confusing, especially if he isn’t playing right away.

The 2026 running back class is being downplayed, so it’s perhaps a reach to suggest that Mike Washington Jr. is getting overhyped. However, among all running backs this year, Washington has been getting some buzz as one to watch, with many expecting him to surprise in the NFL.

Landing spots, as always, will play a big role in which running backs get the chance to prove themselves in the NFL, but some projections can be made ahead of time. A fifth-year breakout for a 6’1”, 220-pound back is an enormous red flag for a player being ranked as highly as 38th overall by respected outlets.

The Ty Simpson love makes absolutely zero sense. People tout his big-game makeup. Roll back that last Auburn game when the Tigers were on his back all day long. Worse, the Florida State game was the first of last season. The speed of FSU’s defense overwhelmed him. Will he be a good NFL quarterback? Possibly. However, lining him up next to Fernando Mendoza as a superior talent is wild. The reasoning of Simpson’s big-game edge over Mendoza remains laughable.

It’s tough to call an early-round player overrated, as there’s a lot to like with anybody you take that early. That said, at least as an offensive tackle, I think there’s bust potential with Kadyn Proctor. His delayed hand placement and struggles changing direction in space make me think he could have a steep learning curve if he sticks outside in the pros.

I don't get in the habit of calling players overrated, as draft evaluation is subjective and all outcomes are on the table. But one player who's considerably higher on the consensus board than he is on mine is Missouri EDGE Zion Young. Young is Top 40 on three of four major boards, and is 30th overall on ESPN's board. For me, he's a fringe Top 100 prospect. I absolutely see the appeal with Young; he's just 22 years old, with a very compelling power profile at 6'6", 263 pounds, with over 33" arms and high-level explosive athleticism. His motor runs hot in pursuit and he has glimpses of quality pass-rush execution on film. That said, the consistency isn't where I would like it to be for a player in first-round talks, and there are minor limitations, too. He's somewhat stiff in his hips, he doesn't have a vast move or counter arsenal right now, and his hip stiffness can cause upright pad level drift in run defense. The upside is there for Young to be an impact player, and in a polarizing EDGE class, I understand why that elevates him. But the potential Round 1 price tag is too high, in my opinion.

Akheem Mesidor absolutely terrifies me. His film and stats are incredible, but he's a 25-year-old rookie with a very concerning injury history. These are two huge red flags considering he's being talked about as a potential pick in the teens. In that range, I want a sure thing. If he just had one of those things working against him, perhaps I'd feel better about him, but old and injury-prone is a dangerous combination.