The Athletic Releases 2026 Edition of Comprehensive NFL Draft Guide
The Athletic has published the 2026 edition of its NFL Draft guide, titled The Beast, featuring detailed profiles and rankings for draft prospects. The guide includes 402 player profiles, 2,700 rankings, 45,000 verified measurements, and nearly 300,000 words. It is authored by draft analyst Dane Brugler and described as the world's most detailed NFL Draft resource.
John Seb Barber / Wikimedia (CC BY 2.0)the 2026 NFL Draft Guide The Athletic released the 2026 edition of its NFL Draft guide, known as The Beast, on an unspecified date in early 2026.
The guide contains 402 detailed player profiles covering prospective draftees. It also includes 2,700 rankings based on evaluations of player performance and potential. The resource incorporates 45,000 verified measurements, such as height, weight, and athletic testing results from combines and pro days.
The total word count reaches approximately 300,000, providing in-depth analysis for each profiled player. The guide is produced by The Athletic's NFL draft team.
The Beast is authored primarily by Dane Brugler, The Athletic's lead NFL draft analyst.
Brugler compiles data from scouting reports, film study, and interviews with coaches and personnel evaluators. The guide aims to assist NFL teams, agents, and fans in understanding draft prospects. Production involves cross-referencing measurements from official sources like the NFL Combine and college pro days.
Rankings are derived from a proprietary evaluation system that weighs attributes such as athleticism, technique, and positional value. The Athletic states that the guide represents over a year of research and writing.
The 2026 edition covers all positions in the NFL Draft, from quarterbacks to specialists.
It includes projections for draft rounds and team fits based on current roster needs. Access to the full guide requires a subscription to The Athletic's platform. The release coincides with the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for late April in a yet-to-be-announced location.
The guide updates previous editions by incorporating new data from the 2025 college football season. No specific launch date beyond the announcement was provided in the coverage.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- Early 2026
The Athletic publishes the 2026 edition of The Beast NFL Draft guide.
2 sourcesThe Athletic · The Athletic - 2025 season
Data collection occurs from college football games and scouting events for the guide.
1 sourceThe Athletic - Late 2025
Dane Brugler finalizes profiles, rankings, and measurements for the upcoming edition.
1 sourceThe Athletic
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