Pre-Draft 2026 Rookie DB Primer

We are less than a month away from the NFL Draft, and it’s time to get to know some of the IDP-relevant names that you’ll be hearing in Pittsburgh and seeing in your drafts. We're starting with everyone’s favorite late-round IDP position: defensive backs.

Hosts Jake Kohlhagen and Scott Soltis discuss what to look for when evaluating a DB, how the 2026 class compares to 2025 in high-end quality and depth, the premier names to know for your drafts (Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren), as well as five other players to keep an eye on (including a CB or two).

0:00 Intro

1:39 The Process

8:11 2025 vs 2026

17:21 Caleb Downs

24:17 Dillon Thieneman

30:02 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

36:27 Other Names to Watch

44:01 Recap and Goodbye

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