Building the Beast: Why defensive backs are the crown jewel of the 2026 NFL Draft class

About this episode

<p>The Beast isn't out for another week or so, but we'll spoil one thing for you...you're going to see a lot of defensive backs in the top 50. Like, A LOT of defensive backs. Dave Helman and Dane Brugler dive into a loaded group of corners and safeties on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.</p><br><p>Connect with The Athletic Football Show</p><p>YT:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow</a></p><p>Podcasts: <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view</a></p><p>X:&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TA_FootballShow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://x.com/TA_FootballShow</a></p><p>IG:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow</a></p><p>TikTok:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow</a></p><p>Discord: <a href="http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow</a></p><p>Buy our merch! <a href="http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch</a></p><p>Call us: 847-448-0701</p><p>Email us: <a href="https://open.acast.com/networks/67f9268d2308a71dab8db95a/shows/681cc905bdc60241406b737f/episodes/athleticfootballshow@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">athleticfootballshow@gmail.com</a></p><br><p>Host: Dave Helman</p><p>Co-Host: Dane Brugler</p><p>Executive Producer: Michael Beller</p><p>Senior Producer: Katy Duffy</p><p>Social Producer: Scott Krinch</p><br><p>Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social</p><p>Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_</p><p>Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler</p><br><p>Theme song: Haunted</p><p>Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs</p><p>Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>