A Look Ahead to the Ducks’ 2026 NFL Draft Class

They may not match the record 15 players that the Georgia Bulldogs had drafted as part of the 2022 NFL Draft but give credit to the Oregon Ducks for trying! This past spring, the Ducks set a new school record with ten players as part of the 2025 NFL Draft class, and there are thoughts that number will be surpassed next spring when as many as 12 players could be part of the 2026 class.

When Dan Lanning took over as the Ducks’ head coach for the 2022 season, he took over a top-25-ranked team filled with NFL-ready talent. At the conclusion of his first season, only Kayvon Thibodeaux would be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, each year moving forward, more players would leave what has been cleverly disguised as an NFL factory, with 25 players being drafted and more added to rosters by way of free agency.

The 2025 draft class included players at virtually every position and skill level, led by a pair of first-round picks in defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (21st) and offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. (29th). Sandwiched in the middle of the diverse group of players were a pair of defensive players in Jordan Burch (78th) and Jamaree Caldwell (86th), Heisman finalist and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Dillon Gabriel (94th), and running back Jordan James (147th). Wide receiver Tez Johnson (235th) was the last of the Ducks selected, showcasing an Oregon program that develops talent at every level of the depth chart.

If the 2025 class was impressive, the projections for the 2026 group might be even more so. Early mock drafts have as many as a dozen Ducks being selected next spring, with four potentially being selected in the first round. EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei, offensive lineman Isaiah World, wide receiver Evan Stewart, (possibly) and safety Dillon Thieneman are all predicted to hear their names called early in the process. When you add in the depth pieces and potential surprises that every draft brings, the record number of 12 players becomes realistic.

Dillon Thieneman is one of the best safeties in America. (Photo by Brad Repplinger)

The Headliners

Uiagalelei enters the season as the Ducks’ odds-on favorite NFL prospect, currently ranked as the No. 8 defensive end in the class. The 6’5”, 265lbs edge rusher has the size and athleticism that NFL scouts look for in the modern game. What makes the junior special isn’t just his stats, but his polished pass-rushing skills and ability to set the edge against the run. Listed as one of the top 15 defensive underclassmen in the game, Uiagalelei could very well be a top ten pick if he continues to develop at his current pace.

What Uiagalelei brings on defense, Stewart provides on offense. Transferring from Texas A&M with high expectations, the wide receiver has quickly became a favorite target in the Ducks’ high-powered passing game in 2024. Equipped with route-running precision and the ability to create separation at various levels, Stewart has made himself an attractive prospect for teams seeking immediate production, assuming he recovers well from his injury. His combination of size, speed, and soft hands could fuel his rise up the 2026 mock draft charts.

Thieneman checks off every box that NFL teams are looking for in a versatile defensive back, with his ability to cover slot receivers, rush the passer, and provide run support. With a high football IQ and instincts that allow him to play multiple positions in Oregon’s defensive scheme, Thieneman is the type of player that NFL defensive coordinators value highly.

World is a big, big man. Standing 6’8”, 312lbs, the junior anchors one of the best offensive lines in college football, and at that size, there are not many players able to get around him. With surprising quickness and agility for a man his size, World adds in the technical skills to play various positions along the line, giving coach Lanning and NFL scouts a variety of options.

Kenyon Sadiq is a beast. (Photo by Brad Repplinger)

The Supporting Cast

Outside of the projected first-round talent, Oregon’s depth is where this draft class could truly make history. But don’t tell these guys that they aren’t worthy of hearing their name called on day one.

Don’t sleep on Kenyon Sadiq as possibly the best tight end in this year’s entire draft class. With the size and athleticism that NFL teams love, combined with playing in a system that showcases both his receiving skills and blocking ability, Sadiq’s skill set could push him into first-round territory.

Running back Makhi Hughes has shown moments of excellence with limited opportunities and could bump his stock if he gets more touches for the Ducks. Quarterback Dante Moore has the Ducks’ offense flying, with 7 touchdowns and 657 yards in the first three games. With big shoes to fill following Dillon Gabriel’s NFL departure, Moore could be a day two selection.

USC transfer Keithian “Bear” Alexander is on his third team in three years; next year, he could be on his fourth. With a motor that helps provide interior pass rushing, Alexander may be a middle-round draft pick.

Rounding out the potential dozen include players likely to emerge during the season through increased opportunities, especially as part of special teams units.

Dan Lanning (Screenshot from ESPN Video)

The Program Impact

What makes this potential draft group so special and impactful is that it showcases Lanning’s recruiting ability and player development system. Whereas some programs rely heavily on one or two position groups, Oregon’s success is the result of the entire roster. The success of these players will certainly generate interest among fans, including those following legal NFL betting in Canada, as former Ducks look to make their mark at the professional level.

If the Ducks do indeed have 12 players drafted in 2026, it would mean more than just a school record; it would mean that Oregon, alongside Alabama and Georgia, is truly one of the premier NFL development programs in the country.

OregonReigns
Lakeside, Oregon
Top Photo by Max Unkrich

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