The 2026 NFL Draft is officially set to take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event will span three days, with Round 1 scheduled for April 23 at 8 PM ET, Rounds 2 and 3 on April 24 at 7 PM ET, and Rounds 4 through 7 on April 25 at noon ET. The NFL has confirmed that 16 players will attend the draft in person, including notable names such as Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Top Prospects for Four Teams
Several analysts and experts have made predictions for the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, and Seattle Seahawks. Here is a breakdown of the top prospects linked to each team.
San Francisco 49ers
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has selected Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for the 49ers. The team needs to bolster its receiving corps, and Cooper's run-after-catch ability aligns perfectly with head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme. In 2025, Cooper recorded 13 receiving touchdowns, showcasing exceptional vision, patience, and contact strength.
Other players linked to the 49ers include Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman, as predicted by Sports Illustrated, and Utah Utes offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, according to ESPN.
Washington Commanders
Hogs Haven's MattInBrisVegas projects Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles for the Commanders. Styles is considered the best available player in a deep linebacker class and dominated the 2026 NFL Combine with a total score of 95, the highest among all linebackers. An interesting anecdote about Styles: his mother, Laverna, shared that he had a hot temper as a child, leading them to nickname him after Sonny from The Godfather. She said, "He could go from zero to ten in the blink of an eye."
Additional prospects for the Commanders include Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, as picked by NFL Network, and Indiana Hoosiers running back Kaelon Black, according to Commanders Wire.
Buffalo Bills
NFL Network's Maddy Glab has chosen Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston for the Bills, projected at No. 26 overall. According to ClutchPoints' Garrett Kerman, Boston is the best contested-catch receiver in this draft class, catching 10 of 13 contested catches in 2025 for a 76.9% rate. His reliability and ability to be where he is supposed to be make him an ideal target for quarterback Josh Allen.
Other players favored for the Bills include Clemson Tigers defensive end T.J. Parker, as per The Ringer, and Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar, according to CBS Sports.
Seattle Seahawks
Sports Illustrated's Michael Hanich has selected Arkansas Razorbacks running back Mike Washington Jr. for the Seahawks. With Kenneth Walker III leaving for Kansas City and Zach Charbonnet potentially missing the entire season, Seattle lacks experience at running back. Washington rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries, adding 28 receptions for 226 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Other prospects linked to the Seahawks include Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Colton Hood, as predicted by The Athletic, and UCF Knights edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, according to ESPN.
The draft promises to be an exciting event for football fans, with many talented players expected to make an impact at the next level.
