With college football over and the NFL season winding down, it’s time to look at early predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The Texas Longhorns<\/a> set a record last year with\u00a012 players drafted<\/a>, while Texas A&M football<\/a> had three hear their named called in Green Bay, Wis. Texas may not have similar numbers this year, but expect Longhorns to be picked<\/a> throughout the weekend in Pittsburgh. The top question is: Will the Longhorns continue their streak of four years having a player picked in the first round.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n A&M has more players entering the draft this year <\/a>than last. Similar to 2025, the Aggies produced multiple quality linemen but have at least one player with a high possibility of going in the first round.\u00a0<\/p>\n Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian celebrates a interception late in the 4th quarter against Texas A&M Aggies offense in an NCAA college football game in the Lone Star Showdown in Austin, Texas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (Ricardo B. Brazziell\/Austin American-Statesman via AP)<\/p>\n Ricardo B. Brazziell\/Associated Press<\/p>\n Here is where Longhorns and Aggies are projected to go in the NFL draft April 23:\u00a0<\/p>\n Mel Kiper Jr.’s 2026 Mock draft<\/p>\n According to the draft expert for ESPN<\/a>, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell<\/a> will be taken in the first round.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Kiper predicts the outside linebacker will go 31st to the New England Patriots because “the pass rush could use a spark.” Howell’s 11.5 sacks last season could be proof of his readiness to help lead to the long term success of the Patriots if head coach Mike Vrabel continues the turnaround of the legacy franchise,\u00a0according to Kiper. Plus, if K’Lavon Chaisson moves on in free agency, Howell can fill the void.\u00a0<\/p>\n Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell (9) rushes Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon (2) during the first quarter Nov. 22, 2025, in College Station.<\/p>\n Sam Craft\/Associated Press<\/p>\n However, the Patriots can kiss Howell good-bye if he isn’t taken 25th by the Chicago Bears. The Bears too need an\u00a0edge rusher and Kiper believes if Miami’s Akheem Mesidor is off the board before the Bears make their pick, it could “maybe” be Howell. Plus, he could join former teammate Shemar Turner when he is recovered from his ACL tear suffered\u00a0in Week 8.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n No Longhorns were taken in the first round of Kiper’s mock draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n MORE: 5 Longhorns, including one 5-star freshman, who could break out<\/a><\/p>\n CBS Sports’ 2026 Mock Draft<\/p>\n Howell again appears on the draft boards of CBS Sports<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Blake Brockermeyer, a writer at the site, predicts he will be the 15th pick and go to Tampa Bay to support a middle-of-the-road defense that just missed the playoffs. The only other Aggie to break into the first round in his\u00a0projections is wide receiver KC Concepcion<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) misses a catch during the round one College Football Playoff game against Miami at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n In his only season with A&M, Concepcion finished<\/a> with 919 yards and nine touchdowns. He was also a dangerous return man for the Aggies, averaging 18.5 years per punt return.\u00a0<\/p>\n Texas Longhorns linebacker Ethan Burke (91) embraces head coach Steve Sarkisian as the Texas Longhorns seniors are honored ahead of the Lone Star Showdown, the rivalry match-up between the Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Nov. 28, 2025. The Longhorns won the game 17-27.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n With his elusive nature and explosiveness,\u00a0Concepcion could\u00a0be another weapon for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills at\u00a026th. The Bills won a wild-card game before coming came up short in the AFC Division round to the Denver Broncos.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n No Longhorns\u00a0made\u00a0the mock draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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