5 Texas A&M players to watch in 2026 NFL Draft<\/a><\/p>\nThe Houston Texans are picking at 28. They have needs in the interior trenches of both sides of the ball. The Texans could either bolster a defense that ranked among the best in the league last year, or give quarterback CJ Stroud some much-needed protection along the offensive line. The first Texas A&M draft pick of the day was wide receiver KC Concepcion, who went 24th overall to the Cleveland Browns.<\/p>\n
Rounds two and three will be held Friday. The draft will conclude Saturday with rounds five through seven. Here are live updates from the first day of the NFL draft.<\/p>\n
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Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion (16) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Michael Conroy\/AP<\/p>\n
2026 NFL draft live updates<\/p>\n
No. 26 \u00a0\u2014 Texans trade up with Bills, select Georgia Tech OL Keylan Rutledge<\/p>\n
The Texans give up picks 28, 69 and 167 to move up to 26 and select Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge. Houston also receives pick 91, as it lands reinforcements for the interior of its offensive line.<\/p>\n
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No. 24 \u2014 Cleveland Browns select Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion<\/p>\n
The Browns select one of the most explosive wide receivers in the draft in KC Concepcion. He might not be the biggest body, but he adds speed to the Browns’ offense and special teams.<\/p>\n
No. 23 \u2014 Dallas Cowboys select UCF edge Malachi Lawrence<\/p>\n
Malachi Lawrence led Central Florida with 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2025. He adds some juice to a defensive line that lacked pressure production after trading Micah Parsons.<\/p>\n
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Eagles trade up with Cowboys, select USC WR Makai Lemon<\/p>\n
With the doubt surrounding wide receiver AJ Brown, the Eagles trade up and grab another pass catcher in Makai Lemon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 18 \u2014 Minnesota Vikings select Florida DT Caleb Banks<\/p>\n
Caleb Banks showed off his talent in 2024 but was sidelined by injuries last season. He might’ve been selected even higher if not for his medical concerns.<\/p>\n
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No. 17 \u2014 Detroit Lions select Clemson OL Blake Miller<\/p>\n
The Lions bolster their trenches with offensive lineman Blake Miller. The four-year starter replaces long-time offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who was released in the offseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 16 \u2014 New York Jets select Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq<\/p>\n
Kenyon Sadiq set an NFL combine record with a 43.5-inch vertical jump, and could be a mismatch nightmare.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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No. 15 \u2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr.<\/p>\n
Rueben Bain Jr. led Miami to the College Football Playoff Championship game last season, and he fell all the way to the Buccaneers at 15. He recorded 83 pressures and 12 sacks in 2025.<\/p>\n
No. 14 \u2014 Baltimore Ravens select Penn State OL Olaivavega Ioane<\/p>\n
The Ravens bolster the interior of their offensive line with Olaivavega Ioane. He’s 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, and provides some extra beef to the trenches.<\/p>\n
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No. 13 \u2014 Los Angeles Rams select Alabama QB Ty Simpson<\/p>\n
The Rams draft Matthew Stafford’s successor. Ty Simpson isn’t one of the toolsiest quarterback prospects ever, but he’s accurate and will develop under the tutelage of Sean McVay.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 12 \u2014 Miami Dolphins select Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor<\/p>\n
Kadyn Proctor is a monster of a human being, coming in at 6-foot-6, 352 pounds. The Dolphins add beef to their offensive line to power their run game and protect quarterback Malik Willis.<\/p>\n
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No. 11 \u2014 Dallas Cowboys select safety Caleb Downs<\/p>\n
Downs might be the most cerebral player in the draft. He played one season at Alabama under former head coach Nick Saban before transferring to Ohio State and leading the Buckeyes to a national title.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cowboys and Dolphins agree to trade<\/p>\n
The Cowboys move up one spot, giving up picks 177 and 180 to the Dolphins.<\/p>\n
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No. 10 \u2014 New York Giants select Miami OL Francis Mauigoa<\/p>\n
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart showed potential last season. He needs more protection, however, and Francis Mauigoa will provide just that along the offensive line.<\/p>\n
No. 9 \u2014 Cleveland Browns select Utah OL Spencer Fano<\/p>\n
The Browns have questions to answer along their offensive line. They begin to answer them with the selection of Spencer Fano, who could play multiple positions along the line.<\/p>\n
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No. 8 \u2014 New Orleans Saints select Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson<\/p>\n
Jordyn Tyson might’ve been in conversations for the top wideout in the draft if not for his medical concerns. He’s an explosive, savvy receiver who pairs nicely with Chris Olave to give quarterback Tyler Shough two solid weapons.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 7 \u2014 Washington Commanders select Ohio State LB Sonny Styles<\/p>\n
A safety-turned-linebacker, Styles is a chiseled 6-foot-5, 243 pounds. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and had the production to go along with it, totaling 71 tackles and missing only two, according to PFF.<\/p>\n
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No. 6 \u2014 Kansas City Chiefs select LSU CB Mansoor Delane<\/p>\n
The Chiefs traded away cornerback Trent McDuffie and allowed Jaylen Watson to walk in free agency. Delane fills a need and was arguably the top cornerback in the draft.<\/p>\n
Browns and Chiefs agree to trade<\/p>\n
The Cleveland Browns are falling back to No. 9, receiving picks 74 and 148 from the Kansas City Chiefs, who move up to No. 6.<\/p>\n
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No. 5 \u2014 New York Giants select Ohio State edge\/LB Arvell Reese<\/p>\n
Perhaps the freakiest athlete in the 2026 class, Reese played off-ball linebacker last season, but flashed the athleticism to develop into a premier pass rusher. With Brian Burns and last year’s No. 2 overall pick Abdul Carter, the Giants are loaded on the edge.<\/p>\n
No. 4 \u2014 Tennessee Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate<\/p>\n
The Buckeyes are known for their wide receiver development. The Titans give quarterback Cam Ward a long, reliable pass catcher to work with in Carnell Tate.<\/p>\n
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No. 3 \u2014 Arizona Cardinals select Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love<\/p>\n
One of the best running back prospects to come out in recent years, Love ran for 1,362 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Positional value is always a debate, but the Cardinals decided Love was too talented to pass on.<\/p>\n
No. 2 \u2014 New York Jets select Texas Tech edge David Bailey<\/p>\n
Bailey was one of the most effective pass rushers in college last season, recording 81 pressures and 15 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Bailey is the first Red Raider selected in the top five in the 2000s.<\/p>\n
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No. 1 \u2014 Las Vegas Raiders select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza<\/p>\n
The Raiders get their franchise quarterback. Mendoza has been mocked to Las Vegas ever since the draft order was set. He’ll have a chance to start right away, though the Raiders could also allow him to learn behind quarterback Kirk Cousins.<\/p>\n
NFL draft time, where to watch<\/p>\n
Round 1<\/p>\n
Time: Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
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Where: Pittsburgh, Penn., at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium<\/p>\n
TV Channel: NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN Deportes<\/p>\n
Rounds 2-3<\/p>\n
Time: Friday, April 24, 6 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
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Where: Pittsburgh, Penn., at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium<\/p>\n
TV Channel: NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN Deportes<\/p>\n
Rounds 4-7<\/p>\n
Time: Saturday, April 25, 12 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
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Where: Pittsburgh, Penn., at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium<\/p>\n
TV Channel: NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN Deportes<\/p>\n
Where to stream 2026 NFL draft?<\/p>\n
Streaming: NFL+, Disney+, DirecTV, ESPN Unlimited<\/p>\n
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