{"id":610087,"date":"2026-04-27T22:33:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T22:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/610087\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T22:33:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T22:33:14","slug":"espn-names-college-football-replacements-for-all-first-round-picks-in-2026-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/610087\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN names college football replacements for all first round picks in 2026 NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

ESPN named the<\/a> college football replacements for all first round picks from the 2026 NFL Draft. They have some big shoes to fill, but these players have the capabilities to step up when called up next football season.<\/p>\n

For example, Josh Hoover is the direct replacement for Fernando Mendoza at QB at Indiana. Some won\u2019t necessarily be that easy though.<\/p>\n

So without further ado, let\u2019s take a look at the next crop of college football stars primed to fill shoes this fall. We\u2019ll start at the top of the NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Replacement: Josh Hoover<\/a>, Indiana<\/a><\/p>\n

Hoover came over from TCU and will immediately plug in and replace Mendoza for Curt Cignetti\u2019s squad. Over the course of 31 games, Hoover has 9,629 yards, 71 touchdowns and a 65.2% completion percentage. Indiana should be back in the CFP conversation as the reigning champs.<\/p>\n

2. David Bailey<\/a>, EDGE \u2013 New York Jets<\/p>\n

\"\"James Snook-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Replacement: Trey White<\/a> or Adam Trick<\/a>, Texas Tech<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s tough to replace Bailey\u2019s production, being one of the best pass rushers in the country of course. That led him to a high pick in the NFL Draft. White and Trick both transferred in after playing for San Diego State and Miami (Ohio). White has 19.5 sacks in the last two years and Trick\u2019s pressure rate is above 20%, per ESPN.<\/p>\n

3. Jeremiyah Love<\/a>, RB \u2013 Arizona Cardinals<\/p>\n

Replacement: Aneyas Williams<\/a>, Notre Dame<\/a><\/p>\n

College football saw the best running back go in the top three this weekend, so good luck replacing Love. Williams is set to take over the starting gig though. He\u2019s had limited work, but Williams averaged 7.6 yards per carry in those few reps and had touchdowns in four of five games he played last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

4. Carnell Tate<\/a>, WR \u2013 Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n

Replacement: Devin McCuin<\/a>, Ohio State<\/a><\/p>\n

Ohio State has been Wide Receiver U in college football and that\u2019ll continue after the draft. To replace Tate, it could be freshman Chris Henry Jr. But ESPN pointed towards UTSA transfer Devin McCuin. Over the last three years, McCuin had 152 catches and 16 touchdowns.<\/p>\n

5. Arvell Reese<\/a>, LB \u2013 New York Giants<\/p>\n

\"\"Payton Pierce (Birm\/Lettermen Row)<\/p>\n

Replacement: Payton Pierce<\/a>, Ohio State<\/a><\/p>\n

The Buckeyes had a tremendous draft class this year but they\u2019ll reload pretty much everywhere. Next college football season will feature Pierce taking the role of Reese. In a reserve role, Pierce logged 44 tackles and a fumble recovery last season. Cincere Johnson is a young and intriguing prospect as well.<\/p>\n

6. Mansoor Delane<\/a>, CB \u2013 Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n

Replacement: DJ Pickett<\/a>, LSU<\/a><\/p>\n

Delane was sought after in this draft as the Chiefs traded up to get him. Pickett is in line to replace him at LSU per ESPN. As they outline, Pickett is a more imposing presence with his physicality after being a freshman All-American. He had three interceptions last season and stands at 6-foot-5.<\/p>\n

7. Sonny Styles<\/a>, LB \u2013 Washington Commanders<\/p>\n

Replacement: Riley Pettijohn<\/a>, Ohio State<\/a><\/p>\n

Styles is another linebacker that needs to be replaced by Ohio State. But they have the resources to do so with Pettijohn stepping up in 2026. The former 4-star recruit is ready to step up after developing in 2025.<\/p>\n

8. Jordyn Tyson<\/a>, WR \u2013 New Orleans Saints<\/p>\n

\"OmarionOmarion Miller\/USA Today<\/p>\n

Replacement: Omarion Miller<\/a>, Arizona State<\/a><\/p>\n

Miller left Colorado and Prime Time to continue his college football career more out west. He\u2019s a big play wide receiver, similar to Tyson, as he grabbed nine catches for 30+ yards in 2025. Miller totaled 45 catches for 808 yards and eight touchdowns and could make life for a new ASU quarterback this fall.<\/p>\n

9. Spencer Fano<\/a>, OT \u2013 Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n

Replacement: Cedric Jefferson<\/a>, Utah<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s always tough in college football to replace a first round tackle in the draft, but Utah might be able to do so in the form of Jefferson. He transferred in from Montana State and was sought after in the portal after starting all 16 games during the FCS national championship run. Jefferson surrendered just three sacks over the course of 475 snaps.<\/p>\n

Replacement: Jackson Cantwell<\/a>, Miami<\/a><\/p>\n

Like Jefferson above, Cantwell is likely to replace Mauigoa at tackle for Miami. The latter was drafted by the Giants in the top 10 and is no longer one of college football\u2019s best tackles. Cantwell is a true freshman and has been taking snaps at left and right tackle this spring. He could go right away.<\/p>\n

11. Caleb Downs<\/a>, S \u2013 Dallas Cowboys
Replacement: Terry Moore<\/a>, Ohio State<\/a><\/p>\n

12. Kadyn Proctor<\/a>, OT \u2013 Miami Dolphins
Replacement: Jackson Lloyd<\/a>, Jayvin James<\/a> or Nick Brooks<\/a>, Alabama<\/a><\/p>\n

13. Ty Simpson<\/a>, QB \u2013 Los Angeles Rams
Replacement: Keelon Russell<\/a> or Austin Mack<\/a>, Alabama<\/a><\/p>\n

14. Vega Ioane<\/a>, G \u2013 Baltimore Ravens
Replacement: Trevor Buhr<\/a>, Penn State<\/a><\/p>\n

15. Rueben Bain Jr.<\/a>, EDGE \u2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Replacement: Damon Wilson II, Miami<\/a><\/p>\n

16. Kenyon Sadiq<\/a>, TE \u2013 New York Jets
Replacement: Jamari Johnson,<\/a> Oregon\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

17. Blake Miller<\/a>, OT \u2013 Detroit Lions
Replacement: Brayden Jacobs<\/a>, Clemson<\/a><\/p>\n

18. Caleb Banks<\/a>, DT \u2013 Minnesota Vikings
Replacement: Brendan Bett<\/a>, Florida<\/a><\/p>\n

19. Monroe Freeling<\/a>, OT \u2013 Carolina Panthers
Replacement: Earnest Greene III<\/a>, Georgia<\/a><\/p>\n

20. Makai Lemon<\/a>, WR \u2013 Philadelphia Eagles
Replacement: Tanook Hines<\/a>, USC<\/a><\/p>\n

21. Max Iheanachor<\/a>, OT \u2013 Pittsburgh Steelers
Replacement: Champ Westbrooks<\/a>, Arizona State<\/a><\/p>\n

22. Akheem Mesidor<\/a>, EDGE \u2013 Los Angeles Chargers
Replacement: Marquise Lightfoot<\/a>, Miami<\/a><\/p>\n

23. Malachi Lawrence<\/a>, EDGE \u2013 Dallas Cowboys
Replacement: Isaiah Nixon<\/a>, UCF<\/a><\/p>\n

24. KC Concepcion<\/a>, WR \u2013 Cleveland Browns
Replacement: Isaiah Horton<\/a>, Texas A&M<\/a><\/p>\n

25. Dillon Thieneman<\/a>, S \u2013 Chicago Bears
Replacement: Koi Perich<\/a>, Oregon<\/a><\/p>\n

26. Keylan Rutledge<\/a>, G \u2013 Houston Texans
Replacement: Malachi Carney<\/a>, Georgia Tech<\/a><\/p>\n

27. Chris Johnson<\/a>, CB \u2013 Miami Dolphins
Replacement: Jason Oliver<\/a>, San Diego State<\/a><\/p>\n

28. Caleb Lomu<\/a>, OT \u2013 New England Patriots
Replacement: Kelvin Obot<\/a>, Utah<\/a><\/p>\n

29. Peter Woods<\/a>, DT \u2013 Kansas City Chiefs
Replacement: Amare Adams<\/a>, Clemson<\/a><\/p>\n

30. Omar Cooper Jr.<\/a>, WR \u2013 New York Jets
Replacement: Nick Marsh<\/a>, Indiana<\/a><\/p>\n

31. Keldric Faulk<\/a>, EDGE \u2013 Tennessee Titans
Replacement: Jared Smith<\/a>, Auburn<\/a><\/p>\n

32. Jadarian Price<\/a>, RB \u2013 Seattle Seahawks
Replacement: Kedren Young<\/a>, Notre Dame<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ESPN named the college football replacements for all first round picks from the 2026 NFL Draft. They have…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":610088,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[264972,174547,1371,264973,127886,232944,218945,155022,264974,127698,126779,179248,42973,264975,264976,262861,127887,264977,174550,1384,264978,7314,399,175231,42983,264979,211330,264980,175233,264365,264981,264982,264983,139553,175237,7318,175238,216826,264984,1401,179250,264985,262761,175244,209325,127110,264986,225967,175247,264987,218963,211754,398,396,397,264988,209326,42988,207506,264989,175251,64060,126786,42169,175254,99,264990,264991,264992,264993,53934,175258],"class_list":{"0":"post-610087","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-football","8":"tag-adam-trick-22-wayne","9":"tag-akheem-mesidor-20-clearwater-academy-international","10":"tag-amare-adams-25-south-florence","11":"tag-aneyas-williams-24-hannibal","12":"tag-arvell-reese-23-glenville","13":"tag-austin-mack-23-folsom","14":"tag-blake-miller-22-strongsville","15":"tag-brayden-jacobs-25-buford","16":"tag-brendan-bett-23-ellison","17":"tag-caleb-banks-21-southfield","18":"tag-caleb-downs-23-mill-creek","19":"tag-caleb-lomu-23-highland","20":"tag-carnell-tate-23-img-academy","21":"tag-cedric-jefferson-23-chaparral","22":"tag-champ-westbrooks-24-loyola","23":"tag-chris-johnson-22-roosevelt","24":"tag-david-bailey-22-mater-dei","25":"tag-devin-mccuin-23-jacksonville","26":"tag-dillon-thieneman-23-westfield","27":"tag-dj-pickett-25-zephyrhills","28":"tag-earnest-greene-22-st-john-bosco","29":"tag-fernando-mendoza-22-columbus","30":"tag-football","31":"tag-francis-mauigoa-23-img-academy","32":"tag-isaiah-horton-22-oakland","33":"tag-isaiah-nixon-23-lakewood","34":"tag-jackson-cantwell-26-nixa","35":"tag-jackson-lloyd-25-carmel","36":"tag-jadarian-price-22-denison","37":"tag-jamari-johnson-23-inglewood","38":"tag-jared-smith-25-thompson","39":"tag-jason-oliver-22-liberty","40":"tag-jayvin-james-23-blanche-ely","41":"tag-jeremiyah-love-23-christian-brothers-college","42":"tag-jordyn-tyson-22-independence","43":"tag-josh-hoover-22-rockwall-heath","44":"tag-kadyn-proctor-23-southeast-polk","45":"tag-kc-concepcion-23-chambers","46":"tag-kedren-young-24-lufkin","47":"tag-keelon-russell-25-duncanville","48":"tag-keldric-faulk-23-highland-home","49":"tag-kelvin-obot-26-fruitland","50":"tag-kenyon-sadiq-23-skyline","51":"tag-keylan-rutledge-22-franklin-county","52":"tag-koi-perich-24-lincoln-secondary","53":"tag-makai-lemon-23-los-alamitos","54":"tag-malachi-carney-22-pleasant-grove","55":"tag-malachi-lawrence-21-dupont-manual","56":"tag-mansoor-delane-22-archbishop-spalding","57":"tag-marquise-lightfoot-24-kenwood-academy","58":"tag-max-iheanachor-22-king-drew-medical-magnet","59":"tag-monroe-freeling-23-oceanside-collegiate-academy","60":"tag-ncaa","61":"tag-ncaa-football","62":"tag-ncaafootball","63":"tag-nick-brooks-25-john-f-kennedy","64":"tag-nick-marsh-24-river-rouge","65":"tag-omar-cooper-22-lawrence-north","66":"tag-omarion-miller-23-north-caddo","67":"tag-payton-pierce-24-lovejoy","68":"tag-peter-woods-23-thompson","69":"tag-riley-pettijohn-25-mckinney","70":"tag-rueben-bain-23-miami-central","71":"tag-sonny-styles-22-pickerington-central","72":"tag-spencer-fano-23-timpview","73":"tag-sports","74":"tag-tanook-hines-25-dekaney","75":"tag-terry-moore-22-washington","76":"tag-trevor-buhr-23-washington","77":"tag-trey-white-22-eastlake","78":"tag-ty-simpson-22-westview","79":"tag-vega-ioane-22-graham-kapowsin"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/610087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=610087"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/610087\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/610088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=610087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=610087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=610087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}