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Since Dan Lanning took over as coach for the Oregon Ducks in 2022, the program has seen 24 players drafted to the NFL. The Ducks will add to that list on Thursday evening when the 2026 NFL Draft begins, and the program could see as many as nine former players drafted over the weekend.
ESPN's Jordan Reid unveiled his final mock draft, which featured seven Ducks landing with pro teams over the course of the seven rounds. Two Ducks, as many draft experts have predicted, are once again mocked into the first round.
Dillon Thieneman is the first Duck off the board in Reid's mock draft, going No. 12 overall to the Dallas Cowboys. Thieneman has often been projected in the mid-to-late first round, but a selection at No. 12 is among the earliest projected landing spots. Thieneman starred in his one season with the Ducks, and he has a connection to the Cowboys through former Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi.
The next Duck to be selected is Kenyon Sadiq, who falls to No. 18 with the Minnesota Vikings. Sadiq is widely believed to be the top tight end available in the draft and would be a dynamic weapon in Minnesota, even though the quarterback situation is cloudy between J.J. McCarthy and the newly signed Kyler Murray. The Vikings have been a frequent landing spot for Thieneman in mock drafts, but the offense could definitely use another weapon like Sadiq.
In the second round, the Los Angeles Chargers are projected to select Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon at No. 55 overall. The Chargers have to find a way to better protect Justin Herbert next season, and Pregnon's physicality both in the run game and in pass protection makes him a perfect fit in Jim Harbaugh's locker room. He could start right away for the Chargers' offense.
On day three of the draft, the Ducks have a pair of fourth-round selections. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher is predicted to leave his hometown to join Dan Campbell's defense with the Detroit Lions with the No. 128 pick. Just a few picks later, wideout Malik Benson falls to the New England Patriots with the No. 131 pick as another speedy weapon for Drake Maye.
In the fifth round, defensive back Jadon Canady falls to the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 174 pick. Canady was phenomenal as a nickel defender for the Ducks last season, and many draft experts see him as a gem in the later rounds. Finally, in the seventh round, offensive tackle Isaiah World is selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 221 pick as a developmental piece. World was thought of as a potential first-round pick when he transferred to the Ducks last offseason, but an up-and-down season in Eugene paired with an ACL injury to end the season could see him fall to the final round.
The NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, and while it won't look exactly like this, the Ducks do expect to hear all seven names called. Don't be surprised if Alex Harkey and Noah Whittington also slip into the later rounds to add to Oregon's draft total under Lanning.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Seven former Oregon stars selected in ESPN's final NFL mock draft
Continue reading...
ESPN's Jordan Reid unveiled his final mock draft, which featured seven Ducks landing with pro teams over the course of the seven rounds. Two Ducks, as many draft experts have predicted, are once again mocked into the first round.
Dillon Thieneman is the first Duck off the board in Reid's mock draft, going No. 12 overall to the Dallas Cowboys. Thieneman has often been projected in the mid-to-late first round, but a selection at No. 12 is among the earliest projected landing spots. Thieneman starred in his one season with the Ducks, and he has a connection to the Cowboys through former Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi.
The next Duck to be selected is Kenyon Sadiq, who falls to No. 18 with the Minnesota Vikings. Sadiq is widely believed to be the top tight end available in the draft and would be a dynamic weapon in Minnesota, even though the quarterback situation is cloudy between J.J. McCarthy and the newly signed Kyler Murray. The Vikings have been a frequent landing spot for Thieneman in mock drafts, but the offense could definitely use another weapon like Sadiq.
In the second round, the Los Angeles Chargers are projected to select Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon at No. 55 overall. The Chargers have to find a way to better protect Justin Herbert next season, and Pregnon's physicality both in the run game and in pass protection makes him a perfect fit in Jim Harbaugh's locker room. He could start right away for the Chargers' offense.
On day three of the draft, the Ducks have a pair of fourth-round selections. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher is predicted to leave his hometown to join Dan Campbell's defense with the Detroit Lions with the No. 128 pick. Just a few picks later, wideout Malik Benson falls to the New England Patriots with the No. 131 pick as another speedy weapon for Drake Maye.
In the fifth round, defensive back Jadon Canady falls to the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 174 pick. Canady was phenomenal as a nickel defender for the Ducks last season, and many draft experts see him as a gem in the later rounds. Finally, in the seventh round, offensive tackle Isaiah World is selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 221 pick as a developmental piece. World was thought of as a potential first-round pick when he transferred to the Ducks last offseason, but an up-and-down season in Eugene paired with an ACL injury to end the season could see him fall to the final round.
The NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, and while it won't look exactly like this, the Ducks do expect to hear all seven names called. Don't be surprised if Alex Harkey and Noah Whittington also slip into the later rounds to add to Oregon's draft total under Lanning.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Seven former Oregon stars selected in ESPN's final NFL mock draft
Continue reading...
