Where will Louisville, Kentucky football players go in 2026 NFL Draft?

[ASFN Admin]

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin today, though no one from the Louisville football team is expected to hear their name just yet. Wide receiver Chris Bell had been a projected first-round pick, but an ACL injury caused a drop in his draft stock.

Still, Louisville has had a strong history of sending players to the league. Since 2010, the Cardinals have had at least one draft pick in 12 drafts. Last year, three players were drafted: quarterback Tyler Shough and cornerback Quincy Riley went to the New Orleans Saints in the second and fourth rounds, respectively, while the Kansas City Chiefs took defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte in the third round.

Bell’s selection will make him the first UofL receiver to be drafted since Jamari Thrash, who went to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

A handful of Kentucky players are also hoping to hear their names called this weekend. The Wildcats have had at least two players selected in seven straight drafts, the program's longest such streak since 1984-91. Six UK players were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

Here’s a look at the latest mock drafts and how to watch the 2026 NFL Draft:

What time is the 2026 NFL Draft?​

The first round of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. today. The second and third rounds will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, with the final four rounds starting at noon Saturday.

What channel will the NFL draft be on?​

All seven rounds of the NFL Draft will be on ESPN and the NFL Network. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Louisville, Kentucky players in NFL mock drafts​

You must be registered for see images

Chris Bell, Louisville, wide receiver​

Height: 6-1

Weight: 222 pounds

2025 stats: 72 catches for 917 yards; 6 TDs

NFL mock draft projections: No. 40 (The Athletic); No. 54 (USA TODAY); No. 67 (ESPN and NFL Network); No. 11 wide receiver (ESPN)

Wesley Bailey, Louisville, defensive lineman​

Height: 6-5

Weight: 265 pounds

2025 stats: 39 tackles, 7 for loss; 6 sacks

NFL mock draft projection: No. 60 edge rusher (ESPN)

Joshua Braun, Kentucky, offensive lineman​

Height: 6-6

Weight: 342 pounds

NFL mock draft projection: No. 25 offensive guard (ESPN)

Jager Burton, Kentucky, offensive lineman​

Height: 6-4

Weight: 323 pounds

NFL mock draft projections: No. 249 (USA TODAY); No. 187 (NFL Network); No. 10 center (ESPN)

Jalen Farmer, Kentucky, offensive lineman​

Height: 6-5

Weight: 318 pounds

NFL mock draft projections: No. 169 (USA TODAY); No. 94 (NFL Network); No. 81 (ESPN); No. 5 offensive guard (ESPN)

David Gusta, Kentucky, defensive lineman​

Height: 6-3

Weight: 317 pounds

2025 stats: 12 tackles, 3 for loss; 1 sack

NFL mock draft projections: No. 213 (USA TODAY); No. 232 (NFL Network); No. 31 defensive tackle (ESPN)

JQ Hardaway, Kentucky, cornerback​

Height: 6-3

Weight: 193 pounds

2025 stats: 59 tackles, 2½ for loss; 1 sack; 1 INT; 5 pass breakups

NFL mock draft projection: No. 64 cornerback (ESPN)

Rene Konga, Louisville, defensive lineman​

Height: 6-4

Weight: 300 pounds

2025 stats: 29 tackles, 5 for loss; 1½ sacks; 6 pass breakups

NFL mock draft projections: No. 153 (USA TODAY); No. 163 (NFL Network); No. 27 defensive tackle (ESPN)

Caullin Lacy, Louisville, wide receiver​

Height: 5-9

Weight: 183 pounds

2025 stats: 60 receptions for 635 yards, 2 TDs; 15 carries for 53 yards; 25 punt returns for 454 yards, 2 TDs; 12 kickoff returns for 251 yards

NFL mock draft projections: No. 213 (NFL Network); No. 42 wide receiver (ESPN)

Kendrick Law, Kentucky, wide receiver​

You must be registered for see images attach

Height: 6-0

Weight: 205 pounds

2025 stats: 53 catches for 540 yards; 3 TDs

NFL mock draft projections: No. 226 (USA TODAY and NFL Network); No. 27 wide receiver (ESPN)

Seth McGowan, Kentucky, running back​

Height: 6-1

Weight: 215 pounds

2025 stats: 165 carries for 725 yards; 12 TDs

NFL mock draft projections: No. 210 (NFL Network); No. 11 running back (ESPN)

Rasheed Miller, Louisville, offensive lineman​

Height: 6-7

Weight: 310 pounds

NFL mock draft projection: No. 41 offensive tackle (ESPN)

Miller Moss, Louisville, quarterback​

You must be registered for see images attach

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210 pounds

2025 stats: 244-for-380 for 2,679 passing yards, 16 TDs, 7 INTs; 9 rushing TDs

NFL mock draft projection: No. 22 quarterback (ESPN)

Pete Nygra, Louisville, offensive lineman​

Height: 6-4

Weight: 300 pounds

NFL mock draft projection: No. 15 center (ESPN)

Shiyazh Pete, Kentucky, offensive lineman​

Height: 6-8

Weight: 322

NFL mock draft projection: No. 46 offensive tackle (ESPN)

Courier Journal Sports (@courierjournal_sports) • Instagram photos and videos​

T.J. Quinn, Louisville, linebacker​

Height: 6-1

Weight: 235 pounds

2025 stats: 95 tackles, 8 for loss; 3 sacks; 2 INTs; 4 pass breakups

NFL mock draft projection: No. 48 edge rusher (ESPN)

Trevonte Sylvester, Louisville, offensive lineman​

Height: 6-6

Weight: 280 pounds

NFL mock draft projection: No. 48 offensive tackle (ESPN)

Alex Wollschlaeger, Kentucky, offensive lineman​

Height: 6-7

Weight: 311 pounds

NFL mock draft projection: No. 42 offensive tackle (ESPN)



Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: NFL Draft 2026, watch Louisville, Kentucky football players get picked

Continue reading...