The 2026 NFL Draft will commence on Thursday, April 23 and run through Saturday, April 25. The event takes place in downtown Pittsburgh.
- Day 1, Thursday, April 23: Round 1 begins at 7pm CT/8pm ET with live coverage on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network, with streaming available on ESPN+, NFL+, and Fubo.
- Day 2, Friday, April 24, 2026: Rounds 2 and 3 start at 6pm CT/7pm ET, continuing coverage on the same networks and streaming platforms.
- Day 3, Saturday, April 25, 2026: Rounds 4 through 7 begin at 11am CT/noon ET.
The NFL has invited 16 college football players to attend the festivities in PA. Among them are two former Alabama players are Kadyn Proctor and Ty Simpson. Below is the full list of who will be at the draft on April 23.
- EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
- DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
- CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
- S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
- WR Makai Lemon, USC
- RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
- OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
- DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
- QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
- LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
- WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
- WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Alabama has several former players who have a high likelihood of being selected in the seven round draft. Below you will find the predictions of myself
(C B) and my esteemed colleague Brent Taylor.
OL Kadyn Proctor
The big tackle appears to be a lock for the first round. Considering the value of the position and the fact that only two offensive linemen were invited to be on site in Pittsburgh for the draft, his name not being called on Thursday would be a bit of a shocker.
Chad Reuter of NFL.com likes him at No. 9 to Kansas City. Many have him at 23 to the Eagles. However, the team that comes up the most in the mocks is the Lions and No. 17. Detroit needs a guy opposite Penei Sewell.
CB PICK: I like that pick of the Lions.
BRENT PICK: mid round 1 – LA Chargers is my pick.
QB Ty Simpson
The Crimson Tide’s 2025 quarterback has been the most talked about and argued over prospect in the draft. Despite saying he is not a first rounder for weeks now, know-it-alls Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both think that the Cardinals trade up to the 30th spot of the draft to grab Simpson. Arizona has the No. 3 overall and don’t select again until 34. Thus, many of the mockers are jumping on the idea of the Cards trading up. Some of the predictions say Nos. 19 (Carolina), 20 (Dallas), 29 (Chiefs), and as high as No. 12 (Dallas) could be trade partners. That last one may be a strategy to jump the Jets who could grab him at No. 16 — another popular mock. The other destination mentioned the most is Pittsburgh at 21. Wouldn’t that be a sight seeing Simpson picked by the Steelers in front of all their fans?
CB PICK: First round to the host town Steelers.
BRENT PICK: late round 1 – It’s going to make me angry, but LA Rams. Which is great for Ty.
WR Germie Bernard
Most mock drafts drop off after the first round, but a good deal of them do two rounds or more. Germ is mentioned in many of those. A Day 2 selection (Round 2 or 3) seems to be the consensus.
CB PICK: In a wide receiver heavy draft, early third round seems like a good bet. I’ll go with the Dolphins who need to replace recently traded Jaylen Waddle and released Tyreek Hill.
BRENT PICK: early 3rd round
EDGE LT Overton
Speaking of prognosticators, many of them figured Overton would blow up as a senior at Alabama. He had a good season but it did not help his NFL stock very much.
CB PICK: There are eight compensatory selections in the fourth round. This is where I see the 49ers picking him.
BRENT PICK: 5th round
LB Deontae Lawson
Lawson could use a few years as a back-up to develop into a starter.
CB PICK: I’m going 6th but later is very possible.
BRENT PICK: UDFA
LB Justin Jefferson
JJ really benefited from his final season at the Capstone. He measured 6’0-3/8″ and 223 lbs at the Combine which is not far off from what Alabama listed him. His size might seem light to be a NFL linebacker, but he would likely excel as a linebacker/safety hybrid much like Mark Barron did late in his NFL career.
CB PICK: 6th round.
BRENT PICK: 6th round
DL Tim Keenan
Here is another guy we expected to have a huge senior season but just turned out “only” good. He was not great at the Combine either but there is still value in a d-linemen to clog up the middle.
CB PICK: 5th round
BRENT PICK: 5th round
IOL Parker Brailsford
His size (6’1-7/8″ ~ 289 lbs at the Combine) has always been a concern, but he is a gritty smart player.
CB PICK: 7th round
BRENT PICK: 4th round
DB Domani Jackson
Jackson was another that did not live up to the hype and then lost his starting job to freshman Dijon Lee. He did, however, come on strong at the end of the season to fill his scouting reel. Jackson is very athletic with good size and elite speed. He could catch onto a team as a special teams player or maybe as a dime cover.
CB PICK: 7th round or UDFA bidding war
BRENT PICK: 6th round
TE Josh Cuevas
I don’t get why this guy does not get the love he deserves. If Cameron Latu can go in the third round, surely Cuevas will be picked somewhere.
CB PICK: A steal in the 6th round
BRENT PICK: UDFA
RB Jam Miller
Old running backs in the NFL are the top panel of the Drake meme. Young inexpensive running backs picked at the end of Day 3 are the bottom panel. For this reason, I feel like someone takes a flyer on him late on Saturday.
CB PICK: 7th round
BRENT PICK: UDFA
OL Kam Dewberry
Kam did not make any “ALL-something” lists this season. But the guy was a starter for bygawd Alabama. Some team will pick him up after the draft concludes and give him a chance to prove himself.
CB PICK: UDFA
BRENT PICK: UDFA
OG Jaeden Roberts
This previous year starter disappeared from the starting lineup as a senior for unclear reasons. Even with that setback, he has good size and scored really well at the Combine. He could stick with a practice squad in 2026.
CB PICK: UDFA
BRENT PICK: UDFA
OTHERS
DaShawn Jones – CB: UDFA; Brent: UDFA
Nikhai Hill-Green – CB: no offer; Brent: UDFA
Geno VanDeMark – CB: no offer; Brent: UDFA
