Draft experts eye a dynamic backcourt pairing in Salt Lake City as the Jayhawks’ elite shot-creator emerges as the consensus solution to bolster Utah’s offensive versatility.
With the 2026 NBA Draft approaching and just over two weeks remaining until the first round on June 23, national analysts continue to align on one outcome for the Utah Jazz, and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is the projected pick at No. 2.
The Jazz will have their choice of several top prospects after landing the second pick in last month’s lottery. AJ Dybantsa, Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson are widely expected to make up the first four selections, though the order remains unsettled as teams evaluate strengths, weaknesses and long‑term fit.
A new round of mock drafts was released this week and was analyzed on the Utah Jazz’s latest Mock Draft Monday showing a clear trend. The Athletic, Yahoo! Sports, Bleacher Report and The Ringer all project Peterson to Utah, each citing different elements of his profile that align with the Jazz’s roster and timeline.
The Athletic pointed to Utah’s roster construction following the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade, noting the team’s need for a guard who can help Keyonte George shoulder the creation load. Their analysis highlighted Peterson’s development as a passer during his senior year at Prolific Prep.
“He began to read the second and third levels of the defense and make plays off how help defenders played him, even at times manipulating them.”
The outlet added that injuries and spacing issues at Kansas limited his ability to showcase that growth.
Yahoo! Sports on the other hand emphasized Peterson’s scoring profile and versatility, calling him “a buttery smooth scorer with a blend of fluid body control and positional size that gives him the ingredients to become an elite NBA player.”
Their projection also noted his defensive impact, citing his ability to “cause chaos off‑ball” and his 6‑foot‑10 wingspan.
Bleacher Report framed Peterson as the most natural backcourt fit next to George, writing that he offers “better off‑ball scoring, shooting and perimeter defense.”
They added that if his medical issues at Kansas are behind him, “his ceiling is enormous.”
The Ringer echoed the upside, calling Peterson an ideal match for a Jazz roster that recently invested heavily in its frontcourt. Their analysis described him as a guard with “rare footwork and slinking movement patterns that allow him to get to his spots on the floor at will,” adding that his length and instincts make him “a nightmare at the point of attack.”
Across four major outlets, the consensus is that if Peterson is available, he is the projected selection for Utah at No. 2.
The Jazz will ultimately make their decision based on how the board breaks in front of them, but for now, the mock‑draft landscape points firmly toward the Jayhawk guard landing in Salt Lake City.
