Could a former Northwestern captain be selected on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft?
The first day of the 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books. Former Northwestern left tackle Caleb Tiernan did not hear his name called on Thursday, but the ex-Wildcat captain is widely expected to be picked during the second or third round on Friday.
Seven offensive tackles went off the board in Round 1, leaving Tiernan as one of the best options available for teams looking for a blindside blocker. CBS Sports analyst Josh Edwards predicted that Tiernan would be selected with a second-round pick on Friday night, No. 61 overall to the Los Angeles Rams.
"Los Angeles adds competition to the right tackle position," Edwards said in his mock draft. "Caleb Tiernan is a fundamentally sound lineman who is maybe a bit more capped on potential."
Edwards ranked Tiernan as the No. 53 prospect overall and the No. 8 offensive tackle. He largely played left tackle at Northwestern, only starting on the right side as a redshirt freshman while All-American Peter Skoronski manned the blindside. Many NFL scouts believe that Tiernan, like Skoronski, will move inside to play guard at the next level.
The Rams shocked fans, analysts and even their head coach when they selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round. Los Angeles was one game away from the Super Bowl — falling to the eventual champion Seahawks, 31-27, in the NFC Championship Game — and already has a starting quarterback in Matthew Stafford. The 38-year-old won the league's Most Valuable Player award last fall and has already announced his intention to play an 18th season.
Tiernan would add depth to the Rams' offensive line room, which graded out as one of the best units in 2025. The Wildcats' captain would earn the opportunity to develop behind an experienced group, then potentially take over as a starter if Los Angeles decides to move in a younger (or cheaper) direction.
Right guard Kevin Dotson, left guard Steve Avila, right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. and center Coleman Shelton are all entering the final season on their respective contracts. Left tackle Alaric Jackson won't be an unrestricted free agent until 2028, but he is set to make nearly $50 million over the next two years.
If the Rams do not pick Tiernan at No. 61 overall, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller matched the Philadelphia Eagles (No. 68 overall) as a potential landing spot for him in Round 3.