Oklahoma Football will be well-represented in the 2026 NFL Draft with 10 prospects, find out where ESPN's Jordan Reid projects them to land
The 2026 NFL Draft, set to kick off in Pittsburgh this week, features a deep class of Oklahoma Sooners prospects. Ten players from the program, spanning edge rushers, interior defenders, skill-position athletes, and linemen, are poised to hear their names called or earn opportunities as undrafted free agents.
ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid’s final seven-round mock draft (projecting all 257 picks) and his top-499 big board provide the clearest ESPN-backed projections. Six Sooners are selected in Reid’s mock, underscoring the defensive talent emerging from Norman, while four others carry later-round or priority free-agent grades on his board.
R Mason Thomas, EDGE, headlines the group as a high-motor pass rusher. Reid projects him at No. 46 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “Thomas is an energetic edge player who doesn’t have an off switch,” Reid writes.
“He would provide the Bucs with another pressure generator off the edge.” On the big board, Thomas sits at No. 55 (Round 2 grade).
After a slow start in Norman, he exploded over the past two seasons with 49 tackles, 15.5 sacks, and 22 tackles for loss, blending quickness off the edge with relentless pursuit.
Gracen Halton, DT, another interior disruptor, lands at No. 60 to the Chicago Bears (via BUF trade in some projections).
Reid highlights his fit in schemes that value explosive upfield movement: “Halton is able to create quick wins with ease because of his body control and rapid hands to swat away blockers.”
Ranked No. 63 overall on Reid’s board (Round 2), Halton’s quick-twitch style makes him a natural fit for aggressive defensive lines.
Deion Burks, WR, brings speed and slot versatility to the Buccaneers at No. 116. A dynamic receiver with proven big-play ability, Burks (big-board No. 103, Round 3 range) adds another weapon to Tampa Bay’s passing attack after they addressed the secondary earlier.
His quickness and route-running project him as an immediate contributor in three-wide sets.
Febechi Nwaiwu, G/OL, bolsters the Tennessee Titans’ interior line at No. 144 (reacquired from LAR). Ranked No. 119 on Reid’s board (Round 4 grade), Nwaiwu’s size, power, and ability to anchor against bull rushers make him a reliable guard prospect who can step in and compete for snaps early.
Robert Spears-Jennings, S, goes to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 203 (via complex PHI/HOU trade). At big-board No. 254 (Round 6), the rangy safety offers coverage versatility and special-teams value, projecting as a depth piece with upside in zone schemes.
Kendal Daniels, LB, rounds out the drafted group at No. 232 to the Los Angeles Rams (from BAL). Ranked No. 232 (Round 5), Daniels brings sideline-to-sideline speed and tackling instincts that fit modern linebacker roles, particularly in coverage-heavy defenses.
The remaining four Sooners carry later-round grades on Reid’s big board but were not selected in his 257-pick mock, indicating they are viewed as priority undrafted free agents or late-round fliers depending on team needs.
Marvin Jones Jr., EDGE (big-board No. 353, Round 7) possesses length and run-defense chops that could make him a value pick late. Scouts note his potential as a situational pass rusher with room to grow.
Damonic Williams, DT (No. 317, Round 7) is a stout, short-area space-eater who stacks and sheds effectively. Earlier ESPN analysis pegged him as a potential seventh-round or priority free-agent type with solid two-gap ability.
Jaren Kanak, TE (No. 277, Round 6) stands out as an elite athlete at the position. Reid’s board and supporting analysis emphasize his athleticism; he simply needs the right scheme and coaching staff willing to deploy him creatively in motion or as a mismatch weapon.
Jaydn Ott, RB (No. 270, Round 6) arrived in Norman after a decorated career at Cal, where he posted 1,300+ yard seasons before injury setbacks. His vision and burst still flash big-play potential, though his Oklahoma production was limited. Late-round or UDFA upside remains if a team values his pre-injury tape.
Overall, Oklahoma’s 2026 class tilts heavily defensive, with Reid’s mock sending three pass rushers or interior defenders in the top 60 picks alone.
Thomas and Halton represent the cream of the crop as immediate impact players, while the mid-to-late round selections and undrafted contingent provide depth and special-teams versatility.
Reid’s big board grades (ranging from Round 2 to Round 7) reflect a realistic spread: elite traits at the top, developmental upside deeper down.
Whether landing in Reid’s exact slots or sliding based on team fits, Oklahoma’s group is positioned to make noise in the league for years to come.
Oklahoma Sooners in the 2026 NFL Draft
- R Mason Thomas, EDGE
- Deion Burks, WR
- Marvin Jones Jr., EDGE
- Kendal Daniels, LB
- Damonic Williams, DT
- Gracen Halton, DT
- Robert Spears-Jennings, S
- Jaren Kanak, TE
- Febechi Nwaiwu, OL
- Jaydn Ott, RB
2026 NFL Draft Projections for Oklahoma Sooners Prospects via ESPN's Jordan Reid:
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: R Mason Thomas, Edge
60. Chicago Bears (from BUF): Gracen Halton, DT
116. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Deion Burks, WR
144. Tennessee Titans (reacquired from LAR): Febechi Nwaiwu, G
203. Jacksonville Jaguars (from PHI via HOU and PHI): Robert Spears-Jennings, S
232. Los Angeles Rams (from BAL): Kendal Daniels, LB