NFL Draft 2026 top picks by state

wcc

Apr 26, 2026 - 18:36

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The 2026 NFL Draft has not officially concluded, with 257 players hearing their names called to play for one of the 32 teams.

Long before these players were heading towards the league, they were standouts at a high school from anywhere around the country. As football continues to grow, it shouldn't come as a shock that nearly every state had a player taken at some point in the draft.

Here's a look at each of the top picks for every state who had a players or players selected:

Alabama: Peter Woods

Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) shown on the field pregame prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 29 (Kansas City Chiefs)

High School: Thompson High School (Alabaster)

College: Clemson

Position: Defensive Tackle

Arizona: Caleb Lomu

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (OL33) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 28 (New England Patriots)

High School: Highland High School (Gilbert)

College: Utah

Position: Offensive Tackle

Arkansas: Jayden Williams

Sep 13, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive lineman Jayden Williams (50) and offensive lineman Patrick Kutas (75) block Arkansas Razorback defensive lineman Ian Geffrard (95) during the fourth quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 7, Pick 217 (Arizona Cardinals)

High School: Conway High School

College: Ole Miss

Position: Offensive Tackle

California: David Bailey

Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL draft.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 2 (New York Jets)

High School: Mater Dei (Santa Ana)

College: Texas Tech

Position: EDGE

Colorado: Emmanuel Pregnon

Emmanuel Pregnon (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

NFL Draft Selection: Round 3, Pick 88 (Jacksonville Jaguars)

High School: Thomas Jefferson High School (Denver)

College: Oregon

Position: Guard

Connecticut: Skyler Bell

Skyler Bell of the UConn Huskies skips into the endzone for a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the first half of the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park on December 27, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 4, Pick 125 (Buffalo Bills)

High School: Taft School (Watertown)

College: UConn

Position: Wide Receiver

Florida: Fernando Mendoza

Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 1 (Las Vegas Raiders)

High School: Christopher Columbus High School (Miami)

College: Indiana

Position: Quarterback

Georgia: Caleb Downs

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 11 (Dallas Cowboys)

High School: Mill Creek (Hoschton)

College: Ohio State

Position: Safety

Hawaii: De’Zhaun Stribling

De’Zhaun Stribling (1) runs drills during an Oklahoma State football practice in Stillwater, Okla., on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 2, Pick 33 (San Francisco 49ers)

High School: Kapolei High School

College: Ole Miss

Position: Wide Receiver

Idaho: Kenyon Sadiq

Kenyon Sadiq #18, Oregon Ducks (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 16 (New York Jets)

High School: Skyline High School (Idaho Falls)

College: Oregon

Position: Tight End

Illinois: Keagen Trost

Keagen Trost of the Missouri Tigers participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 3, Pick 93 (Los Angeles Rams)

High School: Kankakee High School

College: Missouri

Position: Offensive Tackle

Indiana: Dillon Thieneman

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 25 (Chicago Bears)

High School: Westfield High School

College: Oregon

Position: Safety

Iowa: Kadyn Proctor

Miami Dolphins' first-round pick Kadyn Proctor with his new jersey on April 24, 2026.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 12 (Miami Dolphins)

High School: Southeast Polk (Des Moines)

College: Alabama

Position: Offensive Tackle

Kansas: Sam Hecht

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats offensive lineman Sam Hecht (75) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NFL Draft Selection: Round 5, Pick 144 (Carolina Panthers)

High School: Mill Valley High School (Shawnee)

College: Kansas State

Position: Center

Kentucky: Malachi Lawrence

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA;
Texas Tech defensive lineman Romello Height (DL40) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 23 (Dallas Cowboys)

High School: Dupont Manual (Louisville)

College: UCF

Position: EDGE

Louisiana: Bud Clark

Nov 9, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs safety Bud Clark (21) reacts after making an interception during the first half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

NFL Draft Selection: Round 2, Pick 64 (Seattle Seahawks)

High School: Alexandria High School

College: TCU

Position: Safety

Maryland: Mansoor Delane

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive back Mansoor Delane is selected by the Kansas City Chiefs as the number six pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 6 (Kansas City Chiefs)

High School: Archbishop Spalding (Severn)

College: LSU

Position: Cornerback

Michigan: Caleb Banks

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks is selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number 18 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 18 (Minnesota Vikings)

High School: Southfield High School

College: Florida

Position: Defensive Tackle

Minnesota: Bryce Lance

Bryce Lance of the North Dakota State Bison participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 4, Pick 136 (New Orleans Saints)

High School: Marshall High School

College: North Dakota State

Position: Wide Receiver

Mississippi: Markel Bell

Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Markel Bell (70) after defeating the Mississippi Rebels during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NFL Draft Selection: Round 3, Pick 68 (Philadelphia Eagles)

High School: Cleveland Central

College: Miami

Position: Offensive Tackle

Missouri: Jeremiyah Love

The Arizona Cardinals introduce their first-round draft pick running back Jeremiyah Love during a press conference at the Cardinals Dignity Health training facility on April 24, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 3 (Arizona Cardinals)

High School: Christian Brothers College High School

College: Notre Dame

Position: Running Back

Montana: Keyshawn James-Newby

Keyshawn James-Newby (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

NFL Draft Selection: Round 7, Pick 252 (Philadelphia Eagles)

High School: Helena High School

College: New Mexico

Position: EDGE

Nebraska: Nate Boerkircher

Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 2, Pick 56 (Jacksonville Jaguars)

High School: Aurora High School

College: Texas A&M

Position: Tight End

Nevada: Germie Bernard

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Tennessee Volunteers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 2, Pick 47 (Pittsburgh Steelers)

High School: Liberty High School (Henderson)

College: Alabama

Position: Wide Receiver

New Jersey: Chase Bisontis

28. Houston Texans – Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

NFL Draft Selection: Round 2, Pick 34 (Arizona Cardinals)

High School: Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey)

College: Texas A&M

Position: Guard

New York: Mike Washington Jr.

NFL Draft prospect Mike Washington Jr (right) addresses the crowd during a Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Watson Williams Elementary School in Utica, New York.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 4, Pick 122 (Las Vegas Raiders)

High School: Cicero-North Syracuse High School

College: Arkansas

Position: Running Back

North Carolina: KC Concepcion

Nov 22, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) signals first down in the first half of game against the Samford Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Buvid-Imagn Images

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 24 (Cleveland Browns)

High School: Chambers High School (Charlotte)

College: Texas A&M

Position: Wide Receiver

Ohio: Arvell Reese

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 5 (New York Giants)

High School: Glenville (Cleveland)

College: Ohio State

Position: EDGE

Oklahoma: Chris McClellan

Missouri Tigers defensive tackle Chris McClellan (7) celebrates his sack as Auburn Tigers take on Missouri Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Missouri Tigers lead Auburn Tigers 10-7 at halftime.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 3, Pick 77 (Green Bay Packers)

High School: Owasso High School

College: Missouri

Position: Defensive Tackle

Oregon: Kage Casey

Kage Casey of the Boise State Broncos participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 4, Pick 111 (Denver Broncos)

High School: Clackamas High School

College: Boise State

Position: Offensive Tackle

Pennsylvania: Josiah Trotter

Linebacker Josiah Trotter #40 of the Missouri Tigers celebrates a tackle against the Central Arkansas Bears in the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on August 28, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

NFL Draft Selection: Round 2, Pick 46 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

High School: St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)

College: Missouri

Position: Linebacker

South Carolina: Monroe Freeling

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) blocks Texas Longhorns edge rusher Trey Moore

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 19 (Carolina Panthers)

High School: Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mount Pleasant)

College: Georgia

Position: Offensive Tackle

Tennessee: Ty Simpson

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park in Pittsburgh on April 23, 2026.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 13 (Los Angeles Rams)

High School: Westview (Martin)

College: Alabama

Position: Quarterback

Texas: Jordyn Tyson

Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jordyn Tyson is selected by the New Orleans Saints as the number eight pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on April 23, 2026.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 8 (New Orleans Saints)

High School: Allen High School

College: Arizona State

Position: Wide Receiver

Utah: Spencer Fano

Browns NFL Draft pick Spencer Fano

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 9 (Cleveland Browns)

High School: Timpview High School (Provo)

College: Utah

Position: Offensive Tackle

Virginia: Malachi Fields

Malachi Fields of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a touchdown during the second half of the NCAA game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Boise State Broncos at Notre Dame Stadium on October 4, 2025, in South Bend, Indiana.

NFL Draft Selection: Round 3, Pick 74 (New York Giants)

High School: Monticello High School (Charlottesville)

College: Notre Dame

Position: Wide Receiver

Washington: Olaivavega Ioane

Olaivavega Ioane (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

NFL Draft Selection: Round 1, Pick 14 (Baltimore Ravens)

High School: Graham-Kapowsin High School

College: Penn State

Position: Guard

Wisconsin: Max Bredeson

Max Bredeson of the Michigan Wolverines speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.