The 2026 NFL Draft is here. The event will be held in Pittsburgh. Round 1 on April 23 at 8 PM ET. Rounds 2 and 3 on April 24 at 7 PM ET. And Rounds 4, 5, 6, and 7 on April 25 at noon ET. The NFL announced that 16 players will be attending the draft in person: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love, and more. Some of them are predicted for the four teams we’ll be discussing now. For instance, Downs is projected for the Commanders, McDonald for the Seahawks and the Bills. As for the 49ers, they are linked to Omar Cooper Jr. and KC Concepcion, but ESPN did not mention them in the attending 16 players list. Anyhow, let’s check out the top prospects picked by several analysts and experts for each team.
Potential football players selected for 49ers, Commanders, Bills, and Seahawks
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. picked Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for San Francisco. The roster needs to add a receiver, and Cooper could bring a run-after-catch element that fits perfectly with head coach Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. He displayed impeccable vision, patience, and contact strength in 2025, recording 13 receiving touchdowns.Hogs Haven’s MattInBrisVegas projects Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles for Washington. Styles is the best player available in a deep linebacker class. His dominated the 2026 NFL Combine with a total score of 95, earning the top spot among all linebackers.The predictor mentioned a fun story attached to the linebacker’s name. As per his mother, Laverna Styles, “He had such a hot temper, so we named him after Sonny from ‘The Godfather’ because when he and little Lorenzo (his brother and fellow NFL draft prospect) would get into an argument, he would get so mad. He could go from zero to ten in the blink of an eye, so his nickname became Sonny.”NFL Network’s Maddy Glab chose Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston for the Bills. He is projected at No. 26. According to ClutchPoints’ Garrett Kerman, the Huskies WR is the best contested-catch receiver in this entire draft class. He caught 10 of 13 contested catches in 2025, which gives him a 76.9% contested-catch rate. Josh Allen wants his receivers to be where they’re supposed to be and be dependable, and Boston fits the profile to a T.Sports Illustrated’s Michael Hanich selected Arkansas Razorbacks running back Mike Washington Jr. for the Seahawks. Kenneth Walker III left for Kansas City. There is a definitive lack of experience at running back; Zach Charbonnet could be out for the entire season. That’s where a top rookie RB like Washington comes into play. He rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns on 167 carries, while also catching 28 receptions for 226 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Players rooted for the San Francisco 49ers
Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (Sports Illustrated)Utah Utes offensive tackle Caleb Lomu (ESPN)
Players picked for Washington Commanders
Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (NFL Network) Indiana Hoosiers running back Kaelon Black (Commanders Wire)
Players lined up for the Seattle Seahawks
Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Colton Hood (The Athletic)UCF Knights edge rusher Malachi Lawrence (ESPN)
Players favored for the Buffalo Bills
Clemson Tigers defensive end TJ Parker (The Ringer)Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (CBS Sports).
