Four Oregon Stars Projected as Early Picks in 2026 NFL Mock Drafts

The Oregon Ducks have emerged as one of the nation’s premier developmental college programs in recent years. This year alone, the team had the fourth-highest number of players drafted out of all the teams in the country, with 10.

The Ducks went 13-1 last year, but with so much displaced talent, it is extremely tough to replicate the success of the previous season. Despite this, a recent 2026 NFL mock draft reveals that Oregon may be able to bounce back after all.

USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz crafted a first-round mock draft for next year, which featured four Ducks among the first 32 picks. The team had two first-round picks this year, so if this mock has any resemblance to reality, the upcoming season could be even more prosperous for Oregon.

Isaiah World

Pick 13 — San Francisco 49ers

First up on the list is Isaiah World, who has not played for the Ducks just yet outside of the spring game but is expected to be a force on the offensive line. Middlehurst-Schwartz projects him to be selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 13 pick. The tackle is reminiscent of Los Angeles Chargers lineman Mekhi Becton, who was not the most polished prospect coming out of school, but the measurables were too unique to pass on.

World is a little slim for his size, sitting at around 310 pounds, but at 6-foot-8, if he is able to fill out his frame, then he has a chance to be the bookend of an NFL line for a long time. He possesses incredible strength and athleticism that weaponizes him with the most upside of any lineman in the draft.

Matayo Uiagalelei

Pick 15 — Seattle Seahawks

Going just two picks later at No. 15 is edge rusher Matayo Uiagelelei. Though he did not play much as a true freshman, his talent was abundantly clear in 2023 when he earned his way onto the field.

With a year of seasoning under his belt and the path clear for playing time, Uiagelelei went on a tear, recording 10.5 sacks to go along with two forced fumbles last season. The star pass rusher owns a rare combination of size and speed, so if he improves this season, then he could be picked even higher than this projection.

Evan Stewart

Pick 16 — Arizona Cardinals

In the hypothetical run on Oregon Ducks, wide receiver Evan Stewart gets selected with the very next pick, No. 16. The senior was once a five-star recruit. While he hasn’t had the production he would have liked just yet in college, his traits set him apart from the rest of the receivers in his class.

Stewart is relatively small for a receiver at 6’0 and 175 pounds, but you would never know based on the way he plays. He has swift movement off the line of scrimmage and, despite being undersized, is not afraid to fight off defenders in the open field. The senior puts you in the mind of Philadelphia Eagles receiver Devonta Smith with his small frame, impressive route running, and unbelievable contested catches. Stewart may not have glamorous yardage totals, but the pure talent is undeniable.

Dillon Thieneman

Pick 27 — Buffalo Bills

The final Duck projected to be taken in the first round is safety Dillon Thieneman with the 27th pick. The junior defensive back is another player who has not played for Oregon’s program yet outside of the spring game, but his first two seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers were something to behold. He introduced himself to the world as a ballhawk in his first year in college, setting Purdue’s freshman record for interceptions with six.

Shockingly, the former three-star recruit didn’t pick a single pass off this past season, but it allowed him to show more versatility than ever before. Thieneman recorded 70 tackles, five of which were for losses, seven passes defensed, a sack, and even got to try his hand at returning punts during the season.

He is shaping up to be one of the best safety prospects in college football. It’s hard to find defenders with that type of physicality and ball skills in the NFL, so it is no surprise Thieneman is held in such high regard.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Four Oregon Ducks Projected as First-Round Picks

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