The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin today, though no one from the Louisville football team is expected to hear their name just yet. Wide receiver Chris Bell had been a projected first-round pick, but an ACL injury caused a drop in his draft stock.
Still, Louisville has had a strong history of sending players to the league. Since 2010, the Cardinals have had at least one draft pick in 12 drafts. Last year, three players were drafted: quarterback Tyler Shough and cornerback Quincy Riley went to the New Orleans Saints in the second and fourth rounds, respectively, while the Kansas City Chiefs took defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte in the third round.
Bell’s selection will make him the first UofL receiver to be drafted since Jamari Thrash, who went to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
A handful of Kentucky players are also hoping to hear their names called this weekend. The Wildcats have had at least two players selected in seven straight drafts, the program's longest such streak since 1984-91. Six UK players were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
Here’s a look at the latest mock drafts and how to watch the 2026 NFL Draft:
The first round of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. today. The second and third rounds will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, with the final four rounds starting at noon Saturday.
All seven rounds of the NFL Draft will be on ESPN and the NFL Network. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial.
2025 stats: 72 catches for 917 yards; 6 TDs
NFL mock draft projections: No. 40 (The Athletic); No. 54 (USA TODAY); No. 67 (ESPN and NFL Network); No. 11 wide receiver (ESPN)
NFL mock draft projection: No. 60 edge rusher (ESPN)
NFL mock draft projection: No. 25 offensive guard (ESPN)
NFL mock draft projections: No. 249 (USA TODAY); No. 187 (NFL Network); No. 10 center (ESPN)
NFL mock draft projections: No. 169 (USA TODAY); No. 94 (NFL Network); No. 81 (ESPN); No. 5 offensive guard (ESPN)
NFL mock draft projections: No. 213 (USA TODAY); No. 232 (NFL Network); No. 31 defensive tackle (ESPN)
2025 stats: 59 tackles, 2½ for loss; 1 sack; 1 INT; 5 pass breakups
NFL mock draft projection: No. 64 cornerback (ESPN)
2025 stats: 29 tackles, 5 for loss; 1½ sacks; 6 pass breakups
NFL mock draft projections: No. 153 (USA TODAY); No. 163 (NFL Network); No. 27 defensive tackle (ESPN)
2025 stats: 60 receptions for 635 yards, 2 TDs; 15 carries for 53 yards; 25 punt returns for 454 yards, 2 TDs; 12 kickoff returns for 251 yards
NFL mock draft projections: No. 213 (NFL Network); No. 42 wide receiver (ESPN)