Saturday, April 11, 2026

Draft Night Invites

Sixteen prospects have accepted invites to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. 

David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

With their life-long dreams becoming real, it’s a big night for the 16 prospects. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be celebrating his likely #1 selection with family at home in Miami. 

With nearly a third of the invites, Ohio State players are expected to dominate the first night of the draft. 

Caleb Downs
Kadyn McDonald
Arvell Reese
Sonny Styles
Carnell Tate

All but Kadyn McDonald should be among the first ten selections. They may even be among the first six or seven selections. 

Perhaps the most curious of the 16 invites is Tennessee corner Colton Hood. He may be one of the best cornerbacks in the draft but he isn’t the top-ranked cornerback on his own college team. The top-ranked Volunteers corner is Jermod McCoy. He should challenge LSU’s Mansoor Delane as the first corner selected and will surely be off the board before the draft is half complete. Hood should hear his name in the second half of the first round. Or early on Day 2. 

If Colton Hood is selected in the first round, I believe the Green Room will be empty at the start of Day 2. Depending on the ranker, Ty Simpson might be the lowest ranked of the 16. It shouldn’t surprise if the second quarterback in this draft is selected in the first round. The NFL is all about the quarterback. 

Congratulations to the 16 prospects on the invites to their big night. 

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