Dan Lanning looking forward to busy, successful NFL Draft for Oregon
The 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin in less than a week and will culminate on the morning of the Oregon Ducks' spring game at Autzen Stadium. It's a busy week for both current and former Ducks, and Dan Lanning is at the center of it all.
24 Ducks have been drafted to the NFL in the three drafts since Lanning took over at Oregon, including a program-record 10 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Ducks might not hear that many names called this year, but there is a chance to hear multiple former Ducks cross over to the pro level in the first round.
Kenyon Sadiq and Dillon Thieneman appear to be locks for the first round, while Emmanuel Pregnon could sneak into the back end of the opening round on Thursday night. That shouldn't overshadow those who go in the later rounds, where the Ducks have produced some quality NFL players in the past.
No matter where the Ducks go, or when, Lanning is excited to celebrate his former playmakers reaching the highest level of the sport.
"Yeah, try to be a part of as much of that as possible," Lanning said on Saturday. "We're sitting in a unique situation where we have a lot of guys, they're gonna probably hear their name called that first day, which is exciting for this program. It's a credit to them and the work that they put in. It's a big weekend to celebrate guys chasing their dreams and reaching those opportunities, and we're grateful."
The Ducks could see as many as eight or nine players drafted this year, with many coming in the later rounds. Despite starring for an Oregon team that was one of the top teams in the country and competed in the College Football Playoff semifinals last season, some of the Ducks' biggest producers, such as linebacker Bryce Boettcher and wide receiver Malik Benson , will likely hear their names called on the third day of the draft.
That's not to say that their achievements in an Oregon uniform were empty. Rather, it's the opposite. While the NFL scours over every detail and occasionally obsesses over particular physical traits, the Ducks have had players shine in the league after being a late pick. Tez Johnson did it last season, hauling in five touchdowns for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after his small frame allowed him to slip to the seventh round.
Besides Boettcher and Benson, that could wind up being Isaiah World , Jadon Canady , Noah Whittington or Alex Harkey . Whether those former Ducks are drafted late or not at all, Lanning sees it as a chance for them to continue to prove themselves wherever they land.
"I know there'll be a couple of guys that their name gets called later than they anticipated, or maybe it doesn't get called at all," Lanning said. "I'm excited to see what those guys do with that opportunity as well. But I know this, our phones have been ringing a lot lately, and there's gonna be some Ducks that create big opportunities for themselves over this weekend, and are gonna be guys that everybody recognizes going in next fall."
Lanning might be hoping some of his former Ducks wind up on his Kansas City Chiefs , alongside former Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa , but the Ducks' leader has learned to set aside his fandom in favor of his former players around the league.
"They're reaching those opportunities because of the work that they put in, and they'll forever be Ducks. So, really excited to see where guys go."
Since arriving in Eugene, Lanning has also made sure to keep the door open to former players returning. The Ducks will welcome back Johnson, Bo Nix, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Deommodore Lenoir at the spring game as honorary coaches , celebrating the program's sustained success in the NFL.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Dan Lanning ready for Oregon's busy weekend in 2026 NFL Draft
