The 2026 NFL Draft was a successful one for the Arizona Wildcats, as four players were selected to continue their football careers at the professional level, marking the second consecutive time that many prospects were taken.
All four players picked up were defensive backs and helped push Arizona to the seventh-best passing defense in the NCAA, first in passing efficiency, and second in interceptions. Their impressive skills in coverage and downhill tackling ability will be much needed by their new teams.
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) celebrates with defensive back Ayden Garnes (9) after an interception against Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images7j65 | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Three of the four players were there when Arizona struggled heavily in 2024 and chose to stay with the program despite the uncertain outlook, making them that much more special to Wildcats fans. Now that the draft is over and all four players will be reporting to training camp soon, let's take a look at whose presence will be missed the most by ranking them all.
Jan 2, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Michael Dansby (25) intercepts a pass intended for SMU Mustangs wide receiver Jordan Hudson (2) in the second half during the Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dansby made an immediate impact after transferring over from San Jose State and playing a single season with the Block A on his helmet. During that season, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound shutdown corner was a wet blanket to those who lined up across from him, defending a team-high 10 passes and snagging two interceptions through all 13 games played.
Dansby's superb coverage skills will be of great use to the Seattle Seahawks , who drafted him with the 255th pick in the seventh round. Seattle has a loaded defense already, as they were the sixth best all around and 10th as a passing unit, so Dansby has a long way to climb up the totem pole. Still, his razor-sharp coverage skills and willingness to tackle should grab the attention of his new coaches.
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Dalton Johnson (43) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
A physical defensive back that can go downhill to stop the run and drop back into deep coverage, Johnson possesses all the tools to have a successful career in the NFL. Although he is somewhat undersized at the safety position at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, he makes up for it by never straying away from contact and locking down receivers to the best of his ability.
Johnson led the Wildcats in tackles for two consecutive seasons, posting 94 in 2024 and 97 in 2025, demonstrating the level of consistency he has shown. What makes Johnson special to Arizona is that he chose to continue playing for the program after a tumultuous 2024 season, when the Wildcats went 4-8, even though he could have found a new home through the transfer portal.
Arizona Wildcats defensive back Dalton Johnson (43) intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Cyrus Allen (4) in the second quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Arizona Wildcats at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Nov. 15, 2025. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The former three-star recruit out of Katy, TX, was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round with the 150th pick, and his style of play matches the Raiders' identity well. He will have the opportunity to compete for playing time on a team in the rebuilding process.
Aug 30, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Genesis Smith (12) blocks Hawaii Rainbow Warriors running back Cam Barfield (0) from a touchdown catch during the first quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Smith was, and forever will be, regarded as a special player for the Wildcats due to his consistency, durability, and versatility on the field. Smith began his collegiate career with the Wildcats in 2023, and ever since then, he has continued to elevate his game and become one of the better safeties in the Big 12.
After a modest freshman year where he posted 24 tackles and one pick, those numbers skyrocketed. After his sophomore year was over, he had 64 tackles, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Genesis Smith (left) tackles Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Malik McClain during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Smith snagged just one interception in his junior year, but had 77 tackles and deflected eight passes. Smith broke his foot against Oklahoma State, but elected to continue playing and finish out the regular season, which shows the dedication he had to the Wildcats.
The Third Team All-Big 12 player was taken by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round with the 131st pick and will have the opportunity to learn and play alongside one of the more physical safeties in Derwin James . His talent and skill set will be missed by Arizona fans across the country.
Nov 8, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) celebrates during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
From walk-on to the team captain, Stukes has had quite the journey in his career with the Wildcats. Now, he gets his storybook ending as a second-round draft pick for the Raiders. That nearly did not come into fruition as the sixth-year senior suffered a season-ending ACL tear in 2024 and had to miss the first two games in 2025.
Stukes' absence will be felt as he became one of the focal points of an Arizona defense that prided itself on stopping the pass and creating turnovers through the air.
This season, Stukes came back in a big way after his injury and posted four interceptions and six pass breakups that went along with 52 tackles. His athleticism and ball-hawking skills will be greatly needed on a Riders defense that is trying to become a dominant one in the AFC West and the NFL.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/arizona as Ranking Arizona's NFL Draft Departures, How They'll Impact Next Year .
