BREAKING: In a stunning forecast, ESPN analyst Field Yates has just announced that two Oregon Ducks are projected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. As the NFL preseason heats up and college football kicks off, the anticipation for the draft is already building.
Yates predicts that outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei will go to the Green Bay Packers at pick No. 19, while left tackle Isaiah World is projected to land at No. 30 with the Kansas City Chiefs. This projection is significant as it highlights the growing reputation of Oregon’s football program on the national stage.
Uiagalelei, recognized as the Big Ten’s leading returning edge rusher, recorded an impressive 38 tackles last season, including 12.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. According to Yates, his versatility makes him a valuable addition to a Packers team that tied for eighth in the NFL in sacks last season. With several of Green Bay’s edge defenders nearing contract expiration, Uiagalelei could be the answer to their defensive needs.
World, who has been hailed as the top offensive lineman available in the transfer portal this offseason, also holds a remarkable record. Yates notes that World allowed no sacks during his last season at Nevada, although Pro Football Focus did attribute one sack to the 6-foot-8 senior. Nevertheless, Yates ranks him among seven offensive tackles expected to be chosen in the first round next April.
If Yates’ predictions come to fruition, it would mark a historic moment for Oregon, as it would be the fifth time the university has produced multiple first-round picks and the first instance of doing so in consecutive years.
As the Ducks gear up for their season opener against Montana State, all eyes will be on Uiagalelei and World to see if they can live up to the hype.
Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting developments as the college football season progresses.