(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Where are the Jacksonville area’s prime prospects heading in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft means life-changing moments for hundreds of college football prospects, and Northeast Florida is no exception. Several players with Jacksonville ties are expected to join the ranks of NFL athletes this fall once the draft wraps up and preseason activities begin. Even locals who aren’t drafted can still stake their claim for a roster spot as undrafted free agents.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, two Jacksonville-area players received selections: Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant (Atlantic Coast High School) went to the Denver Broncos at No. 74 overall in the third round, and Miami offensive lineman Jalen Rivers (Oakleaf High School) joined the Cincinnati Bengals with a fifth-rounder at No. 153.
See the Times-Union’s tracker of Jacksonville-area players selected in the 2026 draft.
QB Carson Beck (Mandarin), Miami, No. 65, Cardinals
The former Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football is heading to Arizona with the third round’s first selection. Beck twice won national championships as a backup at Georgia and went to the last College Football Playoff final as Miami’s starter.
OT Austin Barber (Trinity Christian), Florida, No. 86, Browns
A state champion at Trinity Christian as anchor of the left side of the O-line, Barber also excelled with the Gators. He’s on his way to Cleveland.
DB Jadon Canady (Sandalwood), Oregon, No. 109, Chiefs
The athletic Canady, the Times-Union’s All-First Coast defensive player of the year in 2020 at Sandalwood, is on his way to Kansas City in the fourth round. He joins Trinity Christian graduate Chamarri Conner in the Chiefs’ secondary.
G Micah Morris (Camden County), Georgia, No. 207, Eagles
The massive Bulldog blocker is the latest in a long line of Georgia players to go to the Eagles on draft day. Philadelphia selected Morris, expected to play guard in the NFL, at No. 207 overall in the sixth round.
Reported undrafted free agent signings for Jacksonville-area players
Northwestern DB Fred Davis II (Trinity Christian), Commanders
UCF RB Myles Montgomery (Fletcher), Patriots
LSU LB Jack Pyburn (Bolles), Buccaneers
Auburn DB Jahquez Robinson (Sandalwood), Ravens
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Which Jacksonville-area players are selected in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Reporting by Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
