More local flavor? 7 Pittsburgh-area prospects who could be taken in 2026 NFL Draft or signed after
Roger Goodell will step to the podium and announce the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft less than a week from now. In the shadow of Acrisure Stadium, plenty of collegiate football players will learn where their next gridiron destination is.
The selection process could feature some local flavor, as well. Here are some prospects who are from or have a connection to Western Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh area.
Cooper, a consensus Division II All-American and Upshaw Award finalist last season, started 24 games at left tackle for The Rock over the past two seasons. He attended the East-West Shrine Bowl and turned some heads with his 6-foot-7, 320-pound stature.
The NFL Mock Draft Database tabs him as the No. 447 player in the draft and predicts him to be an undrafted free agent.
“I understand the reality of it, and it’s a far cry from where I’m at right now,” Cooper told the Butler Eagle in February of possibly getting drafted. “I’ve gotta continue to work hard and perform well at a pro day to even get close to that. But it would be really cool. ... Things will take care of (themselves).”
Dinkins, a Wexford native and North Allegheny graduate, was an All-Big Ten honorable mention for the Nittany Lions last season, posting 14 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
He made 14 starts over the past two campaigns.
“The production doesn’t really speak to Dinkins’ explosive athleticism and potential if properly developed,” NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein said of Dinkins, who is projected to be a priority free agent.
Dugger, a Penn Hills graduate, posted 125 total tackles last season, along with four sacks, a forced fumble and two passes defended.
The NFL Mock Draft Database tabs him as the No. 329-ranked player in the draft and projects him as an undrafted free agent.
Hayes, a Westinghouse product, began his collegiate career with four seasons at Pitt before transferring to join Deion Sanders at Colorado in 2024. He finished his tenure with the Aggies, pinning up 18 stops, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Hayes is ranked as the No. 356 player in the draft by the NFL Mock Draft Database, which predicts he’ll be an undrafted free agent.
Heidenreich, who starred for Mt. Lebanon on the way to a PIAA Class 6A crown in 2021, was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference performer last season.
Heidenreich set a Midshipmen single-season record with 941 receiving yards and a career high-water mark with 16 touchdown grabs.
Projected to be taken in the sixth round, Heidenreich is “versatile and productive,” Zierlein said.
Louis starred for the Panthers’ defense over the past two seasons, garnering second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-ACC nods in 2024.
Louis had 81 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble last season. He’s forecasted to go in the second or third round.
“Teams need to have a plan for how to use him, but versatile sub-package defenders with speed and cover talent are valuable in the league,” Zierlein said.
Reid was banged up for most of last season with the Panthers, but made a large impact when on the field with 60 carries for 278 yards (4.6 yards a carry) and 23 receptions for 317 yards in seven games.
At 5-6 and 174 pounds, NFL.com compares Reid to Tarik Cohen, who was also undersized.
“Durability concerns will be prevalent at all times but the explosives he can generate as a backfield mismatch and return man will earn him consideration,” Zierlein said.
Reid figures to go in the seventh round or land with a team as an undrafted free agent.
Caleb Junko, P, Pitt
Tyler Rieger, LS, Duquesne
Cameron McLaurin, C, Duquesne
Jeff Persi, OT, Pitt
Justin Holmes, TE, Pitt
Tamon Lynum, CB, Pitt
Rashad Battle, CB, Pitt
Javon McIntyre, S, Pitt
Raphael Williams Jr., WR, Pitt
Jake Overman, TE, Pitt
Deuce Spann, WR, Pitt
Chaz Middleton, TE, Robert Morris
Patrick McDonnell, LB, Robert Morris
Levi Wentz, WR, Kansas (Pine-Richland)
Nahki Johnson, DT, Tulsa (West Mifflin)
Bralen Henderson, DT, Missouri (Central Catholic)
Marques Watson-Trent, LB, Nebraska (Blackhawk)
Aakeen Snell, CB, Central Michigan (Penn Hills)
Fintan Brose, G, Delaware (Hempfield)
Chase Mitchell, G, Vanderbilt (Washington)
