NFL Draft ’26 | Miami, Clemson Biggest ACC Contributors

Who are the ACC football players most likely to be selected in Rounds 1-3 of the 2026 NFL Draft? You can spend inordinate amounts of time sifting through Mock Drafts this time of year and get a multitude of projections. We’ll take the liberty of doing some serious sifting to find the nuggets of gold available from the conference who will be among 257 picks. ACC Nation is projecting a total of 8 ACC teams represented in rounds 1-3.

We’re only about a month away from watching the annual spectacle unfold in Pittsburgh April 23 (first round) through April 25 (second through seventh rounds). If the weather holds the location is ideal for the 91st edition of the NFL Draft at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium. It’s the first time since 1948 that the event has been held in Pittsburgh.

NCAA Bracket | 2026 Seeds And Printable Bracket

NFL Draft

First, let’s take a look at the selection order for NFL teams in this year’s draft.

The first round will move along a bit more quickly as the NFL has reduced selection time from 10 to 8 minutes. The last time an adjustment was made it was reduced from 15 to 10 in 2008.

Unless there is a significant change the Las Vegas Raiders who are slated at 1-1 in the draft are expected to take former Cal player and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

As for first round players from the ACC Miami delivers a solid haul with three players while Clemson has two.

Here’s what rounds that we believe players will go in based upon multiple mock drafts and big boards. We’ll only mention what team we believe they’ll go to if a solid consensus is illustrated.

• ROUND 1 – NFL Draft
• Rueben Bain, Jr. Edge, Miami – Bain has been a top 10 pick for sometime and he’s mocked to the Jets with their 1-2 slot. His final season he pulled a PFF grade of 92.8 which ranks him second among edge defenders. Power, production and explosiveness has overcome questions about his arm length for the NFL.
• T.J. Parker Edge, Clemson – With 24 sacks over three seasons Parker earned a PFF grade of 80.0 over two seasons. If you’re a team looking for a run defender he’s your guy. The Patriots have been mentioned as a landing spot putting him at 1-31 unless New England moves up.
• Akheem Mesidor Edge, Miami – Though Mesidor is an older player (24) his play should be honey to the bees in this draft. He led the ACC with 10.5 sacks and forced 4 fumbles. He earned a PFF grade of 92.5. Expect a late first or early second round selection.
• Francis Mauigoa OT, Miami – Mauigoa is projected as a long-term addition for the team fortunate enough to grab him. He’s allowed only two sacks over two seasons and is a powerful, pro-ready lineman that could plug-n-play into right guard or tackle.
• Blake Miller OT, Clemson – Miller is projected as a selection for the Eagles by USA Today which would put him at 1-23. Again, another solid pick to shore up any lagging offensive line.

NCAA Basketball | ACC Nation’s 2026 Women’s Guide

• ROUND 2- NFL Draft
• Avieon Terrell* CB, Clemson – A solid prospect Terrell was positioned at nickel and averaged 50 tackles over the past two seasons along with creating eight forced fumbles. He’s projecting as a late first or mid-second round selection.
• Peter Woods DT, Clemson – Ranked as the No. 2 interior defensive lineman by a number of analysts at ESPN, Woods has been projected to be a pick for the Dallas Cowboys which would place him in the early to late second round.
• Chris Bell WR, Louisville – Mel Kiper has Bell as his 9th wide receiver and WalterFootball thinks he’ll be a mid-second round selection by the Commanders.
• Keylan Rutledge G, Georgia Tech – A physical player exhibiting good athleticism Rutledge must be doing something right as he’s been a three year All-ACC selection. Most boards are saying a day two selection which means his selection status could fluctuate as often the draft can be very fluid.
• Kyle Louis* S, Pitt – A projected day two selection Louis is in Mel Kiper’s top 5 for the position. That alone may drive up his stock as there’s clear need among numerous teams.

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• ROUND 3- NFL Draft
• Demond Claiborne RB, Wake Forest – Kiper lists Claiborne at No. 7 on his list and WalterFootball describes him as a smaller, but gritty and shifty runner. Projects as a third round pick.
• Amari Jackson CB, Boston College – Jackson is projected as a third round pick in the NFL draft going to the Browns by WalterFootball.
• Chandler Rivers CB, Duke – Mel Kiper is projecting Rivers as a Day 3 prospect which could move him out of the third and into later rounds.
• Vincent Anthony, Jr. Edge, Duke – Anthony is presenting on numerous mock drafts as a selection in the third.

*Denotes players granted special eligibility

NFL Draft – ACC Players Qualifying

These underclassmen have notified the NFL that they have fulfilled their degree requirements. They are eligible for selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.