Rookie Readiness: Evaluating the 2026 Class
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From Seattle's backfield to Dallas's secondary, several top draft picks face immediate pressure to perform amidst roster turmoil.
As the NFL prepares for the 2026 regular season, several rookies are stepping into high-stakes roles due to injuries and roster shifts, as Sportsnet first reported.
According to Sportsnet, the Seattle Seahawks selected Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick to bolster a rushing attack that lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to Kansas City. With running back Zach Charbonnet on the PUP list following a torn ACL, Price enters the season without any preseason snaps. He is expected to share carries with George Holani.
In San Francisco, the 49ers used the first pick of the second round on Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. Sportsnet reports Stribling joins a receiving corps depleted by injuries to Mike Evans (groin) and Ricky Pearsall (knee), while All-Pro tight end George Kittle is recovering from a ruptured Achilles. Stribling, who ran a 4.36 second 40-yard dash at the combine, is one of the few healthy targets available for quarterback Brock Purdy.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans selected Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate 4th overall to provide reliable targets for quarterback Cam Ward. Despite a quiet preseason with no catches in 35 snaps, Tate arrives after recording 875 yards and nine touchdowns for the Buckeyes, per Sportsnet.
On the defensive side, the Dallas Cowboys used the 11th overall pick on Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs. Sportsnet notes that defensive coordinator Christian Parker will utilize the versatile former All-American within a new aggressive 3-4 scheme to help a defense that allowed a league-high 511 points in 2025.