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One Big Reason Why Emmanuel Pregnon Might Move Up NFL Draft Boards

The former Oregon Ducks interior offensive line enforcer, Emmanuel Pregnon might hear his name called earlier than expected at the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ally Osborne|
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (OL40) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (OL40) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Oregon Ducks

Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, analysts across the college and professional football continue to drum up praise for outgoing Oregon Duck safety Dillon Thieneman and tight end Kenyon Sadiq as the top prospects of the squad.

However, interior offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon continues to creep up draft boards not only due to the need across the league for more linemen, but also because of his consistent work for the Duck in the 2025-2026 season and his workout results in the post season.

Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon runs drills during Oregon Pro Day on March 17, 2026, at the Moshofsky Center in Eug
Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon runs drills during Oregon Pro Day on March 17, 2026, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Mel Kiper's Board Shows a Need for Linemen

When looking at ESPN Mel Kiper's round one NFL mock draft post free agency, there was a total of seven offensive linemen (counting all guards, centers, and tackles) projected by the draft expert for the first round of names that might be called in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23.

That number is slightly higher than average, according to lineman analyst publication Trench Warefare who studied the last 20 years of NFL Drafts and determined that the modern era of drafting typically means 5-6 offensive linemen on average get taken in the first round.

And the need for offensive linemen across the league can't be understated. On the Ducks' Pro Day, Pregnon did meet with the Cincinnati Bengals. Plus, the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, and Seattle Seahawks are all teams that have shown interest in Pregnon with significantly depleted interior linemen count.

Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (OL40) at the vertical jump station during the
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon (OL40) at the vertical jump station during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Emmanuel Pregnon Impressing with Workouts

Pregnon continues to help his case with major buzz coming from Oregon's Pro Day. He was one of the 15 Ducks that worked out (18 outgoing Ducks were present for interviews) an his agility particularly stood out in offensive line drills.

The momentum Pregnon continues to accrew began to pile up after an impressive NFL Combine performance.

Pregnon broke records with the best vertical jump (35 inches) among all offensive guards, the No. 2 broad jump among all the guards at 9-3. The "un-trainable" factors also stood out for Pregnon, who clocked in an impressive arm length (33 5/8 inches) and hand size (11 inches).

Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, center, takes the field before the game against Oklahoma State at Autzen.
Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, center, takes the field before the game against Oklahoma State at Autzen. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On the Field, Emmanuel Pregnon Brought Consistency

With rumblings about Oregon tackle Isaiah World's draft stock dipping due to his inconsistency on the exterior for the Ducks as well as a postseason injury, Pregnon proved the opposite with his performance throughout the 2025-2026 season. In fact, Pregnon beat out every other interior lineman in the country playing last season with pass-blocking and run-blocking grades over an 85 according to Pro Football Focus' numbers.

The AP All-American first team selection (in fact, he picked up honors from four of the five NCAA approved outlets for his sole year with the Ducks) clocked in the second-most snaps on the line with 910 total on the season. Pregnon also only allowed one sack and five pressures throughout 445 pass-block scenarios.

When looking at Pregnon's tape with the Ducks, his aggression, skill, and sheer size continues to push the narrative that maybe the USC transfer will continue to climb up the ranks as the draft peeks around the corner.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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