Dan Lanning Speaks Candidly About Oregon's NFL Draft Decisions

The Oregon Ducks resumed spring practices on Tuesday, and Oregon coach Dan Lanning spoke to the media about some of the Ducks' high-profile NFL Draft decisions as the program gears up for its annual spring game on April 25.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore draws headlines after turning down the chance of becoming a top five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Ducks roster is filled with talent and experience that returned to school.

In addition to Moore, wide receiver Evan Stewart, center Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu, and defensive linemen Bear Alexander, Teitum Tuioti, Matayo Uiagalelei, as well as A'Mauri Washington all chose to forgo the draft.

oregon ducks dante moore nfl draft decision dan lanning opinion bear alexander matayo uiagalelei dakorien moore — Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts during the first half of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

What Dan Lanning Said About Oregon's NFL Draft Decisions

After Tuesday's practice, Lanning was asked about the various NFL Draft decisions and what it means for the program heading into 2026.

“Every person makes the best decision for them, and obviously, he's one that made a unique decision. I think you're trying to decide what's the best situation for yourself. And what do you want to accomplish? There's some goals. You only get a limited amount of time you get to play college football as a separator."

“Once that time expires, the time expires, and every one of those guys recognize there's an opportunity for them to get better. There's some things that they want to accomplish at Oregon that they couldn't accomplish if they left. I think it speaks volumes about where they feel like they can grow and what they can do to help the team go where it needs to go.”

Oregon Ducks' Season Outlook

Moore completed 71.8 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and he was sacked 17 times. The improvement between Moore's first full season at Oregon compared to his freshman year at UCLA is evident, but there is still room for the Ducks quarterback to take the next step.

After focusing on his speed in the offseason, Moore entered the year noticeably faster. If his pocket presence and escapability continu to develop, he could lead the Ducks to new heights.

The load isn't entirely on Moore's shoulders, though. Laloulu and the Oregon offensive line are tasked with replacing three starters, all potential NFL Draft picks in Emmanuel Pregnon, Alex Harkey, and Isaiah World.

On defense, can the starting unit of Uiagalelei, Tuioti, Alexander, and Washington make enough of a difference to cover up any depth concerns? Can younger defensive linemen like Nasir Wyatt and Aydin Breland become consistent contributors?

While speaking to the media, Lanning continued to emphasize one of the key pillars of his program, growth. Whether it be returning stars like Uiagalelei, Laloulu, and Moore, or younger players like cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. and Dakorien Moore, Lanning and the Ducks are finding ways to improve.

Will a more experienced roster lead to more wins in 2026?

Oregon will enter the year with lofty expectations in the fifth year of Lanning's head coaching career, and the Ducks' new coordinators will likely face their first big test on Sept. 26 against the USC Trojans on the road. A trip to Southern California could serve as preparation for Oregon's road game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Nov. 7.

Some of the bigger home games at Autzen include contests against Nebraska, Michigan, and Washington.

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