2026 draft prospects get important advice from NFL rookies
When Tyler Shough thinks again to the 2025 offseason resulting in the NFL drafthe remembers not being “on anyone’s radar.”
Shough endured an injury-filled faculty profession, which lasted seven years and culminated with a strong season at Louisville. He ended up being the third quarterback drafted final yr, going to the New Orleans Saints at No. 40 general. He then performed nicely sufficient to complete second to the Carolina Panthers‘ Tetairoa McMillan in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
“Just don’t listen to anything that anyone’s saying [heading into the draft]”Shough advised ESPN. “I remember when I got picked, there were probably a lot of people upset…
“I believe all the fellows popping out, simply undergo your course of, be your self all through the entire draft course of, be genuine to who you might be about your journey, about your shortcomings, all that stuff. And I believe it should work out the way in which it is presupposed to.”
ESPN requested 36 NFL rookies to share their largest piece of advice with 2026 draft prospects, who’re gathered in Indianapolis for the annual mix. Here have been a number of the key items of advice, ranging from having a “no person” to being affected person to — conversely — doing issues at a “million miles per hour.”
As far as ignoring predraft analysts, that mindset wasn’t troublesome for Dallas Cowboys beginning proper guard Tyler Bookerpartially due to what he had realized from his faculty coach.
“Ace [former Alabama] coach [Nick] Saban would say, he would call that rat poison,” stated Booker, the twelfth general choose. “So I don’t even pay attention to that stuff.”
Here’s what the aspiring rookies ought to take note of, in keeping with their future friends, as advised to the reporters who cowl their groups.
Designate somebody to say ‘No’
“I would say having a ‘no’ person [is the biggest piece of advice]”he stated Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jacksonwho was picked No. 24 general. “For me, that was my parents.
“I do not know if persons are reaching out to me, however they inform me persons are. Just have a ‘no’ individual, as a result of as soon as they see you on an NFL workforce, they routinely suppose, ‘Oh, he will present.’ You can have a ‘no’ individual for that.”
Use the slightest advantage you can find
“Find the small, as a result of everyone’s good benefits while you get right here,” he stated Chicago Bears operating again Kyle Monangaia seventh-rounder who made a big effect with the NFC North champs. “Even the fellows that do not begin, they’re in all probability one of the best athletes you may ever see.
“So find the small 1%, 2% advantages you can find, because I think those are what separates you since everyone for the most part is on the same talent level, except the freaks like Myles Garrett“
Never lose your confidence
“Just be the player that they drafted you to be,” he stated New York Jets offensive sort out Armand Membouthe seventh general choose. “Be the player that got you to this point, being able to get drafted.
“I’d say there have been instances in coaching camp after I wasn’t doing one of the best, however you simply must preserve pushing on and having that next-play mentality and remind your self that — no less than for me — remind your self that I’m right here for a cause.”
‘Comparison is the thief of joy’
“Lots of people go searching and have these chips in your shoulders of who was drafted increased than you,” he stated Los Angeles Rams tight finish Terrance Fergusonthe forty sixth general choose. “Keep these in thoughts, however to not watch them and fear about what different persons are doing, whether or not that is in your room, one other workforce, a Team X teammate or no matter. But give attention to what your work is and how one can get higher and be one of the best model of your self.
“I think comparison is the thief of joy, and so just being able to do that day in, day out. It’s definitely hard, especially with social media and everything that happens nowadays and being competitive.”
Always go laborious
“I would say, just go hard at everything you do,” he stated Buffalo Bills defensive sort out TJ Sanderswho was the forty first general choose. “Whether it’s in the team periods, games of course, but just make sure everything you do, you’re doing a million miles per hour.”
Take all the pieces someday at a time
“You’re going to get to a point where you’re at the combine and training and be like, ‘Man I just miss playing football. I just want to know what team I’m going to be playing on. I just want to get to it,'” Booker stated. “But really enjoy it, take it one day at a time and then just run your own race.”
Stay affected person
“That’s a great question for me because I have a little brother that’s in college football that hopes to get in the NFL one day,” he stated Carolina Panthers linebacker Princely Umanmielenwho went No. 77 general.
Umanmielen’s brother, Princewill, is an elite move rusher who transferred to LSU. He was third-team All-SEC final season at Ole Miss.
“What I would tell him would probably be [stay] patient and consistent,” Princely stated. “That’s really the main things you need your rookie year for sure.”
‘Listen to the vets’
“Just have confidence in yourself,” he stated Washington Commanders broad receiver Jaylin Lanea fourth-rounder. “Never lose that.
“Also the vets are [always] doing one thing, getting additional work or no matter. You should be proper there with them and simply hearken to the vets. That’s my largest factor.”
Stay balanced
“Definitely know what’s forward of you, as a result of it should be an extended yr,” stated Jets tight finish Mason Taylorwho went No. 42. “As lengthy as you maintain your physique, maintain your self, and when you could have off time utterly disconnect from it, you may be simply fantastic.
“I feel like I balanced it pretty well, but off time is pretty important, just to disconnect and get away from football sometimes. It can be overwhelming.”
Put extra time into ‘mobility’ work
“I definitely would have put a lot more time into mobility stuff, like range-of-motion stuff,” stated Eagles defensive sort out Ty Robinsona fourth-rounder. “I felt like I was pretty stiff in the beginning.
“Our employees is superior at having the ability to assist establish sure areas of the place you suppose you’ll be able to enhance. …You cannot be nervous or shy to go ask individuals for assist. That’s what they’re right here to do. And if meaning you get to assist this place win then it is value it.”
‘Take care of your physique’
“This whole draft process, for me it was a very long process,” he stated Jacksonville Jaguars operating again Bhayshul Tutena fourth-rounder. “You go from training for combine, then you got pro days and then you got 30 visits and then you got rookie minicamp. Then you go straight into OTAs and stuff like that.
“It’s going to be an extended yr. So maintain your physique, keep in form. Especially taking 30 visits, you need to work out, you need to run and preserve your conditioning up. Once you hit rookie minicamp, it is rock and rolling from there.
“So once you get here, you’re already beat. I think taking care of your body is the biggest thing because it’s going to be a long year. I think once you take care of your body and you just do everything right, keep working out, stay in condition, it’ll make it pretty easy for you.”
Additional reporting by Todd Archer, Rich Cimini, Courtney Cronin, Mike DiRocco, Alaina Getzenberg, John Keim, Tim McManus, David Newton, Katherine Terrell, Kevin Seifert, Nick Wagoner and Eric Woodyard.
