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Peak Perspective: 2026 Mountain West NFL Draft Winners and Losers
TL;DR
The recent NFL draft highlighted key winners and losers from the Mountain West and Pac-12 conferences. Notably, Chris Johnson from San Diego State emerged as a first-round pick, showcasing the potential of mid-major schools in the NFL landscape.
Key points
- Chris Johnson was the first player drafted from Mountain West/Pac-12
- He is a cornerback from San Diego State
- His selection highlights mid-major schools' potential in the NFL
- Johnson's decision to stay with the Aztecs is noteworthy
San Diego StateChris Johnson
Reviewing this past weekend’s NFL draft, here’s a short piece categorizing Mountain West (and Pac-12) related things into winners and losers. This clearly isn’t an exhaustive list, but it does feature some of the trends and observations from the draft.
Winners
Chris Johnson
The star cornerback out of San Diego State was able to rise into the back of the first round in the draft, becoming the first player off the board in the Mountain West/Pac-12 world. A mid-major school producing a bona fide first-round NFL talent is something to celebrate in the transfer portal era, and Johnson also deserves some credit for staying with the Aztecs when he undoubtedly had offers to leave. Like Ashton Jeanty before him, Johnson shows that the Group of 6 is a viable path to the NFL for those who are talented enough.
The Bison technically aren’t members of the Mountain West Conference just yet, but they still had a productive draft showing. North Dakota State was actually the only school under our scope that had multiple players drafted, with wide receiver Bryce Lane and quarterback Cole Payton both hearing their names called on Saturday. For a school that played at the FCS level, that’s a nice feat, and it’s still an accomplishment even for a team in teh Mountain West.
Keyshawn James-Newby
The former New Mexico edge-rusher has had quite the rise over the past few seasons. He started his career at Montana Tech for two seasons before venturing to Idaho for another two. He then moved up a level to try his hand at FBS football with New Mexico for his last season. And Keyshawn made it a season to remember, with 52 tackles, 15 for loss, and 9 sacks. He was able to turn that into a Day 3 NFL Draft selection, where he can now compete at the highest level.
Q&A
Who were the winners of the 2026 Mountain West NFL Draft?
Chris Johnson from San Diego State was a standout winner, being the first player selected from the Mountain West/Pac-12 in the draft.
What impact does Chris Johnson's draft position have on mid-major schools?
Johnson's rise to the first round illustrates that mid-major schools like San Diego State can produce NFL talent, enhancing their reputation in the transfer portal era.
What trends were observed in the 2026 NFL Draft for Mountain West players?
The draft showcased a mix of winners and losers, with notable performances from players like Chris Johnson indicating a growing viability for Group of 6 players in the NFL.
How does Chris Johnson's decision to stay at San Diego State affect future recruits?
Johnson's commitment to San Diego State despite offers from other schools may encourage future recruits to consider mid-major programs as viable paths to the NFL.
