ESPN analyst Field Yates has projected Duke University football player Chandler Rivers as a first-round selection in the 2026 National Football League draft. In his recent mock draft, Yates placed Rivers at No. 26 overall, slated to join the Los Angeles Chargers.
According to Yates, Rivers stands out early in the draft process for his versatility and ball skills. “One of my favorite players to study in the early part of the 2026 draft process is Rivers, a versatile corner with excellent ball skills,” he said. “(At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, he has aligned both on the perimeter and in the slot, showcasing sticky coverage skills, good instincts and even some blitzing ability. He earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2024 by picking off three passes and allowing just 13 catches all season.)” The analyst predicted Rivers as the third cornerback chosen in this mock, following Avieon Terrell from Clemson at No. 15 overall and Jermod McCoy from Tennessee at No. 17 overall.
Duke football head coach Manny Diaz retained Rivers for another season after speculation that he might enter the National Football League draft one year earlier. Instead of entering professional ranks for 2025, Rivers chose to return for his senior season with the Blue Devils.
ESPN ranked Rivers as the seventh-best returning defensive back nationwide ahead of his final college campaign. He also made ESPN’s Second Team Preseason All-American list and was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List for top defensive players.
Rivers will help lead a defense that had a strong showing during the previous season under Diaz’s guidance; Duke ranked second nationally in tackles for loss with one hundred sixteen, fourth in sacks with forty-three, and twenty-sixth nationally on third-down conversion percentage at thirty-three point eight percent.
Other projections similarly rate Rivers among top prospects; CBS Sports recently placed him near their top ten overall picks in another mock draft.
