Teams tap KC-area football talent in 2026 NFL Draft. See who went where
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- NFL teams selected multiple Kansas City‑area high school products in the 2026 draft.
- Edge rusher Cashius Howell, a Rockhurst product, was picked No. 41 overall by the Bengals.
- Malik Benson, from Lansing and the Oregon Ducks, was chosen by the Raiders.
NFL teams from coast to coast recognized talent in multiple Kansas City-area high school football products this year, turning several into pro football players via selections in this year’s NFL Draft.
Malik Benson, who played at Lansing High and then competed for Florida State, Hutchinson Community College, Alabama and finally the Oregon Ducks, on Saturday was taken by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 195 overall pick in Round 6.
Earlier Saturday, in Round 5, former Mill Valley standout offensive lineman Sam Hecht — who went on to help anchor the line at K-State — was picked No. 144 overall in Round 4 by the Carolina Panthers.
Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott from Richmond was taken No. 166 overall in the fifth round by the Chicago Bears.
A couple of players from the KC metro were selected even earlier in the draft — Friday’s second round. The draft’s first round was conducted on Thursday, Rounds 2-3 took place Friday and Rounds 4-7 wrapped up this year’s festivities in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Edge rusher Cashius Howell, who played at Rockhurst High before starring for Bowling Green and then the Texas A&M Aggies in college, was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 41 overall.
At No. 82 overall, still in Round 2, the Minnesota Vikings selected former North Kansas City High defensive lineman Domonique Orange. Nicknamed “Big Citrus,” Orange progressed from Northtown to a stellar college career at Iowa State.
The Seattle Seahawks selected Blue Springs High product Beau Stephens, who played collegiately at Iowa, with the No. 148th pick in Round 5, trading up to pluck him.
Hoping to sign on with a team as an undrafted free agent late Saturday afternoon was receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, who grew up in Overland Park and went to Blue Valley Northwest for two years before moving to the Dallas area. He played at Florida State.
The same was true for tight ends John Michael Gyllenborg (Wyoming and Rockhurst High) and Miles Kitselman (Tennessee and Lyndon, Kansas). Both were hoping to hear calls from interested NFL teams once the draft concluded about 6 o’clock Saturday evening.
This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 4:28 PM.