Ranking Arizona State NFL Draft Departures Least to Most Impactful in 2026

This certainly doesn't mean that Elliott won't be missed, it simply means that the infrastructure behind him is steadier at the moment, as well as Brian Ward's 4-2-5 defense, making it easier to rotate linebackers and go deeper into the room.

Elliott was an All-Big 12 caliber player and will be a great NFL player, but he comes in at four here.

3. Keith Abney II

Abney comes in at three after ultimately becoming a fourth-round pick on Saturday morning. The Texas native enjoyed one of the best individual defensive seasons in recent Arizona State history in 2025.

While Abney was considered "undersized" for a traditional boundary corner, he more than made up for it with incredible ball skills, an ability to use the sideline as a second defender, and a clutch factor that is conspicuous every time one goes back to watch him. Abney's placement at three is largely due to Arizona State's ability to rebound at the position.

2. Jordyn Tyson

Tyson's placement at two may come off as shocking to come, but again the Sun Devils did an unbelievable job at bouncing back from his departure.

Tyson is an all-world talent and will be missed in 2026, but the wide receiver room is much deeper compared to a season before, and Omarion Miller/Reed Harris provide high-end talent in their own right, even if Tyson isn't in the fold.

1. Max Iheanachor

Iheanachor was a first-round pick for a reason, and his absence has left more questions from within the Arizona State program compared to the other departures.

The Sun Devils are currently slated to start Jarmaine Mitchell and Champ Westbrook at the tackle spots, but the competition is absolutely open. There is still much uncertainty about how the two spots will shake out in the months ahead, which makes the two-year starter's lack of presence an immediate question.