Ole Miss Offensive Lineman Jayden Williams Drafted by Arizona Cardinals in Seventh Round

PYTTSBURGH, Pa. — Ole Miss offensive lineman Jayden Williams was drafted Saturday by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He was the 217th overall pick, the last of the draft’s seven rounds.

Williams joins wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, who was selected in the second round by the San Francisco 49ers, as Rebels drafted this year. This marks the sixth consecutive year and the 10th time in 11 drafts that Ole Miss has had multiple players selected.

Williams is the first Ole Miss offensive lineman drafted since 2023, when Nick Broeker was picked by the Buffalo Bills. He is also the highest offensive lineman from Ole Miss drafted since Royce Newman went to Green Bay in 2021.

The Conway, Arkansas native started 34 of 45 career games at Ole Miss. After redshirting in 2021, he became a regular starter, earning freshman All-America honors in 2022. Injuries limited his play in 2024, but he returned strong in 2025, starting all 15 games on the right side for Ole Miss, the first Rebel team to make the College Football Playoff.

According to Pro Football Focus, Williams was Ole Miss’ top-rated offensive lineman in 2025, with a season grade of 69.7 and a pass blocking grade of 78.5. He received SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week honors for his performance against South Carolina.

Williams will join former teammate Walter Nolen, a 2025 first-round pick, on the Cardinals. He is the first Ole Miss offensive lineman drafted by Arizona since Bobby Massie in 2012.

Several other Rebels could sign as undrafted free agents in the coming days, according to team sources.

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