The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL draft.
This is going to be a heavy week. But before the commissioner steps to the podium for the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, let’s have a little fun.
For this project, I’m combining two of my favorite things: the NFL Draft and films from the ’90s. I went through the top 32 prospects on my draft rankings and jotted down the first quote from a ’90s movie that came to mind.
I know y’all will have some good ones, too, so drop them in the comments.
Here we go.
1. “I vote for outer space. No way these are local boys.” — “Tremors” (1990)
This line could describe multiple Ohio State defenders, but it applies particularly well to edge Arvell Reese, my top-ranked prospect. Growing up, it was hard to channel surf on weekends without stumbling upon “Tremors,” one of the more underrated movies of the decade. And the explanation that the character Earl comes up with for the underground monsters was as good as any, and it holds up for Reese as a front-seven defender.
2. “It’s the training. It shapes you into a lethal instrument. You react in a microsecond without thinking.” — “True Lies” (1994)
A “lethal instrument” who reacts in a “microsecond” is an apt way to describe Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the football in his hand.
3. Mike McDermott: “I’m going to Vegas.”
Cab driver: “Vegas, huh?”
Mike McDermott: “Yeah.”
Cab driver: “Good luck, man.” — “Rounders” (1998)
After the Raiders secured the No. 1 pick, this back-and-forth movie exchange became realistic small talk for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
4. “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” — “Goodfellas” (1990)
Arguably the best film of the decade, “Goodfellas” needed to be represented on this list — and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is a natural fit. A fiery kid, Styles (whose given name is Alexander) was nicknamed “Sonny” after hot-tempered movie gangster Sonny Corleone, played by James Caan in “The Godfather.”
5. “My boy’s wicked smart.” — “Good Will Hunting” (1997)
A genius-level twentysomething who doesn’t shy from violence when it’s needed can describe both Matt Damon’s titular Will Hunting and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The latter’s drive, quickness and physicality are above average, but his processing and understanding of high-level concepts separate him on the field.
6. “This guy’s methodical, exacting, and worst of all, patient.” — “Seven” (1995)
A movie that is equal parts gnarly and amazing, David Fincher’s “Seven” had multiple quotes that could’ve applied to this exercise. This particular line fits LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane‘s disciplined and controlled coverage style.
7. “I wanna make sure you’re ready, brother. Here it is: Show me the money. Oh-ho-ho! SHOW! ME! THE! MONEY! — “Jerry Maguire” (1996)
This isn’t a player-to-player comparison with Will Anderson Jr., one of the best defensive prospects I’ve ever scouted out of college. But on the heels of Anderson’s recent $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, this moment from “Jerry Maguire” popped into my head while thinking about Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. He likely won’t reach Anderson’s level as a pro, but NFL teams have shown they’ll open the checkbook for players who can affect the quarterback.
8. Leonardo: “I’m Leonardo.”
Michelangelo: “I’m Michelangelo.”
Donatello: “Donatello.”
Raphael: “I’m Raphael!”
Michelangelo: “All the good ones end in ‘-o’!” — “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze” (1991)
Okay, maybe not all good offensive linemen’s names end in “-o,” but arguably the name of the best one in this class does. Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano is a tackle on some draft boards and an interior lineman on others, but his versatility to play at a high level across the line is why he has so many fans around the league.
9. Mover: “You hit that guy!”
Happy Gilmore: “He shouldn’t have been standing there.” — “Happy Gilmore” (1996)
Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and his contact-driven style of play reminded me of this scene from a seminal comedy from my upbringing. He isn’t a subpar athlete by any means, but Bain is more likely to go through opponents than around them, using his leveraged power.
10. “DAAAAAMMMNN!” — “Friday” (1995)
This was the appropriate reaction whenever Ohio State tossed the ball downfield for wide receiver Carnell Tate. Though not a burner, Tate consistently gained a step of vertical separation with his pacing. Even more impressive were his tracking and finishing skills, regardless of the action required to make a catch.
11. “Now that’s how you supposed to drive! From now on, that’s how you drive!” — “Bad Boys” (1995)
This quote came to me while watching Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa use his power to drive defenders off the ball (there is also the Miami connection to Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s buddy-cop classic).
12. “Told you I’m never going back.” — “Heat” (1995)
In my head, this is what Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane says to defensive linemen after he uses his stout anchor to grind down and halt pass-rush attempts. There were a few quotes I considered from director Michael Mann’s iconic heist film, but given the way Ioane toys with his opponents, this fit best.
13. “You have something they want!” — “Enemy of the State” (1998)
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon isn’t the biggest or fastest, but he has a competitive “it” factor that the NFL covets. His manipulation as a route runner is terrific, as are his hands and strength through contact. But above all, his toughness will make him a productive pro.
14. “Get off my plane!” — “Air Force One” (1997)
The best coverage defenders can remove receivers from their vertical plane and disrupt the timing of their routes, either immediately or downfield. Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy has the physicality to jam and reroute at the line of scrimmage to quickly gain the upper hand and own that plane.
15. “Oh, Fay, this is so scrumptious. Is this hand-shucked?” — “What About Bob?” (1991)
I had to squeeze in a “What About Bob?” line. I have no idea how Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk feels about scrumptious corn on the cob, but I do know how well he uses his hands to shuck blocks and pursue the football. And with his effort, “he’s never gone!”
16. “I have got to get me one of these!” — “Independence Day” (1996)
Most teams don’t have tight end among their top needs, but that won’t stop them from considering Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. A dynamic athlete with or without the ball, Sadiq will be high on the wish lists of offensive play callers on draft night.
17. “Slide! Glide!” — “Heavyweights” (1995)
At 315 pounds, Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling makes it look easy in his pass-set slides to cut off edge speed and smoothly adjust on an island.
18. “I love pressure. I eat it for breakfast.” — “The Rock” (1996)
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman posted just a pair of interceptions in 2025, but both were game-clinching turnovers — and Thieneman often played his best when the stakes were highest. (I also can’t help but mention the name of Nicolas Cage’s character — “Stanley Goodspeed” — and Thieneman’s 4.35-second time in the 40-yard dash.)
19. Capt. Frank Ramsey: “What is that name, Mr. COB?”
Chief of the Boat Walters: “Alabama, sir!”
Ramsey: “And what do we say?”
Walters: “Go ‘Bama!”
All: “Roll Tide!” — “Crimson Tide” (1995)
This is a tad on the nose, but offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor was the only Alabama prospect who made my top 32, so it works. The USS Alabama submarine was the setting for 95 percent of this ’90s military thriller.
20. Agent J: “Is it worth it?”
Agent K: “Oh yeah, it’s worth it. … If you’re strong enough.” — “Men in Black” (1997)
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is one of the wild cards of the first round. Based on talent, he is a top-12 prospect — he reminds me of Stefon Diggs with his ability to separate and win the catch point. But durability is the unknown variable in his projection. Some teams don’t have that appetite for risk, while others with stronger conviction believe Tyson is worth taking a chance on.
21. “Hold on to your butts.” — “Jurassic Park” (1993)
Whenever Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion gets the ball, this Samuel L. Jackson line is the first thing that crosses my mind. There are certain athletes whose speed and burst you can feel — and Concepcion certainly qualifies.
22. “I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright.” — “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
At times, we are all guilty of boxing prospects into certain roles based on how they were used in college. Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has those bright feathers, because painting him as a slot-only prospect wouldn’t be wise. He has the speed, play strength and ball skills to flourish wherever he lines up on offense.
23. “We have to get that ball back.” — “The Sandlot” (1993)
With his ability to always be around the ball, Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is the type of defender who helps get possession back for his offense. Over the past three years, he combined for 13 forced turnovers (eight forced fumbles, five interceptions).
24. “Run, Forrest, Run!” — “Forrest Gump” (1994)
While talking to scouts over the summer and during the season, the key question they had about San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson concerned his speed. He doesn’t look slow on tape, but there were worries he would run in the 4.5s at the combine. Instead, Johnson put those questions to bed with a 4.40-second 40-yard dash.
25. “Utah, get me two!” — “Point Break” (1991)
With an Ohio State quarterback-turned-FBI agent played by Keanu Reeves, “Point Break” was clearly getting on this list (also, it’s a great movie). But this line by Gary Busey’s character (referring to meatball sandwiches) was the perfect fit for the Utah Utes, who have not one, but two, first-round offensive tackles in this class. Caleb Lomu needs time to develop his play strength, but his athletic movements and body control are appealing traits.
26. “Now that I’m grown, I eat five dozen eggs. So I’m roughly the size of a barge.” — “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
My 4-year-old daughter would not have approved if I didn’t include one of her movies — and right now, Belle is her favorite Disney princess. Be it by using his large catch radius or by boxing out defenders, Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston works his size to his advantage to be a ball-winner, which should translate well to the league.
27. “You tell ’em I’m coming, and hell’s coming with me, you hear? Hell’s coming with me!” — “Tombstone” (1993)
If you told me Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell talks trash before games by reciting this line, I would believe it, because that is how he plays. He has a “Honey Badger” aura, thanks to the way he constantly rallies to the football and impacts the game. His eight forced fumbles (over the past two seasons) are rare for a cornerback and reflect his play style.
28. Tommy Callahan: “You know, a lot of people go to college for seven years.”
Richard Hayden: “I know. They’re called doctors.” — “Tommy Boy” (1995)
To be fair, Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor (who recently turned 25), spent six years in college, not seven. Obviously, though, his age will be a factor for several teams regarding draft projection. There hasn’t been a 25-year-old drafted in Round 1 in the past 10 years, but Mesidor has first-round tape.
29. John Connor: “So, what’s the deal?”
Terminator: “My mission is to protect you.” — “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)
Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller might as well be a robot designed to protect his quarterback at all costs. He doesn’t come off the field (missed only one practice in four years in college), and he maximizes his tools to overwhelm defenders.
30. “A-B-C. A: Always. B: Be. C: Closing. Always be closing. Always be closing!” — “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992)
Though the mantra from this movie pertains to salesmen, “always be closing” also works for defensive players. With his read-react skills, Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood has a good feel for closing on plays (run or pass) in front of him.
31. “You guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?” — “Home Alone” (1990)
Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker didn’t have the 2025 season most expected. But his motor is always revving and frequently allows him to make plays far away from his starting point. Blockers know they can’t afford to take off a snap against him.
32. “I’m gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You f—-d with the wrong Marine!” — “A Few Good Men” (1992)
Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald is not a nice person on the football field, which is one of several reasons NFL teams are considering him in the first round.
