Where BYU stars rank among most important NFL players in 2026
Where BYU stars rank among most important NFL players in 2026
Bjorn Bergstrom, BYU Cougars WireMon, June 15, 2026 at 2:12 PM UTC
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Where BYU stars rank among most important NFL players in 2026
In the NFL, there are two former BYU Cougars who are prominent representatives of the program due to their stardom in the league: San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua.
As a result of both being perennial Pro Bowl-caliber players, both were present on CBS Sports' list of the 100 most important players ahead of the 2026 season.
Warner came first at No. 32, as he was placed in the "back from injury" category.
"Arguably, the biggest blow among the 49ers' spate of injuries, Warner's dislocated and fractured ankle, was the straw that broke the camel's back for the 49ers' defense," CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles wrote. "He is the standard for off-ball linebacker play."
Warner was limited to just six games last season, with the 49ers' Super Bowl chances plummeting once he went down with his injuries. It was the first missed games of his career, a remarkable feat in the modern NFL. But that's not the only impressive thing about Warner, as he's matched availability with top-level production.
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Prior to last season, the former Cougar registered seven straight 100-tackle seasons, establishing himself as one of the top backers in the league. His health is paramount towards San Francisco's success in 2026 — and their chances of taking down another former BYU standout in Nacua.
Landing in the "star offensive playmakers" category, how Nacua responds to a tumultuous offseason will be one of the bellwether's of the Rams' season.
"An absolute beast at the catch point, Nacua is a second-to-none physical force who led the NFL in catches (129) and was second in receiving yards (1,715)," Pereles wrote. "He is the perfect match for Matthew Stafford, who is willing to try to fit the ball into the tiniest of windows. Nacua's 95.3 career receiving yards per game are on pace to be the highest of all time. It's worth noting he entered rehab earlier this offseason and faced allegations of biting a woman and using antisemitic language."
Two of the top players at their positions in the NFL, it's a no-brainer for both to be named among the most important players in the league. Only several more months until the pair will be back on the field and performing in their star-like ways.
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This article originally appeared on BYU Cougars Wire: Puka Nacua, Fred Warner named among 100 most important NFL players
Source: “AOL Sports”
