While every NFL season is filled with captivating storylines, an interesting one to watch in 2026 will be the role of Latino players in the league. As of September 2, 55 Latinos were on NFL teams, with 38 on 53-man rosters and 17 on practice squads or reserve lists.

Among the Latinos in the NFL are 2025 Pro Bowlers Nik Bonitto, Jake Ferguson and Christian Gonzalez, established veteran standouts Fred Warner, Chris Olave, and Julian Love, as well as promising young players Bryce Young, Cam Skattebo and Steve Avila, and rookies Fernando Mendoza, KC Concepcion and Jacob Rodriguez. There is also a player who entered the league through the NFL International Player Pathway: offensive lineman Isaac Alarcon of the San Francisco 49ers.

Below are 25 Latinos to watch in the NFL in 2026.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner

Fred Warner | LB | San Francisco 49ers | Mexican & Panamanian Heritage

While his Mexican and Panamanian heritage might be a surprise to some, Fred Warner’s talent is second to none. Born Federico Anthony Warner, the former third-round pick out of BYU has established himself as one of the premier linebackers of his generation since bursting onto the scene as a standout rookie in 2018. A four-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Warner has been the heartbeat of the 49ers defense for nearly a decade.

Warner’s 2025 season was unfortunately cut short by an ankle injury after just six games, interrupting a remarkable run of durability in which he had played at least 16 games in each of his first seven NFL seasons. He recorded 50 tackles and two forced fumbles before the injury after posting a career-high 131 tackles the year before. Back in the fold for 2026, Warner will look to reestablish himself as one of the league’s most impactful defensive players and lead San Francisco back into championship contention.

Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto

Nik Bonitto | Linebacker | Denver Broncos | Cuban Heritage
Nik Bonitto has gone from promising pass rusher to one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive players. A second-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2022, the linebacker with Cuban heritage broke out with 13.5 sacks in 2024 and somehow managed to raise the bar again during his fourth NFL season.

Bonitto recorded a career-best 14 sacks in 2025, ranking fifth in the NFL, while adding 28 quarterback hits and 14 tackles for loss. The performance earned him a second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and helped him finish fourth in voting for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. With 27.5 sacks over the last two seasons, the explosive edge rusher enters 2026 as one of the league’s most dangerous threats to opposing quarterbacks.

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez

Christian Gonzalez | DB | New England Patriots | Colombian Heritage

A first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Christian Gonzalez proudly showcased his Colombian roots after being selected 17th overall by the New England Patriots, opening his draft-night jacket to reveal the Colombian flag. Since then, the former Oregon standout has developed into one of the NFL’s premier young cornerbacks.

After earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2024, Gonzalez followed up with 69 tackles and 10 passes defended over 14 games in 2025. He was even better during New England’s postseason run, recording 19 tackles, seven passes defended, an interception, a sack and a forced fumble in four playoff games. Gonzalez earned his first career Pro Bowl selection and enters 2026 with an opportunity to further establish himself among the elite defensive backs in football.

Chris Olave | WR | New Orleans Saints | Cuban Heritage

Chris Olave reminded the NFL just how dangerous he can be when healthy. The former Ohio State star and 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft entered last season looking to rebound after concussions limited him to eight games in 2024. He responded with the best season of his professional career.

Olave set career highs with 100 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, finishing seventh in the NFL in catches and eighth in receiving yards. The performance earned the wideout with Cuban heritage second-team All-Pro honors and a spot on the NFL’s Top 100 Players list entering 2026. Still only 26 years old, Olave enters his fifth NFL season firmly established as one of the league’s top receiving threats.

Jake Ferguson | TE | Dallas Cowboys | Spanish Heritage

Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson, who is of Spanish descent, is the grandson of legendary Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez and was a standout for the Badgers before Dallas selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Ferguson has since developed from a Day 3 draft pick into one of the NFL’s most productive receiving tight ends.

After an injury-plagued 2024 season, Ferguson bounced back in a big way last year. He caught a career-high 82 passes for 600 yards and eight touchdowns over 17 games, with his eight scores easily surpassing his previous career high of five. The performance earned Ferguson his second career Pro Bowl selection in three years. Entering 2026, the sure-handed tight end remains a key target in the Cowboys passing attack.

Bryce Young | QB | Carolina Panthers | Mexican Heritage

Bryce Young continues to show why the Carolina Panthers made him the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama endured a difficult rookie campaign but has steadily improved under head coach Dave Canales, who is himself of Latino heritage.

Young took another significant step forward in 2025, setting career highs with 3,011 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 63.6% of his passes. He also cut his sacks from 62 as a rookie to just 27 last season, another sign of his growth under center. Entering his fourth NFL season, the quarterback with Mexican heritage has an opportunity to turn his steady progress into a true breakout year and establish himself as Carolina’s long-term franchise quarterback.

Julian Love | DB | Seattle Seahawks | Cuban & Mexican Heritage

Julian Love has developed into one of the veteran leaders of a talented Seattle secondary. The defensive back with Cuban and Mexican heritage began his career as a fourth-round pick of the Giants in 2019 before joining the Seahawks in 2023 and immediately earning the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.

After recording 109 tackles, three interceptions and a career-high 12 passes defended in 2024, injuries limited Love to eight regular-season games in 2025. He still contributed 37 tackles, an interception and six passes defended before returning to help Seattle during its run to a Super Bowl LX championship. Now a Super Bowl champion, Love enters 2026 as an important veteran presence on a Seahawks defense looking to help the franchise defend its title.

Cam Skattebo | RB | New York Giants | Mexican Heritage

Cam Skattebo became one of the NFL’s most entertaining rookies almost immediately. The former Arizona State star, who is of Mexican, Norwegian and Portuguese descent, was selected by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after rushing for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns during his final college season.

Skattebo brought his bruising style to the NFL, rushing for 410 yards and five touchdowns while adding 24 catches for 207 yards and two more scores in just eight games. His promising debut was cut short by a serious ankle injury, but not before he demonstrated the versatility and physical running style that made him a fan favorite. Skattebo enters 2026 looking to get healthy and build on a rookie campaign in which he scored seven touchdowns in eight games.

KC Concepcion | WR | Cleveland Browns | Puerto Rican Heritage

KC Concepcion enters the NFL as one of the most exciting young Latino playmakers in football. The receiver of Puerto Rican descent starred at NC State before transferring to Texas A&M, developing into one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cleveland selected the dynamic playmaker in the first round with hopes that he can add explosiveness to a Browns passing attack looking for a spark.

Concepcion’s combination of quickness, route-running ability and versatility has already created excitement in Cleveland during his first NFL training camp. Capable of making plays as a receiver and with the ball in his hands, the rookie has an opportunity to carve out a significant role alongside veteran Jerry Jeudy. Concepcion will be one of the most intriguing Latino rookies to follow as he looks to make an immediate impact in 2026.

Steve Avila | OL | Los Angeles Rams | Mexican Heritage

A former All-American at TCU, Steve Avila was a second-round pick of the Rams in the 2023 NFL Draft. Avila, whose given name is Esteban, immediately earned a starting role at left guard and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team after starting all 17 games during his debut season.

After injuries interrupted his second NFL campaign, the lineman with Mexican roots returned to appear in 15 games for Los Angeles in 2025. Avila has now established himself as a fixture along the Rams’ interior offensive line and enters his fourth season playing an important role in Sean McVay’s offense. At 6-foot-3 and more than 330 pounds, Avila will again be counted on to keep the Rams’ passing game clean and create opportunities on the ground.

Fernando Mendoza | QB | Las Vegas Raiders | Cuban Heritage

Few players will enter the NFL in 2026 with more attention than Fernando Mendoza. The Cuban-American quarterback capped a remarkable college career by winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to a national championship before the Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mendoza has embraced the opportunity to represent his heritage in a franchise with a rich Latino history, citing Raiders legends Jim Plunkett and Tom Flores after being drafted. The rookie completed 55.6% of his passes with one touchdown and two interceptions during his first NFL preseason and is expected to begin the season behind veteran Kirk Cousins. Whether his opportunity comes immediately or later in the year, Mendoza has the chance to become one of the most prominent Latino players in the NFL.

Alijah Vera-Tucker | OL | New England Patriots | Mexican Heritage

Alijah Vera-Tucker has established himself as one of the NFL’s most versatile offensive linemen when healthy. The former USC standout with Mexican heritage was selected 14th overall by the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft and earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after starting all 16 games during his debut season. Vera-Tucker’s versatility has been one of his greatest strengths, as he has started at both guard spots and both tackle positions during his NFL career.

Injuries have unfortunately interrupted much of Vera-Tucker’s career, including a torn triceps suffered just before the 2025 season that kept him out for the entire year. Prior to the injury, Vera-Tucker was coming off one of his best seasons, starting 15 games in 2024 and entering 2025 ranked by Pro Football Focus as one of the league’s top guards. Now with the New England Patriots, the talented lineman enters 2026 looking to stay healthy, return to form and provide a veteran presence along the offensive line.

Eddy Piñeiro | K | San Francisco 49ers | Cuban & Nicaraguan Heritage

Miami native Eddy Piñeiro grew up in a soccer family before turning his powerful right leg into an NFL career. The son of a Cuban father and Nicaraguan mother, Piñeiro starred at the University of Florida before beginning a professional journey that has included stops with the Bears, Jets and Panthers.

Piñeiro enjoyed one of his best seasons after joining San Francisco in 2025. The veteran connected on 28 of 29 field-goal attempts for a career-best 96.6% conversion rate, including a 59-yarder, and scored 118 points for the 49ers. Already one of the most accurate kickers of his era, Piñeiro enters 2026 looking to build on an outstanding debut season in the Bay Area while continuing to proudly represent his Cuban and Nicaraguan roots.

Jacob Rodriguez | LB | Miami Dolphins | Mexican Heritage

Jacob Rodriguez arrives in Miami as one of the most decorated defensive players in the 2026 rookie class. The linebacker of Mexican descent starred at Texas Tech, where his remarkable final season included 123 tackles, four interceptions and seven forced fumbles.

Rodriguez collected an impressive trophy case along the way, earning unanimous All-America honors while winning the Butkus Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lombardi Award. He even finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, an extraordinary accomplishment for a linebacker. The Dolphins selected Rodriguez 43rd overall in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, giving him an opportunity to bring his playmaking ability to Miami’s defense from Day 1.

Jaylinn Hawkins | S | Baltimore Ravens | Panamanian Heritage

Veteran safety Jaylinn Hawkins has built a successful NFL career since the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The former California standout has played a variety of roles in NFL secondaries, developing a reputation as a versatile defensive back capable of contributing against both the run and pass.

Hawkins turned in one of the most productive seasons of his career with New England in 2025, recording four interceptions — tied for eighth in the NFL — along with 84 tackles, six passes defended and a forced fumble over 16 games. He joins Baltimore in 2026 with an opportunity to bring experience and playmaking ability to the Ravens secondary.

Levi Drake Rodriguez | DL | Minnesota Vikings | Mexican Heritage

Levi Drake Rodriguez took an unconventional path from small-school football to the NFL, emerging as a promising young defensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings. A seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the defender with Mexican and Cherokee heritage began his college career at Southwestern Assemblies of God before transferring to Texas A&M-Commerce, where he developed into an NFL prospect.

After appearing in just two games as a rookie, Rodriguez broke through in 2025, playing 16 games with two starts and recording 43 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and five quarterback hits. Now entering his third season, the 6-foot-2, 307-pound lineman is poised to start for the Vikings and will look to build on that momentum and establish himself as a consistent presence on Minnesota’s defensive front in 2026.

Malcolm Rodriguez | LB | Detroit Lions | Mexican Heritage

Malcolm Rodriguez has built a reputation as one of Detroit’s toughest and most dependable defenders since the Lions selected him in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Oklahoma State standout, who is of Mexican and Cherokee descent, earned a starting role as a rookie and made an immediate impact, recording 87 tackles while earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Rodriguez has remained a valuable part of Detroit’s linebacker rotation and special teams unit, bringing physicality and versatility whenever his number is called. A torn ACL cut his 2024 season short after 10 games, but he has worked his way back and is projected to return to a starting role for the Lions in 2026. Healthy again, Rodriguez will look to reestablish himself as a key contributor on a Detroit defense with championship aspirations.

Cesar Ruiz | OL | New Orleans Saints | Dominican & Puerto Rican Heritage

Cesar Ruiz has been a fixture along the Saints offensive line since New Orleans selected him 24th overall in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The former Michigan standout with Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage has developed into one of the veteran leaders of the Saints offense.

Ruiz has appeared in 89 games and made 83 starts through his first six NFL seasons, including 14 starts in 2025. His ability to play both guard and center has given New Orleans valuable stability along the interior of its offensive line. Now entering his seventh season, Ruiz will once again be counted on to provide leadership and consistency for a Saints offense looking to take another step forward under head coach Kellen Moore.

Andres Borregales | Kicker | New England Patriots | Venezuelan Heritage

Kicking runs in the Borregales family. Venezuelan-born Andres Borregales followed his older brother Jose into professional football after becoming Miami’s all-time leading scorer and one of the top kickers in the 2025 NFL Draft. New England selected him in the sixth round, making him the first kicker taken that year.

Borregales rewarded the Patriots’ faith by winning the starting job and connecting on 27 of 32 field goals as a rookie, including all four of his attempts from 50 yards or longer. He also made 53 of 55 extra points, scored 134 points and earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors during the season. Borregales finished his rookie campaign kicking on football’s biggest stage in Super Bowl LX and enters 2026 firmly established as New England’s kicker.

Rigoberto Sanchez | P | Indianapolis Colts | Mexican Heritage

Rigoberto Sanchez has been an impact player for Indianapolis since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017. The former Hawaii standout earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team during his debut campaign and has provided the Colts with remarkable stability at punter ever since.

Sanchez remained highly effective in 2025, averaging 48.8 yards on 44 punts while placing 22 of them inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. His 44.7-yard net average was among the best marks of his career. The veteran with Mexican heritage has now appeared in 130 games and enters 2026 having punted for more than 22,000 yards during his Colts career.

Cairo Santos | K | Chicago Bears | Brazilian Heritage

Cairo Santos is the first Brazilian-born player in NFL history. A native of São Paulo, Santos’ path to football began when he came to the United States as a high school exchange student and discovered that his soccer background translated naturally to kicking. He went on to star at Tulane, winning the Lou Groza Award in 2012 before beginning his NFL career as an undrafted free agent.

More than a decade later, Santos remains one of the league’s most accomplished veteran kickers. He connected on 25 of 30 field-goal attempts in 2025, made all 39 of his extra points and scored 114 points for Chicago. The 2026 campaign marks Santos’ 13th NFL season, an impressive run of longevity for a player who helped open doors for Brazilian athletes in professional football.

Matt Araiza | P | Kansas City Chiefs | Mexican Heritage

Matt Araiza entered the NFL with one of the strongest legs in recent college football history. The former San Diego State star with Mexican heritage won the 2021 Ray Guy Award and set an NCAA record with a 51.19-yard punting average during his final college season before eventually making his NFL debut with Kansas City in 2024.

Araiza continued to develop during his second NFL season, punting 56 times for 2,664 yards in 2025. He averaged 47.6 yards per punt, placed 25 kicks inside the 20-yard line and recorded a season-long punt of 69 yards. Through his first two seasons, Araiza has averaged 48.2 yards on 118 punts and enters 2026 as an important field-position weapon for the Chiefs.

Corey Bojorquez | P | Cleveland Browns | Mexican Heritage

Corey Bojorquez has carved out an impressive NFL career since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of New Mexico in 2018. The punter with Mexican heritage has suited up for several franchises but has found a home in Cleveland, where he has been the Browns’ primary punter since 2022.

Bojorquez was one of the busiest specialists in football in 2025, leading the NFL with 91 punts and totaling 4,165 punting yards. He averaged 45.8 yards per attempt and placed 23 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Now entering his ninth NFL season, the veteran has accumulated more than 25,000 punting yards and remains an important part of Cleveland’s special teams unit.

Elijah Arroyo | Tight End | Seattle Seahawks | Mexican Heritage

A big, athletic tight end, Elijah Arroyo entered the NFL with an intriguing combination of size and receiving ability after Seattle selected him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Miami Hurricane with Mexican heritage broke out during his final college season with 35 catches for 590 yards and seven touchdowns.

Arroyo saw action in 13 games as a rookie, catching 15 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown while averaging 11.9 yards per reception. His first NFL season ended with a trip to Super Bowl LX, where Seattle defeated New England to win the championship. With a year of experience and a Super Bowl ring already under his belt, the 6-foot-5 playmaker will look to take on a larger role in the Seahawks passing game in 2026.

Fernando Carmona Jr. | OL | Tennessee Titans | Mexican Heritage

Fernando Carmona Jr. took an unconventional route to the NFL. The Las Vegas native did not begin playing tackle football until his junior year of high school and originally lined up at tight end before transitioning to the offensive line at San Jose State. He later transferred to Arkansas, where he continued developing into an NFL prospect.

The 6-foot-5, 316-pound lineman finished his college career with 49 consecutive starts, including 37 at left tackle before moving inside to left guard for his final season. Tennessee selected Carmona in the fifth round with the 142nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the rookie has already earned opportunities at guard during the preseason. His physical style and experience at multiple positions give Carmona a chance to develop into a valuable piece of the Titans offensive line