The 2026 NFL draft is approaching, as the first round will start on Thursday at 8 P.M. ET on ESPN. We have covered the projections for Kentucky Wildcats offensive linemen Jalen Farmer and Jager Burton, as well as wide receiver Kendrick Law. Staying on the offensive side of the football, lets take a look where running back Seth McGowan is projected to land at the next level.

McGowan is a physical, downhill running back that will be utilized on early downs in the NFL. At Kentucky, we frequently saw McGowan fight for extra yards through contact and the physicality he plays with showed up multiple times last season. While he doesn't have top end speed that will blow you away with a 4.49 40-yard dash time, he does have explosiveness for a running back of his size. He had a phenomenal broad jump and a 42.50 vertical that backs up that explosive ability.

McGowan's weakness is he is not very quick on his feet, he did not do well in the shuttle drill and his change of direction is not the bright spot of his game. He currently sits at 212 overall on the consensus big board and is projected to be drafted in the 6th round.

Dane Brugler recently put out a full seven round mock draft at The Athletic, and he had McGowan falling to the 7th round at pick 235 to the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings could use a physical, downhill running back like McGowan and could be utilized well in Kevin O'Connell's offense.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky football NFL draft preview: Running back Seth McGowan