By Jordan Moreau
When the NFL‘s 2026 draft stars aren’t practicing for the upcoming season, they can be found watching reality shows like “Love Island,” thrillers like “The Night Agent” or “Breaking Bad” and even animated hits like “Zootopia 2.”
Variety chatted with several of the top picks from Round One of Pittsburgh’s NFL draft to find out their favorite sports movies and what they watch in the offseason. Unsurprisingly, many of the athletes named classic football movies like “Remember the Titans” and “The Blind Side” as their favorite films.
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“‘The Blind Side,’ that’s my favorite movie of all time,” said New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who was drafted No. 8 on Thursday. “I could go word for word with Sandra Bullock on there.” Several others chose the 2009 biographical drama, starring Sandra Bullock as the adoptive mother of a teen who turns his life around and enters the NFL. The film, based on the life story of NFL player Michael Oher, received an Oscar nomination for best picture and a lead actress win for Bullock.
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“‘The Blind Side,’ ‘Remember the Titans,’ ‘The Sandlot,’ I’ve seen them hundreds of times each, at least,” said Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, the No. 12 pick. The Kansas City Chiefs’ sixth overall selection, linebacker Mansoor Delane, said the last movie he saw in theaters was Disney’s “Zootopia 2.”
As for TV, a few of the players finished binging shows in the days leading up to the NFL draft. The Dallas Cowboys’ No. 11 pick, safety Caleb Downs, crossed a few shows off his list before being selected.
“Yesterday I finished ‘Night Agent.’ I finished ‘Breaking Bad’ a couple weeks ago, I finished ‘Paradise’ too,” he said. “I need to watch ‘El Camino’ and ‘Better Call Saul.’” Safety Dillon Thieneman, the Chicago Bears’ No. 25 pick, said he just finished the “Invincible” Season 4 finale and has been watching the new season of “The Boys” as well.
The biggest surprise may have been how many players named dating shows like “Love Island” and “Temptation Island” as their go-to binge watches.
“I watch all the love reality shows,” said wide receiver Carnell Tate, the No. 4 pick for the Tennessee Titans. “‘Love Island,’ ‘Temptation Island,’ ‘Love Is Blind,’ ‘Traitors.’” Of the latter, if he could be on the Peacock reality show, he added “I’d be a traitor and make it far.”
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