Hayden Conner picked in the 6th round of the NFL Draft by the Cardinals

Former Texas offensive lineman Hayden Conner heard his name called in the 6th round of the NFL Draft, picked by the Arizona Cardinals.

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Conner, listed at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, appeared in 51 games and made 43 starts. He started at multiple spots on the Longhorns’ offensive line during his Texas career. After bouncing between guard and tackle early in his career, he settled in as a reliable presence at left guard and was an anchor for two consecutive runs to the Playoff Semifinals.

While not the flashiest player on the roster, Conner’s consistency, size, and understanding of leverage made him an important part of one of the top offensive lines in the country. Early in his career, he blocked for stars Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. Then in 2023, he helped anchor a front that paved the way for Jonathon Brooks, CJ Baxter, and a balanced Texas attack that averaged over 190 rushing yards per game. In 2024, he paved the road for Quintrevion Wisner to keep Steve Sarkisian‘s streak of 1,000 yard rushers alive.

At the next level, Conner will likely start his career providing depth on the interior, but he has the traits to develop into a starter at guard or center. His experience at tackle also makes him a flexible asset for a team that needed help across the line.

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A former four-star recruit from Katy Taylor (Texas) High School, Conner stayed patient during his development at Texas and emerged as one of the steadiest hands on the roster. His leadership, football IQ, and toughness gave the Longhorns an edge in big moments, something his new team hopes will translate to the next level.

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