Inan NFL draft classthat appears short on top-tier talent, unearthing gems in the middle-to-late rounds might yet again provide the greatest return on investment.
Ahead of the first round beginning next week in Pittsburgh, several NFL general managers have backed an emerging consensus: The 2026 crop doesn't measure up to recent years in terms of blue-chip players or first-round prospects. But that doesn't mean there aren't difference-makers waiting to be discovered. With many decision-makers lauding this class's depth at edge rusher, linebacker, and wide receiver, there are plenty of opportunities to bring potential starters aboard on Days 2 and 3 of the draft.
With that in mind, here are the top sleepers in the2026 NFL Draft:
2. New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
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3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
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4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
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5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
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6. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
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7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
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8. New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
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9. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
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10. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
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11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)
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12. Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)
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13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
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14. Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
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16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
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17. Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
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18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
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19. Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
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20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
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22. Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)
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24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
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26. Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
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29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
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32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
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NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
RB Eli Heidenreich, Navy
In a class replete with backs built for short-yardage work, Heidenreich stands out as a potential all-purpose asset. As Navy's all-time leading receiver, the 6-0, 198-pounder is accustomed to threatening defenses from a variety of different spots.
Teams looking for more traditional ball carriers need not apply, as Heidenreich likely can only offer so much between the tackles or turning the corner. But any offense with a sufficiently creative coordinator could task him with a sizable workload in the underneath passing game, where he can create mismatches and find open space. He should at least latch on as a special teams demon while he tries to find his spot within an attack.
WR Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
Former Cincinnati teammate Jeff Caldwell, who turned heads during the pre-draft process by running a 4.31-second 40-yard dash at 6-5 and 216 pounds, outshines Allen when it comes to measurables. Yet it was Allen who was the far more productive and reliable of the two last season, and the 5-11, 183-pound pass catcher might also end up with a more prolific pro career.
Able to stretch defenses vertically from the slot, Allen has someChristian Kirkto his game. He's still learning to become more precise as a route runner, but he's adept at varying his tempo and has a variety of ways to free himself from coverage. Allen might not fit a traditional slot role comfortably, as he's not at his best hauling in passes in traffic or picking up yards after the catch. Still, he has a much clearer road to making significant contributions than the typical Day 3 project at receiver.
WR Malik Benson, Oregon
Any team looking to find a potential offensive game-breaker on a discount might turn its focus in the middle rounds to Benson. A former track star and junior college standout, the speedy receiver finally flourished for the Ducks last season, averaging 16.7 yards per catch after uninspiring stops at Florida State and Alabama.
Having recorded a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, the 6-0, 189-pound target isn't far behind Mississippi State's Brenen Thompson for the title of the premier deep threat in this class. Benson's polish is lagging where it should be, and he's not a reliable option at the first two levels. But a steady diet of crossers and vertical routes, along with a role as a returner, could yield a smattering of splash plays.
DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
An uninspiring crop of interior linemen might make this year the first since 2021 in which no defensive tackles are taken in the first round. Rather than participate in a Day 2 run at the position, a team in search of disruption up front might be well served to wait and roll the dice on Proctor.
At 6-2 and 291 pounds, he'll only appeal to teams that prioritize pocket penetrators over beefy bodies who can command the line of scrimmage. Yet Proctor's initial burst allows him to create instant advantages against offensive linemen, and he's slippery enough to keep blockers from overpowering him. And while other defensive tackles often see their impact capped at throwing plays off course, Proctor actually finishes them in the backfield. The early results might be uneven as he acclimates to facing stouter and more athletic guards and centers, but he offers distinct value in the right scheme.
OLB Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
The Maryland transfer didn't switch to the edge until his final season at Michigan, but he exhibited a rare aptitude for creating chaos once there. Barham routinely goes full bore from start to finish on plays, looking equally comfortable barreling through blockers as snaking around them to close in on his target. That style yields plenty of flashy plays, but it also leads to a good number of missed tackles and penalties.
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If he can better adhere to his responsibilities while still tapping into his violent streak, he should fluster offenses as either an edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme or an off-ball linebacker in a 4-3.
OLB/DE George Gumbs Jr, Florida
Having spent the bulk of his career at wide receiver and tight end, the Northern Illinois transfer is understandably underdeveloped as a pass rusher. Gumbs sure looks the part of an imposing threat off the edge, however, boasting a rapid first step, long strides and impressive flexibility to make his way to the quarterback. But when he doesn't beat a blocker on those elements alone, he lacks the moves or hand usage to avoid being neutralized.
Still, the 6-4, 245-pounder presents the athletic profile defensive coordinators covet in a developmental pass rusher, and his tenacity and forcefulness in stopping the run should allow him to see the field beyond mere spot work.
LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
In his lone year as a starter, Rolder did enough to vault himself from NFL afterthought to a legitimate mid-round prospect. After exhibiting plenty of patience in waiting for his turn to make his mark for the Wolverines' defense, the 6-3, 238-pounder played with urgency in every outing, consistently cleaning up whatever was in front of him. And though he's still finding his way in coverage, he has room for growth in the area of his game. If he continues to hone his already impressive instincts, there's little reason he can't eventually become a starter.
CB Tacario Davis, Washington
Standing a legitimate 6-4 with 4.41-second speed in the 40-yard dash, Davis isn't at risk of ever being overlooked. The Arizona transfer uses his long arms to make life difficult for receivers at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point, leaving them little comfort.
Even for those who do escape his jams, Davis can make up ground downfield and deny deep throws to his area. But when he's forced to try to stick with shiftier receivers, it quickly becomes evident why there are so few successful corners with a comparable build. In a zone-heavy scheme, though, Davis could see many of his vulnerabilities minimized while being allowed to weaponize his frame and playmaking skills.
CB Devin Moore, Florida
Persistent injuries robbed Moore of any semblance of consistency throughout his collegiate career. Still, a hard sell isn't required for a 6-3, 198-pound corner with a knack for finding the ball downfield. With his size and comfort turning and running, he can shut down taller receivers who try to come down with deep heaves. Moore's anticipation isn't where it should be, but more experience could allow him to become a reliable presence in zone coverage.
S Bud Clark, TCU
This might be testing the boundaries of the sleeper label, with Clark having established himself as one of college football's premier ballhawks with 15 interceptions. Nevertheless, he seems potentially undervalued for all he can offer in coverage.
With his wiry 6-1 frame, Clark looks like a cornerback and often plays like one, too. That allows him to handle a variety of assignments with relative ease. At times, though, his confidence can border on hubris, with crafty receivers taking advantage of his overaggressive tendencies. But there's little question that Clark's instincts will prove fruitful, especially for any defenses that place a premium on generating takeaways.
S VJ Payne, Kansas State
At 6-3 and 206 pounds, Payne sizes up as a highly desirable coverage countermeasure to tight ends who might otherwise tax a defense with their size and speed. Operating in that capacity alone should allow him to stick around for a while. Payne isn't the downhill thumper that his size suggests he would be, but he doesn't need to be. He can still hold his own against the run while deterring throws down the seam and over the middle.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL Draft sleepers: Who could be this year's hidden gems?
Inan NFL draft classthat appears short on top-tier talent, unearthing gems in the middle-to-late rounds might yet again provide the gre...
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