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While names like Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiah Love and Carnell Tate will steal the show in the first round of the NFL Draft, Days 2 and 3 should still bring plenty of excitement, as teams look to find hidden gems in the later rounds.
This is where rosters are built, depth is built, and diamonds in the rough are found.
Over the past decade, some of the NFL’s most valuable and influential players have come from outside the first round, winning Super Bowls, breaking records and winning major awards.
In Rounds 2 and 3, players like quarterback Jalen Hurts led their teams to multiple Super Bowl appearances and won the Super Bowl MVP award. Receiver Cooper Kupp had a historic season, setting the single-season record for total receiving yards and winning both Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP in 2021.
In rounds 4-7, the list of impact players is even more impressive.
Puka Nacua, a 2023 fifth-round pick, has quickly become one of the best wide receivers in the league. Tyreek Hill and George Kittle are other marquee names selected on day three.
At quarterback, Dak Prescott was the franchise cornerstone for nearly a decade after being drafted in the fourth round, and Brock Purdy went from Mr. Irrelevant to the $265 million franchise quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers.
Strong organizations don’t just go with their first choice; they systematically find contributors throughout the rest of the project.
With that in mind, here are the top five sleeper prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Keionte Scott checks all the boxes as a modern NFL defender.
In his final season in Miami, he made 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles, demonstrating rare production from the slot and a very explosive profile.
Scott backed up his tape with an elite performance at Pro Day. He had a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, a 44-inch vertical and a 10-foot-3 broad jump. His vertical would have led all defensive backs at the 2026 NFL Combine.
Add in Scott’s physicality against the run and strong football IQ, and he presents himself as a true three-down impact player who could come off the board sooner than expected.
Taylen Green is one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
After transferring to Arkansas, he showcased a rare blend of size, athleticism and production, throwing for 2,714 yards with 19 touchdowns while adding 777 rushing yards and eight rushing scores.
At 6-foot-6, 227 pounds, Green pairs that dual-threat production with incredible testing numbers, including a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, 43.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump. These grades place him among the most athletic quarterbacks ever tested, backed by a near-perfect Relative Athletic Score of 9.99.
He remains a raw passer with inconsistencies, but his physical tools and playmaking ability give him a very high ceiling.
After following Jedd Fisch from Arizona to Washington, Jonah Coleman totaled 1,053 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 before adding 758 yards and 15 scores in 2025 despite a season-ending knee injury.
Built at 5-foot-9 with a powerful frame, Coleman thrives finishing through contact, often requiring multiple defenders to bring him down.
Ball security is even more impressive. In 552 career rushing attempts, he only fumbled twice.
Although he lacks elite breakaway speed at the NFL level, his vision, contact balance, and power make him a strong candidate to outperform his draft pick. Teams looking for a physical three-man guard could target him on Day 2 or early in Day 3.
Gabe Jacas is one of the most underrated edge defenders in this class and a solid Day 2 sleeper.
As a four-year starter at Illinois, he was asked to do much more than just rush the passer, constantly setting the edge, passing in coverage and handling multiple responsibilities within the defense.
At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Jacas brings a powerful, physical style of play rooted in his wrestling background. Although he took on this versatile role with the Fighting Illini, he still produced at a high level in 2025 with 11 sacks, 34 pressures and 13.5 tackles for loss, while finishing his career with 26 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss.
He may not have the flashiest passing arsenal, but his strength, versatility and consistency give him a high floor as a reliable three-man edge. Teams looking for a complete defensive end could value him more than expected, making him a likely second-round selection with a floor in the third round.
Bryce Lance, the brother of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance, is one of the top FCS prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft and a high-level sleeper with legitimate vertical ability.
The North Dakota State standout has put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, including a breakout 2024 campaign with 75 receptions for 1,053 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns.
He followed that up in 2025 with 51 catches for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging an incredible 21.2 yards per reception. At 6-foot-3, 204 pounds, Lance pairs that production with a 4.34 40-yard dash and 41.5-inch vertical, making him one of the most explosive receivers in the class.
With his size, speed and tracking ability down the field, Lance presents himself as a true deep threat weapon at the next level, drawing comparisons to players like Alec Pierce and Christian Watson.
