With the 2026 NFL Draft set to begin Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium, teams will scour the middle and late rounds for hidden gems who can outperform their projections and deliver immediate impact.
Here are 10 undervalued prospects who scouts and analysts say could be selected higher than expected or turn into steals if they slide because of their elite traits, production and upside.
Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Navy The 6-foot, 198-pound Heidenreich is Navy’s all-time leading receiver and a versatile mismatch weapon who can line up in the backfield, slot or out wide. In a running back class heavy on short-yardage specialists, his ability to create space underneath, vary tempo and threaten defenses from multiple spots makes him an all-purpose threat. Creative coordinators could give him a sizable role right away, and he projects as a special teams contributor while developing. Analysts call him one of the draft’s biggest sleepers with Pro Bowl upside in the right scheme.
Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State The 6-foot-3, 204-pound FCS standout posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, including 51 catches for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025 at a 21.2-yard average. His 4.34-second 40-yard dash and 41.5-inch vertical highlight explosive vertical ability and downfield tracking. As the brother of Chargers quarterback Trey Lance, he draws comparisons to Alec Pierce and Christian Watson. Teams may undervalue his small-school pedigree, but his size-speed combination gives him star potential as a deep threat.
Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati At 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds, Allen was far more productive and reliable than his more athletic teammate Jeff Caldwell last season. He stretches defenses vertically from the slot with Christian Kirk-like traits, varying tempo and freeing himself from coverage. While he may not excel in traffic or after the catch in every scheme, his route precision and hands give him a clearer path to early contributions than many Day 3 receivers. He could be a steal in the middle rounds.
Kaleb Proctor, DT, Southeastern Louisiana The 6-foot-2, 291-pound small-school prospect ran one of the fastest 40-yard dashes ever for a defensive tackle and showed violent hands and an explosive first step. He recorded nine sacks in 2025 and can disrupt from multiple interior spots. In a weak year for interior linemen, he offers scheme versatility as a penetrator who finishes plays in the backfield. He may need time to adjust to NFL guards but projects as a high-upside rotational piece who could outperform late-round expectations.
Keionte Scott, DB, Miami The slot defender posted 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in his final season. His Pro Day numbers — 4.33-second 40, 44-inch vertical and 10-foot-3 broad jump — would have led all defensive backs at the combine. Scott’s physicality against the run, football IQ and explosive profile make him a true three-down nickel who could come off the board earlier than his current projection.
Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas The 6-foot-6, 227-pound dual-threat posted 2,714 passing yards and 19 touchdowns with 777 rushing yards and eight scores after transferring to Arkansas. His testing — 4.36-second 40, 43.5-inch vertical and near-perfect 9.99 Relative Athletic Score — ranks among the most athletic quarterbacks ever measured. Though raw as a passer, his size, mobility and playmaking give him a high ceiling that could push him ahead of other Day 2 or 3 signal-callers.
Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington The 5-foot-9 bruiser rushed for 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 before adding 758 yards and 15 scores in 2025 despite a late knee injury. In 552 career carries he fumbled just twice. His vision, contact balance and power allow him to finish runs through multiple defenders. Lacking elite long speed, he still profiles as a three-down back who could outperform his projected Day 2 or early Day 3 slot.
Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois The four-year starter recorded 11 sacks, 34 pressures and 13.5 tackles for loss in 2025, finishing his career with 26 sacks. At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, the wrestling background fuels his physical, versatile style — setting the edge, dropping into coverage and rushing the passer. His high floor as a reliable three-down edge rusher makes him a strong Round 2 candidate with potential to develop into a double-digit sack producer.
Kyle Louis, LB/S, Pittsburgh Listed as a linebacker on many boards but viewed by some as a “Big Nickel” safety, the undersized playmaker racked up 77 tackles, 7.5 for loss, sacks and interceptions. He possesses defensive back movement skills, receiver-like hands and box instincts that let him disrupt via tackles for loss and takeaways. Hybrid versatility gives him chess-piece value and Pro Bowl upside as a Will linebacker or multi-role defender.
Bud Clark, S, TCU The ballhawk finished his career with 15 interceptions, showcasing instincts to anticipate routes and create turnovers from the box, nickel or deep safety. His 4.41 speed and range let him handle varied assignments while supporting the run. Though occasionally overaggressive, his playmaking and coverage ability make him a coveted mid-round safety who could start early and generate takeaways for years.
These prospects may not hear their names called in the first round, but their combination of production, athleticism and scheme fit could make them far more valuable than their draft slots suggest. Teams that land them could look back on the 2026 class as a steal.
