As we get closer to the 2026 NFL Draft, more and more publications focus on the first round of the draft and miss out on prospects that have a really good chance to be special. As we always state, Day 2 of the draft is where teams also draft starters.

So many of the prospects that you will see on Day 2 will end up finding their way on the field sooner rather than later, possibly even becoming stars. This is why you should start to know more about them now. From guys who are collegiate household names to others who may have flown under the radar for their entire career, all of these guys have been pushed aside for many of the premier names in the draft.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Draft Guide

Sleepers To Watch For In The 2026 NFL Draft

Jacob Rodriguez | LB | Texas Tech

You would think that a player who finished fifth in Heisman voting would be a lock for the first round of the NFL draft, but that is not the case for Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. This is an NFL draft paradox that we see happen far too often, and it usually leads to teams regretting not pulling the trigger on highly talented players. Jacob Rodriguez is one of the most decorated and highly productive linebackers in college football history. He won the Butkus, Bednarik and Nagurski awards all in the same season.

But the fact that he is only 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds has some scouts concerned that he may not have enough weight to hold up against NFL offensive linemen and tight ends blocking him at the second level. They also point to his relatively short arms as a way of diminishing his ability.

The truth is, he is productive as a tackler and as a guy in coverage. He'll likely drop to Round 2 and possibly even fall to Round 3, but whoever gets him is going to have a guy that's ready to step in and start immediately. His football IQ, athleticism and desire to be great are things you can't always measure on paper.

Gabe Jacas | EDGE | Illinois

Gabe Jacas is one of those players that mainstream media forget about, but scouts tend to crush on. Because Illinois football isn't a brand name like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State or some of the other Big Ten schools, many times their talent will get overlooked for less productive guys at more prestigious football institutions. Jacas finished his senior year with 11 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. He was very productive versus Big Ten talent. 

His frame is also one of the bigger reasons why he gets overlooked. Unlike many of the elite-level edge rushers who are taller, longer and have more lanky frames, Jakus is a sturdy 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds. He has an ability to be stout against the run as well as the explosiveness to be a legitimate pass rusher at the highest level.

His most underrated aspect is his wrestling background. He was a two-time state champion in Florida, and scouts love former wrestlers because they already understand leverage, balance and how to use their hands to defeat opponents. 

These skills come second nature to Jakus, whereas there are a lot of edge rushers still trying to learn them. While Jakus may not go in the first round, teams will be surprised at how fast a guy who likely goes on day two works his way into the two-deep.

Chris Johnson | CB | San Diego State

If you want to know why Johnson is being slept on, look no further than the name of his university. San Diego State isn't recognized as a football power or even a program that puts out a lot of NFL talent at the position. Many don't look at Johnson the same way they would look at cornerbacks from the SEC, Big Ten or even the ACC and Big 12. He is your quintessential lower-tier school sleeper—a Group of Five guy who has continually improved year in and year out and has turned himself into one of the most efficient and effective cornerbacks in the country.

Because the Aztecs aren't on television every weekend, many people may have missed him performing. It is only now, as people are diving into the film and breaking down prospects, that they have started to notice his abilities. His performance at the NFL Combine flashed the athleticism that made scouts go, "We need to revisit the film on him.” His 4.40 flat in the 40-yard dash was tied for the third-fastest amongst all cornerbacks. He posted a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10'6" broad jump, confirming that he has the explosiveness to be disruptive at all levels. 

While many are mulling over the consensus top corners in this draft, all of which come from Power Four conferences, it's easy to see why Johnson has been undersold as a potential first-round draft pick.

If you get him in the second or third round, you could be getting the next Quinyon Mitchell or Sauce Gardner.

Chris Bell | WR | Louisville 

Chris Bell is the definition of a highly talented prospect whose value dropped because of a late-season injury. Bell might be a candidate to redshirt his rookie season in the league because of a November 22nd torn ACL against SMU. Even if he is ready in time for training camp, similar to Tory Horton in Seattle, the team may be apprehensive about how to utilize him and allow him to get a year removed from his injury before ramping him up.

That means he may be more of a factor in 2027 than in 2026. This is why he has gone from being a perceived middle-of-the-first-round selection to a steal on Day 2. He has a massive frame at 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds. He is built more like an H-back than a receiver, and his 10-inch hands allow him the ability to haul in almost any pass in his catch radius.

He may be one of the best yards-after-catch threats in the entire 2026 class. He can elude blockers and tacklers, but also run them over if necessary. Whoever decides to take a chance on him could inherit a receiver poised to make a major Year 2 contribution to the team.

Gennings Dunker | OL | Iowa

You would think that by now, nobody would underestimate or overlook an Iowa offensive lineman, but once again, we see it happening with Gennings Dunker. It seems as if he is being devalued because of the lack of explosiveness in Iowa's offense. It's the same devaluing that a guy like George Kittle dealt with when he emerged from Iowa years ago as a prospect with little-known receiving skills. It is not  Dunker's fault that he has played in such an unimaginative offense. 

Part of the reason he's been devalued is that it is believed he's going to change positions in the NFL. He played tackle at Iowa, and many believe he will be a guard in the NFL.

For some reason, guards are valued less than tackles, even though we see how poor an offensive line is when they don't have guys to support the middle. Despite many people's beliefs, Duncan has performed well enough as a tackle to warrant staying in the position. He has a high level of nastiness and consistency to him that lets you believe he is going to be successful wherever he transitions to. He is currently projected to be a mid-Day 2 pick, and when he walks onto an NFL roster and immediately claims a starting spot, there will be fan bases galore who wonder why their team did not take the captain of an offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award in 2025.

Jadarian Price | RB | Notre Dame

It's all about timing for a guy like Price. He unfortunately chose to go to Notre Dame and stay loyal to the Irish while serving as the backup to arguably the top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, Jeremiyah Love. Because he has served as a backup for his entire career at Notre Dame, his value has dropped; no one is sure if he could handle the responsibilities of being the every-down back on a team. The conundrum is that he possesses all of the talent and freakish traits that you would normally associate with a first-round talent. He has good size, he has speed and he has been extremely productive throughout his career when given the chance to perform.

Price's projection is all over the place, with some believing he could be a round two pick all the way to an early day three selection. 

What is not debatable is that he will go in and have an immediate impact with his ability to be an elite-level special teamer. He will also fit in a committee because he is accustomed to working in a backfield where he shares carries. 

If he gets the opportunity to get a starter's level of touches, watch out, because he could be a breakout star.

RELATED: Jadarian Price Prospect Profile 

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