While headlining names like Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate will steal the spotlight 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 strengthened and diamonds in the rough are found.Over the last decade, some of the NFL’s most valuable and impactful players have come from outside the first round, going on to win Super Bowls, break records, and earn major awards.In Rounds 2 and 3, players like quarterback Jalen Hurts have led their teams to multiple Super Bowl appearances and won Super Bowl MVP. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp delivered 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 fifth-round pick in 2023, has quickly developed into one of the top wide receivers in the league. Tyreek Hill and George Kittle are other marquee names that were selected on Day 3. At quarterback, Dak Prescott has been a franchise cornerstone for nearly a decade after being drafted in the fourth round, and Brock Purdy went from Mr. Irrelevant to the San Francisco 49ers’ $265 million franchise quarterback. Strong organizations don’t just hit on their first pick; they consistently find contributors throughout the rest of the draft. 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 nickel defender in the NFL.In his last season at Miami, he had 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles, showcasing rare production from the slot and a very explosive profile.Scott backed up his tape with an elite Pro Day performance. He posted 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 projects as a true three-down impact player who could come off the board earlier than expected.Taylen Green is one of the most intriguing high-upside quarterback sleepers 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 scores on the ground. At 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, Green pairs that dual-threat production with amazing testing numbers, including a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. Those marks place him among the most athletic quarterbacks ever tested, backed by a near-perfect 9.99 Relative Athletic Score.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,
2026 NFL Draft Sleepers: 5 Underrated Prospects Outside the First Round
