2026 NFL Draft high-upside sleepers

As the NFL descends upon Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft, storylines are dominated by the rise of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State’s defensive depth. However, championship rosters are built on Saturday.  The 2026 class may later be redefined by middle-round depth, specifically by players who used their final year of eligibility to refine their technical traits.  From small-school outliers to Power Four contributors returning from injury, sleepers in this exercise are generally projected to Day 3 (Rounds 4-7).

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QB Taylen Green, Arkansas

Green is a physical outlier who delivered a historic performance at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Standing 6’6” and 227 pounds, he posted a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and a record-breaking 43.5-inch vertical jump. During the 2025 season at Arkansas, Green amassed 2,714 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, adding 777 yards and 8 scores rushing. 

While scouts note a need for improved footwork, his rare combination of elite size and Michael Vick-level speed makes him a premier developmental target for creative offensive coordinators.

RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson (RB10) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Johnson emerged as a premier dual-threat sleeper after a dominant 2025 breakout. Standing 5’11” and 200 pounds, he finished the season with 1,451 rushing yards and led Big Ten backs with 46 receptions for 370 yards, totaling 15 touchdowns. 

At the 2026 combine, he clocked a 4.56-second 40-yard dash and a 35.5-inch vertical jump. While scouts look for more consistency in pass protection, his decisive vision and three-down utility make him a priority Day 3 target with starter upside.

WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Lance is the premier small-school sleeper, boasting rare size and verified elite speed. Standing 6’3″ and 204 pounds, he dominated the FCS in 2025 with 1,079 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 21.2 yards per reception to earn All-American honors. At the 2026 combine, he stunned scouts with a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical. 

The younger brother of Trey Lance, Bryce, offers a massive catch radius and superior deep-ball tracking, making him a high-upside developmental X-receiver.

TE Oscar Delp, Georgia

Delp is a fluid technician who excels at finding soft spots in zone coverage. As a senior in the 2025 Georgia offense, he started all 14 games and tallied 20 receptions for 261 yards, showcasing route-running fluidity and solid in-line blocking. 

While not a traditional mauler, his reliability on third downs and massive wingspan make him a safe, high-upside bet for teams needing modern flex-tight end depth in the middle rounds of the draft.

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OT Kage Casey, Boise State

Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Boise State offensive lineman Kage Casey (OL13) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Casey is a massive, technically sound anchor for the Boise State offensive line. Standing 6’5” and 310 pounds, he earned first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2025 and posted an 80.0 overall PFF grade. 

During the 2025 season, Casey displayed significant growth in lateral mobility and recovery speed. Scouts are enamored with his functional strength and high-level football IQ, making him a developmental tackle who could push for a starting role by his second professional season.

OG Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame

Schrauth is a high-ceiling interior blocker with a glass-eater mentality. Standing 6’5″ and 306 pounds, he was a key component of a 2025 Notre Dame line that excelled in gap-scheme runs, earning second-team All-American honors. Schrauth is elite at the point of attack, using a wide base and heavy hands to displace defensive tackles. 

Despite minor leg injuries that limited him to seven starts in late 2025, his tape against high-level competition showcases a player with the lateral agility to pull and lead in space.

C Delby Lemieux, Dartmouth

Lemieux is a high-IQ technician who impressed scouts by transitioning from left tackle to center during the 2026 Senior Bowl. Standing 6’4” and 305 pounds, the three-time All-Ivy selection earned an elite 84.6 overall PFF grade in 2025, allowing only one sack. 

At his pro day, he registered a 5.02-second 40-yard dash and a 1.71-second ten-yard split. His technical proficiency in zone-blocking schemes makes him an ideal candidate for teams seeking an athletic, cerebral center.

EDGE Michael Heldman, Central Michigan

Heldman finished 2025 as a first-team All-MAC selection and a second-team G5 All-American. Standing 6’4” and 268 pounds, he recorded 10.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss, setting a school record for quarterback hurries. 

At his pro day, he featured a 4.71-second 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical. Heldman wins with an elite 40.2% win rate against true pass sets. His combination of refined technique and explosive athleticism makes him a top-tier Day 3 pass rusher.

DT Jordan van den Berg, Georgia Tech

Van den Berg is an athletic freak who benched 450 pounds and cleaned 380 during his 2025 campaign. The 6’3″, 310-pound tackle earned first-team All-ACC honors, finishing with 42 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss. 

At the 2026 combine, he posted an elite 1.74-second ten-yard split. While he needs to continue refining his counter moves, his raw explosive power and lateral range make him a priority Day 3 sleeper for 3-technique roles.

OLB Jaishawn Barham, Michigan

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan defensive lineman Jaishawn Barham (DL33) runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Barham is a physical specimen who anchors the Michigan defense with a menacing, downhill play style. Standing 6’3” and 248 pounds, he recorded 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks in 2025 while rotating between linebacker and edge. 

While he occasionally lacks elite recovery speed, his heavy-handed tackling and diagnostic speed earned him All-Big Ten honors. Barham is a high-upside developmental starter who can contribute immediately as a core special teams player.

MLB Lander Barton, Utah

Barton is the quintessential modern middle linebacker, possessing elite length and the range to match up with NFL tight ends. Standing 6’4″ and 242 pounds, he finished 2025 with 55 tackles and an interception while also playing over 100 snaps on offense at tight end. 

Following a season-ending injury in 2024, his 2025 tape proves he has regained the explosive lateral agility and diagnostic speed that made him a Freshman All-American. Barton excels in space and offers a massive tackling radius.

CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin

Demmings is a long, athletic boundary corner who earned All-American honors in 2025 with four interceptions and the SFA career record for passes defended. Standing 6’1″ and 193 pounds, he stunned scouts at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical jump. Demmings excels in match-zone systems, using 32-inch arms to disrupt the catch point. His combination of verified speed and lockdown production makes him a priority Day 3 target.

SS Louis Moore, Indiana

Moore anchored Indiana’s national championship secondary in 2025, tying for the Big Ten lead with six interceptions and recording 88 tackles. At the 2026 combine, the 25-year-old registered an official 4.64-second 40-yard dash and a 34-inch vertical. 

While older at age-25, his elite diagnostic speed, strike-zone awareness, and first-team All-Big Ten production make him an immediate contributor. Moore is a high-value sleeper who can play as a robber or box safety while providing veteran leadership.

FS VJ Payne, Kansas State

Payne is a rangy centerfielder with a 73.3 overall PFF grade in 2025. A consistent presence in the Big 12, he tallied 54 solo tackles and allowed a meager 57.4 passer rating when targeted. 

Standing 6’3″ and 208 pounds, he is an efficient tackler in space who rarely allows yards after the catch. Payne represents a high-value sleeper for teams looking for a reliable backup free safety with the potential to develop into a long-term starter.

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