sports
A Lower-Round AJ Brown to a 306lb Missile: The 2026 NFL Draft's Under-the-Radar Prospects
Fernando Mendoza will almost certainly go No 1 overall. But who are the players that teams may take a swing on after the big names have gone?
TL;DR
- Cole Payton, a quarterback from North Dakota State, is a dual-threat athlete with a unique throwing motion, drawing comparisons to Taysom Hill.
- Chris Bell, a wide receiver from Louisville, possesses a similar profile to AJ Brown but is recovering from an ACL tear, potentially pushing him down draft boards.
- Max Iheanachor, an offensive tackle from Arizona State, is a raw but physically gifted prospect who transitioned to football later in life.
- Caleb Banks, a defensive lineman from Florida, is a disruptive force with elite athleticism but faces concerns due to recurring foot injuries.
- Uar Bernard, a defensive lineman from the NFL International Player Pathway Program, is an explosive athlete with exceptional physical traits but limited football experience.