Missing the first-round cut in the NFL draft hardly relegates any player to irrelevance as a rookie.
In 2025, for instance, future Defensive Rookie of the Year winner Carson Schwesinger and two additional finalists for the award – Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori and Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts – were taken after Day 1. On the other side of the ball, a pair of second-rounders in New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough and New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson finished as runners-up to Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan.
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Even in a 2026 NFL Draft class that was seemingly short on top talent, more first-year surprises from even later on in the order could be on tap. Here are seven under-the-radar players who could turn heads as rookies:
A player recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in October might seem like an odd candidate for this list. Even when he’s back to full strength, the third-round pick out of Louisville has a gap to close on his development after he was seldom utilized in the downfield passing game.
Yet the opportunity here is virtually unparalleled. The Dolphins’ receiving corps is without any established threats, and Bell’s size (6-2, 222 pounds) sets him apart from a diminutive group. With new quarterback Malik Willis needing to find some sense of comfort as he takes the reins to the offense, a receiver with a proven track record as a run-after-catch threat might be easier to integrate into the attack than Caleb Douglas, the fellow third-rounder whose game hinges on winning on deep routes. If you’re looking for a sleeper candidate to lead his team in receiving yards as a rookie, Bell might be it.
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Cornerback Mansoor Delane is the main attraction of Kansas City’s secondary reshuffling, and rightfully so. The Chiefs were so captivated by the All-American that they tried to cloak their interest in him before trading up to No. 6 overall, general manager Brett Veach acknowledged.
Yet he might not be the only rookie to serve a sizable role on the back end of Kansas City’s defense. Canady looks fully suited for all the challenges that sticking with NFL receivers entails. While the 5-11, 187-pound cover man can be overwhelmed by bigger receivers, his mismatch potential can be mitigated by a move to the slot. He should compete with free-agent signing Kader Kohou for the nickel role. Aggressive yet reliable, he could join Delane as a key building block for the refurbished defense.
Having already addressed Pittsburgh’s most pressing short-term issues in free agency, general manager Omar Khan entered the draft with rare flexibility. The first-round selection of Max Iheanachor supplied the offensive line with an ascendant blocker capable of stepping in if Broderick Jones’ recovery timeline necessitates a shift. Yet it was a lineman drafted later on who could make more immediate contributions.
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Throwing people around while wearing black and gold is nothing new to Dunker, the third-round offensive tackle out of Iowa who is ticketed for a move inside. With Isaac Seumalo gone, Spencer Anderson initially looked like the front-runner to earn the starting spot at left guard. He still might, but he’ll have to fight off a worthy contender in Dunker, whose punishing style could help new coach Mike McCarthy manifest the reliable run game he’s counting on to ground the offense.
Swinging from Sean McDermott’s defense to new coordinator Jim Leonhard’s scheme has forced Buffalo to revisit its personnel configuration throughout the unit. The Bills invested most heavily this offseason in getting the edge rush up to par with Bradley Chubb and second-round pick T.J. Parker. Yet a shaky inside linebacker group went untouched until the fourth-round selection of Elarms-Orr.
At the very least, the TCU product energizes Buffalo’s second level. Leonhard’s scheme demands more speed in the middle, and the unit currently is projected to start two coverage liabilities in Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams, who is slated to take over for Matt Milano. Elarms-Orr is still finding his way in several different responsibilities of the position he only moved to three years ago. But after he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the combine, it’s clear his playmaking range stands in sharp contrast to Buffalo’s existing options.
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Even without a first-round pick in the aftermath of the Sauce Gardner trade, the Colts still managed to invigorate a defense that looked stale at a few spots. The revitalization effort initially took shape with second-round linebacker CJ Allen, who is an obvious candidate to take over for Zaire Franklin as the Week 1 starter in the middle.
But don’t overlook the likelihood of Haulcy making his way into the lineup quickly as well. The third-round safety earned the nickname “Mr. Gimmie Dat” in high school for his ball-hawking tendencies. At LSU, he lived up to the moniker by hauling in 10 interceptions. On Day 2 of the draft, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo couldn’t hide his jubilation when the team picked up a stout and savvy safety capable of holding up in Indianapolis’ varied coverage looks.
The Buccaneers started their draft class off with a potential leading candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in Rueben Bain Jr. Three rounds later, they returned to the Hurricanes’ defense to find another player who could be highly disruptive right away.
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Scott endured a lengthier wait in the draft than many would have anticipated with his tumble to the fourth round. Yet the aggressive nickel corner might have found the perfect setting to start his pro career with Todd Bowles’ blitz-heavy scheme, which can harness Scott’s full capabilities in blowing up plays in the backfield. While Jacob Parrish fared well in the slot as a rookie, Bowles indicated ahead of the draft he wants to use the 2025 third-round pick on the outside more often.
Between being inhibited by a hamstring injury and wider issues with Clemson’s offense, Williams’ star faded a bit in 2025, and he fell behind in the pecking order of draft-eligible receivers. In Washington, however, he looks to have a promising setup for a resurgence.
In free agency, general manager Adam Peters’ offseason retooling of Jayden Daniels’ pass-catching crew yielded only tight end Chig Okonkwo and veteran receivers Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson. As a third-rounder, Williams didn’t immediately leap to the forefront of the Commanders’ unsettled race for the No. 2 receiver role alongside Terry McLaurin. But with the in-house competition largely uninspiring, it might not be long before the rookie seizes on a considerable opportunity.
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Peters lauded Williams for his intelligence, versatility and route-running. All those assets could come in handy in rapidly getting up to speed in new coordinator David Blough’s scheme. While many saw the 6-0, 187-pound target as someone who would be stuck in the slot, Peters said Williams’ ability to beat man coverage on the outside actually differentiated him from his counterparts in the draft. If he can establish a rapport with Daniels, a decent chunk of targets could be in store for his debut campaign.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft: Seven picks who could surprise as rookies
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