My Guys for the 2026 NFL Draft – Multiple first round wildcards, a late breakout tight end, and other massive risers
Who are some of the more intriguing sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft class? There are several talented prospects standing out most.
The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a week away until it officially kicks off. With a limited amount of time available, it is time for every NFL Draft analyst out there to finalize their scouting reports, put together their big board, and stake a claim for “their guys” in the class.
For me, there are several players that I find myself much higher on than the consensus in the space. That includes multiple players who could crash the first round party, a late-rising tight end, and several other massive risers. It is a group built on tremendous upside and interesting backstories.
TE Dallen Bentley (Utah)
Over the previous three seasons, which included a stop at Snow College, Bentley managed to haul in just 11 total receptions. Then out of nowhere, he managed to make 48 receptions for 620 yards and six touchdowns for Utah this past season. At over 260 pounds, Bentley is a unique passing game weapon whose game is eerily similar to that of former NFL tight end Vance McDonald. He moves a lot better than you would expect for such a dense tight end, chewing up a ton of grass.
Playing a ton of reps detached, Bentley has yet to become a major asset in the running game. He does have effort as a blocker, which gives some hope for the future. Despite Bentley being an older prospect, there is still a very real developmental track for him to become a starter down the road. He is just scratching the surface of how good he can be.
DB Treydan Stukes (Arizona)
The knocks are understandable for Stukes, who is a bit of an older prospect who also had a knee injury in 2024. You just aren’t going to find defensive backs this versatile every day. Stukes played the majority of his snaps at nickel for Arizona, but some project his game best as a diverse safety prospect. There are even some teams that have toyed with the idea of him playing outside corner. His combination of fluidity, speed, and ball skills makes Stukes a very unique coverage player.
This is a unique case where every team could use a player like Stukes. With so much match coverage being played in the NFL right now, Stukes has the rare upside to bring the combination of zone and man coverage on the next level. He is just such a valuable football player on the back end of a defense.
CB Chris Johnson (San Diego State)
Johnson has been considered to be a firm Day Two (rounds 2-3) throughout the process, but the first down feedback has begun to trickle in. As the process has continued, it’s getting hard to argue against him going in the top 32 selections. The 6-0, 190-pound cover man has had multiple years of production, and his best season was in 2025. Johnson also competed well at the 2026 Senior Bowl, tested very well, and has tremendous character and a football IQ.
His game reminds me of former Pro Bowler Johnathan Joseph. He checks a lot of boxes as a cornerback, but excels most based on his intelligence and feel for the game. Johnson should become a starting cornerback very early in his NFL career.
DT Kaleb Proctor (SE Louisiana)
Dating back to August of the 2024 season, Proctor was a player who had piqued my attention due to his combination of explosiveness and slipperiness as an interior rusher. The biggest question mark was whether Proctor could hold enough weight in order to become a high-end NFL prospect. After he played around 280 pounds in 2025 and showed up to the East-West Shrine Bowl at 276 pounds, I had my doubts. Proctor calmed those nerves when he weighed in at 291 pounds at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, and he proceeded to test like an elite athlete.
As long as Proctor can hold that added weight, he has the chance to develop into a plus starter down the road. Even if the Southeastern Louisiana standout never becomes a dominant player against the run, his impact in creating negatives behind the line of scrimmage is his superpower.
LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr (TCU)
Elarms-Orr was outstanding in 2025, but barely anyone has talked about it, having one of the quietest 130-tackle, 11-tackle for loss, and four-sack seasons you will ever see. The former Cal transfer demonstrated his outstanding range during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, running the forty-yard dash in 4.47 seconds. Elarms-Orr has shown substantial upside working downhill, playing in pursuit, as a blitzer, and in coverage.
While the athletic skills are outstanding, the 6-2, 234-pound linebacker still needs to take a jump in terms of his processing skills. Elarms-Orr is a tick slow to diagnose at times, which can force him into some less-than-ideal positions. The tools are there, but more nuance is needed to eventually become a plus starter.
IOL Beau Stephens (Iowa)
A part of a good Iowa offensive line, Stephens has been a very underrated performer for the Hawkeyes over the last two seasons. He excels as a zone blocker, playing with good patience while taking proper angles, working laterally, and to the second level. When Stephens locates second-level blockers, he plays with great control and violence when engaging. You would be hard-pressed to find a blocker with more consistency than Stephens, showing nice overall impact in the running game.
The 6-5, 315-pound offensive guard has below-average length and overall athleticism, but I just don’t care. While there may be some deficiencies to his game, you can’t undersell his tenacity and technique. Stephens has upside to eventually becoming a starter, but he will become a valuable swing player inside, at the very least.
EDGE Derrick Moore (Michigan)
It feels like Moore has been a standout for the Michigan defense forever. Even while playing with several other NFL defensive linemen, Moore has still been able to serve an important role. That includes his best season in 2025, ending the year with 10.5 tackles for loss, ten sacks, and two forced fumbles. Moore’s game is predicated on power, which he showcases with his ability to convert speed to power as a pass rusher.
While Moore doesn’t play a flashy style, he is very efficient. In terms of nuance and a pass rush repertoire, Moore is a bit limited. The 6-3.5, 255-pound pass rusher is overly reliant on his bull rush right now, needing to add moves to his bag in order to unlock his overall upside.