2026 NFL Draft Preview: The overall class isn’t the strongest, but it’s filled with talented sleepers
The 2026 NFL Draft isn’t the strongest at the top with high-end players, but there are a lot of talented ones. Our staff at A to Z Sports highlighted multiple sleepers you need to be aware of.
The NFL Draft is now single-digit days away and the class has been a major discussion point.
There aren’t a lot of high-end talents at the top of the draft, but there are a lot of starting-caliber players. That aspect has analysts all over the place with different prospects.
Our NFL Draft staff at A to Z Sports has highlighted a player they view as a sleeper in this draft class, and you can select them in our fantastic mock draft simulator.
Ahmari Harvey, CB, Georgia Tech
Who: Tyler Forness
Rank: 65th
A to Z Sports Consensus: 122nd
There is no secret about how much I love watching Harvey play football. He is the captain of the All Forno team and my favorite player in the class. He might be slightly undersized, but he plays with all the dog in the world, which is why he’s 65th on my big board and CB10. His eyes are excellent in diagnosing route concepts and the running game in front of him. Harvey is aggressive against the run, and is violent with wide receivers in coverage.
It’s usually a concern for players to be a little bit smaller on the outside. However, Harvey’s toughness and willingness to scrap with whoever is on the opposite side will translate to the NFL level. Pair that with plus ball skills and he can be a contributor early and often.
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Who: Kyle Crabbs
Rank: 49th
A to Z Sports Consensus: 67th
If you told me that Hurst ends up out-performing several of the top-five wide receivers in this class, I’d believe you. The jump in level of competition is something that may prevent him from being a rookie sensation. But If I look at the three year trajectory, I can very much see Hurst being the kind of cat who prospers in the league with his blend of size, body control, and run after catch ability. Situation will matter for whether or not Hurst reaches the lofty ceiling I can envision for him as a player — he can’t go to a team that tabs him as the WR3 or WR4 and expect this to come to life. But he also can’t go to a team with a horrible quarterback situation as a prospective WR1, either. Threading the needle here will be dependent on the situation but I will not be surprised if Hurst gets a handsome second contract and becomes a perennial 1,000 yard receiver.
De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
Who: Josh Taylor
Rank: 85th
A to Z Sports Consensus: 147th
Stribling is one of the most underrated WR prospects in this draft and deserves more recognition. He’s a 6-2, 207-pound WR who wins downfield with his 4.36 40-yard dash speed and relentless hands. Stribling has excellent body control to fight at the catch point and often wins, and he only had one drop in 2025. He averaged 15.8 yards per catch over the last two seasons and has been a steady producer. Stribling also has a glaring competitive drive and plays physical after the catch as well as a very willing blocker. I have Stribling over guys ranked way ahead of him, such as Ted Hurst, Ja’Kobi Lane, and Bryce Lance.
Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana
Who: AJ Schulte
Rank: 175th
A to Z Sports Consensus: 406th
You said deep sleeper, right ?I’ve kept an eye on Dugger ever since the Shrine Bowl. After routinely catching my eye on Frisco, I just knew I had to get to his film, and I came away impressed. A former safety, Dugger’s coverage ability pop off the film. He looks comfortable handling tight ends down field in man coverage and projects to be able to be an effective pole runner in coverage at the next level. You can tell he’s still learning how to play linebacker and “reading the triangle”, as his run defense was a work in progress, but I was encouraged by him routinely directing his teammates and calling out the defense. With his length (would have the longest arms and wingspan of any linebacker drafted in the last decade) and coverage ability, as well as his value as a blitzer, I think Dugger could be a really intriguing subpackage linebacker at the next level with the ability to also be an effective special teamer while he grows in his run defense. I’m willing to bet on the traits here.
VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
Who: Destin Adams
Rank: 60th
A to Z Sports Consensus: 148th
People throw around the phrase “position flexibility” for prospects all the time, but VJ Payne truly embodies it. The ball-hawking safety can play either safety spot, and arguably has the talent to play as a boundary or slot corner as well. His coverage skills are among the best of any safety in this class, and he plays with a level of violence that is incredible to watch. To pair with it, he also possesses incredible athleticism, which creates an exciting ceiling. I have a day two grade on him, and I’m honestly shocked that so many view his draft range as around a fifth-round pick. He is my 60th-ranked player and my safety four in the class. If he truly ends up being a day three pick, someone will get an absolute steal.
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