Are the days of the NFL draft sleeper dying off? Not necessarily.
The label itself has long been somewhat of a moving target, becoming something of a catch-all for players who last beyond the first round. But the sea change that came to college football with the rise of name, image and likeness deals – and the corresponding boom in transfer portal action – has also reshaped prevailing notions about the draft.
Small-school standouts now tend to be few and far between, as many players who build a buzz for themselves at lower rungs tend to leap at the opportunity to seize a larger spotlight – and payday – before jumping to the draft.
Even if migration patterns are shifting, teams remain as hopeful as ever that they can unearth mid-to-late-round gems, with Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (third round) and Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (seventh round) serving as the latest success stories from the 2025 class.
With more than a month remaining until the underclassmen declaration cutoff date – and four until the start of the first round itself – here are 10 sleepers to keep an eye on for the 2026 NFL draft.
QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State
With this year’s quarterback class shaping up to be rather thin, anyone searching for a high-upside under-the-radar passer might need to dip down to the Football Championship Subdivision level for a closer examination of Payton. In his lone year as a starter, the 6-2, 230-pound signal-caller threw for 16 touchdowns while adding 13 more on the ground. He also led the Bison to an unblemished regular season before the team’s surprising ouster in the second round of the playoffs. That dual-threat ability and comfort taking deep shots make him an attractive developmental prospect for a staff willing to exhibit some patience. If some of the top quarterbacks opt to return to school, he could find himself higher up in the positional pecking order than many might expect.
WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State
The Valdosta State transfer built on a successful 2024 transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision level, hauling in 71 catches for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-3 and 185 pounds, Hurst has the tools to be an imposing downfield threat. There might be a learning curve involved as he faces far more physical defensive backs who will challenge him both at the line of scrimmage and when the ball is in the air. But any team looking to up its credentials in the vertical passing game could be drawn to him.
WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
The younger brother of former Bison standout and 2021 No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance isn’t just coasting off name recognition. Lance averaged an eye-popping 21.2 yards per catch in 2025 after hauling in 17 touchdowns the previous year. With strong and reliable hands, the 6-3, 209-pound target figures to be an immediate asset as a weapon in the red zone and on contested catches. It might take some time for him to round out his route tree and learn to beat cornerbacks who won’t simply be overwhelmed by him, but he presents traits and a skill set that teams will be eager to tap into.
WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
Listed at 5-9 and 170 pounds, Thompson’s stature might be disqualifying for some teams, especially if he measures in even smaller at the NFL scouting combine. But any franchise ruling him out on his size alone might be doing itself a disservice. The former Texas high school 200-meter champion has shown that he can scorch even the speediest defensive backs in the Southeastern Conference, as he averaged 17.9 yards per catch and had at least 60 yards in each of his last six games against stout competition. Any front office interested in tapping into his explosiveness must ensure its coaching staff would have a plan to scheme touches for him, as a traditional downfield receiver role might not suffice. But if utilized correctly, he could become the kind of big-play threat defenses will have to account for on every down. He’s a strong candidate to test well in Indianapolis and rise in the pre-draft process.
TE Oscar Delp, Georgia
The former top tight end recruit in his class never met the outsized expectations he was saddled with as Brock Bowers’ successor, as he never eclipsed 250 receiving yards in a regular season. The best might be yet to come from a player who still boasts a good deal of promise. The 6-5, 245-pounder could stand to get a little stronger at the point of attack and at the catch point, but there should be no concerns about his ability to hold up as an in-line player given his impressive work as a run blocker and pass protector. Like many of his past classmates, Delp didn’t get to showcase the full range of his athleticism and abilities in the Bulldogs’ scheme, leaving him with untapped potential as a vertical weapon and run-after-catch threat. That usage has left him underdeveloped as a route runner, but he presents a fairly high floor with intriguing upside.
OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Having never played football before junior college, the Nigeria native presents a unique profile for teams to assess after he focused on soccer and basketball growing up. As is to be expected, the 6-6, 330-pounder is lagging behind his peers when it comes to the finer points of the position. But Iheanachor has made serious strides in a short amount of time, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors this fall. With surprisingly nimble feet and the frame and power to displace defenders in the run game as a right tackle, he’s the kind of project almost any offensive line coach would leap at the opportunity to take on.
DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
Finding a premier pass rusher beyond the first two rounds can be exceedingly difficult, though Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby prove there are always rare exceptions to the rule. Lawrence doesn’t belong in their class yet, but he has some tools worth developing. The 6-4, 260-pounder weaponized his length and speed off the edge to finish tied for fifth in the Big 12 with seven sacks. His insufficient strength leaves him as a liability against the run, which might cap his early contributions. But with the proper development, he could be a promising edge threat to bring along more gradually.
DT Mateen Ibirogba, Wake Forest
Many of the top defensive tackles in the upcoming classes are space-eating nose tackle types. The 6-3, 296-pound Ibirogba draws a sharp contrast to them. The Georgetown transfer had a slow acclimation to Power Four football but was steadily disruptive this fall, throwing opponents off with his rapid first step. That didn’t translate to a gaudy sack total (2), but he should have no shortage of suitors – so long as the junior declares – who would be interested in harnessing his ability to create havoc on the interior.
CB Devon Marshall, North Carolina State
A strong senior season for Marshall was punctuated by one of the best performances by a defensive back all season. In the Wolfpack’s penultimate game of the regular season against Florida State, the former Villanova transfer locked down Seminoles super-sized standout Duce Robinson while notching two interceptions and six pass break-ups, giving him an FBS-high 15 on the season. The arrow is clearly pointing up for the 5-11, 200-pounder, who relishes taking on one-on-one matchups. He’ll be an attractive option for teams that need a coverage presence who can hang with bigger targets, and his solid tackling and work against the run should further endear him to prospective defensive coordinators.
CB Hezekiah Masses, Cal
After transferring from Florida International last December, Masses raised his profile considerably by establishing himself as one of college football’s premier ballhawks. His 18 passes defensed were the most in the FBS, and he tied for fifth with five interceptions. Between his ball skills and his 6-1, 185-pound frame, the first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection is perfectly suited for zone-heavy schemes that amplify his playmaking ability, though he can hold his own in man coverage as well. His pedestrian long speed and slender build likely will stifle his draft stock, but he could end up as a mid-round bargain.