Rams select QB Ty Simpson, Mendoza first overall
A wild first round saw Fernando Mendoza go No. 1, the Rams took Ty Simpson, and there were plenty of big swings and standout moments on night one.
- Several teams found potential bargains on Days 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Injuries and physical measurements were factors that led to some prospects being taken out of the draft.
- CB Keonte Scott, selected by the Bucks, may be the biggest bargain of this draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft still feels fresh, but some teams must have come out of the exercise confident they’ve unearthed the latest big bargain. However, only a handful are proven correct.
Making big hits on the second and third days of the draft and generating substantial surplus value could be a fast track to revamping a roster and becoming one of the league’s top contenders. But in reality, a select few players provide the huge returns that every franchise seeks in their selections. Still, this year’s event featured several choices that stood out for their potential payoffs.
Here are the 10 biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft.
There is plenty of depth at center this year, with at least four players ranked as close candidates to be starters early in their careers. Two of them, Logan Jones and Jake Slaughter, were eliminated in the second round. Lou hung around much longer, despite not being noticeably behind either player in any phase. The torn anterior cruciate ligament he sustained in October likely weighed on his draft stock. The Bengals could ask veteran Ted Karras to mentor Lue before taking over the Auburn product as Joe Burrow’s pivot long-term.
9. Emmett Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (5th round)
It was a tough year for the running back group, taking just three in the first three rounds. Johnson was one of the backs who was viewed with skepticism until the Chiefs called up the Nebraska standout midway through Day 3. For runners who don’t have a breakthrough strategy, it may not be easy to achieve great results. But Johnson has the size to evade and barrel through would-be tacklers at point-blank range, and he’s comfortable taking on the heavy workload of a pass catcher. The Chiefs would be wise not to overload Kenneth Walker III, who is used to operating in a timeshare from his time in Seattle, with new talent. That could mean quite a few chances for Johnson early on.
8. Joshua Josephs, Delaware State, Washington Commanders (5th round)
It’s hard to find an edge rusher with enough athleticism to be a real factor in putting pressure on the quarterback after Day 2. Joseph could also be considered an exception. The 6-3, 242-pound edge rusher troubles opposing blockers with his long arms, is quick off the line of scrimmage, and can overwhelm opponents early on. He has little consistency in actually making his way to quarterback and requires a plan built on more than just determination. However, managers could slowly bring him in behind Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, with the latter potentially being replaced after this season.
7. Jayshawn Barham, LB, Dallas Cowboys (3rd round)
Barham offered a less straightforward projection than many of his peers due to his size (6-4, 240 pounds) and limited usage at edge rusher until his final season at Michigan. But what was immediately apparent was his overall talent for creating chaos. Upon transferring to Maryland, his intensity instantly increased and he was able to quickly get to quarterbacks and ball carriers. The Cowboys will start him at off-ball linebacker, where his responsibilities will certainly be more complex than just finding and chasing the ball. But it may not be long before defensive coordinator Christian Parker wants to get more reps for a player who can be a mainstay in opposing backfields.
6. Kyle Lewis, LB/S, Miami Dolphins (4th round)
Louie doesn’t fit into the typical position bucket, so some creativity will be required to get the most out of the 6-0, 220-pound hybrid defender. But for a team with patience and defensive vision, the Pitt product could be a versatile coverage asset and all-around playmaker. The Dolphins are building a team from the ground up, so new head coach Jeff Hafley will be able to find a way to unlock Louie’s dynamic abilities according to his plans.
5. Chandler Rivers, CB, Baltimore Ravens (5th round)
A modest 5-10, 185-pound frame appears to be the only thing standing in the way of Rivers’ professional prospects. But aside from playing against huge targets, experienced and savvy cornerbacks can handle just about anything thrown at them. A move to this slot should alleviate the biggest concerns about his game. In Baltimore, that could mean learning under four-time Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey as a rookie before potentially replacing him in 2027.
4. Keith Abney II, CB, Detroit Lions (5th round)
With a plethora of talented cornerbacks still available early in the third day, Abney and several other talented coverage players paid for the buyer’s market. His size may have played a big role in his evaluation, and some teams must have doubted whether he could hold up on the outside. However, quarterbacks who target Abney do so at their own peril. His 12 pass breakups last season proved how easily he can find the ball whenever tested. Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Shepard should appreciate his versatility, instincts and physical ability.
3. Emmanuel Preignon, G, Jacksonville Jaguars (3rd round)
The Jaguars’ general manager is the one who engineered one of this year’s more bizarre draft classes, with some head-scratching moves filling the team’s efforts on Days 2 and 3. Still, few would argue with Pregnon’s choice. A sixth-year senior who transferred from USC after starting his career at the University of Wyoming, the 6-4, 314-pound blocker blossomed into an All-American last season. His age and pedestrian athleticism will put him behind top-35 draft picks like Olaiba Vega Ioane, Kieran Rutledge and Chase Visontis. But Preignon is adept at picking holes in ball carriers and is more than capable as a pass protector. He could be a high-end starter, responding to interest in continuing to strengthen Jacksonville’s ground game.
2. Chris Bell, WR, Miami Dolphins (3rd round)
Bell might have had a strong claim to the first round if not for the torn ACL he suffered in November. Instead, his wait was extended until the end of the second day. At 6-2, 220 pounds, he has drawn comparisons to AJ Brown, which are lofty but not unfounded. Like the bulky former Mississippi State receiver, Bell’s usage at Louisville (which consisted primarily of drags and slants) obscured his true ability as a downfield weapon. If he can regain his explosiveness and become a more accurate and sensitive route runner, he could be a nightmare matchup for the Dolphins’ offense, which is starting from scratch.
The Auburn transfer’s breakout season in Miami helped fuel the Hurricanes’ surprising run to the national championship game. But in this year’s draft, Scott seemed to be down for his age — he turns 25 in August — and has only played one year as an elite player. He eventually found the right role from the slot where his talents as an agent of chaos played out, and his best work came as a blitzer. The Buccaneers have cycled through several nickel options in recent years, but the addition of Scott could allow them to move Jacob Parrish to the outside to anchor the secondary. And Todd Bowles’ scheme should allow him to continue producing splash plays at an incredible rate.
