In every NFL draft class, there are the headliners who need no introduction. In 2026, that includes the likes of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. But this is not about players everyone already knows. Instead, we're identifying prospects who fans will get to know over the upcoming college football season and beyond.
After talking to scouts and personnel people around the NFL, I picked 10 under-the-radar players who could be primed to rise up draft boards over the next 10 months. This is the third year I've done this exercise, with last year's list featuring Day 2 picks such as guard Jonah Savaiinaea and safety Kevin Winston Jr.