Every year, the NFL Draft cycle is dominated by the same dozen names: the top quarterback, the elite edge rusher, and the generational offensive tackle. They receive the prime-time coverage, the hyperbolic scouting reports, and the fanfare.

he players we call “overlooked” aren’t lacking talent; they often lack the blue-blood pedigree, the elite testing measurables, or simply the consensus positional clarity that earns them a spot on the main stage. They are the high-production veterans who perfected their craft away from the bright lights, the versatile athletes who defy simple positional labels, or the small-school dominators whose tape is simply too good to ignore.

In this series, we turn our attention away from the consensus top picks and shine a spotlight on the five prospects who possess the most dangerous combination of value and immediate NFL impact. These are the players who will make the scouts who believed in them look like geniuses, and the teams that passed on them feel the sting of regret.

Get ready to meet the five most overlooked prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft—the diamonds in the rough who are poised to become Pro Bowl realities.

Elijah Saratt

All eyes on Indiana’s potential Heisman QB Fernando Mendoza but my eyes on his main target Elijah Saratt. He was overlooked since the beginning of his college years. He started out playing for FCS School Saint Francis. He then transferred to James Madison under Coach Cignetti. Finally, he made his “name” at Indiana.

In his debut Big Ten season (2024), he maintained his high-volume production. He secured Third-team All-Big Ten honors with 53 receptions for 957 yards and 8 touchdowns. He followed that up with an equally impressive 2025 campaign. He earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors. This achievement further solidified his status as a legitimate threat in one of college football’s toughest conferences.

• Unrivaled Reliability: His hands are like glue. Sarratt is known for his low drop rate, making him a quarterback’s best friend in crucial situations.
• Contested Catch King:He thrives in traffic. At 6’2″ and over 200 lbs, Sarratt uses his frame exceptionally well. He boxes out defenders effectively. He also makes those “my ball” catches, even when covered tight. His coaches frequently laud his “great ball skills.”
• Consistent Production: The most impressive aspect of Sarratt’s career is his ability to maintain elite production. He succeeds despite changing teams and increasing levels of competition. He adapts, he performs, and he excels.
• Route Running:Crafty, controlled, and effective on in-breaking routes (crossers, slants, digs), using salesmanship to create separation.

Draft Projection- Early 2nd-3rd round pick

Mansoor Delane

Playing for “DB U” at LSU is the quiet shutdown corner flying under the radar. Dominating wide receivers that earned him spot as a Jim Thorpe Award Finalist. Personally, I love lockdown cornerbacks who shut down one side of the field. They dominate the NFL’s best receivers. He fits the bill and brings that dawg mentality to the field.

Ultimate Compliment is when the QB and offensive coordinator decides to not throw to your side of the field. Very Low completion percentage at 38.2, allowing very few receptions. There are almost no first downs or touchdowns. The performance ranks high in passer rating when targeted and forced incompletion rate.

Why He’s a Shutdown Corner

Fluidity in Man Coverage: Talk about his main strength—his ability to stick to receivers in man-to-man coverage. Use descriptive language like “mirror-match master” or “shadowing receivers.”

Exceptional Ball Skills: Mention the interceptions and pass breakups. He doesn’t just run with the receiver; he actively seeks to attack the ball at the catch point.

Physicality at the LOS (Line of Scrimmage): He uses his hands effectively in press coverage. This disrupts the receiver’s timing right off the snap. Takes advantage of his long reach. Fearless tackler. Plays very intense.

Truly appreciate the way Mansoor Delane plays the game of football. He shuts down teams and is relentless on the field. He is bold to hit and a great leader. looking forward to watching him play in the NFL.

Projected late first round pick to latest second round pick. Potential CB 1.

Sonny Styles

Overlooked Ohio State Linebacker Sonny Styles playing with star studded roster from both sides of the ball. Tried his best to make his name known in 2024 switching from Safety to Linebacker.

2024 Breakout: He quickly adapted. He started all 16 games and finished second on the team with 100 tackles. This earned him Second-team All-Big Ten honors. His two years in the secondary were not wasted; they gave him elite coverage skills for a linebacker.

The Play-Calling Confidence: By his senior year in 2025, Styles was given the responsibility of the green dot. He led a formidable Buckeyes defense. This is the ultimate proof of his football intelligence and leadership.

His ability to cover a slot receiver one play and anchor against an offensive lineman the next is a testament to the work he put in behind the scenes, away from the national media gaze. He wasn’t just checking boxes; he was redefining the linebacker position for the modern age.

Styles is wearing the prestigious Block ‘O’ uniform number 0, an honor reserved for the team’s most respected leaders.

NFL scouts now see him as a Day 1 starter with a consensus First-Round grade, profiling as a versatile linebacker who can cover tight ends in space—a highly sought-after commodity in the modern NFL.

Eli Stowers

Rising College Football Program Vanderbilt University is one of the best football stories of the year. They have a transfer and new star QB, Diego Pavia. His #1 target is the overlooked Tight End Eli Stowers.

Eli Stowers’ path didn’t follow the typical SEC trajectory of an early-round pick. He started as a four-star dual-threat quarterback at Texas A&M. A combination of injury and depth chart reality led to a major position change. This resulted in a transfer to New Mexico State. Finally, he moved to Nashville to join Vanderbilt.

• Received first team SEC
• Racked up 769 receiving yards in 2025 leading Vanderbilt in the receiving categories

The Advantage: He Thinks Like a Quarterback

Stowers’ time spent behind center is his most significant differentiator and the reason he will translate seamlessly to the NFL passing game.

1. Route Intelligence: Stowers doesn’t just run routes; he reads defenses. He understands soft spots in the zone, knows where his quarterback needs him to be when the pocket breaks down, and is exceptional at adjusting his speed and leverage to create separation.
2. Matchup Nightmare: At 6’4″ and 235 lbs, he has the length and athleticism to run past linebackers and box out defensive backs. His former quarterback speed shows up in his ability to earn massive Yards After Catch (YAC), turning short throws into explosive gains. His 146-yard, two-touchdown performance against Texas was a masterclass in this ability.
3. Elite Receiving Floor: The numbers are undeniable: he led all tight ends in the country in catches for a first down. Stowers is a reliable, high-volume target who will immediately upgrade any passing offense that utilizes the tight end in the slot.

Day 2 draft. Comparison-Trey McBride

EmMet Johnson

In an NFL Draft class often obsessed with speed and flash, the most valuable running back might be the man who simply always gets the job done: Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson.

Johnson leaves Lincoln as the reigning Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year and the undisputed engine of the Cornhuskers’ offense. While some analysts might knock his “non-elite” straight-line speed (listed at 5’11”, 200 lbs), his production, durability, and complete skillset make him a guaranteed NFL contributor—and a potential star.

The Problem: Being Great When No One Else Is

Johnson’s “overlooked” status stems not from his performance, but from his environment. He produced elite numbers despite a massive workload on a team still undergoing a major rebuild.

• The Workload: Johnson was the focal point, accounting for a staggering 40.7% of Nebraska’s total offense during his final season. No other back on the team came close to his production, proving he was the only consistent stability the offense had.
• The Durability: He handled an enormous volume of carries and hits, showing the kind of durability and grit that scouts love. He credits his commitment to recovery—lots of cold tubs and structured routines—for keeping him primed for the heavy usage.

The Blueprint for a Modern NFL Back

Johnson’s value is best seen not by watching his longest run, but by watching his most selfless run: the one where he secures the first down instead of chasing the touchdown, prioritizing the team win above the highlight reel. His resume is perfect for the NFL.

Day 2 Steal

Draft analysts may place Johnson in the Day 2 or early Day 3 range, but the team that drafts him will get a back ready to contribute immediately. He may not run a blazing 40-yard dash, but he plays with exceptional functional speed, intelligence, and an unparalleled commitment to his craft.