NFL Draft’s 7 biggest sleepers in 2026 who could turn into steals

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 14: Eli Heidenreich #22 of the Navy Midshipmen rushes the ball during a game between Navy and Army at Northwest Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/Getty Images) | Getty Images We are just over 24 hours until the 2026 NFL Draft, where we expect Fernando Mendoza to be the first player selected. But he will not be the only player selected.

There are 257 draft slots in this year’s NFL Draft, starting with the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 and finishing with the Denver Broncos at No. 257.

Whether it is the Broncos or another team making that pick remains to be seen, but the simple fact is this: there are lots of players who are going to be drafted over the next few days. Including some sleepers. Let’s dive into seven of them, including one who might not be a “sleeper” in the minds of the sleeper police, but might be my favorite player to watch in this class outside of Caleb Downs.

Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech Several defenders from Texas Tech are expected to come off the board early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pass rusher David Bailey might be drafted second by the New York Jets, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez could sneak into the first round, and defensive tackle Lee Hunter and pass rusher Romello Height are expected to be Day 2 picks. Safety Cole Wisniewski, however, might slide late into Day 3.