Editor’s note: This story was originally published ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

While headlining names like Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate will steal the spotlight in the first round of the NFL Draft, Days 2 and 3 should still bring plenty of excitement, as teams look to find hidden gems in the later rounds. 

This is where rosters are built, depth is strengthened and diamonds in the rough are found.

Over the last decade, some of the NFL’s most valuable and impactful players have come from outside the first round, going on to win Super Bowls, break records, and earn major awards.

In Rounds 2 and 3, players like quarterback Jalen Hurts have led their teams to multiple Super Bowl appearances and won Super Bowl MVP. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp delivered a historic season, setting the single-season record for total receiving yards and winning both Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP in 2021.

In Rounds 4-7, the list of impact players is even more impressive.

Puka Nacua, a fifth-round pick in 2023, has quickly developed into one of the top wide receivers in the league. Tyreek Hill and George Kittle are other marquee names that were selected on Day 3. 

At quarterback, Dak Prescott has been a franchise cornerstone for nearly a decade after being drafted in the fourth round, and Brock Purdy went from Mr. Irrelevant to the San Francisco 49ers’ $265 million franchise quarterback. 

Strong organizations don’t just hit on their first pick; they consistently find contributors throughout the rest of the draft. 

With that in mind, here are the top-five sleeper prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Keionte Scott, DB, Miami (Fla.)

Keionte Scott checks all the boxes as a modern nickel defender in the NFL.

In his last season at Miami, he had 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles, showcasing rare production from the slot and a very explosive profile.

Scott backed up his tape with an elite Pro Day performance. He posted a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, a 44-inch vertical and a 10-foot-3 broad jump. His vertical would have led all defensive backs at the 2026 NFL Combine. 

Add in Scott’s physicality against the run and strong football IQ, and he projects as a true three-down impact player who could come off the board earlier than expected.

UPDATE: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Scott in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas

Taylen Green was arguably the top athlete at quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. (Getty Images)

Taylen Green is one of the most intriguing high-upside quarterback sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

After transferring to Arkansas, he showcased a rare blend of size, athleticism and production, throwing for 2,714 yards with 19 touchdowns while adding 777 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground. 

At 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, Green pairs that dual-threat production with amazing testing numbers, including a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. Those marks place him among the most athletic quarterbacks ever tested, backed by a near-perfect 9.99 Relative Athletic Score.

He remains a raw passer with inconsistencies, but his physical tools and playmaking ability give him a very high ceiling. 

UPDATE: The Cleveland Browns selected Green in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Jonah Coleman was a key piece of Jedd Fisch’s offense at Washington. (Getty Images)

After following Jedd Fisch from Arizona to Washington, Jonah Coleman had 1,053 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 before adding 758 yards and 15 scores in 2025 despite battling a late-season knee injury.

Built at 5-foot-9 with a powerful frame, Coleman thrives on finishing through contact, often requiring multiple defenders to bring him down. 

Even more impressive is his ball security. In 552 career rushing attempts, he fumbled just twice.

While he lacks elite breakaway speed at the NFL level, his vision, contact balance and power make him a strong candidate to outperform his draft slot. Teams looking for a physical, three-down back could target him on Day 2 or early Day 3.

UPDATE: The Denver Broncos selected Coleman in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois

Gabe Jacas has been one of the Big Ten’s top edge rushers over the last couple of seasons. (Getty Images)

Gabe Jacas is one of the more underrated edge defenders in this class and a strong Day 2 sleeper. 

As a four-year starter at Illinois, he was asked to do far more than just rush the passer, consistently setting the edge, dropping into coverage and handling multiple responsibilities within the defense.

At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Jacas brings a powerful, physical style of play that’s rooted in his wrestling background. Despite taking on that all-around role with the Fighting Illini, he still produced at a high level in 2025 with 11 sacks, 34 pressures and 13.5 tackles for loss, while finishing his career with 26 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss.

He may not have the flashiest pass-rush arsenal, but his strength, versatility and consistency give him a high floor as a reliable three-down edge. Teams looking for a complete defensive end could value him higher than expected, making him a likely Round 2 selection with a floor in Round 3.

UPDATE: The New England Patriots selected Jacas in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

Bryce Lance, the younger brother of Trey Lance, was a standout at North Dakota Stae. (Getty Images)

Bryce Lance, the brother of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance, is one of the top FCS prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft and a high-upside sleeper with legit vertical ability. 

The North Dakota State standout put together two straight 1,000-yard seasons, including a breakout 2024 campaign with 75 receptions for 1,053 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns.

He followed that up in 2025 with 51 catches for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging an unbelievable 21.2 yards per reception. At 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, Lance pairs that production with a 4.34 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical, making him one of the more explosive receivers in the class.

With his size, speed and downfield tracking ability, Lance profiles as a true deep-threat weapon at the next level, drawing comparisons to players like Alec Pierce and Christian Watson. 

UPDATE: The New Orleans Saints selected Lance in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

A longtime NFL veteran has reportedly been deemed a person of interest in the potential homicide of a woman in the Dominican Republic.

The body of Carli Franchesca Guzman Roche was found at a property that was owned by Mike Pennel, who has won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, after she disappeared in 2021.

Guzman was declared missing on Sept. 13, 2021, after not being heard from since eight days prior. Her body was found on the property, which Pennel sold last year, in January while a worker was digging a trench, ESPN reported. The report by ESPN cited anonymous sources close to the investigation.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The home is in a gated community in Sosúa, on the northern coast of the country.

Pennel denied any involvement in a text to ESPN.

“This isn’t a story. I’m not legally involved. This is fake news being reported. I’d advise you to speak with my agent/lawyer … before writing a false story. Damaging my reputation,” he wrote to the outlet.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel Jr. plays against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 9, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

JETS TRADE UP IN FOURTH ROUND OF NFL DRAFT TO SELECT QUARTERBACK WEEKS AFTER GETTING GENO SMITH

Pennel played for both the Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals this past season. It marked his third stint with Kansas City.

The defensive lineman has been suspended by the NFL three times for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, two of which occurred in 2016. He was also sued in 2024 by Dwayne Haskins’ widow, who accused him of defrauding her of $275,000 in a dog-breeding business out of the Dominican Republic.

The 34-year-old played college ball at Scottsdale Community College, Arizona State and CSU Pueblo, going undrafted in 2014.

Defensive tackle Mike Pennel Jr. of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after stopping a two-point conversion during the first half of the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 26, 2025. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

However, the Green Bay Packers took a chance, and he has turned it into a 12-year career with five teams, including the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons. He also was on the practice squad for the New England Patriots and the Chicago Bears.

He is currently a free agent.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

KARACHI: A strong contingent of Pakistani runners, both from within the country and across the diaspora, is set to feature in the 46th edition of the London Marathon on Sunday, one of the world’s most prestigious long-distance races and part of the elite Abbott World Marathon Majors circuit.

More than 50,000 runners from across the globe are expected to participate in the iconic 42.195km run, which winds through central London, passing historic landmarks and drawing massive roadside crowds. Widely regarded as one of the most vibrant and inclusive marathons, the London Marathon is also a global leader in charity fundraising, having raised over £1 billion since its inception.

This year, 18 Pakistani runners, including athletes based in Pakistan and expatriates from the United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, Norway, Austria, and the UAE, will take part, reflecting the growing footprint of Pakistani endurance runners on the global stage. The group includes 16 male and two female participants, with three Six Star finishers among them — a distinction awarded to those who complete all six World Marathon Majors.

Among Pakistani participants, one name is UAE-based Sarah Lodhi, the winner of the Karachi Marathon 2025, who returns to London for her 12th career marathon. Having previously competed here, Lodhi described the experience as unmatched.

“Representing Pakistan on such a prestigious international platform is a tremendous honour,” she said. “London is an incredible city, and this marathon stands out as one of the most vibrant and lively among the world’s major races. I feel truly humbled and grateful for this opportunity.”

Karachi’s Amin Mukaty enters the race in peak condition after an intense training block, covering 180 kilometres over the past two weeks. He is targeting a strong finish despite uncertain race-day conditions.

“I am aiming to finish somewhere between 2:45 and 2:50,” Mukaty said. “There’s no pressure for a personal best because the weather here is not ideal at the moment, but my long-term goal is to earn all seven stars and complete these races under three hours.”

Seasoned marathoner Adnan Gandhi, also from Karachi, will be running his second consecutive London Marathon and 11th World Major overall. A Six Star finisher, Gandhi continues to combine sport with philanthropy, this year raising funds for the British Asian Trust to support mental health and youth employment initiatives in Pakistan.

Having previously supported flood relief efforts through The Citizens Foundation, Gandhi said running for a cause has remained central to his journey, alongside his association with Special Olympics Pakistan and efforts to promote endurance running in the country.

His wife, Hira Diwan Gandhi, also a Six Star finisher, will line up alongside him in what will be her 18th marathon. The couple, who earned their Six Star medals together at the Boston Marathon last year, regard London as the standout race on the global circuit. Hira will be running the London Marathon for the sixth time.

Denmark-based Zeeshan Rab brings remarkable consistency, competing in his 55th marathon overall and eighth of the year, while runners from the UK, US and Europe highlight the widespread presence of the Pakistani diaspora in endurance sports.

With a mix of experienced Six Star finishers, first-time participants and runners competing for personal milestones and charitable causes, the Pakistani contingent is set to add depth and diversity to an event that continues to inspire millions worldwide.

Pakistani participants: London Marathon 2026 (April 26):

3. Adnan Gandhi (Karachi) – Six-Star finisher

4. Hira Diwan Gandhi (UK) – Six-Star finisher

5. Qamar Zia (USA)

6. Ahmer Khan (Austria)

7. Naveed Hussain (USA)

8. Amin Mukaty (Karachi)

9. Faisal Shafi (Lahore)

10. Zeeshan Rab (Denmark)

11. Abdullah Athar (UK)

12. Araf Mohammed (UK)

13. Javed Hussain (UK)

14. Adam Mohammed (UK)

15. Wasim Akhtar (UK)

16. Adil Ali (UK)

17. Imran Ghayur Ahmed (Norway)

18. Yusaf Hassan (UK)