These Are the Biggest Scheme-Specific Super Stars of the 2026 NFL Draft Class

Situation matters. Very few NFL talents supersede their surroundings. The rest of the league requires proper utilization to realize their full potential.

Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are almost certainly not the players they are today if either was selected by the dysfunctional Cleveland Browns with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Conversely, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold were forced to bounce around the league before they developed into franchise quarterbacks.

The designation of being labeled a product of the system is not a negative. A coaching staff's job is to cater their scheme to the available talent and allow it to thrive. Some system and situations are more conducive than others based on an individual's skill set.

Case in point, Puka Nacua likely almost certainly isn't a top-two wide receiver if he's not a member of the Lose Angeles Rams. Defensively, Nick Emmanwori became weaponized as part of the Seattle Seahawks' league-leading scoring unit. Interestingly, neither heard their names called in the first round before skyrocketing at the onset of their professional careers.

Bleacher Report's scouts were asked to identity those prospects with similar upside despite not being projected as future first-round selections, with five deserving of attention, including one who was the top choice from two different sources.

RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

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Running backs always emerge from somewhere beyond the opening frame, because the position has become so devalued over the past 15 years.

Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb, who are arguably the best runners of the last decade, weren't first-round picks. Five of the top six rushers from this season weren't top 40 selections.

Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr. is a bit of a throwback, who ran for more than 1,000 yards during his only year with the Razorbacks.

"Washington is a physical downhill running back with big-play speed," Dame Parson said. "The 228-pound ball-carrier led Arkansas in rushing this past season and ran a variety of concepts successfully. Washington is a no-nonsense runner who will punish defenders in the open field. 

"He can break out if provided with the opportunity and workload as an RB1, because he will execute runs off pin/pull, duo, inside zone, toss sweeps and stretch concepts. Given his frame, patience, fluidity, and open-field speed, Washington has the skillset to be an imposing NFL runner."

WR Josh Cameron, Baylor

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When a specific talent catches the eye of multiple evaluators and jumps to the forefront of the conversation despite not being viewed as a highly-regarded option, the prospect just might have a little something to his game, albeit with an asterisk.

Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron is the specific talent in question.

"Cameron has the makings of a budding star in the right system," Parson said. "He is a dense, compact receiver who can align in multiple spots within the offensive formation. Cameron excels at running short and downfield routes, highlighting his biggest attributes. 

"In the short passing game, he uses his wide frame to shield defenders from the ball on slants, shallow crossers and other in-breaking routes. He flashes enough short-area quickness to win inside leverage. Cameron has the play strength to fight through contact and the quickness to make defenders miss in space for yards after the catch. On vertical targets, he has immense ball tracking, body control and hands to dominate the catch point. 

"He would be an ideal fit within the Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay West Coast offensive schemes. His combination of short-area quickness, football IQ and elite hands to make plays in high-traffic areas and across the middle of the field make him a potential dynamic weapon within these specific offensive schemes."

Fellow B/R scout Daniel Harms came to the same exact conclusion.

"Cameron became one of the standouts during Senior Bowl practices. At 6'1" and 223 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms and 10-inch hands, he's a uniquely built target. He wasn't the most productive receiver during his five seasons at Baylor, but he accumulated 1,626 yards and nineteen touchdowns over the last two years.

"This week, Cameron put on an impressive physical display, winning numerous matchups, not with quick twitch or pure speed, but through size, strength and strong hands. He didn't let the defensive backs' crowding his space impact what happened when catching the football. His determination to come down with every pass thrown his way separated him from the other receiver prospects. It brought into question not only where he could succeed but also where he could be featured at the next level.

"A player with his physicality, determination and size capabilities brings to mind a player like Puka Nacua, who imposes himself on opposing defenses and catches everything around him. But Nacua is already a member of the Rams' roster. What if Cameron filled the position that could be vacated by Jauan Jennings in San Francisco?"

DL Zane Durant, Penn State

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No one is ever going to be the next Aaron Donald, who is arguably the greatest defender of his generation and possibly ever. However, teams can look at Grady Jarrett's or Kobie Turner's success and project an undersized interior defender into more than a rotational or limited prospect.

Case in point, Penn State's Zane Durant is a powerful and explosive defender despite his non-traditional frame. If a scouting staff can get past his less-than-ideal measurables, they'll discover a highly effective and talented prospect.

"Anyone who likes physical and stout run defenders will be intrigued by Durant's game," Matt Holder said. "He plays stronger and bigger than his 6'1", 290-pound frame suggests, showcasing the ability to stand up offensive linemen, then utilizing quickness to escape blocks and effectively executing gap-and-a-half assignments.

"However, the Penn State product's size and lack of pass-rush ability does make him more of a scheme-specific talent. Durant shouldn't be used as a 3-technique gap-shooter in even fronts but can thrive while lining up at the 4i in even- or 5-man fronts. Those setups is where his ability to play a gap-and-a-half will really shine."

Edge Gabe Jacas, Illinois

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Myles Garrett is the standard by which to judge all edge-rushers. There's only one Myles Garrett. However, 15 different pass-rushers managed 10 or more sacks during the 2025 regular season. Nine of those weren't first-round picks.

While an explosive pass-rusher is a considered a premium building block and tend to be drafted highly, others emerge when developed properly.

Illinois' Gabe Jacas may not be counted among the 2026 class' top edge prospects. In fact, he entered Senior Bowl festivities outside of Bleacher Report's top 10 options at his position. His standing may have changed thanks to an outstanding all-star week.

"Jacas lit it up at the Senior Bowl, collecting several wins as a pass-rusher during the one-on-ones and in the full team period," Holder said. "He was constantly in the quarterback's face, and, even better, showed improved hand usage to become a more technically sound rusher than what the Illinois tape showed.

"His performance will boost the former Illini's draft grade and elevate him into B/R's top-10 edge-rushers. However, he still leaves something to be desired against the run and shouldn't be trusted to play with his hand on the ground or lining up anywhere but outside of an offensive tackle. As a result, he should be viewed as a more scheme-specific talent, likely as a standup linebacker in odd fronts.

"Also, Jacas weighed 260 pounds in Mobile, which is 10 pounds lighter than his roster weight. The figure is little lean for a traditional defensive end but perfect for an outside linebacker. Place him in a system like the Baltimore Ravens' with new head coach Jesse Minter, where his primary concern is rushing the passer, the first-team All-Big Ten performer should thrive.

"With Minter as the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive coordinator in 2024 and '25, Tuli Tuipulotu managed 21.5 sacks and Khalil Mack had 11.5 while battling injuries. Tuipulotu (6'3", 266 lbs) and Mack (6'3", 251 lbs) have similar physical profiles as Jacas (6'3", 260 lbs)."

LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

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Jacob Rodriguez may be most recognizable name among these prospects as the reigning Butkus Award winner and one of college football's biggest personalities, but he's not considered an elite linebacker prospect.

Still, his natural instincts and playmaking ability can be a boon for some NFL defense if he's properly protected.

"Rodriguez stole the show Wednesday in Mobile with his patented turnovers—a forced fumble and an interception—drawing most of the attention," Holder said. "What made the outing more impressive was the fact he was constantly around the ball and frequently making tackles near the line of scrimmage as a run defender.

"Rodriguez is so good against the run because of his instincts and athleticism. He's quick to key and diagnose plays, with the speed and movement skills to consistently be in the correct spot. However, something else showed up in Mobile, Ala, which is his difficulty when asked to take on blocks.

"The 6'1", 233-pounder isn't the biggest or longest linebacker prospect. As a result, he can struggle to disengage when taking on offensive linemen. Rodriguez needs to be kept clean. As a result, he'd be best in a scheme that uses a lot of five-man or odd fronts, with a good two-gapping nose tackle in front of him, a la Lee Hunter at Texas Tech.

"A defensive line that can tie up offensive linemen on the first level helps any linebacker, especially one like Rodriguez, who makes quick and correct decisions to make tackles near the line of scrimmage."

S VJ Payne, Kansas State

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Sometimes, versatility can be a detriment and scheme-specific based on how a coaching staff deploys a hybrid defender.

Isaiah Simmons flamed out with the Arizona Cardinals, because the team that selected him in the first round of the 2020 draft had no plan of how to properly utilize his skill set. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Derwin James has thrived with the Los Angeles Chargers as their defensive chess piece. But a more recent example will be on display during Super Bowl LX.

"Nick Emmanwori created an incredible impact on Seattle's defense as a rookie, showing off incredibly disruptive physicality and speed to impact the catch point," Harms said. "More and more defenses need those types as offenses shift toward a reliance on yards after catch and running the ball more often. Kansas State's VJ Payne certainly looks the part at 6'3" and 210 pounds, with arms that span nearly 34 inches. He is a physical, downhill defender. He closes space quickly and moves against the run with true purpose. 

"He stood out in Mobile for his fluid movement, quick feet and ability to navigate traffic and still find the football. The one-on-one drills against tight ends are where he really shined because of his physicality but also for not holding, instead reading the receiver's body language and constantly attacking the catch-point. He's always been a sure tackler, but his closing speed and stickiness in coverage were impressive.

"With Emmawori is already in Seattle, Payne could be a mid-to-late round gem for the Tennessee Titans. New head coach Robert Saleh just told everyone that he will return to calling plays, something he didn't do during his time leading the New York Jets. Payne is the type of player who could fit into a Talanoa Hufanga-type role as a read-and-react downhill safety, while bringing more pure natural coverage ability to remove tight ends from the equation, support in the run game and just cause havoc. It's a perfect match."