B/R College Football Experts Pick 2026 NFL Draft Sleepers

The first round of the 2026 NFL draft will include the best prospects and biggest names, but that's merely the beginning of a three-day process.

Unless a team is impeccable in free agency—and we really don't see that—finding late-round gems is essential in building out depth. Low-cost contributors on rookie deals are practically irreplaceable.

And that's why we love talking about sleepers so much.

Bleacher Report's college football crew has reconvened for a special April edition, highlighting some of their favorite lesser-discussed prospects.

Each player highlighted is someone who could be available on Day 3 of the draft, although it's possible some are selected on Day 2. You never know where a prospect falls on every NFL franchise's board.

Malik Benson, WR, Oregon

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

Speed translates and travels—especially in the NFL.

And Malik Benson has it.

The 6'1", 195-pound receiver really didn't blossom with it, though, until last year when an Oregon team making a College Football Playoff run had to have him. Then, Benson proved he could finally live up to the massive expectations Alabama set for him when the Crimson Tide took him from JUCO and what Florida State expected when he left Tuscaloosa.

Throughout a journeyman collegiate career, Benson had just 48 catches for 473 yards and two scores in one-year stops at Alabama and FSU.

But Benson broke out in Eugene. With Evan Stewart missing the season with injury, he emerged as Dante Moore's go-to weapon, catching 43 passes for 719 yards and six scores. Most importantly, he showed game-breaking and deep-threat ability while consistently making contested catches.

Those attributes are going to make him a late-draft steal.

-- Brad Shepard

Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana

Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A productive running back on a national championship team is rarely considered a "sleeper," although that is precisely the role that Kaelon Black finds himself in now.

Indiana's wildly productive style has plenty to do with this, as Black, along with fellow running back Roman Hemby—a prospect some outlets have ranked higher—are likely to hear their names called.

Despite only carrying the ball 186 times last season, Black ran for more than 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He has ideal size, and his tough running served as more than just production for the Hoosiers; it helped establish their overall football culture.

Yes, he's 24 and plays a position that doesn't age terribly well. That is why he will slide. But a contending team looking for a boost on offense would be foolish not to pounce on such a physical, balanced player.

-- Adam Kramer

Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Everyone has a favorite late-round running back, right?

There's no shortage of appealing options in 2026, such as Penn State duo Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. I could make several cases here.

But the player who keeps commanding my attention is Jonah Coleman, a former Arizona back and recent Washington star.

Coleman spent two seasons at both schools and consistently produced. He rushed for 1,243 yards (6.1 per carry) and nine touchdowns for Arizona, then erupted at Washington. While scampering for 1,811 yards (5.2 per carry), he added 54 receptions for 531 yards and totaled 27 scores.

Beyond that efficiency and versatility, Coleman was a physical runner who reliably picked up yards after contact and could be trusted in pass protection.

It seems Coleman, a sturdy 5'9", 220-pounder, is built to carve out a long NFL career, even if he's never a star.

-- David Kenyon

Caden Curry, Edge, Ohio State

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

I understand the concerns. Bleacher Report's Scouting Department pointed out that Caden Curry isn't violent when shedding blocks, has limited extension due to having short arms and doesn't change direction well.

That's not exactly an ideal profile for an edge-rusher.

On the other hand, I've watched him be a relentless player since high school. He's a max-effort teammate who patiently waited his turn to lead the Ohio State defensive line machine, contributing all over special teams for three seasons while slowly increasing his rotational role on the edge.

Curry finally gained that starting job as a senior and responded by notching 66 tackles with 16.5 for loss and 11 sacks. He was equally as effective in defending the run and causing havoc as a pass-rusher.

I'm not expecting an All-Pro ascent from Curry, but a player with his type of mindset and production tends to gain respect and stick on rosters.

-- David Kenyon

Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa

Matthew Holst/Getty Images

A former 5-star recruit out of high school, Nwankpa never blossomed into a superstar at Iowa despite being a wildly productive player.

Still, Nwankpa is 6'2" and nearly 210 pounds. A 4.48-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine showcased what kind of athlete he is right now.

For a team in need of back-end help—and potential superb special teams support to start—you could do a lot worse than Nwankpa. He's big enough to help against the rush and athletic enough to be a contributor against the pass.

No, he isn't Caleb Downs. Nwankpa is not an elite safety prospect. But the measurables are certainly there for a player who is likely to latch onto an NFL roster and be there for a long time.

-- Adam Kramer

Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami

Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Lost in the dismal defensive abyss that Tennessee suffered under former coordinator Tim Banks, Jakobe Thomas' dream of playing for the Volunteers fell flat in 2024.

Once he left Knoxville for Miami for his redshirt senior season, though, everything fell into place for the hard-hitting safety. With Corey Heatherman calling shots, Thomas was given free rein on the back end of the Hurricanes' defense and thrived.

The 6'2", 200-pound Tennessee native became an All-ACC force, playing enforcer for a Miami defense that gathered strength as it blew through opponents. Thomas finished with 75 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and five interceptions.

He blurred the line between aggressive and egregious at times with his hard hits, but Thomas lined up everywhere. His range and closing speed will benefit him well as a soon-to-be starter in the NFL.

-- Brad Shepard