8 Rookies Who Could Be Pro Bowlers, All-Pros for the 2026 NFL Season

Several NFL rookies have landed in spots where they could jump off to promising career starts with clear opportunities to play in starting roles and produce league-leading numbers at their respective positions.

Of course, first-round picks have the best chance to shine in a standout season. Teams invested premium draft capital in those top prospects, many of whom will be Day 1 starters. 

However, players further down the draft order can rack up gaudy stats as well. 

In the right spot, a Day 2 or 3 prospect can blossom into an immediate star. This year, a first-round talent fell to the fourth round because of injury concerns, but he might play in the upcoming season. 

Based on potential playing time and team fits, here are eight rookies who could be All-Pro or non-alternate Pro Bowlers in 2026.

Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Initially, many analysts projected that Rueben Bain Jr. would be a top-10 pick, but his draft stock took a hit as critics highlighted concerns about his short arms.

A week before the draft, Oliver Connolly of The Read Optional reported on Bain's involvement in a 2024 Miami car crash, which prompted speculation that he might slide outside the top 10. He ultimately fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 15.

Bain will play under defensive-minded head coach Todd Bowles at one of the team's biggest positions of need.

Yaya Diaby led the Buccaneers' pass rush with 7.5 sacks last season. Tampa Bay hasn't re-signed Haason Reddick. Edge-rusher Anthony Nelson is a career backup.

Bain will likely start Week 1 of the upcoming season, and he'll take the field as the Buccaneers' most talented pass-rusher.

As a true freshman at Miami, Bain recorded 7.5 sacks. Though his production dipped in the following season, in part due to an injury, he bounced back and was an All-American last year.

With steady production through his collegiate years, Bain could continue to wreak havoc on offensive lines—even with his 30⅞-inch arms. 

David Bailey, Edge, New York Jets

AP Photo/Heather Khalifa

Arguably the best pure pass-rusher in the 2026 class, David Bailey could provide an immediate impact within the New York Jets' defensive front.

Like Rueben Bain Jr., Bailey is on a team led by a defense-minded head coach. He's also a probable Week 1 starter. The Jets traded Jermaine Johnson II to the Tennessee Titans, which cleared a spot for the upstart pass-rusher opposite Will McDonald IV.

With attention on McDonald, who's logged 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons, Bailey should get one-on-one matchups and clear shots at quarterbacks if he beats his man and shows great bend on the edge.

Bailey broke out in his senior year at Texas Tech, registering 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. He can carry that momentum into the pros as a lead outside linebacker in head coach Aaron Glenn's defense.

Caleb Downs, S, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Bleacher Report's scouting department gave Caleb Downs the highest grade in this draft cycle. He earned it with two All-American collegiate seasons at Ohio State, logging 150 tackles (12.5 for loss), eight pass breakups and four interceptions. 

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers wasn't happy about Downs' fall to the Dallas Cowboys for good reason.

Even though Downs is a safety, he can line up all over the field, which allows him to make key stops and plays on the ball.

Although safeties aren't premium-position players, Downs will quickly garner respect around the league for his range and ball skills. Defensive backs who rack up pass breakups and generate turnovers have a good chance to make the Pro Bowl or All-Pro team.

In the Cowboys' revamped secondary, Downs could be a do-it-all chess piece who leads the club in multiple defensive categories. 

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Jeremiyah Love isn't in an ideal spot for a workhorse role. He'll share touches with James Conner, Tyler Allgeier and Trey Benson or Bam Knight in a crowded running back room.

That being said, the Arizona Cardinals will likely feature Love in their backfield.

Conner is entering his age-31 season. Allgeier has seen limited opportunities in the passing game. He hasn't recorded more than 18 receptions in a single season and logged his last receiving touchdown in 2023. 

Benson, a 2024 third-rounder, could be traded or released after two nondescript campaigns. Last year, Knight was on the back end of the roster and only saw playing time because of injuries at the position.

Love is a far more explosive playmaker in the short passing game than Conner and Allgeier. Over his last two years at Notre Dame, he caught 56 passes for 517 yards and five touchdowns. If the Cardinals offense stalls, the rookie could be one of the go-to options in passing situations on third downs.

Lastly, the new Arizona coaching staff could lean on Love as first-time head coach Mike LaFleur irons out wrinkles in the passing game. Keep in mind that wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn't played up to first-round expectations in his first two years.

Jermod McCoy, CB, Las Vegas Raiders

Photo by Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders moved up one spot to take Jermod McCoy with the first pick in the fourth round. The talented cornerback sat out the 2025 collegiate season because of a torn ACL and could have long-term issues with his knee, which led to a fall in the draft.

Still, the Raiders snagged a first-round talent on Day 3. 

Before the injury, McCoy had shown ball-hawking tendencies, logging 16 pass breakups and six interceptions between 2023 and 2024 at Oregon State and Tennessee.

McCoy told reporters that he "feels good," but is open to another procedure if the Raiders recommend it for his longevity. 

General manager John Spytek expressed optimism that McCoy will play this year. If he does, the Raiders may have a new starter on the boundary of their secondary. Eric Stokes is locked into a lead role, but the rookie could beat out Darien Porter, a third-rounder from last year's draft who lacks experience at the position.

McCoy will need to knock off some rust, but he didn't forget how to play his position. Because of his ability to find the ball and force turnovers, he could be in the Pro Bowl discussion by the end of the year.

De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, San Francisco 49ers

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At first glance, De'Zhaun Stribling looks like nothing more than a No. 3 wide receiver behind Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall in head coach Kyle Shanahan's run-heavy offense. Christian Kirk may have a consistent role in the slot. If healthy, tight end George Kittle will command a high volume of targets.

All that being true, Stribling brings much-needed speed to the San Francisco 49ers' pass-catching group. Evans, Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey are older veterans who are incredibly reliable but not explosive in the aerial attack.

Pearsall averages nearly 14 yards per catch, but his availability has been inconsistent. He's missed 14 games in two seasons. Last year, the 25-year-old sat out half the campaign because of injuries.

The 49ers moved out of the first round and selected Stribling with the first pick on Day 2, which indicates the team has a plan for him to contribute early in his career.

Averaging more than 14 yards per reception in each of his last three collegiate years at Oklahoma State and Ole Miss, Stribling can provide an explosive element to the 49ers offense that keeps him on the field.

Both past their primes, Evans and Kirk could play in limited roles, while Stribling sees more opportunities as the season goes on.

Sonny Styles, LB, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

As a defensive coordinator and Washington Commanders head coach, Dan Quinn has optimized NFL talent at linebacker for over a decade.

Going back to his time as Seattle Seahawks defensive play-caller, Quinn helped develop Bobby Wagner, who earned his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods in 2014. Two years ago, the veteran linebacker made his 10th Pro Bowl under Quinn.

As a centerpiece of Quinn's Atlanta Falcons defenses, linebacker Deion Jones finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and made the 2017 Pro Bowl. In the same system, De'Vondre Campbell had a standout year before he tested free agency.

Sonny Styles, a top-seven pick, comes into the league with more upside than Wagner, Jones and Campbell, who weren't Day 1 selections in their respective draft classes.

At Ohio State, Styles showcased his ability to make plays in any situation. After a transition from safety to linebacker in 2024, he logged 182 tackles (17 for loss), seven sacks, eight pass breakups and an interception. 

Quinn can deploy the 21-year-old as a downhill linebacker, move him around on pass-rushing downs and match him against tight ends.

With Quinn in Washington, Styles is in a position to put together a Pro Bowl campaign.

Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

With a new coaching staff, the Tennessee Titans offense should take a leap in the right direction. Brian Daboll will be calling plays.

Under Daboll's tutelage, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen made his first Pro Bowl, and Daniel Jones led the New York Giants to the playoffs in one of his most efficient seasons.

Daboll's former lead receivers racked up big numbers in his offense. Stefon Diggs made his first Pro Bowl as Allen's go-to target. In his rookie campaign, Malik Nabers posted Pro Bowl numbers despite playing with three different starting quarterbacks.

Daboll's track record bodes well for Carnell Tate, who should be on the field in three-receiver sets along with Calvin Ridley and Wan'Dale Robinson.

Ridley played with quarterback Cam Ward last season, and Robinson has experience in Daboll's system, but Tate could emerge in the offense with his route-running and ability to separate from defenders downfield. 

Ridley struggled to build a rapport with Ward. He finished the previous season with a 47.2 percent catch rate. Robinson works mostly out of the slot. Tate will have plenty of pass-catching opportunities in the Titans' new-look offense. 

At Ohio State, Tate shared targets with Jeremiah Smith, a potential top-three pick in the 2027 draft, and Emeka Egbuka, a first-rounder last year. The former Buckeye is the Titans' most dynamic receiver and could be more productive in the pros than he was in college.

College statistics are provided by cfbstats.com.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.