Field Yates Predicts Sleepers with Instant Impact Potential from 2026 NFL Draft Rounds 2-7

While the first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft dominated the headlines, there will undoubtedly be future stars who emerge from the later rounds.

ESPN's Field Yates revealed his top 10 offensive and defensive players who have the potential to make immediate impacts after being selected on Days 2 and 3 of the NFL draft.

Offense

• Chase Bisontis, G, Arizona Cardinals (No. 34)
• Nate Boerkircher, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 56)
• Jake Slaughter, G, Los Angeles Chargers (No. 63)
• Sam Roush, TE, Chicago Bears (No. 69)
• Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders (No. 71)
• Caleb Douglas, WR, Miami Dolphins (No. 75)
• Trey Zuhn III, OL, Las Vegas Raiders (No. 91)
• Jeremiah Wright, G, New Orleans Saints (No. 132)
• Beau Stephens, G, Seattle Seahawks (No. 148)
• Justin Joly, TE, Denver Broncos (No. 152)

Defense

• Kayden McDonald, DT, Houston Texans (No. 36)
• R Mason Thomas, Edge, Kansas City Chiefs (No. 40)
• Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Miami Dolphins (No. 43)
• CJ Allen, LB, Indianapolis Colts (No. 53)
• Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Tennessee Titans (No. 60)
• Jakobe Thomas, S, Minnesota Vikings (No. 98)
• Keionte Scott, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 116)
• Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, Buffalo Bills (No. 126)
• Kyle Louis, LB, Miami Dolphins (No. 138)
• Bobby Jamison-Travis, DT, New York Giants (No. 186)

As Yates pointed out, 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns was a Day 2 selection last year. Tennessee Titans fourth-round pick Chimere Dike led the NFL with 2,427 all-purpose yards, so it's clear that there's some immense talent in the later rounds.

Yates highlighted the Kansas City Chiefs' selection of defensive end R Mason Thomas as one of the best value picks of this year's draft.

"Thomas was a top-25 player on my final board, so this was great value for the Chiefs to stay patient and land him," Yates stated. "What he lacks in size (6-foot-2, 249 pounds), he makes up for with juice. He's a blur coming off the edge, with strong first-step quickness and active, combative hands. The Chiefs needed to find pass rushers who major in getting home quick to take the burden off Chris Jones. Mission accomplished."

It will be fun to watch this year's class of rookies to see who will break out as a future star in the NFL.