8 Overlooked NFL Rookies Most Likely to Generate Major Training Camp Buzz

The start of the 2026 NFL season is just two months away, and the preseason preparation is about to ramp up in training camp. In mere weeks, hundreds of players will begin battling for starting roles and roster spots.

Naturally, fans will have their eyes on big-name veteran additions and highly drafted rookies, since they're the ones expected to change a team's fortunes in the fall. Every year, though, we see several overlooked rookies join the group as legitimate difference-makers.

Last season, for example, fans watched as fourth-round running back Cam Skattebo completely changed the complexion of the New York Giants' offense—along with first-rounder Jaxson Dart, of course.

Here, we'll examine eight overlooked rookies who are likely to generate major buzz in training camp due to their position, upside, and/or potential role. Specifically, we'll be looking at rookies who were drafted after the second round.

Cyrus Allen, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

AP PhotoEd Zurga

The Kansas City Chiefs have lacked a deep and talented receiving corps for a couple of seasons now, which has limited their ability to generate big plays in the passing game. While Kansas City didn't throw a lot of proverbial darts at the position in the early offseason, they did grab Cincinnati receiver Cyrus Allen in the fifth round.

While Allen wasn't one of the top receivers in a talented 2026 draft class, he could be an early contributor for the Chiefs, primarily as a slot option.

Allen averaged an impressive 16.2 yards per catch during his collegiate career, which also included stops at Louisiana Tech and Texas A&M, and he recorded 13 touchdown receptions this past season. He clocked a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at Cincinnati's pro day, and he impressed during Kansas City's early offseason.

"He's an electric route-runner," fellow wideout Xavier Worthy told reporters last month.

As Rashee Rice continues to recover from offseason knee surgery, Allen should get plenty of opportunities to generate noise in training camp.

Skyler Bell, WR, Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Before the draft, the Buffalo Bills traded for wideout D.J. Moore, and the former Chicago Bears standout is expected to serve as Josh Allen's new No. 1 receiver.

Plenty of eyes will be on the growing connection between Allen and Moore in training camp, but don't be surprised if Skyler Bell steals some of the attention.

The fourth-round pick out of UConn is an explosive (4.4-second 40-yard dash) playmaker who can move around the formation and create big plays after the catch.

"He offers alignment versatility, mismatch creation, and yards after the catch. Against Power-4 competition, he proved he belonged on the same playing field," Dame Parson of the B/R Scouting Department wrote before the draft.

Bell racked up 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns this past season, and his skill set will make him a terrific addition to Joe Brady's offense. The former Wisconsin transfer won't replicate those numbers as a complementary receiver in Buffalo. However, he can fill a valuable role as a contributor who can get open quickly and make plays in space.

Bryce Boettcher, LB, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to bolster a defense that ranked 23rd overall last season. Most expect rookie first-round pick CJ Allen and second-round pick A.J. Haulcy to become big pieces of the equation.

Compared to Allen and Haulcy, linebacker Bryce Boettcher was a bit of an afterthought during draft weekend. However, the fourth-round pick out of Oregon may already be pushing for a prominent rookie role, as ESPN's Stephen Holder noted last month.

"Boettcher took a significant number of snaps with the starting defense during last week's minicamp. He could make a legitimate push to start in a linebacking unit that lacks depth and is ripe for newcomers to emerge."

While Boettcher was an athletic two-sport athlete in college—he was drafted by the Houston Astros—he was forced to make his way onto the Ducks' football team as a walk-on. His high motor and strong work ethic got him onto the field for Oregon, got him drafted in April, and should generate plenty of buzz in Colts camp.

Gennings Dunker, G, Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Looking to stabilize an offensive line that may not have Broderick Jones (neck) early in the year, the Pittsburgh Steelers used a first-round pick on Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor.

While Iheanachor should get a lot of attention in training camp, fans should not sleep on third-round pick Gennings Dunker.

Dunker, a former Iowa tackle, is a 6'5", 319-pound mauler who regularly flashed for the Hawkeyes with tremendous play strength and competitive toughness. In Pittsburgh, he's expected to kick inside to guard.

According to Chris Harlan of TribLive, Dunker was working behind former starting right guard Mason McCormick at left guard in spring practices, while Spencer Anderson got first-team reps at right guard. In training camp, though, Dunker should get the opportunity to push for playing time.

Pittsburgh is looking to replace Isaac Seumalo, which is why McCormick switched sides for the early offseason. McCormick is likely to earn one of the two starting guard jobs, but Dunker has the tools and intangibles needed to compete with Anderson and Brock Hoffman for the other.

Expect that guard competition to be one of the biggest storylines of Steelers camp.

Will Kacmarek, TE, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

The Miami Dolphins tore apart their roster early in the offseason before reloading with a draft class that is a whopping 13 players deep. Miami will count on several of those first-year players to help support new starting quarterback Malik Willis this season.

Don't be surprised if third-round tight end Will Kacmarek quickly becomes a piece of the offensive puzzle.

Kacmarek only recorded 23 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns during his two seasons at Ohio State. However, he was also labeled as the draft's best blocking tight end by the Bleacher Report Scouting Department.

Expect Kacmarek's blocking ability to push him up the depth chart quickly and for his underrated receiving ability to turn heads at training camp. Just because he wasn't regularly utilized as a receiver in an offense that featured Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, it doesn't mean that Kacmarek doesn't have the tools to be a quality target.

With a 6'5" frame and 4.74 speed, Kacmarek should push Greg Dulcich and Ben Sims for early playing time.

Jermod McCoy, CB, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/John Locher

Heading into the draft, cornerback Jermod McCoy wasn't overlooked at all. He was the 11th-ranked overall prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's final draft board, and he was considered a strong first-round candidate despite injury concerns.

McCoy missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from a torn ACL.

However, the injury concerns proved to be greater than most anticipated, as Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports explained during the draft (h/t Bleacher Report's Paul Kasabian):

"It's not the ACL tear issue. ...he has a bone plug ...and now there is a thought process amongst doctors that this is gonna now have to be replaced again."

McCoy fell to the Las Vegas Raiders in Round 4, and while he's been limited through the early offseason, he has flashed in his limited opportunities.

"He jumps out when he does individual [drills] with how explosive he is, and you see the talent," defensive coordinator Rob Leonard said, per ESPN's Ryan McFadden.

McCoy's health will obviously be a topic of conversation in camp, and if he is at 100 percent, he could quickly become the talk of a defense desperate for playmakers on the back end.

Keionte Scott, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to revitalize a pass defense that ranked 27th overall and 26th in net yards per pass attempt allowed last season. Naturally, first-round pick and pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. is expected to play a huge role in their efforts.

However, fourth-round cornerback Keionte Scott can play a part this season, too, and he's likely to make his presence felt in training camp. The Miami product is a fast (4.33-second 40-yard dash), physical defender with inside-outside versatility and a truly relentless motor.

"He's an electric presence at the nickel and provides an energy that can't be coached," Daniel Harms of the B/R Scouting Department wrote before the draft. "His havoc-creating nature is one NFL teams will prioritize."

Scott racked up 110 tackles, two interceptions, 13 tackles for loss, and five sacks this past season alone. He may not push Benjamin Morrison, Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish for a starting role, but his versatility and play style will get him noticed in training camp and could make him a premier subpackage player in Year 1.

Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

As camp approaches, the buzz surrounding the Washington Commanders' receiving corps continues to be centered around their potential interest in San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk—who, at this point, remains on the 49ers' roster.

However, Washington might already have its new No. 2 receiver in third-round rookie Antonio Williams.

The Clemson product averaged 11.2 yards per catch in college and scored 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He's a quick (4.41-second 40-yard dash) and shifty pass-catcher who can create after the catch, and he could regularly create mismatches alongside Terry McLaurin while working out of the slot.

Williams' fit with Washington is so good, in fact, that ESPN's Ben Solak recently named Williams a surprise candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year:

"Williams has an opportunity that stacks up against many of his early-drafted contemporaries. There is hardly any competition in the Commanders' receivers room behind Terry McLaurin. Williams will catch passes from Jayden Daniels."

While Washington certainly won't hand Williams a starting role, the rookie is poised to earn it while regularly providing fans with camp highlights.