2026 NFL draft: 10 prospects who could be poised to rise this season
2026 NFL draft: 10 prospects who could be poised to rise this season
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Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps.
The top of every NFL draft typically features at least a handful of players who have been well-known figures for some time. But plenty can change over the course of a year – and several prospects typically ensure there's somewhat of a shake-up.
With teams often placing a premium on upside in their picks, a breakout season can go a long way toward shifting consensus about a player's draft stock. And with the proliferation of transfers and several late bloomers finding their stride deep in their collegiate careers – including the likes of 2025 first-rounders Tyler Warren and Matthew Golden, among others – several players could be poised this fall to enjoy an exponential surge to a higher position on draft day.
With less than three months until the college football season begins, these 10 players – none of whom are quarterbacks, with the potential risers at that position already covered last month – could be prime candidates to rise on draft boards in the coming months:
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
A top-five overall recruit in 2023, Branch showed off his explosiveness right away as a freshman for USC, scoring four touchdowns in his first three games. The former track champion – he ran a 10.33-second 100-meter dash as a sophomore – earned USA TODAY Sports' first-team All-American slot as a returner after taking back 24 kicks for 442 yards and a touchdown along with 16 punts for 332 yards and one touchdown. As a sophomore, however, he hit an apparent wall playing for a Trojans squad in transition. Although he tied for second on the team with 47 receptions last season, he scored just one touchdown and averaged 10.4 yards per reception while also seeing his special teams contributions be severely limited. After transferring to Georgia along with older brother Zion, the 5-10, 180-pounder will be called on to provide some easy wins in the passing game for expected new starting quarterback Gunner Stockton as part of a remade receiving corps. If he can re-establish his credentials as an electric playmaker by turning quick hits into long gains against the Southeastern Conference's top competition, he'll be firmly on NFL teams' radar as a potential early pick.
Barion Brown, WR, LSU
Since he took a kickoff back 100 yards in his first collegiate game, Brown has held a special place as one college football's most lethal speed merchants. While he delivered on his potential as a returner with an SEC-record five career kickoffs taken back for touchdowns, Kentucky's dysfunctional offense limited him to career lows of 29 catches and 361 receiving yards last season. Now slotted to complement fellow transfer Nic Anderson at LSU, Brown could thrive in the Garrett Nussmeier-helmed aerial passing attack that should be in a good spot to unlock the 5-11, 180-pounder's field-stretching ability. Drops have plagued him at times, however, and he'll need to be a more reliable presence – particularly in his route-running – to avoid being pigeonholed as a gadget player and specialist.
Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina
When it comes to unrealized potential, Harbor might be the most compelling figure in college football not named Arch Manning. With an unprecedented blend of size (6-5, 235 pounds) and speed (10.11 seconds in the 100-meter dash as a sophomore), the former five-star recruit is a singular challenge for defensive backs. But after splitting time between football and track, Harbor now has placed his full focus on the former since the spring. The more detailed approach that has been lauded by Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer could yield a massive payoff in the fall, with rocket-armed star quarterback LaNorris Sellers poised to take advantage of all that Harbor can offer as a downfield target. If his production takes a significant leap from last year's totals of 26 catches and 376 yards, expect a proportionate surge in his draft stock.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
While Jeremiah Smith won't be eligible for the draft until 2027, Tate could give Ohio State its fifth consecutive year with at least one receiver landing in the first round. While the 6-3, 191-pounder isn't a pure burner like others on this list, he follows other recent Buckeyes standouts in creating consistent separation with advanced precision and tempo in his route-running. After notching 52 catches for 733 yards last season as the No. 3 receiver, Tate could flourish in becoming the secondary weapon who benefits from the attention devoted to Smith, with a sizable jump from last year's totals of 52 catches and 733 yards likely in store. Building a game on craft rather than flash helped former teammate Emeka Egbuka secure a slot on Day 1 this year, and the track could lead Tate to a similar destination.
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Fields sizes up as the kind of possession receiver who can make life a good deal easier for his signal-caller. But it might be the savvy that stems from his days as a high school quarterback that puts him over the top as a safety valve. His knack for coming down with contested catches and finding soft spots in zones helped him record more than 800 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons, which was no easy feat given the extremely poor quarterback play he was saddled with at Virginia. After transferring to Notre Dame, he'll be afforded not only a greater stage but also much better overall support from a team that should once again be in the hunt for one of the College Football Playoff's top seeds.
Luke Hasz, TE, Mississippi
A change of scenery can go a long way in determining any player's NFL draft trajectory. In two years at Arkansas, Hasz often saw his impact limited by quarterback Taylen Green's erratic ball placement and decision-making. Now set to be a crucial part of the Rebels' high-octane passing attack under Kiffin, the 6-3, 245-pounder should be better positioned to showcase his surehandedness and penchant for boxing out defensive backs, which should make him a fast favorite of new starting quarterback Austin Simmons. Though Hasz looks set to share the workload with Dae'Quan Wright, Mississippi could utilize plenty of two tight-end looks to take advantage of the duo.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
With second-round tight end Terrence Ferguson and top receivers Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden off to the NFL, the Ducks are set for a reconfiguration in their receiving corps. Big things are expected of Evan Stewart as the former five-star recruit enters his second season in Eugene after transferring from Texas A&M, but Sadiq might be the true wild card for the offense. At 6-3 and 245 pounds, he's a more formidable run blocker than his size might suggest. His true value, however, lies in his ability to create mismatches as a supersized receiver with impressive long speed. Sadiq will have to show he can handle being a featured part of the Ducks' offense and develop into something more than a seam threat, but he's one of the most intriguing draft-eligible tight ends to keep an eye on.
Damon Wilson II, DE/OLB, Missouri
When he committed to Georgia in December 2022, Wilson looked in line to be the next standout pass rusher for a program that produced Travon Walker, Jalen Carter and a bevy of other hyperathletic defensive linemen. But the Bulldogs' rigid rotation up front can box in even the most talented players and leave them with limited opportunities to shine as individuals. While Wilson looked due for a larger role in 2025 for a defense that lost Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker from the front seven, the former five-star recruit instead opted to find a fresh opportunity. The 6-4, 245-pounder could be a cornerstone of a Missouri defense that lost its top edge threat in second team All-SEC pick Johnny Walker Jr., and more opportunities to flash his explosiveness could vault him up draft boards.
Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
Having sat out all of 2023 following his transfer from Miami (Fla.), Jackson eased his way back into action last season, recording 3 ½ sacks en route to honorable mention All-ACC honors. With that experience in hand, big things could be ahead for the 6-5, 337-pounder. Few defensive linemen at the collegiate level can measure up to Jackson when it comes to commanding the line of scrimmage, as his sheer size and strength make him a dominant force against the run when he maintains his leverage and intensity. Though he might never post prolific sack numbers, he can create havoc by pushing the pocket and slipping past blockers who underestimate his quickness. Jackson's conditioning and consistency will be heavily scrutinized, but after the similarly built Kenneth Grant went No. 13 overall to the Miami Dolphins this year, it's apparent that massive defensive tackles with abundant athleticism don't tend to hang around long in the draft.
Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
After helping Michigan win a national championship in 2023, Sabb took on a new challenge last year by going to Tuscaloosa to help the Crimson Tide navigate the post-Nick Saban era. He made a strong early impression, recording two interceptions in his first game for Alabama and notching 39 total tackles before being lost for the season to a lower-extremity injury. The 6-1, 205-pounder blends puts together impressive size and coverage skills to allow him to clamp down on tight ends and patrol underneath in zone coverage. With his strong tackling allowing him to also be a force in the box, he should be coveted for his ability to handle a few key tasks, even if he doesn't fit the mold of a typical single-high safety. If he's able to stay healthy, expect his buzz to build.
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