Four Under-the-Radar Players Who Could Sneak Into 2026 NFL Draft's First Round

Prospects ranked higher on one expert's big board than the consensus mock draft could surprise on draft night.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented football players and draft prospects in a chaotic, multi-angled composition, using bold colors to capture the unpredictability of the NFL Draft.These four under-the-radar NFL Draft prospects could defy expectations and sneak into the first round despite lower consensus projections.East Los Angeles Today

The unpredictability of the NFL Draft is what makes it so entertaining to watch every year. While we know Fernando Mendoza will likely be the first overall pick, the back half of the first round is where the real surprises often happen. This year, four players ranked higher on NFL Draft expert Ryan Wilson's big board compared to the consensus mock draft could sneak into the first round despite lower projections.

Why it matters

The NFL Draft is notoriously difficult to predict, with players often being selected much higher or lower than expected. These four under-the-radar prospects could provide valuable depth and talent to teams picking late in the first round if they are able to exceed their current draft projections.

The details

The four players who could surprise and land in the first round are: defensive lineman Caleb Banks from Florida, cornerbacks Colton Hood from Tennessee and Brandon Cisse from South Carolina, and offensive tackle Max Iheanachor from Arizona State. Banks is ranked 15th on Wilson's board but 38th on the consensus, while Hood (22nd vs. 35th), Cisse (29th vs. 41st), and Iheanachor (31st vs. 36th) are all viewed more favorably by Wilson compared to the overall consensus.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April.

The players

Caleb Banks

A defensive lineman from the University of Florida who is considered one of the most talented players at his position in the draft, but has dealt with foot injuries that could cause him to slide down draft boards.

Colton Hood

A cornerback from the University of Tennessee who emerged as the leader of the Volunteers' secondary in 2025 after his teammate Jermod McCoy missed the season due to injury.

Brandon Cisse

A cornerback from the University of South Carolina who impressed at the NFL Combine with his athleticism, including a 41-inch vertical jump and 10-11 broad jump.

Max Iheanachor

An offensive tackle from Arizona State University who is a raw prospect with only four years of football experience after moving to the United States from Nigeria, but has significant upside that could intrigue teams picking late in the first round.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Caleb Banks is, in my opinion, the most talented defensive tackle in the draft, but his foot surgeries are a major concern and likely push him out of the top 32 picks.”

— Blake Brockermeyer, Former NFL offensive lineman and CBS Sports draft analyst

“Brandon Cisse was the 18th best corner at stopping the run last season, and that's a trait NFL teams will appreciate.”

— John Breech

“Taking Iheanachor in the first round would certainly be a small gamble, but he has a lot of upside, so it's a risk that could certainly pay huge dividends.”

— John Breech

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26, where these four under-the-radar prospects will look to exceed their current draft projections and hear their names called in the first round.

The takeaway

The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be an unpredictable one, with several players ranked higher on expert big boards than the consensus mock drafts. These four prospects could provide valuable talent and depth to teams picking late in the first round if they are able to sneak into the top 32 selections.