17 best players available for Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, led by Jermod McCoy's balky knee

Who is he? Smaller corner with blazing speed and aggressive tackling instincts likely slated for the slot.

3. RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

Who is he? Angry-running mutant with breakaway speed and a penchant for falling forward.

4. IOL Connor Lew, Auburn

Who is he? Grittier than rock salt center who understands pre-snap analysis and adjusts accordingly, but is coming off a torn ACL.

5. EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State

Who is he? Powerful, productive defensive end with solid athleticism but a tendency to lose leverage against savvy linemen.

6. LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

Who is he? Absolute missile of a linebacker likely slated for a hybrid safety/slot role due to a lack of size.

7. DL Gracen Halton, Oklahoma

Who is he? Pass-rushing 3 technique lineman with a remarkable burst off the snap but short arms and modest counting stats.

8. WR Bryce Lance North Dakota State

Who is he? Trey's brother, a ridiculous wideout who can be an immediate downfield threat.

9. CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State

Who is he? Tenacious, violent defender despite a small frame and a whole lot of penalties related to being a tenacious, violent defender.

10. IOL Sam Hecht, Kansas State

Who is he? Well-anchored, trustworthy center who thrives above what his weight suggests.

11. WR Skyler Bell, Connecticut

Who is he? Shifty run-after-catch merchant capable of pumping up a flawed quarterback with big gains.

12. WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) runs with the ball against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Ethan O'Connor (24) during the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Who is he? Powerful receiver who can get to the ball and pick up clutch yards.

13. S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State

Who is he? Clean safety who can get downhill to stop the run or bring coverage from the slot, but lacks ideal speed.

14. CB Chandler Rivers, Duke

Who is he? Smaller, but tenacious, corner who can battle from the slot and disrupt plays on a regular basis.

15. CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington

Who is he? Long-armed, big-framed corner with tons of experience who has some flaws in man coverage but should be an immediate boost in zone schemes.

16. TE Justin Joly, North Carolina State

Who is he? Receiving tight end with a history of solid college production who'll bring average size to the position on Sundays.

17. RB Eli Heidenreich, Navy

Who is he? Ridiculous athlete who should be able to handle multiple roles within an NFL offense.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Best players available at the 2026 NFL Draft, led by Jermod McCoy