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2026 NFL draft: 7 prospects rising draft boards
TL;DR
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, seven prospects are gaining attention and rising on draft boards, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold. This shift reflects a growing recognition of their value among media, fans, and analysts.
At this time of the offseason as we approach the NFL draft, we hear terms like draft risers. The truth is that NFL teams don't really see players rising or falling fast. What happens is that media, fans an analysts catch up to what teams believe.
So who are some "fast risers" as we are under two weeks away from the actual draft? ESPN's Jeff Legwold put together a list of seven prospects who are rising boards, or rather, seven players who the public is realizing are valued more highly than believed.
Some will be of interest for Cardinals fans.
7 fast-rising prospects before the 2026 NFL draft
- Georgia OT Monroe Freeling
- Oregon S Dillon Thieneman
- Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor
- Georgia State WR Max Hurst
- Cincinnati WR Jeff Caldwell
- USC EDGE Eric Gentry
- North Dakota State RB Barika Kpeenu
What to know about them for the Cardinals
Freeling landed to the Cardinals in the second round in mock drafts from weeks ago. He could creep into the top 10, and he could end up a potential pick for the Cardinals if they trade out of the third pick.
Iheanachor might be the perfect second-round pick for Arizona if they choose to go with the pass rusher in Round 1. However, he might end up getting selected late in the first round.
And while a receiver might not seem like a priority, the Cardinals certainly could draft one, as they don't have much beyond their top three.
Almost all these names are ones to pay attention to when the draft rolls around.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 7 prospects rising draft boards
Q&A
Who are the seven rising prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The seven rising prospects include players who are increasingly recognized for their value as the draft approaches, as highlighted by ESPN's Jeff Legwold.
Why do NFL teams not see players rising or falling fast on draft boards?
NFL teams typically have a consistent evaluation of players, and any perceived changes in rankings are often due to media and public perception catching up to their assessments.
What impact do rising draft prospects have on NFL teams like the Cardinals?
Rising draft prospects can influence team strategies and decisions, particularly for teams like the Cardinals, who may be interested in acquiring top talent as the draft approaches.
