The 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, but teams are now focusing on signing undrafted free agents. Notable players like Diego Pavia, a former Vanderbilt quarterback, remain available as teams build their rosters.
Key points
2026 NFL Draft concluded with 257 selections
Teams are now signing undrafted free agents
Diego Pavia was a notable undrafted player
Undrafted players can still make 53-man rosters
Ranking of top undrafted free agents provided
Diego Pavia2026 NFL Draft
The final pick has been made in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the action is hardly over.
And while not being chosen certainly constitutes a setback for prospects who figured to be picked at some point, there are sure to be more success stories this summer and fall from those who rise from the undrafted ranks to make a 53-man roster as a rookie.
Here are our rankings of the top undrafted free agents in the 2026 NFL Draft class, with their rank on our pre-draft big board in parenthesis.
2026: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders
2017: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M - Cleveland Browns
11 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2016: Jared Goff, QB, Cal - Los Angeles Rams
12 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2015: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2014: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina - Houston Texans
14 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2009: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia - Detroit Lions
15 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2008: Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Miami Dolphins
16 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2007: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU - Oakland Raiders
17 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2004: Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss - San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)
18 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2003: Carson Palmer, QB, USC - Cincinnati Bengals
19 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2002: David Carr, QB, Fresno State - Houston Texans
20 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech - Atlanta Falcons
21 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State - Cleveland Browns
22 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky - Cleveland Browns
23 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee - Indianapolis Colts
24 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1997: Orlando Pace, OT, Ohio State - St. Louis Rams
25 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC - New York Jets
26 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State - Cincinnati Bengals
27 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State - Cincinnati Bengals
28 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington - Indianapolis Colts
29 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami - Dallas Cowboys
30 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois - Indianapolis Colts
31 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1989: Troy Aikman, QB, UCLA - Dallas Cowboys
32 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn - Atlanta Falcons
33 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
34 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (did not sign, later joined Los Angeles Raiders)
35 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech - Buffalo Bills
36 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska - New England Patriots
37 / 37
No. 1 NFL draft picks since 1983
1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford - Baltimore Colts (traded to Denver Broncos)
2026 NFL draft best undrafted free agents
1. Zxavian Harris, DT, Mississippi (85)
The 6-8, 330-pounder is a distinct force on the interior who can force opposing lines to account for his presence on any given down. Two arrests in his collegiate career - one on charges of domestic violence and obstructing arrest, the other related to DUI and felony fleeing - could have taken him off teams' boards.
2. Mason Reiger, DE/OLB, Wisconsin (128)
His medical prognosis might have been a deterrent here after Reiger missed the full 2024 season following knee surgery. When healthy, the 6-5, 251-pounder can reach into a deep bag of pass-rush moves to fluster opposing blockers
3. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor (156)
A two-time transfer from USC and Mississippi, Trigg is a difficult evaluation for teams. He can snare highlight reel grabs with his long arms and massive hands, but he was highly consistent throughout his college career and served two suspensions.
4. Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M (161)
Substantially undersized at 5-11 and 226 pounds, York simply didn't meet the marks for the physical attributes some teams demand of their inside linebackers. Yet players with his profile have succeeded before, and York's sharp instincts could allow him to become a dependable defender at the next level.
5. Diego Pounds, OT, Mississippi (164)
A 6-6, 325-pound offensive tackle who's demonstrated he can handle the best the Southeastern Conference has to offer is worth bringing along. Though Pounds still has a ways to go before he could even be a swing tackle, the upside is alluring.
6. Dae'Quan Wright, TE, Mississippi (167)
At 6-4 and 246 pounds, Wright can stretch the field and create mismatches in the vertical passing game. He doesn't offer much as a blocker, though, and he might not consistently win on more than go routes and crossers.
7. Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama (170)
The 6-3, 226-pounder carries a fairly extensive injury history and has some limitations as a pass rusher that lower his ceiling. But he still can make his mark when working downhill.
8. Anthony Lucas, DE, USC (177)
Lucas never lived up to his five-star billing as a recruit. But he can set the edge and walk back blockers even if he doesn't finish a ton of plays.
9. Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati (178)
At 6-5 and 216 pounds with 4.31-second speed in the 40-yard dash, Caldwell is a true physical outlier among pass catchers. Yet he's got considerable work to do to harness that raw ability and turn it into consistent production.