Which 2026 NFL Draft prospects could slide to later picks?

Which 2026 NFL Draft prospects could slide to later picks?

In the NFL draft, the appearance of late movement might be merely an illusion.

Terms like "rise" and "fall" have become staples of the draft lexicon as means of accounting for the discrepancy between the pre-draft expectations for a player and his ultimate landing spot. And when a gulf between the two sides emerges and entails an extended wait, it's difficult not to revert to the popular terminology.

Ultimately, however, there's little actual late action to a monthslong process in which the bulk of the evaluation work was completed a good while ago. Yet even though this year's class surely won't produce as much drama as Shedeur Sanders lasting until the fifth round did last April, the notion of a draft-day slide is sure to re-emerge.

With that said, here are five players who could end up being taken later than the consensus suggests:

Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.

See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.

Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.

Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.

Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.

Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

1 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.

See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

1 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Quarterbacks headline early evaluations for the 2026 NFL Draft as teams begin sorting the best available prospects at the position.

See the college quarterbacks drawing attention as draft boards take shape ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Above, Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

2 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026, in Pasadena, California.

3 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Garrett Nussmeier of the LSU Tigers drops back to pass against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

4 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the first half of a football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.

5 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Drew Allar of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025, in Pasadena, California.

6 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Miami's Carson Beck throws during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

7 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green passes during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

8 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley #20 tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton #9 in the first half at Folsom Field.

9 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Luke Altmyer of the Illinois Fighting Illini throws a pass against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois.

10 / 10

See the top quarterbacks available in the 2026 NFL Draft

Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores makes adjustments prior to the snap during the second quarter of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Fourteen months after McCoy suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the injury issue should be put to bed. An April pro day in which he was timed at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, per multiple reports, and showed off his explosion in his vertical leap (38 inches) and broad jump (10-foot-7) should have done just that.

For NFL teams weighing a potential make-or-break investment, however, things are never that straightforward. Any team potentially selecting McCoy in the top half of the first round will have to be fully comfortable with his prognosis, and there could be varying comfort levels with taking on such a risk.

But unless there's a significant medical scare, any tumble shouldn't be a precipitous one for a player widely seen as a top-tier talent. McCoy's range likely begins at No. 10 with the Cincinnati Bengals, who appear interested in remaking their secondary and could be drawn to another defender with superlative athleticism. Other potential landing spots in the middle of the first round include the Miami Dolphins (No. 11), Dallas Cowboys (No. 12), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 15) and Minnesota Vikings (No. 18). If he makes it to the midpoint of Day 1, however, he becomes a bit of a wild card.

CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Demand always outpaces supply when it comes to the pipeline for competent cornerbacks in the NFL. With sizable secondary questions lingering for several teams in the back portion of the first round, Terrell figured to be one of the figures who could stand to benefit from those dynamics colliding.

Though the Clemson standout and brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell doesn't measure up - literally so, at 5-11 and 186 pounds - to McCoy and LSU's Mansoor Delane, he still entered the pre-draft process as the prohibitive favorite to be the third corner selected. Now, however, he looks at risk of being leapfrogged by San Diego State's Chris Johnson and Tennessee's Colton Hood, both of whom appear better positioned to hold up on the perimeter against bigger targets.

Terrell's pro day stirred up some consternation after he pulled a hamstring and ran a 40-yard dash that some timed at 4.64 seconds. Still, 31 starts of high-level playmaking in coverage should supersede that lone - and possibly erroneous - data point. Terrell has proven himself to be an aggressive yet calculating coverage presence, and he shouldn't last long into Day 2. Still, his physical make-up is probably that of a player who misses out on the first-round cut.

10. New Orleans Saints

    Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

9. Washington Commanders

   Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Jayden Daniels #5 after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.

8. New York Giants

   Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

7. Tennessee Titans

   Head coach Brian Callahan talks with Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.

6. Cleveland Browns

   Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

5. Dallas Cowboys

   Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after their touchdown connection against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

4. Las Vegas Raiders

   Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a missed field goal during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

3. Miami Dolphins

   De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes for yards against Brandin Echols #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on December 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

   Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid interact against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

1. New York Jets

   Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

1 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

10. New Orleans Saints

    Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

1 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

10. New Orleans Saints

    Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

2 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

9. Washington Commanders

   Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Jayden Daniels #5 after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.

3 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

8. New York Giants

   Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

4 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

7. Tennessee Titans

   Head coach Brian Callahan talks with Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.

5 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

6. Cleveland Browns

   Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

6 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

5. Dallas Cowboys

   Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after their touchdown connection against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

7 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

4. Las Vegas Raiders

   Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a missed field goal during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

8 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

3. Miami Dolphins

   De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes for yards against Brandin Echols #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on December 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

9 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

2. Kansas City Chiefs

   Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid interact against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

10 / 10

The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

1. New York Jets

   Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

DE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

It took the West Virginia transfer six years to finally translate his considerable skill set into consistent production, but Mesidor became a driving force behind the Hurricanes' run to the national championship game. While that trajectory put him on the brink of becoming a first-round draft pick, it also might ultimately hold him out of it.

Mesidor turned 25 earlier this month, and questions about his advanced age have followed him throughout the pre-draft process. Like any good pass rusher, he's had his counter at the ready, calling himself a "seasoned rookie" and pointing out his experience has helped him develop a refined approach he can weaponize right away in the NFL. But while NFL general managers at the scouting combine largely shrugged off the notion of age being a deterrent in evaluations, the advantage conferred by going up against younger and less developed blockers can't be fully ignored. And neither can a lengthy injury history.

On tools and track record alone, Mesidor shouldn't have trouble finding a place in the middle of the first round. And he still might not, with the Buccaneers at 15 and Cowboys at 20 standing out as potential suitors. Yet with two X-factors weighing against him, a slight slide can't be ruled out.

LB CJ Allen, Georgia

Rather than an outright fall, this might be a classic case of a player's stock settling at a more reasonable spot - even if that's later than initially anticipated.

At one point in the fall, Allen might have at least been seen in a comparable class to Sonny Styles in the discussion about the best linebackers in this class. But while the Ohio State standout has separated himself from the pack, Allen seems to have seen it catch up to him.

Instincts and savvy have allowed him to become a highly reliable second-level defender when asked to clean up everything in front of him. Still, standing out in the run game can only do so much for a 6-1, 230-pound linebacker who too frequently finds himself out of sorts in coverage assignments. Beyond facing a serious challenge from Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez to be the second player selected at the position, Allen also has some stiff competition from more dynamic and athletic alternatives, including Texas' Anthony Hill Jr. and Jake Golday. It's not unfathomable that Allen could land with a linebacker-needy such as the Buccaneers or Cowboys, particularly in a trade-back scenario. But a player who only rarely generates splash plays might be saddled with a ceiling that prevents him from hearing his name called Thursday.

OLB Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

That Howell ended up in the first-round conversation is a testament to the Bowling Green transfer's exponential growth as a player. Yet even after he showed off his explosiveness off the edge against the country's best through a Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year campaign and College Football Playoff berth, the atypically built pass rusher might end up taking a backseat to several of his less productive peers.

With 30 1/4-inch arms, Howell is a complete outlier as an NFL edge rusher, let alone an early draft pick. That shortcoming might only hold him back so much on its own, but it's intertwined with issues in setting the edge and inconsistent hand usage. The result is a boom-or-bust approach to creating disruption.

Compounding the problem for Howell is that he's stuck in a muddled second tier of pass rushers that will fill out the late Day 1 to early Day 2 range. Several of the prospects in that group, such as UCF's Malachi Lawrence and Missouri's Zion Young, size up as better fits for the franchises that gravitate toward rangier threats off the edge.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft: Five big-name prospects who could fall