As the 2026 NFL Draft rolls into Day 3, the talent pool is far from dry. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has a keen eye on the remaining prospects, and he's uncovered a handful of players who could be steals in the later rounds. Topping his list is a cornerback with first-round talent but a lingering knee issue that's kept teams cautious.
Tennessee's Jermod McCoy was once projected to hear his name called early on Day 1, but a torn ACL that wiped out his entire 2025 season—and a cartilage defect that might require another surgery—has pushed him to the sidelines of the draft. Kiper still sees immense potential in the shutdown corner, noting that if he's healthy, he possesses the traits of a top-tier NFL defender.
“McCoy is still on the board going into Day 3, but teams are obviously concerned about that knee injury,” Kiper said. “Remember, he missed the entire 2025 season and didn’t work out at the combine. Ten corners have been picked, so it just depends on when someone feels comfortable enough to take him. If healthy, he has first-round traits.”
While McCoy is the headliner, Kiper's list of the 10 best available prospects includes a mix of positions and potential. Pittsburgh's Kyle Louis, a versatile safety/linebacker hybrid, offers a modern defensive weapon. Penn State edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton brings relentless pressure, and Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. could be a Day 3 steal for a team needing backfield depth. Texas corner Malik Muhammad, Mississippi State wideout Brenen Thompson, Arizona State corner Keith Abney II, Auburn center Connor Lew, and Kentucky guard Jalen Farmer round out the group.
Beyond the prospects, Kiper is already handing out draft grades. The Cleveland Browns, who went heavy on wide receivers in the early rounds, earned his praise. “If you were questioning the Browns going with two receivers inside the top 40 picks, well, look at the stat sheet from 2025,” Kiper said. “Cleveland didn’t have a single wideout crack 650 yards, and the WR room combined for a league-low 1,467 receiving yards. Keep the WR picks coming.”
Kiper also gave shoutouts to the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens for their draft performances so far. The Cardinals have been aggressive in addressing needs, while the Ravens continue to find value in later rounds.
For fans tracking the drama beyond the picks, the draft has already delivered its share of buzz. From Shedeur Sanders emerging as a clear winner to 49ers fans calling for John Lynch's job after their first pick, the storylines are endless. And with Day 3 still unfolding, expect more surprises.
As teams scramble to find hidden gems, Kiper's list serves as a cheat sheet for the final rounds. Whether it's a risky pick like McCoy or a solid contributor like Lew, the next stars of the NFL are waiting to be discovered.
