Sports Illustrated's 2026 NFL Draft Steals Board: Best Value Picks on the Board

The 2026 NFL Draft promises to deliver an unpredictable first round. A lack of blue-chip talent at premier positions in this year's class makes it difficult to project. Despite that perception, there is a ton of talent available all throughout the seven rounds.

Our Top 100 big board has served as a reference point throughout the entire pre-draft process. A number of underrated prospects we identified early in the process are no longer classified as underrated. Our evaluations were concise and thorough.

There will be steals drafted beginning with Round 1, and concluding with Round 7 (extending into undrafted free agency). Our scouting activity has allowed us opportunities to identify every steal during the NFL Draft.

This is Sports Illustrated's running list of every value selection as they occur in real time.

2026 NFL Draft: Sports Illustrated's Running Steals Board: Value Picks In Rounds 1-7

Round 1

11. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

There were whispers that Ohio State safety Caleb Downs might slide during the NFL Draft due to positional value questions and that's precisely what occurred. Seeing Downs survive past the 10th selection, the Cowboys got slightly aggressive and traded up from No. 12 to No. 11 to prevent anyone from leapfrogging them. The versatile do-it-all safety should immediately improve Dallas' lackluster secondary.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

We analyzed the possibility that Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. might experience a draft-day slide. That projection came unfortunately true, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wisely ended his slide at No. 15 overall. NFL teams are overthinking Bain due to physical deficiencies that include historical short arms. He's still an excellent pass rusher and run stopper on tape who defends the line of scrimmage with a red-hot motor and rare explosion and power.

25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Former Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman was a popular mock-draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings at No. 18 overall. Well, the Vikings pulled a mini-surprise by taking defensive tackle Caleb Banks, and Thieneman became a steal for the Chicago Bears with the 25th pick. The Bears lost several safeties to free agency this offseason, so the do-it-all versatile defensive back should immediately slot into their lineup.

Round 2

36. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

The Houston Texans traded up to get defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. He's an expert run stopper who will make life easier for elite pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. McDonald is a selfless player who is built to thrive in DeMeco Ryans' defense.

37. New York Giants: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood is an athletic coverage defender. A one-year starter, he's a smidge raw and inexperienced, but his size, length, and athleticism offer him sky-high potential. Hood is both patient and physical. He carries CB1 potential at the next level.

39. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Cleveland Browns entered the NFL Draft badly needing to upgrade at wide receiver. They've achieved that goal in a major way by taking KC Concepcion in the first round and Denzel Boston in the second. Boston can play that physical boundary "X" receiver spot while Concepcion and Jerry Jeudy handle "Z" and slot duties.

43. Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

The Miami Dolphins are rebuilding the roster. Adding foundational pieces like linebacker Jacob Rodriguez will improve the long-term health of the team. Rodriguez is a natural born leader with a decorated resume that includes 315 career college tackles, 13 forced fumbles, and 12 pass breakups. These are the players and personalities new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan wants to build with.

48. Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

One of the best storylines of the NFL Draft thus far sees Avieon Terrell reunite with his brother A.J. Terrell in Atlanta with the Falcons. The younger Terrell is an outstanding cornerback with a high football IQ and coverage versatility. He allegedly ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.6s at his Pro Day, which lowered his stock. Outrageous. The Falcons got a steal.

50. New York Jets: D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

The New York Jets need more defenders with attitude and confidence. Live on the NFL Network's broadcast, Daniel Jeremiah ironically compared D'Angelo Ponds to Aaron Glenn. The Jets' head coach will appreciate an opportunity to coach the Indiana cornerback. Ponds is undersized, but he's brimming with confidence and playmaking ability.

51. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday previously played EDGE at Central Arkansas. He was undersized to continue rushing the passer on a full-time basis, so he made an excellent transition to linebacker. He took major strides in 2025, registering a career-high 104 tackles. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is the best choice to oversee his development.

58. Cleveland Browns: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Many expected Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to be a first-round pick. He slid for whatever reason, and the Browns make their second appearance on this list for securing the aggressive and versatile defensive back with the 58th selection. McNeil-Warren can play multiple roles in a defensive backfield.

Round 3

71. Washington Commanders: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

The Washington Commanders entered the draft needing to get weapons for quarterback Jayden Daniels. They understandably couldn't pass on Sonny Styles at No. 7, but landing wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round was a terrific consolation. Williams is a speedy and athletic wideout with open-field creativity.

78. Indianapolis Colts: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

Former LSU safety A.J. Haulcy will immediately make the Indianapolis Colts more versatile and multiple in the secondary. He's incredibly rangy with some impressive career numbers. Haulcy produced 347 tackles, 19 pass breakups, and 10 interceptions. The ex Houston transfer has enough playmaking ability to defend the back end, but he especially thrives near the line of scrimmage.

88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon

The Jacksonville Jaguars made some strange decisions on Day 2, such as reaching for tight end Nate Boerkircher, but Emmanuel Pregnon wasn't one of them. A top-50 prospect on our big board, Pregnon possesses plug-and-play potential at guard. He's a legitimate people displacer as a run blocker with overwhelming power and natural strength.

94. Miami Dolphins: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell was a potential first-round pick who saw his pre-draft stock derailed by a late-season torn ACL. Still, nobody really believed he'd slide all the way to 94th overall. The rebuilding Dolphins can afford to be patient as they have no immediate expectations to win heading into 2026. After parting with Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill this offseason, Bell could develop into a big-time weapon in Miami.

Round 4

101. Las Vegas Raiders: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The Las Vegas Raiders ended Jermod McCoy's wait, trading up to the first pick of the fourth round to draft the talented cornerback. McCoy has an alleged long-term concern with his knee that is unrelated to the torn ACL he suffered at Tennessee. McCoy is a top-20 talent that is worth a dice-roll for the rebuilding Raiders.

104. Arizona Cardinals: Kaleb Proctor, DL, SE Louisiana

Southeastern Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor was getting some Day 2 buzz. In the end, he was probably drafted in the appropriate range, but this represents stellar value for the Arizona Cardinals. The small-school Proctor made money by putting forth a big-time performance in a spotlight game against LSU. He ran an elite 4.79 at the NFL Combine, and registered 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2025.

109. Kansas City Chiefs: Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon

The Kansas City Chiefs have an excellent reputation for developing Day 3 cornerbacks into contributors. Oregon's Jadon Canady is next in line. Canady is a super sticky and competitive nickel cornerback who may quickly outperform this draft slot and develop into the inside starter.

116. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

Besides McCoy, Keionte Scott was the best prospect available heading into Day 3. Scott is a competitive nickel cornerback with flat-out playmaking ability. Scouts mentioned age and size deficiencies, but there are no logical reasons good enough to justify him still being available at 116th overall. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got the steal of the fourth round.

126. Buffalo Bills: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU

TCU linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr notched an unfathomable 154 tackles this past season. The Buffalo Bills would appreciate that high-volume effort in their defense. He's a rangy and athletic linebacker. The Bills hosted him on a two-day pre-draft visit, so they were interested the entire time.

138. Miami Dolphins: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

Former Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis was viewed as a potential Day 2 pick. The Miami Dolphins instead pounced on his availability at 138th overall. Perhaps Louis' position-less evaluation played a factor, as teams are split on him playing linebacker, nickel corner, or safety. Either way, he'll be a fun defensive weapon on a rebuilding roster.

Round 5

144. Carolina Panthers: Sam Hecht, IOL, Kansas State

New Carolina Panthers center Sam Hecht is a 25-game starter who is athletic with quick movement skills. Hecht should possess enough versatility to play guard at the next level, but center projects as his best positional fit. The former Kansas State standout is an extremely technical blocker who understands leverage and angles.

154. San Francisco 49ers: Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana

Jaden Dugger is an ascending linebacker who rose to record 125 tackles this past season. He was flying around the East-West Shrine Bowl showing off his range and playmaking ability. Dugger needs to develop the technical aspects of playing the position, as he's still new to linebacker. The San Francisco 49ers got a developmental talent with serious upside.

162. Baltimore Ravens: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke

The Baltimore Ravens are getting an experienced cornerback in Chandler Rivers who was a four-year starter at Duke. Size will limit Rivers to the slot, but he's a highly instinctual nickel corner who could develop into a full-time starter. That possibility represents terrific value on Day 3.

167. Buffalo Bills: Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina

South Carolina played Jalon Kilgore at multiple positions, including nickel corner and traditional safety roles. Those types are becoming increasingly popular in today's NFL. The Buffalo Bills are getting a versatile defender in Kilgore, who had seven interceptions and 15 pass breakups in 2024-25.

Round 6

187. Washington Commanders: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

The Washington Commanders have some opportunity in their running back room after undergoing offseason changes. A chance to play with Jayden Daniels in that backfield is desirable. Sixth-round running back Kaytron Allen possesses the size and vision required to develop into a capable player. The contact balance needed to run through contact is present.

189. Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Parker II, IOL, Duke

Duke offensive lineman Brian Parker II is a technically sound blocker. Average physical traits pushed him to the sixth round, but the Cincinnati Bengals will appreciate his versatility and approach. The interior has been underwhelming in Cincinnati for quite some time, so it wouldn't be shocking to see Parker compete for a backup role.

Round 7

221. Cincinnati Bengals: Jack Endries, TE, Texas

Former Texas tight end Jack Endries possesses some traits that should translate. He's tough enough to win contested-catch situations and recognizes soft spots in zone coverage. Endries should compete for a 53-man roster spot in Cincinnati.

228. New York Jets: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

VJ Payne entered the NFL Draft after making 42 career college appearances. He's big, athletic, and a really good communicator in the secondary, a skill he displayed at the NFL Combine. Payne has impressive physical and mental traits, and could develop into the biggest steal of the seventh round.

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