The biggest myth about the NFL Draft is that it’s all about grabbing the highest-rated players early. Teams think the best talent only exists in the first round or top 50 picks. But the Draft isn’t a sprint to snag elite prospects as fast as possible.
It’s a puzzle where success comes from building the best collection of talent across all seven rounds.
For every Joe Burrow there’s a Tom Brady. For every Tony Gonzalez there’s a Shannon Sharpe. For every Myles Garrett there’s a Richard Dent. The most successful franchises prioritize value throughout their entire draft board instead of focusing on a handful of guys at the top.
Most draft analysts stick to players expected in the top 50. It’s less complicated and makes daily debates easier to manage. However, significant contributors are consistently found outside the top 50.
Here are ten prospects who could provide tremendous value. None are expected by analysts to come off the board in the first 50 picks. All are projected for the 3rd round or later, with a couple having enough upside to sneak into the end of the 2nd round.
Ten steals in the middle rounds
Ted Hurst Jr – WR – Georgia State
Hurst might be the most intriguing prospect in the entire Draft. He’s 6’3″, 200 pounds with room to add weight. He ran a 4.42 forty-yard dash at the Combine.
The athleticism jumps off the tape. His route running is better and more polished than expected for a mid-round prospect. He can disguise his intentions mid-route and has strong hands. He’s dangerous in space with a gear that allows him to separate from defenders.
The production backs up the tape. In two seasons, Hurst caught 127 passes for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns. That’s a 15.5 yards per reception average.
The appeal isn’t what he is now, but what he could become in a year. If he continues his current trajectory, he could develop into an elite receiver without the off-field concerns that have plagued similar talents.
Nadame Tucker – Edge – Western Michigan
Tucker presents an interesting case study. He’s almost the complete opposite of the typical step-up-in-competition argument.
Usually when players move from lower levels to higher competition, production drops due to better opponents. Tucker’s journey went the other direction.
He played three seasons at Houston where he wasn’t impactful. In the Big 12, Tucker managed just 10 tackles, zero sacks and zero tackles for loss in 13 games across three years. In 2025, he transferred to Western Michigan and exploded with 55 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in 13 games.
Both tackles for loss and sacks led his conference. Teams will need to decide if the production spike indicates development or was just a statistical anomaly.
Pat Coogan – C – Indiana
Coogan achieved something remarkable this season. He won Rose Bowl MVP honors as a center, which doesn’t happen often.
At 6’5″, 310 pounds, he’s larger than most centers. The good news is his versatility allows him to play three or four positions on the offensive line. He brings four years of experience between Notre Dame and Indiana, plus leadership and communication skills that teammates notice.
His technique is solid but not elite, and he’s scheme-specific. Coogan is projected anywhere after the 5th round but could provide incredible value if taken on Day 3.
Kaleb Proctor – DT – Southeastern Louisiana
Proctor lacks ideal size at 6’1″, 290 pounds. He’s built like a young Aaron Donald but has about half the college production.
His measurables won’t get him drafted in the first few rounds. But he has a quick first step and gains penetration consistently. Contact balance and counter moves once engaged need work, and the step up in competition will be significant.
However, he shows surprising bend, quickness and fluidity when rushing the passer from inside.
Mike Washington Jr – RB – Arkansas
Washington Jr represents exactly what you want to see from the transfer portal era. Five seasons, three stops, and consistent improvement as competition increases.
At Buffalo, his best season was 625 yards and seven touchdowns. At New Mexico, he managed 725 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2025 at Arkansas, he rushed for 1,070 yards, eight touchdowns and posted the best yards per carry average of his career.
He’s patient and waits for blocks to develop but lacks quick acceleration once gaps appear. When he gets moving in space, though, he becomes dangerous. At 6’2″, 220 pounds, he uses his size well and ran an impressive 4.33 forty at the Combine.
His lack of first-step explosiveness and limited wiggle will cap how high he can go.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr – LB – TCU
Elarms-Orr has the measurables modern NFL teams want in linebackers. He’s 6’2″, 235 pounds with adequate speed (4.47 forty). He shined at the Combine, particularly in position drills.
He’s quick and fast enough to cover sideline to sideline. His bend and change of direction tested better than expected.
He doesn’t have the instincts of players who’ll go much higher, but coaching can develop that. He can over-pursue and take poor pursuit angles. Elarms-Orr is physically almost ideal, but situational football aspects need coaching.
Jalon Kilgore – S – South Carolina
Kilgore is a bigger safety who’ll likely be scheme-dependent. In the right system, he’ll provide significant value to the defense.
Most likely a nickel back or box safety, he’s best defending shorter routes and bigger targets. He’s an effective hitter, especially when coming downhill. Good explosion and a strong lower half make him no pushover against the run.
In pass coverage, he’s rangier than he appears and excels at jarring balls loose mid-reception. He should find his home within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage.
Bryce Lance – WR – North Dakota State
Lance gets projected by most analysts, but his evaluation raises questions. At 6’3″, 210 pounds, he fits what NFL teams want in an X receiver.
He has 4.3 speed, but it doesn’t show up after beating defenders. Unlike Hurst, Lance lacks that extra gear for separation and could get tracked down by better defensive backs.
He’s sure-handed and runs solid routes. He has wiggle in space that helps him beat defenders with limited footwork. His long speed is better than his short-area quickness, despite the separation issues in the open field.
He’ll likely need to improve his release and become less predictable in route-running.
Charles Demmings – CB – Stephen F Austin
Demmings excels in press coverage and isn’t afraid to challenge receivers. He’s more of a ball-skills corner than a hitter, though he can tackle and help in run support.
He has smooth hips and transitions well out of breaks. He has the speed to stay in receivers’ hip pockets throughout routes.
What stands out most is his willingness to attack the ball. Demmings never gives up on plays and finds ways to affect passes. He also shows good body control and change of direction.
At 6’1″, 190 pounds, he’s adequate size. Some technique needs improvement, but he compensates with good speed and how he attacks the ball.
Landon Robinson – DT – Navy
Robinson has limited length but compensates with tenacity. He refuses to stay blocked and tracks plays well while adapting to movement.
Whether it’s length or instincts, his hands are constantly moving – pushing, pulling, never allowing blockers to trap him. At the next level, his hand placement will need to be more precise and less random.
Robinson has great pad level and is quicker than expected. For his size (5’11”, 290 pounds), he’s deceptively strong. He uses his height advantage to make it difficult for blockers to gain leverage.
The biggest concern is his unconventional size that falls well below NFL expectations for the position.
