College coaches pick 2026 NFL draft sleepers

14.04.2026, 16:00 espn.com

The first night of the NFL draft brings an incredible rush of anticipation and excitement, as the biggest names in college football hear their names called.

Once that wave washes over, though, the draft really gets interesting, in a stretch of selections that separates the great evaluators from the average ones. NFL teams are ultimately looking for value when drafting, and that truly starts at the end of Day 2 and into Day 3.

Every NFL talent evaluator is looking for a few sleepers, or under-the-radar players slotted outside the top 50-60 selections who end up filling key roles and, in some cases, becoming regular starters. The league is filled with productive players who, for various reasons, were a bit overlooked in the draft and had to wait longer for a life-changing phone call.

I polled more than 30 college coaches to identify potential sleeper picks for the upcoming NFL draft in Pittsburgh. Most coaches talked about their own players, but some identified under-the-radar prospects they faced and explained why they're going to succeed at the next level. You will recognize some of the names below, including Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) and Texas defensive mainstay Michael Taaffe, but others likely won't ring a bell. That's the point. These are names to study up on before the end of the month.

Draftniks, let's get started!

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Key numbers: 3,007 passing yards, 22 TDs, five INTs, 67.4% completions last season. Altmyer had 7,607 passing yards and 57 TDs in three seasons at Illinois, while adding 741 rushing yards and 12 scores. He set career highs for completion percentage (67.4) and passing yards as a senior and ranked 14th nationally in QBR (78.5).

Scouts Inc. ranking: No. 191, No. 8 QB, grade of 49

What else to know: Altmyer grew up in the shadows of Mississippi State and started his college career at Ole Miss, but he made his mark at Illinois, starting for the past three seasons. He set team records for career passer rating (144.31) and completion percentage (64.36), while ranking second in quarterback wins (23) and touchdown passes (57). Altmyer made 35 starts and helped the Illini to their first consecutive seasons of nine or more wins. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Altmyer stood out during Senior Bowl practices and clocked the No. 6 time in the 40-yard dash at the combine (4.72 seconds). A Big Ten coach described Altmyer as "Not flashy, but he is a winner."

"I've had a lot of people reaching to me since the combine, on him," Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. "Being in that league for three years, everybody's going to pay that premier guy $150 million. But they need that next guy, in case things don't work out from an injury standpoint, or emergency substitution. And Luke prepares so well every week, I think he'll be a guy that's drafted in the league as a quality backup. Really, really good arm talent. He's got that ability to create with his legs. If you get two first downs every game by creating first downs with your legs, that's a really, really big deal."

Luke Altmyer connects with Justin Bowick for an Illinois touchdown vs. Tennessee.

Key numbers: 2,951 passing yards, 14 TDs, six INTs, 953 rushing yards, 15 rushing TDs in 2025. King was productive in three years at Georgia Tech, finishing with 7,907 passing yards and 2,277 rushing yards, while adding 55 passing TDs and 36 rushing TDs.

Scouts Inc. ranking: No. 240 overall, No. 13 QB, grade of 45

What else to know: King became one of college football's top dual-threat quarterbacks, especially during his time at Georgia Tech, where his approach fit perfectly with coach Brent Key's philosophy. He's known primarily as a hard-charging runner, but he grew as a passer, completing 71.1% of his passes during his final two seasons and cutting down his interceptions. King had the top times for both 3-cone drill (6.89 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.17 seconds) among quarterbacks at the combine, while finishing second in the 40-yard dash (4.46 seconds).

"I don't know how he translates, but man, he's a good player," an ACC coach said. "He would be a hell of a backup to have in the NFL. People think he can't throw, and I know their offense is different and all that, but man, that guy plays his ass off."

Another ACC coach added: "I hold him in very high regard. He did a great job this year. I have no idea what the pros think about him, but somebody should give him a shot, because he's tough, he's competitive, he can run, he can throw. He's really good."

Key numbers: 3,539 passing yards, 29 TDs, eight INTs, 862 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs, QBR of 87.3 in 2025. Pavia had 49 TD passes, 18 rushing TDs and 12 INTs on 676 passing attempts in two seasons at Vanderbilt. He also played two seasons at New Mexico State and finished with 10,255 career passing yards, 88 passing TDs and 31 rushing scores.

Scouts Inc. ranking: Not ranked

What else to know: NFL evaluators know plenty about Pavia after he filled college football headlines the past two seasons. He changed Vanderbilt's program trajectory and led the team to its first 10-win season last fall, while finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Pavia won SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, after being named SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2024. He significantly improved his accuracy, rising from around 60% completions in 2023 and 2024 to 70.6% in 2025. The 5-foot-10, 207-pound Pavia did on-field workouts at the combine but didn't go through athletic testing.

"There is a total focus on winning for him," Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said. "People like to create narratives around who he is and who he's not. All I know is that for two years, this guy helped elevate everyone's attitude internally. He measures 5-10 at the combine and there's almost this question around him playing quarterback. When you look at his analytic measures -- his average depth of target, big-game throws, throws beyond the sticks -- his numbers are right there along with [Fernando] Mendoza's. He became a better quarterback from '24 to '25.

"I believe that he's got a chance to not just land somewhere, but actually build a great career where he continues proving people wrong and winning."

Key numbers: 756 rushing yards, 15 rushing TDs, 156 carries, 354 receiving yards, 31 receptions, two receiving TDs in 2025. Coleman, who played his first two college seasons at Arizona and followed coach Jedd Fisch to Washington, eclipsed 750 rushing yards in each of his final three seasons, while showing impressive versatility with 77 receptions. He averaged 5.5 yards per rush during his career and had 3,054 yards with 34 TDs.

Scouts Inc. ranking: No. 154 overall, No. 12 running back, grade of 58

What else to know: Coleman brings experience but not too much wear and tear to the NFL, making him appealing for teams that like their running backs to do multiple things. He never logged more than 193 carries in a college season but consistently produced as a rusher and a pass catcher, while never sitting out significant time. The 5-foot-8, 220-pound Coleman didn't do athletic testing at the combine, as he's rehabbing an ankle injury, but posted the third-highest bench press total (22 reps) among running backs.

"His yards per carry stood out, I thought he was really good," a Big Ten coach said. "The NFL loves when kids transfer and have success, because it shows they have the ability to be transient and successful. That tells them you have the ability to be successful no matter where you're at, especially far from home, and he showed that at Washington."

Jonah Coleman scores to give Washington a 21-7 lead.

Key numbers: 51 receptions, 675 receiving yards, 13 TDs (Big 12 high) in 2025; 137 career receptions for 2,221 yards and 22 TDs during college career, which included earlier stops at Louisiana Tech and Texas A&M. Had 186 kick return yards at Louisiana Tech in 2023.

Scouts Inc. ranking: Not ranked

What else to know: Allen surprisingly didn't get a combine invite, after earning second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior and leading the Big 12 in touchdown catches. Allen ranked in the top six in Conference USA for receptions, receiving yards and yards per reception with Louisiana Tech in 2023, before transferring to Texas A&M.

"He can run, he can catch, he can do it all," Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said. "If he gets drafted late, or as a free agent, he'll have an opportunity to do some really good stuff. I coached T.Y. Hilton at FIU, who played with the Colts for many years. I took Tutu Atwell at Louisville, who's with the Rams now (Atwell signed with the Miami Dolphins last month). Cyrus is just as effective in college as they were. When you get to the NFL, Cyrus plays so fast that he's going to be able to get open, because you can't put their hands on you like in college. And he's bigger than what most people think. He's not small like T.Y. or Tutu."

Key numbers: 72 receptions, 917 receiving yards, six TDs in 2025, which marked career highs in all three categories. Bell played four seasons at Louisville and finished his career with 151 receptions for 2,166 yards and 12 TDs, while averaging 14.3 yards per reception.

Scouts Inc. ranking: No. 78 overall, No. 16 wide receiver, grade of 79

What else to know: Bell has good size at 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds, and worked his way up the depth chart at Louisville to become the team's top target in his fourth season. He had as many catches and touchdowns in 2025 as he did the previous two seasons. Bell sustained an ACL tear late last season that kept him out of the predraft events, and cast some doubt about his draft position. But he brings experience and toughness that makes him a potential Day 2 steal for certain teams.

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