Eight Prospects Ready to Steal Draft Day and Prove Scouts Wrong

Every April, the NFL Draft delivers a handful of players who end up mattering far more than their draft slot suggests. They slip because of questions that outweigh the tape, then settle in quickly at the next level, carve out roles, and eventually outproduce more highly drafted peers. So who could fit that mold ahead of this week's 2026 NFL Draft? Here are eight prospects who have the tape to become steals.

The Offensive Line Producers

Kage Casey made 41 consecutive starts at tackle for Boise State and earned three All-Mountain West honors, including back-to-back first-team selections. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder ranked top 10 among qualified Mountain West linemen in both run- and pass-blocking grades the past two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. While he played outside in college, many experts project a move inside to guard, where his strength, anchor and finishing mentality translate best.

Jude Bowry brings intriguing upside as a developmental tackle from Boston College. The 6-foot-5, 314-pounder moves well for his size and has the athleticism teams look for in swing tackles, though he still needs refinement in his technique. He started all 21 games he played over the past two years after missing three games last season with a leg injury.

Defense Bets on Film and Production

Nick Barrett spent five years at South Carolina before earning a starting role in 2025, where he emerged as a highly productive interior presence. He tied for the sixth-most stops (25) and posted the 18th-best stop rate (10.0%) among qualified Power Four defensive linemen. Built with a thick, powerful frame, Barrett excels as a run defender, controlling blockers, clogging lanes and holding up against double teams. While his pass-rush upside is limited, his ability to anchor and disrupt the run could make him an underrated early-down contributor.

Bryce Boettcher is one of those bet-on-production prospects. Only two players had more combined tackles over the past two seasons than Boettcher, who racked up 230 stops. A former walk-on and two-sport athlete at Oregon, he plays with a relentless motor that consistently shows up against the run.

Hezekiah Masses was a full-time starter who emerged as one of the most productive ballhawks in the country, leading the FBS with 18 passes defended while adding five interceptions and 13 pass breakups.

The Upside Plays

Oscar Delp flashes intriguing upside as a fluid, athletic tight end who can make plays in the passing game. While there were high expectations for him as the successor to Brock Bowers at Georgia, the production never fully matched the hype. He had just 87 passes thrown his way the past three seasons, but still managed 9.1 yards per target.

None of these prospects is perfect, and that's exactly the point. These eight have different paths and profiles, from high-volume college producers and long-time starters to developmental traits bets and late risers who only recently earned full-time roles. Get ready to hear their names on draft day.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.