Insider Names 2 ‘Late Risers’ Who Might Sneak Into Spherical 1 of 2026 NFL Draft

[ad_1] Yearly, there’s one or two under-the-radar gamers projected as early Day 2 picks who unexpectedly creep into the primary spherical of the NFL draft.

There’s a handful of gamers who may fall into that class this yr, however Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports activities believes there’s two gamers who’s 2026 draft inventory is on the rise who may hear their names sooner than initially thought.

“You may disagree with the phrases ‘risers’ and ‘fallers’ in a draft as a result of groups insist that it's extra a media concoction than actuality,” Jones acknowledged. “However a complete bunch of sources inside groups use these phrases to explain prospects. The highest two risers I've heard in current days are Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. and Arizona defensive again Treydan Stukes.

“As famous above, Cooper may go as excessive because the third receiver off the board Thursday evening. The Indiana receiver has impressed in interviews these days. Some groups have Stukes as a nickel nook or a security. But when coaches have a say in it, Stukes may go within the first spherical and could possibly be the third security taken Thursday.”

<img id="11848487" alt="Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr." caption="Omar Cooper Jr. #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers signals for a first down against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="4503" height="2716" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 1024px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2253789338.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2253789338.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2253789338.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2253789338.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2253789338.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2253789338.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2253789338.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> Cooper Jr. is considered one of six large receivers together with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, USC’s Makai Lemon, Washington’s Denzel Boston, Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion who could possibly be chosen in Spherical 1.

A second-team All-Large Ten choice, Cooper Jr. had a breakout season for the nationwide champion Hoosiers, totaling 69 receptions, 937 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

Stukes, a first-team All-Large 12 choice and second-team All-American, is a singular prospect in the truth that he has six seasons of faculty expertise below his belt. He ended his Arizona profession with 207 tackles, 29 passes defended, seven interceptions, and 12 tackles for loss.

Most scouts have him on the bubble as a possible late first- or early second-round choose. He’s constantly ranked behind LSU’s Mansoor Delane, Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy, Clemson’s Avieon Terrell, and Tennessee’s Colton Hood amongst CBs within the 2026 class.