We are just days away from the 2026 NFL Draft class, which is now generating huge buzz for its top-tier talent, but as always, the real value could emerge beyond the first round. Identifying sleeper prospects who outperform their draft position often separates good teams from great ones.
On the latest episode of PFSN’s “Football Debate Club,” NFL Draft analysts Jacob Infante and Brian Maafi spotlighted athletes flying under the radar.
The discussion focused on players who may not dominate headlines now but have traits that could translate strongly at the next level. With strong opinions and detailed scouting insights, the analysts highlighted five prospects they believe could become steals on Days 2 and 3.
Rene Konga, Louisville | DT
Maafi kicked things off by pointing to a disruptive interior presence in Louisville’s Rene Konga, highlighting his tape and athletic profile.
“His film was really good. If you watch him, he’s really explosive. Even his testing kind of matches up. He can get into the backfield. He can play the run a little bit. He probably still needs a little bit more development as a pass-rusher, and develop some moves. But the explosiveness is there, the speed’s there, the physicality is there. He’s a guy who could definitely be a steal on Day 3,” said Maafi.
Maafi’s evaluation underscores Konga’s raw tools, particularly his burst and physicality, while also acknowledging that refining his pass-rush arsenal will be key to unlocking his full potential.
Wesley Bailey, Louisville | DE
Sticking with Louisville, Maafi also highlighted Konga’s teammate Wesley Bailey as another under-the-radar option. Offering brief but notable praise, he said, “And my other one would be his teammate, Wesley Bailey, the defensive end. He started out at Rutgers, and then he took over this year as a starter, and he’s pretty good.”
Bailey’s journey from Rutgers to a starting role suggests growth and also his adaptability, traits that often interest NFL evaluators looking for developmental edge defenders.
DeMonte Capehart, Clemson | DT
Infante turned attention to Clemson’s DeMonte Capehart, a prospect whose long-term presence on the scouting radar may have led to some fatigue among evaluators. He explained why he still believes in Capehart’s upside.
“I feel like there’s some prospect fatigue around him at this stage, just because he’s been on the NFL radar for a couple of years now. But you’re looking at a guy who’s close to 6’5, 313 pounds, nearly 34-inch arms, and over 10-inch hands.”
“I love the physicality he plays with in the run game, just how he maximizes his length with how well he lands his strikes, the point of attack. And he also had a 4.85, 40-yard dash at his size. I think there’s athletic upside that hasn’t been fully tapped into yet, so that adds to his potential,” he added.
Capehart’s combination of size, strength, and untapped athleticism makes him a solid developmental prospect.
Supporting that view, PFSN’s scouting report on the DT notes, “Capehart won’t have the acclaim of former first-round picks from the school’s ranks, or anticipated top prospect Peter Woods, but he nonetheless presents his own kind of appeal as a future NFL player.”
Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin | CB
Infante also spotlighted Charles Demmings, a highly productive FCS cornerback with impressive athletic traits.
“He had 4 interceptions this past year with a passer rating allowed of just 39.8. He’s such an explosive athlete coming out of his breaks,” Infante explained.
“He’s got the deep speed, the fluidity and coverage, the ball tracking skills on tape,” he added. “You’re looking at 32-inch arms at the corner, 9.97 relative athletic score. And I had the chance to interview him at PFSN. He told me how much he prioritizes detail. And he said, I don’t need a spotlight to impact the room. And I look at that. I think whatever role he’s put in as a rookie, defense or special teams, I have confidence he’ll step up to the occasion.”
Demmings’ production, combined with his physical tools and attention to detail, suggests he could quickly carve out a role at the next level.
Adding context, PFSN’s scouting report highlights his explosiveness: “He has great initial burst when attacking assignments and has the long-strider gait to compound acceleration over longer stretches, resulting in quality recovery speed … His explosive element is strong enough to contend with most NFL-caliber athletes.”
Jeremiah McClendon, Southern Illinois | CB
Rounding out the list, Maafi introduced a deeper sleeper in Jeremiah McClendon, providing background on his path and skill set.
“I got a little bit of a deeper cut here,” said Maafi. “He’s bounced around a little bit in his career. He started out at Marshall, then he went to Charleston, then went to FIU. Just a one-year starter this year.”
He added: “Looks like he obviously played at FCS level last little bit, so he still needs to fill out his frame a little bit, but he’s got quickness. He can stop on a dime. His explosiveness is okay, but he’s got some ball skills. He’s a good tackler. He’s physical. He could end up playing on the slot, too, so I think he’s a versatile player that could end up making a roster.”
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McClendon’s journey through multiple programs reflects his will to excel, while his physicality could make him a valuable depth piece, particularly in the slot or on special teams.
