2026 NFL Draft: 6 rookies who won big after final roster cuts

The announcements of each team's initial 53-man roster always brings a mixed bag of emotions.

We love seeing the longshot stories of players who beat the odds and make the team. We hate seeing a player's NFL dream suffer a setback.

But today, let's celebrate some of the rookies who suddenly find themselves in a great, and perhaps unexpected, position following cutdown day.

For some, simply making the roster is the story. For others, final cuts cleared a path toward a starting job or a much bigger role than anyone expected when they were drafted in April.

These six rookies are the biggest winners after final roster cuts

San Francisco 49ers LG: Carver Willis

Carver Willis was a fourth-round pick by the 49ers in April. But ahead of him on the depth chart were veteran Rob Jones, and last year's seventh-round pick Connor Colby.

Colby had first crack at the left guard job in camp, but quickly lost his spot to Jones. Jones, who was on a one-year deal, dealt with a calf strain throughout camp and was released. Willis emerged victorious after starting in all three preseason games.

Holding on to the job now becomes the new goal for Willis, as he tries to help the 49ers continue to succeed on offense.

Tennessee Titans RG: Fernando Carmona Jr.

It was a similar story for Fernando Carmona Jr. and the Tennessee Titans. Carmona Jr. started as the third man in a competition for right guard. Cordell Volson was the veteran on a one-year deal, and Jackson Slater was the 2025 Day 3 pick.

But Carmona Jr. separated himself during camp and the preseason as RG1, and Volson was released.

After being selected in the fifth round, Carmona Jr. now has an opportunity to become an immediate contributor for a Titans offense looking to take another step forward in 2026.

Philadelphia Eagles QB: Cole Payton

Cole Payton became an intriguing draft prospect last winter and spring as a developmental quarterback. Known for his size and athletic traits first, whoever drafted him would have to take their time helping him continue to learn to play quarterback, while maybe utilizing his athletic traits in other ways on game days.

So it made too much sense for the Philadelphia Eagles, the "quarterback factory", to select Payton in the fifth round.

The problem was an extremely crowded quarterback room.

Jalen Hurts is obviously the starter, Tanner McKee has become one of the league's most-hyped backups, and Philadelphia signed veteran Andy Dalton this offseason. That meant Payton wasn't guaranteed anything despite being a draft pick.

Cutdown day came and went, and Payton remained an Eagle, with Philadelphia making the unusual decision to keep four quarterbacks on its initial roster.

Perhaps his athleticism lends itself to keeping him on as a utility player - a Taysom Hill of sorts. But with the hype of McKee and respect for Dalton around the league, a trade of one of the veterans this season could move Payton into a number-three role as a rookie.

Cleveland Browns QB: Taylen Green

The Cleveland Browns selected quarterback Taylen Green in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. Green is another tantalizing prospect with a lot of college experience (53 games in college with nearly 1,200 pass attempts) and rare athletic traits.

He would even grade as an elite athlete at wide receiver or tight end with those numbers.

Green makes the team in Cleveland with Dillon Gabriel headed to injured reserve. He'll be the third quarterback behind Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.

Unlike Payton, there's even a path for Green to start a few games for Cleveland this year. Then we can see more plays like this highlight from the preseason.

Minnesota Vikings P: Brett Thorson

The Minnesota Vikings lost their punter of four years, Ryan Wright, to the New Orleans Saints this offseason. The training camp battle they created was between longtime veteran and former All-Pro Johnny Hekker and undrafted rookie free agent Brett Thorson.

Thorson gives the Vikings a younger option at the position they hope they can keep around for several seasons, like Wright. But as a UDFA and a punter, he'll likely have a short leash with Hekker just a phone call away.

Miami Dolphins WR: Caleb Douglas

The Miami Dolphins' wide receiver room is considered one of the worst units in the NFL going into 2026.

Which made it all the more interesting to watch how it would play out over the course of the summer.

Miami drafted three receivers in April after watching their top two players, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, leave this offseason. And how the rookies mixed in with the existing veterans was interesting to track.

Aside from Jalen Reagor, who was not on an active roster last season, Jalen Tolbert is Miami's most established veteran at the position. And Malik Washington is in his third year with the team and has shown promise.

Both players have experience in the slot and on the outside. But neither is considered a real downfield threat. That role was occupied by veteran Tutu Atwell, whom the team signed in March.

When it comes to the rookies, they all had easily defined roles as well. Chris Bell, right now, is a typical "Z" receiver. Move him around with motions and get him the ball in space, but from the outside. Kevin Coleman Jr. is a typical slot/returner type player. Those two mirror Tolbert and Washington more.

But the team's highest-drafted receiver, Caleb Douglas, is the typical "X" receiver that can stretch the field and win on deep balls. So Atwell was always going to be the veteran he was following. Until Atwell was traded.

The Dolphins traded Tutu Atwell last week, opening the door for Douglas. Douglas was already "losing" snaps in the preseason, as the team had seen enough to protect him from injuries.

Now the door is open for Douglas to try to make an impact on this team. Miami hopes it has their quarterback of the future in Willis, and they'll likely invest heavily in wide receiver next year. It's a similar situation to Tennessee in 2025 with Cam Ward and Elic Ayomanor - a mid-round draft pick at receiver that put up numbers in a fairly empty room.

But if Douglas can execute his role and develop chemistry with Willis, he might be able to cement his place in Miami's offense this year and beyond.

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