Finding the next wave of NFL Draft hidden gems is a task taken on by every NFL fanbase once the April festivities are over, as hot takes and bold predictions fly all across social media over who the next Day 3 steal could be.
We're almost a month removed from the 2026 NFL Draft, and those conversations are still raging on. With plenty of viable candidates on each team, here is one draft pick on every AFC North franchise that could be impactful right out of the gate.
Here's one steal from each NFC North team who could make a big impact:
Baltimore Ravens: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke - Round 5, Pick 162
Rivers was one of my personal favorite prospects available on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. The former Blue Devils' star was as steady as they come in the nickel position over the course of his college career, and the growing importance of finding a reliable counter to the evolving slot receiver role makes his upside tantalizing.
Baltimore could find a role for him early in their secondary as a rotational piece behind Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey, and Rivers has the type of skill that could force them to get creative to ensure he sees a good amount of reps.
Cincinnati Bengals: Landon Robinson, DL, Navy - Round 7, Pick 226
The knocks against Landon Robinson are obvious, with the main one being that the Navy product is severely undersized, standing at just 6'0'', 287 pounds. With that being said, he played with some of the most intriguing balance of violence and quickness of any prospect in the class. Making the transition to the next level could take some time, but the natural talent is more than enough.
Looking at it from a franchise standpoint, the Cincinnati defense is still squarely in the phase where drafting the best player available is the logical way forward, and I believe they did that with Robinson. Dexter Lawrence II and Jonathan Allen occupy the top two spots in their defensive line rotation, but after that, it's a dogfight that the Midshipman could easily win.
Cleveland Browns: Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati - Round 5, Pick 170
The emergence of Harold Fannin Jr. in the latter half of the 2025 season quickly turned the tight end position into a major strength for Cleveland, but the 2025 3rd round pick's role as more of an H-back still left much to be desired in the blocking game. Signing veteran Jack Stoll in free agency could alleviate some of that concern, but Royer has a much higher ceiling.
He's already a comfortable receiver who can act as a true safety blanket in the quick game, an essential aspect of an offense still looking for a quarterback solution. New head coach Todd Monken has also shown his affection for two-TE schemes, giving a much cleaner pathway to Royer seeing the field.
New York Jets: Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Navy - Round 7, Pick 230
Heidenreich's story went viral on draft night, with the Pittsburgh native even getting the chance to walk the stage and shake the commissioner's hand in his home city. He's way more than just a heartwarming story, however, and is a weapon who could get lined up anywhere on the offense.
He's the Navy all-time single reason receiving record holder, and has some ridiculous burst and comfort level wherever he's aligned. A somewhat bland Steelers' offense could benefit from an injection of creativity and a change-of-pace presence, two things that Heidenreich excels in.
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