NFL teams ignoring these non-power 4 prospects will regret it in the 2026 NFL Draft

The transfer portal has made it harder for NFL evaluators to find talent outside the Power Four, but it has not eliminated it. There are still legit prospects at this level; you just have to look harder. This year’s group proves it, with several impact players, including a strong crop of wide receivers who can play on Sundays.

1. Skyler Bell, UConn

The top Non-Power Four prospect on my board is UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell, who was one of the most productive players in college football last season. He became the first consensus First-Team All-American in UConn history and backed it up with elite production, finishing second in the FBS with 1,276 receiving yards and 101 catches during the regular season, while his 835 yards after the catch led the nation. As a prospect, Bell brings reliability and explosiveness with just four drops all season according to PFF, showing some of the best hands in the class. He consistently creates separation with sharp route running, and his 4.4 speed makes him a real threat after the catch. A team like the Buffalo Bills makes a lot of sense as they need more depth at receiver and already showed interest by meeting with him at the NFL Combine.

2. Ted Hurst, Georgia State

The player just behind Bell in my wide receiver rankings is Georgia State’s Ted Hurst, who I have rated as the eighth-best wide receiver in the class. What stands out about Hurst is his impressive measurables, as he comes in at 6-foot-4 with 4.42 speed. In addition to his elite measurables, he also has the football traits to excel in the NFL, including the ability to go up and get the jump ball and the strength to break tackles after the catch. He would make a dangerous deep threat for Joe Burrow in Cincinnati.

3. Kage Casey, Boise State

The top non-wide receiver on this list is Boise State offensive tackle Kage Casey. Casey played left tackle at Boise State, but his pure strength and impressive balance, combined with a lack of elite foot quickness, project him best to right tackle or offensive guard in the NFL. This past season, the First-Team All-Mountain West selection was the highest-graded player in the conference by PFF, and in 2024, his 99.3 PFF pass blocking efficiency ranked third among FBS offensive tackles. Look for a team that runs a gap-blocking scheme like the Los Angeles Chargers to strongly consider Casey early on Day Three.

4. Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

The top FCS player on my board is North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Bison and averaged 21.2 yards per reception this season. In addition to putting up elite numbers at the small school level, he also has elite NFL traits, including an ideal size and speed combination, measuring in at 6-foot-3 and running a 4.34 40-yard dash. He also shows a strong football IQ that allows him to adjust routes on the fly and has made numerous spectacular catches during his college career. His high football IQ and elite speed could make him a great fit in Sean McVay’s offense in Los Angeles.

5. Robert Henry Jr., UTSA

While several of the players on this list will be helped by their impressive measurables, UTSA running back Robert Henry Jr. may be hurt by his. This is because the 5-foot-9 back is on the smaller side and only clocked a 4.52 40-yard dash. However, the team smart enough to add him late on Day Three will be getting a dynamic back who had 16 runs go over 15 yards this season and shows good vision to consistently find running lanes.

6. Eli Heidenreich, Navy

Yet another wide receiver on this list is Navy’s Eli Heidenreich. While he split time at Navy as a running back and wide receiver, he finished as the school’s all-time leading receiver and projects as a high-caliber slot receiver in the NFL. What makes him such an intriguing prospect is his toughness, which allows him to consistently catch in traffic, along with the quickness to gain separation and reliable hands. The New York Giants are looking at him as a possible replacement for Wan'Dale Robinson, who signed a big deal with the Titans this offseason.