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It’s very easy to get caught up in the hype of first-round picks immediately after each NFL Draft, but history shows that the biggest impact is often made by players selected after Day 1.
Case in point: The NFL’s two best defensive rookies last year (Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori) were steals on Day 2.
The players listed below may not be the biggest names currently, but they fit perfectly into their respective teams’ schemes and appear to have a relatively clear path to playing time. That’s why they’re primed to make big contributions in 2026. And only a few of them were drafted in the first round.
With training camp underway, here are my AFC rookies to follow.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU (126th pick)
The Bills’ projected starting inside linebackers, Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams, have struggled with durability and consistency throughout their respective careers. Elarms-Orr has played in 47 games over the past four years and possesses elite speed. At the very least, he should prove to be a quality backup and special teams ace as a rookie, and I think his closing speed in coverage and as a blitzer could generate enough flashy plays to end up stealing a starting role sooner rather than later.
Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (27th pick)
With the Dolphins undergoing a significant rebuild, there should be several rookies who make an immediate impact this year in Miami. With all due respect to new linebackers Jacob Rodriguez and Kyle Louis, the defender I’m most excited about is Johnson, a polished coverage cornerback who I believe will prove to be Miami’s best player in the secondary by the end of his rookie campaign.
The Dolphins are counting on Chris Johnson to step in and be their best cornerback right away. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
New England Patriots: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois (55th pick)
Tellingly, I rate Jacas much higher than many, ranking him as the No. 32 overall prospect in the 2026 class. As such, I think he will prove to be a steal at No. 55 overall, especially considering the talent New England will have around him. Jacas isn’t as twitchy or flexible as some of the top-ranked edge rushers in this class, but he accelerates smoothly and strongly. While not as tall, Jacas’ fighting style might remind some longtime Patriots fans of former franchise standout Chandler Jones.
New York Jets: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana (50th pick)
First, the bad news: The Jets were terrible last season and had a lot of holes to fill. The good news, however, is that general manager Darren Mougey filled at least four of those holes with the club’s top picks. Frankly, any of them could justifiably be included here, but I’m going with Ponds, who I predict will lead the Jets in interceptions as a rookie.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri (45th pick)
Young was the perfect answer on draft day for anyone wondering if the Ravens would lose their tough identity with Jesse Minter taking over as head coach from John Harbaugh. Young may not be the most flexible running back in this class, but he plays with the passion and violence that has long embodied this franchise.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington (72nd pick)
The Bengals bank on traits as much as any NFL team, and the 6-foot-4, 194-pound Davis offers a unique combination of size, length (33 3/8-inch arms) and speed (4.41 40). He projects as a future borderline starter for a Cincinnati team whose current starters, Dax Hill and DJ Turner, are scheduled for free agency after this season.
Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, LT, Utah (No. 9 pick)
I loved how the Browns played this draft and seriously considered receivers KC Concepción or Denzel Boston for this article. Ignoring Fano only to highlight other picks later doesn’t give the Browns enough credit for accurately recognizing the much greater depth at receiver than tackle in this draft, and that it doesn’t matter who will catch the passes (or throw the ball) if the blocking up front isn’t up to par. Fano was the best pass protector in this class and will be forged by fire practicing daily against Jared Verse. He will start immediately and will soon prove to be a cornerstone of the franchise.
Spencer Fano was the first offensive lineman off the board in the 2026 draft. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama (104th pick)
I was tempted to include right tackle Max Iheanachor or returner Kaden Wetjen here, but Bernard strikes me as the type of smart, QB-friendly target that Aaron Rodgers would love. In fact, while I expect DK Metcalf and the addition of free agent Michael Pittman to generate a lot of big plays on the outside, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Bernard end up leading the Steelers in receptions this season.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (36th pick)
McDonald was a first-round talent who fell to Day 2 due to perceived positional value. Still, given the Texans’ elite edge combination of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, McDonald is in an ideal position to make a splash.
Indianapolis Colts: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU (78th pick)
A strong argument could be made for linebacker CJ Allen (or fellow linebacker Bryce Boettcher) for this spot. But given the coverage skills of Colts starting cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, I’m especially intrigued by Haulcy at deep middle in this secondary. Like free agent Juanyeh Thomas, Haulcy is bigger than most safeties and his ferocious hitting reinforces that. He’s also a proven ballhawk, so I think he’ll start as a rookie.
Haulcy will be surrounded by veterans in the Colts’ secondary. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon (88th pick)
With quality blocker Ezra Cleveland and expensive 2025 free agent addition Patrick Mekari ably filling the guard spots in Jacksonville, Pregnon doesn’t have an easy path to starting for the Jaguars as a rookie. However, he is talented, tough and experienced at both guard positions. Additionally, Cleveland is a pending free agent and Mekari struggled with consistency and durability in his first year in town.
Tennessee Titans: Anthony Hill, LB, Texas (60th pick)
While Cody Barton is a proven starting-caliber linebacker and Cedric Gray has shown his skills are even better, I’m excited to see how disruptive Hill can be in Robert Saleh’s defense. Hill was asked to play so many roles in Texas that he never got a chance to flourish. His range and running ability could lead to big things for the Titans.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: Tyler Onyedim, DL, Texas A&M (66th pick)
Fast, agile and long-armed, I believe Onyedim will become a better pass rusher in the NFL than he ever was in college. Playing alongside Zach Allen and Nik Bonnito, he was certainly drafted into a defense that has the “horses” to aid in this development.
Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma (40th pick)
Given the talent of the quarterbacks in the AFC West, adding pass rushers is always a good idea. However, I’m particularly excited about Thomas’ speed in this division, as opposing quarterbacks are not only quality passers, but they are also talented scramblers. Thomas has the burst and closing speed to help corral them. Thomas may not start as a rookie, but don’t be surprised if he plays a pivotal role as a designated pass rusher right away.
The Chiefs invested heavily in their defense during the draft, using their first four picks on that side of the ball. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders: Trey Zuhn III, OG, Texas A&M (91st pick)
Needless to say, all the focus on the Raiders’ rookies will start with the number one overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. But after allowing Geno Smith to be sacked more than any other NFL quarterback in 2025, boosting the offensive line is just as important. Although Zuhn lined up at tackle and center with the Aggies, the Raiders announced him at guard shortly after drafting him, and I think he has a chance to unseat free agent Spencer Burford on the left side. As his experience at left tackle suggests, Zuhn is quite athletic, despite his burly 6-foot-6, 319-pound frame, offering pass protection and run blocking skills to help the investments in Mendoza (and Ashton Jeanty) pay off.
Los Angeles Chargers: Travis Burke, OT, Memphis (117th pick)
Chargers fans probably expect it to be Jake Slaughter, the blocker selected two rounds ahead of Burke, who will have the most immediate impact, and I think Slaughter has the toughness and girth to make the switch from center to guard effectively. But given the Chargers’ struggles with durability at tackle in recent years, Burke could prove more important. He’s surprisingly agile for his size, has experience at both tackle positions and plays with the grumpiness that Jim Harbaugh requires up front.
