2026 NFL Draft Day Three Selections Who Could Make an Immediate Impact

The 2026 NFL draft saw some of college football’s biggest stars find NFL homes.

From Fernando Mendoza going first overall to the Raiders, to the Cardinals making Jeremiyah Love the highest drafted running back since 2018, to the Giants bringing in both Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa in the top 10, it’s only a matter of time before these young first-round talents start making their imprint on the pros.

But the first round isn’t the only round of the draft; in fact, it is one of seven. And all seven rounds have the capacity to produce future Hall of Famers.

Let’s highlight a few of the day-three skill-position players who could make an immediate impact in the league.

QB Cade Klubnik // New York Jets

A couple of years ago, the name Cade Klubnik was being floated around as a potential first-round, maybe even top-10 pick. Klubnik, a four-star recruit, was supposed to be Clemson’s next star QB, following in the footsteps of past first-rounders Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence.

Instead, Klubnik was underwhelming in his four years with the team. Nevertheless, the Jets were willing to take a chance on him in the fourth round. And lucky for Klubnik, the Jets still lack a long-term option at QB.

Considering 35-year-old Geno Smith is projected to be the Jets’ week one starter, an arrangement that is highly unlikely to be successful, there is a legitimate chance that Klubnik takes over the starting role midway through the season. And with names like Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and the recently first-round drafted tandem of Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper by his side, it isn’t unreasonable to believe Klubnik can find first-year success.

RB Nicholas Singleton // Tennessee Titans

One of the murkier running back situations in the NFL is in Tennessee, where Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears have shared the backfield for a couple of years now, each offering solid contributions to a team in remission. Now, with Pollard pushing 30 and Spears still unable to prove himself capable of a starting role, the question of how long this arrangement can last arises.

This offseason, the Titans brought in a brand-new coaching staff, one that will be led offensively by former Giants head coach Brian Daboll. And considering that in his 12 years of running an offense, Daboll’s teams have finished top 10 in rushing attempts seven times, it can be inferred that the Titans plan on running the ball.

Therefore, their fifth-round pick of Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton makes all too much sense. Singleton is a big, do-it-all back who probably would’ve been flirting with the first round had he not been coming off a major down year on a struggling offense. If all goes well, Singleton has a path to becoming the Titans’ next starting back as early as this year.

WR Kevin Coleman // Miami Dolphins

Coming into the draft, the Dolphins had a major hole at wide receiver. Free agency pickups such as Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert were not going to cut it, especially given the team’s current expectation of Malik Willis being their future signal caller. They had to address the position in the draft, and they most certainly did.

The Dolphins selected three wide receivers, two in the third round and one in the fifth. And while all of them should have equal opportunities to prove themselves during training camp, day three pick Kevin Coleman will likely be the underdog of the group.

Coleman, a 5’10” projected slot receiver, played three years with three different schools in college, finally landing with Missouri in 2025.

He put up solid numbers all three years and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine.

In other words, he shouldn’t be counted out, especially given his familiarity with the slot, a WR sub-position that young, inexperienced QBs have a tendency to rely on.

There have been countless late-round picks who have made history in the NFL, and it’s only a matter of time before we find out who from the 2026 draft class will do the same.

If day three can produce Tom Brady, who most would call the greatest quarterback in NFL history, who knows what sorts of talent it will produce next?