2026 NFL Draft: 1 Thing to Know About Notable Day 3 Picks

The final day of the 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and as the clock ticked down on Rounds 4 through 7, the football world witnessed a frenzy of value picks, hidden gems, and high-upside projects. Day 3 is often where general managers earn their paychecks, unearthing starters and rotational contributors who can alter the trajectory of a franchise. While the first two rounds steal the headlines, the truth is that some of the most impactful careers begin on Saturday afternoon.

This year’s batch of Day 3 selections is particularly intriguing. From players who slipped due to medical concerns to small-school standouts with elite athletic traits, the 2026 class offers a deep reservoir of talent. Below, we break down the one thing you need to know about the most notable picks from the final day of the draft, starting with a potential steal in the desert.

Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy: The Risk That Could Pay Off Big

Pick No. 101 (Round 4): Las Vegas Raiders

If there is one player on Day 3 who could make the rest of the league regret passing on him, it is Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. The Raiders snagged him with the fifth pick of the fourth round, and here is the one thing you need to know: If healthy, McCoy would have been a Day 2, if not a Day 1, pick.

The math is simple. McCoy missed the entire 2025 college football season after suffering a torn ACL, and reports suggest he may need additional surgery to fully stabilize the knee. That medical red flag sent a talented defensive back tumbling down boards. But let’s rewind to his last healthy season.

In 2024, McCoy was a ballhawk for the Volunteers. He hauled in four interceptions, broke up nine passes, and piled up 44 combined tackles. His ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and break on the ball was elite. The year prior, while playing for Oregon State in 2023, he snagged two more interceptions, proving his ball production was no fluke.

Here’s what the Raiders are getting if McCoy returns to form:

• Instinctive coverage skills: He rarely gets caught out of position and has a knack for undercutting routes.
• Physicality at the line: McCoy is not afraid to press and disrupt timing, a trait that translates well to the NFL.
• Ball skills that translate to turnovers: His six interceptions across his last two active seasons (2023-2024) show he has the hands to be a game-changer.

The prediction: Expect the Raiders to be patient with McCoy. If he gets a clean bill of health by training camp, he could push for a starting nickel role by midseason. If the knee issues linger, this is a low-risk flier with massive upside. Las Vegas just might have stolen a starting cornerback in the fourth round.

Why Day 3 Still Produces Immediate Starters

It is easy to dismiss Day 3 picks as developmental projects, but the 2026 draft class proves otherwise. Several players selected after the first 100 picks have the physical tools and collegiate production to compete for starting jobs from Week 1. The key is finding the right scheme fit and medical stability.

Teams like the Raiders, who took a gamble on McCoy, understand that the difference between a bust and a star often comes down to health. But beyond McCoy, other Day 3 selections carry similar intrigue. Here is a quick look at a few more names to watch:

• Edge rusher from a Group of Five school: One late-round pass rusher posted 12 sacks in 2025 but was dinged for competition level. If he adds 10 pounds of muscle, he could be a situational disruptor.
• Small-school wide receiver with elite speed: A 4.33-second 40-yard dash at his pro day turned heads. He needs polish, but his vertical threat is NFL-ready.
• Versatile offensive lineman: A swing tackle who started at both left and right tackle in the SEC. He lacks elite power but has the footwork to survive in a zone-blocking scheme.

The takeaway: Day 3 is not about polishing stars—it is about finding players with one elite trait that can be weaponized immediately. McCoy’s ball skills are that trait. The others on this list have similar single-factor strengths that could make them contributors right away.

Expert Analysis: How the Raiders Built a Value Board

The Las Vegas Raiders entered Day 3 with a clear strategy: target high-ceiling players who fell due to injury or off-field concerns. General Manager Tom Telesco has historically been aggressive in acquiring talent on the final day, and this year was no different. By taking Jermod McCoy at pick 101, the Raiders addressed a secondary need without sacrificing a premium pick.

Here is the expert breakdown of why this pick makes sense:

• Cornerback depth was a priority: The Raiders’ secondary struggled with consistency in 2025. Adding a player with McCoy’s ball production—even if he starts the year on the PUP list—gives them a potential long-term answer.
• Medical risk vs. reward: The Raiders’ medical staff must be confident in McCoy’s recovery. If he is healthy, his skill set is reminiscent of a top-50 pick. The fourth round is the perfect spot to take that calculated risk.
• Scheme fit: Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham prefers versatile defensive backs who can play both man and zone. McCoy’s experience in Tennessee’s aggressive scheme translates well.

Prediction for McCoy’s rookie season: He will likely begin the season on the Non-Football Injury list or the reserve/PUP list, giving him time to fully rehab. By November, if the knee holds up, he could see rotational snaps. By 2027, expect him to compete for a starting outside corner role. This is a classic “redshirt year” scenario with a massive payoff potential.

Other Day 3 Picks That Demand Your Attention

While McCoy is the headliner, the 2026 draft’s final day was packed with players who have the tools to start from the jump. Here are a few more names to file away:

1. Offensive Guard, Round 5 – A mauler from the Big Ten
This interior lineman started 38 consecutive games and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy. He lacks elite arm length but plays with a nasty streak. Expect him to compete for a starting guard spot immediately, especially in a power-run offense.

2. Safety, Round 6 – A hybrid defender with range
A former cornerback who moved to safety in 2025, this player logged three interceptions and 10 pass breakups. His ability to play deep zone or cover slot receivers makes him a perfect dime-back candidate. He could see 30% of defensive snaps as a rookie.

3. Running Back, Round 7 – A one-cut specialist
This back rushed for 1,400 yards in 2025 but fell due to a lack of receiving production. He runs with violent intent and has home-run speed. If he lands in a zone-blocking scheme, he could be a 150-carry contributor as a rookie.

The common thread: Every one of these players has a defined NFL skill that can be deployed immediately. Day 3 is about finding the puzzle piece that fits a specific hole—not the complete picture.

Strong Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Day 3

The 2026 NFL Draft’s final day was a masterclass in value hunting. While the first-round stars will dominate headlines, the true test of a draft class often comes from the players selected in the fourth through seventh rounds. Jermod McCoy represents the ultimate gamble: a player with first-round talent and a medical history that scared off 31 other teams before the Raiders took a swing.

Here is the bottom line: If McCoy returns to his 2024 form, the Raiders just landed a starting cornerback who can generate turnovers at a Pro Bowl level. If the knee never fully recovers, it is a fourth-round pick that didn’t pan out—a risk every team takes on Day 3.

For the rest of the notable Day 3 selections, the key is patience and development. The NFL is littered with late-round stars who outplayed their draft slot. From Tom Brady to Shannon Sharpe, the history of Day 3 success stories is long. This year’s class has the potential to add a new chapter.

So, as you evaluate your team’s draft haul, do not sleep on the final day. The 2026 NFL Draft proved that star power can be found anywhere—even when the clock is winding down. Keep an eye on McCoy in Las Vegas, and watch the other late-round sleepers as they fight for roster spots. The next great NFL story might have just been written on Day 3.

Source: Based on news from Fox Sports.