5 under the radar NFL Draft risers

Welcome to NFL Draft night. Where the prognostication fades, and the team boards start talking. Every year, a handful of names jump a round – maybe multiple rounds. Sometimes it’s because clips go viral (hello, Tristan Wirfs). Sometimes it’s because the pro-day reps jump off the tape. Whatever the reason, the hype machine gets rolling. If you’re treating these guys like later value, you’re already behind. 

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Here are a few under-the-radar risers who could hear their names called earlier than people expect once the first wave of picks starts draining position tiers. 

MORE: Stop overlooking 2026 NFL Draft’s most proven first-round prospects

Makai Lemon – WR, USC

Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) celebrates after catching a 32-yard touchdown pass against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lemon is showing up everywhere, and that’s the clue. Teams aren’t treating him like a gadget – they’re treating him like a Day 2 receiver who can contribute quickly, especially in a class where the WR tiers blur fast. NFL Network’s draft tracker has Lemon among the higher-graded receivers, and he keeps popping in the visit chatter.

Chris Brazzell II – WR, Tennessee

Brazzell has been on a full tour – Panthers, Colts, Cardinals, then Packers, Commanders, and 49ers in a tight stretch. That volume doesn’t happen unless teams think he’s going earlier than expected. It signals a real appetite for bigger outside receivers with vertical ability and enough polish to play early.

Beau Stephens – G, Iowa

Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens (OL48) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Seattle bringing him in on a top-30 is the tell – teams don’t spend a premium visit on an interior lineman unless they’re considering him as a real early-round outcome. The signal is simple, the guard is being treated like a plug-and-play starter, not a late-round value.

Vega Ioane – G, Penn State

Pittsburgh hosting him is basically a neon arrow pointing to an early investment in the interior OL. When teams start doing heavy diligence on guards, it usually means they don’t like what will be left on Day 3, and they’d rather pay the Day 2 tax.

AJ Haulcy – S, LSU

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; LSU defensive back AJ Haulcy (DB36) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Green Bay bringing him in is the kind of move that shows up earlier than expected on draft night. When safeties get these visits, it’s usually because a team sees a specific role fit – box work, matchup usage, special teams value – and wants to confirm the fit.

Final Thoughts

Friends, this isn’t rocket science. These names are rising because teams are spending scarce resources on them, period. That’s the signal. When players get this kind of attention this late, it’s not static. These cats are in play, and potentially earlier than you might think.

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