NFL · 21 hours ago

Ranking the Top 5 NFL Draft Sleepers for Day 3

Bo Marchionte

Host · Writer

5) Max Tomczak
Max Tomczak's NFL Draft Profile
- School: Youngstown State
- Position: Wide Receiver
Another intriguing prospect with an NFL pedigree is Max Tomczak from Youngstown State. His uncle, Mike Tomczak, was also a Penguins alum who went undrafted in 1985 but went on to carve out a 15-year career in the National Football League.

There’s a strong possibility the younger Tomczak may not hear his name called among the 257 selections across seven rounds. If that’s the case, he’s the type of player who will quickly become a priority undrafted free agent once the draft concludes in Pittsburgh. With seven NFL teams in attendance at Youngstown State’s Pro Day, Tomczak made sure to capitalize on the opportunity. His 6.70 three-cone drill would have ranked among the best times recorded at the NFL Combine, showcasing elite short-area quickness and change-of-direction ability.

Those numbers translate directly to the tape. His 4.4 speed, combined with his burst and fluid movement in tight spaces, gives evaluators a clear picture of a player whose athletic traits align with what’s required to compete at the next level. He plays with urgency, sharp instincts, and a willingness to do the little things that often separate roster players from camp bodies.

Much like his uncle, Tomczak’s path may not be defined by draft position, but by what he does after the opportunity arrives. And if his Pro Day performance is any indication, he’ll be ready when that moment comes.

Photo Credit: Frank Hyatt
1) Emmett Johnson
Emmett Johnson's NFL Draft Profile
- School: Nebraska
- Position: Running Back
Jeremiyah Love has separated himself as the premier running back prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, plenty of talented runners will come off the board over the three days in Pittsburgh. One prospect firmly on the radar of NFL teams—though not yet viewed among the elite—is First-Team All-Big Ten (Coaches & Media, 2025) running back Emmett Johnson.

Johnson rushed for 1,451 yards on 251 carries with 12 touchdowns, delivering Nebraska’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2018, and the program’s highest single-season total since Doak Walker Award finalist Ameer Abdullah posted 1,611 yards in 2014. He also led the team in receptions (46), adding 370 receiving yards and three touchdowns. His all-around production resulted in a nation-leading 151.8 yards from scrimmage per game.

“Every level, I’ve been passed on. People told me I was too small,” Johnson told NFL Draft Blast. “People said I wasn’t a Division I player, and I overcame that. So know—if you pass on me, that’s what you’re going to feel.”

At 5-foot-11, 202 pounds, Johnson runs with a narrow, efficient frame between the tackles, but his toughness shows when he drags defenders for extra yards.

Emmett Johnson's Combine Measurements
- Height: 5'10"
- Weight: 202 lbs.
- Hand: 9 3/4"
- Arm: 30 1/4"
Emmett Johnson's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.56
- 10-Yard Split: 1.59
- Vertical Jump: 35.5”
- Broad Jump: 10’0”
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.32
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.29
- Bench Press: 16
2) Caleb Douglas
Caleb Douglas's NFL Draft Profile
- School: Texas Tech
- Position: Wide Receiver
Once the college season ends, the draft cycle begins—and for some prospects, it becomes the perfect window to elevate their stock. That’s exactly what unfolded for former Texas Tech wide receiver Caleb Douglas.

An invite to the Senior Bowl provided Douglas the stage to showcase his size—measuring in at 6-foot-3½, 206 pounds—against top competition in the country. He carried that momentum into the NFL Combine, where he turned heads with a blazing 4.39 in the 40-yard dash.

The result: Top 30 visits with the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, and Philadelphia Eagles.

“My versatility,” Douglas said when asked what separates him. “The tall frame and being able to move in small spaces, and then being somebody that can go out there and take the top off. So I feel like that really makes me a one-on-one type of player.”

Douglas backed it up on the field, leading the Red Raiders in receiving yards (846) and touchdowns (7), while finishing second in receptions (54), just behind team leader Reggie Virgil (57).
3) Eli Raridon
Eli Raridon's NFL Draft Profile
- School: Notre Dame
- Position: Tight End
Playing tight end at Notre Dame is a badge of honor. Names like Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, and Cole Kmet come to mind. Another Day 3 prospect looking to follow that lineage in the 2026 NFL Draft is Eli Raridon.

The 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. While that doesn’t match the eye-popping 4.39 posted by projected first-rounder Kenyon Sadiq, Raridon fits the mold of a true dual-threat tight end.

He possesses the size and strength to contribute at the line of scrimmage, along with a versatile skill set in the passing game that should translate well to the next level. Raridon started nine games for Notre Dame, posting modest numbers of 32 receptions for 482 yards, but his production doesn’t fully reflect his impact.

His seven-catch, 109-yard performance serves as a reminder: when given opportunities, Raridon makes them count.

Eli Raridon's Combine Measurements
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 245 lbs.
- Hand: 10 3/4"
- Arm: 32 3/4"
Eli Raridon's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.62
- 10-Yard Split: 1.6
- Vertical Jump: 36”
- Broad Jump: 10’3”
- 3-Cone Drill: n/a
- 20-Yard Shuttle: n/a
- Bench Press: 20
4) Cash Jones
Cash Jones's NFL Draft Profile
- School: Georgia
- Position: Running Back
As Thursday and Friday come to a close, one player likely to remain on the board deep into Day 3 of the NFL Draft is Georgia’s Cash Jones.

A former walk-on for the Bulldogs in 2021, Jones arrived after compiling more than 3,100 all-purpose yards in high school. He carved out a role through toughness and versatility, becoming a core special teams contributor while steadily earning trust within one of college football’s premier programs.

Jones is viewed by some NFL teams as more than just a special teams ace. His skill set projects as a potential slot receiver at the next level, where his quickness and feel for space can be utilized in multiple ways. Playing and developing at a powerhouse like Georgia only strengthens his profile, offering evaluators confidence in his ability to handle the jump.

Following his Pro Day, Jones met with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots. Measuring in at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, he turned heads with a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, along with a 33-inch vertical and a 10-foot-4 broad jump. But it was his on-field drills that truly highlighted his value. Smooth, controlled, and instinctive, Jones showed he can do more than test well; he can play fast. For a player who has consistently had to earn everything, his trajectory suggests he may once again outperform where he’s selected.

In a draft where roles matter just as much as raw talent, Cash Jones feels like the type of prospect who finds a way to stick and eventually contribute in ways that go beyond the stat sheet.
5) Max Tomczak
Max Tomczak's NFL Draft Profile
- School: Youngstown State
- Position: Wide Receiver
Another intriguing prospect with an NFL pedigree is Max Tomczak from Youngstown State. His uncle, Mike Tomczak, was also a Penguins alum who went undrafted in 1985 but went on to carve out a 15-year career in the National Football League.

There’s a strong possibility the younger Tomczak may not hear his name called among the 257 selections across seven rounds. If that’s the case, he’s the type of player who will quickly become a priority undrafted free agent once the draft concludes in Pittsburgh. With seven NFL teams in attendance at Youngstown State’s Pro Day, Tomczak made sure to capitalize on the opportunity. His 6.70 three-cone drill would have ranked among the best times recorded at the NFL Combine, showcasing elite short-area quickness and change-of-direction ability.

Those numbers translate directly to the tape. His 4.4 speed, combined with his burst and fluid movement in tight spaces, gives evaluators a clear picture of a player whose athletic traits align with what’s required to compete at the next level. He plays with urgency, sharp instincts, and a willingness to do the little things that often separate roster players from camp bodies.

Much like his uncle, Tomczak’s path may not be defined by draft position, but by what he does after the opportunity arrives. And if his Pro Day performance is any indication, he’ll be ready when that moment comes.

Photo Credit: Frank Hyatt
1) Emmett Johnson
Emmett Johnson's NFL Draft Profile
- School: Nebraska
- Position: Running Back
Jeremiyah Love has separated himself as the premier running back prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, plenty of talented runners will come off the board over the three days in Pittsburgh. One prospect firmly on the radar of NFL teams—though not yet viewed among the elite—is First-Team All-Big Ten (Coaches & Media, 2025) running back Emmett Johnson.

Johnson rushed for 1,451 yards on 251 carries with 12 touchdowns, delivering Nebraska’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2018, and the program’s highest single-season total since Doak Walker Award finalist Ameer Abdullah posted 1,611 yards in 2014. He also led the team in receptions (46), adding 370 receiving yards and three touchdowns. His all-around production resulted in a nation-leading 151.8 yards from scrimmage per game.

“Every level, I’ve been passed on. People told me I was too small,” Johnson told NFL Draft Blast. “People said I wasn’t a Division I player, and I overcame that. So know—if you pass on me, that’s what you’re going to feel.”

At 5-foot-11, 202 pounds, Johnson runs with a narrow, efficient frame between the tackles, but his toughness shows when he drags defenders for extra yards.

Emmett Johnson's Combine Measurements
- Height: 5'10"
- Weight: 202 lbs.
- Hand: 9 3/4"
- Arm: 30 1/4"
Emmett Johnson's Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.56
- 10-Yard Split: 1.59
- Vertical Jump: 35.5”
- Broad Jump: 10’0”
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.32
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.29
- Bench Press: 16