With the first two nights done, Daniel Jeremiah highlights the top players still available on his 2026 NFL Draft big board heading into Day 3.
The 2026 NFL Draft is entering its decisive stretch, and for teams hunting bargains after the first two nights, Day 3 can deliver immediate starters and future core pieces.
On the latest Misryoum slate. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah laid out his top remaining prospects heading into Day 3—an exercise that matters because it often reflects how teams are grading talent versus risk.. Jeremiah’s list is also a reminder that the draft board isn’t just about upside; it’s about timing. positional need. and how medical and development projections shake out once the early rounds move on.
Jermod McCoy leads Jeremiah’s board as medical questions linger
At the top of Jeremiah’s remaining big-board list is Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. still positioned as the top player available.. Jeremiah also places McCoy as a high-caliber target on his big board. while tying his ranking to a standout 2024 production profile: nine passes defended and four interceptions for the Volunteers.
But the reason McCoy remains “available” rather than being locked into a higher selection slot is injury uncertainty.. McCoy missed the entire 2025 season after a torn ACL. and Jeremiah’s evaluation is shaped by concern reported around a bone plug used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee.. Teams reviewing his medical scans reportedly have questions about whether the cornerback could require additional surgery. and that possibility would change the timeline for his return and early-career availability.
That type of medical risk can heavily influence draft strategy.. A cornerback isn’t only a short-term roster addition—he’s a position where sudden gaps in development can expose defenses.. So even teams that love talent may hesitate if they believe the recovery could run long or require a second procedure.. If McCoy clears those concerns. however. his upside profile—plus the natural value of a playmaking corner—could make him one of Day 3’s biggest “steal” outcomes.
Deion Burks remains the playmaking receiver option
For teams searching for a passing-game boost, Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks is still on Jeremiah’s board. Burks posted 57 receptions for 620 yards and four touchdowns during his senior season, numbers that suggest he can handle production expectations in a draft setting.
What makes wide receiver evaluation different from many other positions is how quickly a prospect can translate college traits into NFL usage.. Day 3 receivers often become impact players when teams find matchups that fit their route-running patterns and body control rather than asking them to immediately master every concept.. Burks’ availability late can also reflect the way teams weigh scheme fit and separation ability against health. athletic testing. and competition level.
Joshua Josephs offers an edge-rusher path to impact
Another name on Jeremiah’s remaining list is Tennessee edge rusher Joshua Josephs. Jeremiah points to a productive 2025 season line featuring 33 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and three passes defended.
Edge rushing prospects tend to attract interest even in later rounds because teams are always trying to add different ways to pressure the quarterback—whether that’s converting speed to power. using hands to win leverage. or impacting the quarterback’s rhythm with varied rush lanes.. Josephs’ production across sacks. forced fumbles. and pass disruption profiles the kind of “pressure + disruption” skill set coaches can build packages around.
Day 3 strategy: talent still matters, but risk and timing decide value
The draft’s first two nights often sort players into tiers based on team needs and how confident franchises feel about immediate contributions.. Day 3 shifts that calculus.. Jeremiah’s remaining prospects list underscores how teams can still find meaningful talent. but the big question becomes whether a player can grow into his role before injuries. developmental delays. or scheme adjustments change the timeline.
That’s why medical uncertainty—like the one surrounding McCoy’s knee procedure details—carries such weight.. It affects roster planning. practice availability. and how quickly a player can handle the workload needed for NFL-level coverage or pass rush.. Meanwhile. prospects like Burks and Josephs represent a different kind of Day 3 value: players who may not have dominated the early selection window but still bring statistically provable skill sets that can be translated into roles.
What to watch on Day 3 as selections unfold
Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft concludes Saturday, with the fourth round beginning at 12 p.m.. ET.. For Misryoum readers following this stretch. the storyline won’t just be “who gets drafted. ” but how teams react to the remaining pool—especially when medical concerns or positional fit become deciding factors.
If Jeremiah’s board is a preview, the next set of picks could show exactly which organizations are willing to bet on injury recovery timelines, which are prioritizing playmaking at receiver or corner, and which are looking for edge pressure contributors to stabilize pass rush rotations.
In a draft week defined by opportunity, Day 3 is where patience meets risk, and where the right pick can turn into a fast-path roster upgrade. Jeremiah’s list, with its mix of production and uncertainty, captures that tension—and sets the stage for the next wave of selections.