2026 NFL Draft Fifth Round Pick by Pick Analysis

141. Houston

Kamari Ramsey

S

USC

Ramsey joins former Trojan Calen Bullock in the Texans' secondary and will likely compete for playing time in the slot as a rookie. Ramsey has experience in the slot and as a free safety and that versatility should serve him well in Houston.

142. Tennessee

Fernando Carmona

OG

Arkansas

Carmona profiles as a valuable, long-term backup who can play OG or OT in the NFL. Carmona started for two-years at OLT at San Jose State and then slid inside to guard after transferring to Fayetteville. Carmona is strong, steady, durable, and versatile. He could have a long NFL career.

143. Arizona

Reggie Virgil

WR

Texas Tech

Virgil really came on last season in Lubbock when he displayed the hands, separation ability, and playmaking ability to be developed into an NFL starter. Virgil's poorer than preferred 40 time (4.57) and strength deficiencies cost him draft position but he will provide a quality option in event of injuries in Glendale.

144. Carolina (via Tennessee)

Sam Hecht

OC

Kansas State

Hecht stunningly falls to the fifth-round despite playing like a second-round pick this past fall in Manhattan. Hecht has starter potential and will provide needed depth up front for the Panthers.

145. LA Chargers (via NY Giants)

Nick Barrett

IDL

South Carolina

Barrett fits the mold of what the Chargers want out of their IDL- big, broad, hard to move, and very strong.Barrett will never be a big sack producer but he squeezes down inside run lanes and causing havoc inside. Very good depth piece for LA.

146. Cleveland

Parker Brailsford 

OC

Alabama

The Browns' rebuild of the OL nears completion after adding the experienced and productive Tide center. Brailsford lacks some desired size (6017 / 289 lbs / 32" Arms) and strength and can be overwhelmed by a powerfult NT, but heis a technician who is highly athletic and instinctive. He is a future starter.

147. Washington

Joshua Josephs

EDGE

Tennessee

Josephs flashes elite skills - twitch, burst, bend, and agility but relies on quickness and lacks some desired power to set an effective edge in the run defense. Josephs is likely to start as a situational pass rusher and he will benefit from an NFL strength program.

148. Seattle (via Cleveland thru KC)

Beau Stephens

OG

Iowa

Stephens profiles as a potential future starter with the strength, twitch, and hand fighting skill to be a plug and play option for the Seahawks, even though they have a young and quality OL. Stephens is a great value pick for a team that stresses winning at the POA and being physically tougher than their opposition.

149. Cleveland

Justin Jefferson

LB

Alabama

One of the fastest and most athletic LBs in this draft class (4.57 40 / 38.5" Vertical / 10'5" Broad), Jefferson is a one-year starter in Tuscaloosa who displayed vast improvement over the course of last season. Jefferson provides quality depth and looks like a potential difference maker on special teams. Great value pick.

150. Las Vegas (via New Orleans)

Dalton Johnson

S

Arizona

Johnson is coming off his best season in Tucson after recording 4 INTs and 7 passes defensed last season. Johnson is a physical tacker and has the skill set to match-up wel with TEs in coverage. Johnson is best in zone where he can read the QB's eyes and jump the route. Johnson should excel on special teams for the Browns.

151. Carolina (via Miami)

Zakee Wheatley

S

Penn State

Wheatley has the size (6026 / 203 lbs / 31" Arms) and skill set to line up all over the secondary and has experience in the slot, in the box, and as a free safety. Wheatley is physical, tough, and resilient and will compete for playing time on defense while becoming a core special teams player in the NFL.

152. Denver (via Dallas)

Justin Joly

TE

North Carolina State

The Broncos passing game was missing one element the last two seasons under Bo Nix - a dangerous reciving threat at TE. By drafting Joly in the fifth-round, this void has been filled. Joly offers little as an in-line blocker, other than effort, but is a dangerous mis-match piece in space who is too athletic for most LBs and too big for most safeties to handle in man coverage. Joly should contribute as a rookie this fall.

153. Green Bay

Jager Burton 

OC

Kentucky

The Packers' depth along the OL was weakened over free agency. Namely, long-time starter Elgton Jenkins signed with the Browns and depth is needed, especially along the IOL. Burton is an experienced and powerful interior blocker who displays starter's traits and will push for a starting job as a rookie.

154. San Francisco (via Baltimore)

Jaden Dugger

LB 

Louisiana

Dugger flew under radars during the draft process and got drafted despite not participating in any all-star games or the NFL Scouting Combine. Dugger possesses ideal size and length (6045 / 240 lbs / 34 & 7/8" Arms) and ran a great 40 time at his Pro Day (4.61). Dugger will need to excel on special teams to earn an opportunity to start in the NFL.

155. Tampa Bay

DeMonte Capehart 

IDL

Clemson

Capehart is only a one-year starter who is still raw as a pass rusher but whose size, length, and natural power (6047 / 313 lbs / 33 & 7/8" Arms) make him effective as a run stuffer. Capehart needs additional reps to meet his potential but should contribute immediately in the rotation inside. 

156. Indianapolis

George Gumbs

EDGE

Florida

Gumbs flashes an elite skill set of twitch, ability to bend, flatten, and close with an impressive burst as a pass rusher. Gumbs needs to become more sturdy against the run but his pass rushing upside gives him an opportunity to contribute in sub-packages as a pass rusher as a rookie.

157. Detroit

Keith Abney

CB

Arizona State

Abney fits what the Lions like out of their CBs - smooth and fluid with strong man coverage skills. Abney has experience both outside and inside on the slot, but his size and length (5100 / 187 lbs / 30" Arms) make him better suited to playing the slot. Abney is willing and effective against the run and will push for a tarting slot job as a rookie.

158. Miami (via Carolina)

Michael Taaffe

S

Texas 

A former walk-on, Taaffe has surprisingly good speed and range (4.52 40) and has an incredibly high football IQ and instincts. Taaffe's ball skills are solid with 7 INTs and 13 passes defensed over the last three seasons in Austin. Taaffe should excel as a core special teams player in the NFL.

159. Minnesota (via Carolina)

Max Bredeson

FB

Michigan

The FB position is back in the NFL as teams are more committed to the run then they were a decade ago. Bredeson is a FB-TE tweener who is a quality lead blocker with limited receiving ability. If Bredeson carves out a role on special teams, he could have a long NFL career.

160. Tampa Bay (via Green Bay)

Billy Schrauth

OG

Notre Dame

Schrauth is strong, tough, resilient, and efficient but he has battled injuries throughout his career, including missing the end of last season and the post-season, including the combine. Schrauth has the size, length (6050 / 310 lbs / 32 & 7/8" Arms), and the nasty playing disposition desired to start in the NFL, if he can stay healthy. Schrauth provides valuable depth in Tampa with the potential to be developed into a starter.

161. Kansas City (via Pittsburgh)

Emmett Johnson

RB

Nebraska

After signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker in free agency, the Chiefs continue to rebuild their RB room by adding the Nebraska All-American RB. Johnson shares several similarities to Walker with the burst, toughness, and contact balance to excel in the NFL. The return of Eric Bienemy to KC's coaching staff will mean the running game takes priority this fall to take some pressure off recovering QB Patrick Mahomes.

162. Baltimore

Chandler Rivers

CB

Duke

Rivers is a highly experienced CB who has played both outside and inside on the slot but is likely to be limited to the slot due to a lack of size and length (5094 / 185 lbs / 29 & 3/8" Arms). Rivers is smooth, fluid, agile, and has the speed (4.40 40) to carry speedy WRs downfield. Rivers should immediately contribute with starting potential down the line in Baltimore.

163. Minnesota

Charles Demmings

CB

Stephen F. Austin

Vikings DC Brian Flores likes CBs with solid man coverage ability and Demmings fit the prototype with the size and length desired for man coverage - 6010 / 191 lbs / 32 & 1/4" Arms - and the speed (4.40 40) and explosiveness to excel in that role. Demmings will need time to acclimate to the speed of the NFL game but he has the athleticism and ability to excel in the Minnesota defense.

164. Jacksonville

Tanner Koziol

TE

Houston

The Jags add one of the best receiving options at the TE position in Koziol, having recorded 168 receptions over the last two seasons at Ball State and Houston. Koziol offers little as a blocker and has limited YAC ability but is a dangerous target on third down and near the end zone.

165. Tennessee (via Buffalo)

Nicholas Singleton

RB

Penn State

The Titans add a big and speedy RB to the RB room in Singleton, a former 5-star recruit with excellent speed not normally found in a large RB. Singleton has soft hands and is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. Singleton will push Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears for playing time and could earn the starting job before the end of his rookie season.

166. Chicago (via Jacksonville)

Keyshaun Elliott

LB

Arizona State

Elliott is an interesting early day three selection who lacks some desired fluidity and coverage ability but is a reliable tackler with excellent read and react skills against the run. Elliott possesses a great athletic profile for special teams but needs to refine his coverage ability before he is ready to contribute on an NFL defense as a rookie. Odd selection by the Bears.

167. Buffalo (via Houston)

Jalon Kilgore

S

South Carolina

Kilgore finally hears his name called late in the fifth-round and goes to a team with a need for improved slot coverage, something Kilgore excels at. The Gamecocks DB has a versatile skill set that allow him to be deployed throughout the secondary and he possesses the size (6007 / 210 lbs / 32 & 7/8" Arms) and athleticism (4.40 40 / 37" Vertical / 10'10" Broad) desired in a slot CB. Kilgore has a similar skill set to Detroit's Brian Branch and is a great value pick at this point in the draft.

168. Detroit (via Buffalo)

Kendrick Law

WR

Kentucky

Law gives the Lions a potential starting outside WR with the size (5110 / 203 lbs / 31 & 1/8" Arms), strength, hands, and YAC ability to be dangerous after the catch. Law has some difficulty getting separation against loose-hipped CBs but Law has starting potential with continued development.

169. Pittsburgh (via Kansas City)

Riley Nowakowski

TE-FB

Indiana

The second FB-TE drafted in the fifth-round, Nowakowski lacks some desired size and length (6020 / 250 lbs / 31 & 1/2" Arms) for in-line duties but is a complete TE with quality blocking ability, reliable hands, and is a powerful runner after the catch. Nowakowski plays with a mean streak and is an intense and physical player who profiles as a fantastic special teams player who adds another physical blocker to the Steelers TE room.

170. Cleveland (via Denver)

Joe Royer

TE

Cincinnati

Another team with a loaded TE room, the Browns add the well-rounded and talented Y-TE from Cincinnati. Royer, a transfer from Ohio State, has NFL size (6050 / 247 lbs / 31 & 1/2" Arms) and is a quality in-line blocker that will allow the Browns to run more 12 man sets with Harold Fannin in the slot or as an H-back. Royer is a good receiver but his value in allowing Fannin to continue to excel in space against LBs and safeties while Royer takes care of the blocking as a Y-TE.

171. New England

Karon Prunty

CB

Wake Forest

Prunty has the size and length (6012 / 187 lbs / 31 & 3/4") desired in an outside CB and flashes as a shutdown CB with the short area reaction skills and ball skills desired on an island. Prunty lacks some strength and has difficulty with big and strong WRs down field but can flip his hips and cut well at the break point to maintain coverage. Prunty looks to add valuable depth to the defending AFC Champions' secondary this fall.

172. New Orleans

Lorenzo Styles

S

Ohio State

Styles, a former WR at Notre Dame, profiles as a slot CB in the NFL with rare speed (4.27 40), agility, and closing burst on the ball in the air - very loose hips and stays in-phase well down field, cuts superbly, and rarely lose a step at the break point. Turns his head and plays the ball in the air well with natural ball skills. Styles needs refinement in his technique before he is ready to start but profiles as a tremendous special teams player - should excel as a gunner in the NFL.

173. Baltimore

Josh Cuevas

TE

Alabama

Ater adding TE Matthew Hibner in the fourth-round, the Ravens continue their rebuild of the TE position by adding the Crimson Tide TE. Cuevas (6033 / 252 lbs / 31 & 1/4" Arms) is a well-rounded TE who can line up as a Y-TE and hold up as a blocker or line up as an H-back or in the slot and take advantage of match-ups against LBs in coverage. Cuevas will contribute immediately in Baltimore.

174. Baltimore

Adam Randall

RB

Clemson

The Ravens use their second of back-to-back picks on Randall, a large RB (6025 / 232 lbs / 32 & 3/8" Arms) who converted to RB this past season at Clemson. Randall is still raw and his running instincts need continued development but he runs with great forward lean and has outstanding contact balance that should make him an effective short yardage runner. Randall lacks much of a burst and mainly gains yards through power and effort but should pair with Derrick Henry to give the Ravens the biggest set of RBs in the NFL.

175. Las Vegas

Hezekiah Masses

CB

California

Masses is one of the most productive ball hawks in college football, recording 5 INTs and 13 passes defensed last season. Masses has desired size and length to play on an island in the NFL (6005 / 180 lbs / 31 & 1/8" Arms). Masses needs to improve his tackling form but his experience and production should allow him to contribute immeditely with starting potential before his rookie season ends.

176. Kansas City

Cyrus Allen

WR

Cincinnati

The Chiefs love their WRs to have great downfield speed to take advantage of Patrick Mahomes' arm strength and Allen fits that mold. Allen is very quick-twitched and is exceedingly hard, and risky, to press. Allen should push for playing time as a rookie and if continues to develop, could become a starter in the next couple of seasons.

177. Miami (via Dallas)

Kevin Coleman

WR

Missouri

The Dolphins add their third WR so far this weekend in Coleman, an experienced, durable, and exceedingly quick slot receiver who is too quick for safeties to handle in man coverage. Coleman lacks the size (5100 / 179 lbs / 30" Arms) and strength to beat the press at the LOS and can be pushed off routes by physical CBs. But Coleman is a sound route runner with very reliable hands who understands how to leverage coverage and find seams in zone coverage. Coleman should be Miami's primary slot WR before the end of his rookie season.

178. Philadelphia

Cole Payton

QB

North Dakota State

Payton, a southpaw, is raw but displays intriguing upside to be developed as a backup to QB Jalen Hurts. Rumors out of Philadelphia make it seem that this will be a critical year for Hurts in Philly and by adding a developmental QB with running talent in Payton, the rumors are likely to persist through the fall about Hurts' future in the City of Brotherly Love.

179. San Francisco (via NY Jets)

Enrique Cruz

OT

Kansas

Cruz has ideal size and length (6054 / 313 lbs / 33 & 3/4" Arms) but is stiff, does not bend well, and lacks desired agility and lateral range for staying on the outside. But Cruz is very strong and plays with the nasty disposition desired in an OL. Cruz has a borderline skill set for an NFL OT and was an odd selection in the fifth-round.

180. Miami (via Dallas)

Seydou Traore 

TE

Mississippi State

Traore, a British citizen, is a rare International Pathway Program (IPP) participant to get drafted after a productive career at Mississippi State. Traore is very athletic and quick in space for a TE – often lines up in the slot for the Bulldogs. Twitchy and quick and separates easily against man coverage. Excellent speed and quickness for his size – has the athletic profile of a game breaker in the passing game. Excellent YAC ability after the catch due to acceleration, speed, and power. Not much of a blocker and it is uncertain what role he can play on special teams but his athletic ability makes him a third down threat in the NFL.

181. Buffalo (via Detroit)

Zane Durant

IDL

Penn State

Durant is an undersized (6010 / 290 lbs) but exceedingly quick and twitchy IDL who is stronger against the run than his body would seem to indicate. But Durant excels as an interior pass rusher and will team with Ed Oliver in giving the Bills one of the more potentially dangerous set of interior pass rushers in the NFL. Great pick to wrap up the fifth-round.