Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft turned out to be much, much more depressing than Ole Miss expected. With only two Rebels coming off the board, a staggering six players were left out in the cold to navigate the cutthroat world of undrafted free agency.
However, the phone lines didn't stay quiet for too long as scouts swarmed to secure the value left on the draft board before the dust had even settled on the seventh round. Plenty of those players had draft stocks much more promising than UDFAs, and each one's unique strengths make up for a strong case for the final 53-man roster.
4 Ole Miss UDFA's with Week 1 NFL roster potential
OT Diego Pounds
The Ravens were quick to sign Pounds as they see the prototypical blend of height and weight that gives him a chance to compete as a left tackle, the most valuable position on an offensive line.
For a team like the Ravens that values physical, assignment-sound blockers, Pounds' standout stats make him an absolute steal for the team. He allowed zero sacks on nearly 600 pass-blocking snaps. In the NFL, that's an expensive commodity in the market.
Critics were most concerned about his foot speed against pure speed-rushers, but the Ravens' heavy-set formations are perfect for masking them, giving Pounds an easy spot in the 53-man roster.
TE Dae'Quan Wright
The Eagles didn't even wait for the draft ink to dry before snatching up the YAC monster Dae'Quan Wright. His draft slide into the UDFA territory was a serious shocker as a widely-projected Round 5-6 pick.
Nonetheless, Eagles scored a massive, underrated prospect in Wright as the Ole Miss TE led all FBS tight ends with a staggering 10.1 yards after catch (YAC) average. Plus, his massive 6’4”, 246-pound frame makes him a 'big receiver' masquerading as a tight end.
Because he can align in the slot, out wide, or as an H-back, he provides the kind of offensive versatility that coaching staffs find impossible to leave on the practice squad.
WR Harrison Wallace III
Wallace's Day 3 slide was unexpected, but the WR ended up where he fits perfectly at the end of the day. The Cardinals’ offense under Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing craves vertical threats that can keep safeties honest. Wallace is a pure burner with 4.54 speed and high-end acceleration.
The scouts loved Wallace's toughness and willingness to hit in coverage. Arizona needs depth on its kick-coverage units, and a receiver who can stretch the field and down a punt qualifies enough to be a "lock" for a 53-man roster spot.
S Kapena Gushiken
Gushiken's Pro Day performance brought him to the spotlight, and if Howie Roseman and the Philly front office know anything, it's valuing versatile, high-IQ defensive backs who can contribute from Day 1. No wonder they immediately snagged Gushiken.
His diagnostic speed and physicality at the line of scrimmage fit this "Swiss Army Knife" role in Vic Fangio's defensive scheme perfectly. The football IQ Gushiken has, be it fumbles or jumping a route, makes him hard to cut when you’re trimming the roster down to 53.
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