Mizzou player identified as potential ‘NFL Draft sleeper’ for 2026
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ESPN published a list of 10 college football players who have been identified as potential NFL Draft sleepers for the 2026 draft cycle on Friday.
The list includes insights from multiple NFL scouts and coaches. It highlights several players from across the country, but one Mizzou player made the cut: Offensive lineman Cayden Green.
Green’s arrival in Columbia last offseason was hailed as one of the biggest transfer additions for any SEC team in that cycle. He transferred to Mizzou despite earning a starting role on Oklahoma’s offensive line as a true freshman in 2023.
Green’s sophomore campaign at Mizzou didn’t quite go to plan, as he mostly played guard despite initial reports suggesting he would move to tackle at Missouri. However, the allure of Green potentially playing tackle remains. Here’s what an NFC offensive line coach told ESPN’s Matt Miller for its story on potential draft sleepers:
“Watching his feet at left guard, I think he could play tackle. He’s a lot like Membou in that way. He’s really versatile athletically,” the coach told ESPN.
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If Missouri is going to put together a third straight double-digit win season, it will need players like Green to take a big step forward in 2025. The Tigers will have a difficult time replacing Armand Membou this offseason, but Green developing into an all-SEC performer would certainly go a long way.
Miller also highlighted a key area where Green needs to improve if he wants to have the kind of season that would make him a first-round pick:
Green’s run-blocking dominance stands out on tape, but he must improve his balance in pass blocking. If that improvement happens, he has All-American ability and first-round potential.
Missouri will open the 2025 season with Central Arkansas on Aug. 28.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
