There were 41 selections made throughout the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Extending the round through compensatory picks offers teams additional opportunities to draft late-round value prospects. From No. 141 to 181 overall, intriguing selections were made.Identifying fifth-round steals is a yearly occurrence for the draft. Some organizations fare better than others. Arguably, the ones that do are annual postseason contenders with healthy rosters and succession plans.We've identified our five favorite fifth-round 2026 NFL Draft steals. We foresee these prospects developing into legitimate contributors for their teams during their four-year rookie contract.2026 NFL Draft: Five 5th-Round Sleeper PicksSam Hecht, IOL, Carolina PanthersDec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats offensive lineman Sam Hecht (75) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesSam Hecht went from walk-on prospect to multi-year starter at Kansas State. He plays the center position with terrific awareness and technique. The Carolina Panthers made a change at center this offseason, signing Luke Fortner to a modest one-year contract to be their starter in 2026. Selecting Hecht in the fifth round (No. 144 overall) offers them an in-house succession plan. He's talented enough to spend his rookie year redshirting while preparing to take over in 2027. That would prove the Panthers got great value.Jaden Dugger, LB, San Francisco 49ersLinebacker Jaden Dugger during the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Football Media Day. Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. | SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesJaden Dugger played wide receiver and safety before making the full-time transition to off-ball linebacker. He absolutely exploded in 2025, registering a team-high 125 tackles to go along with 13 TFLs, four sacks, and three pass breakups. Dugger occasionally looks raw and new to his position on tape, but the progress has been tangible. He looked incredible at the East-West Shrine Bowl, and put on an athletic show at Pro Day, running a 4.60 and leaping a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump at 260 pounds. The San Francisco 49ers got themselves a developmental prospect with immense upside.Jager Burton, IOL, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers Jager Burton (52) arrives during rookie minicamp Friday, May 1 2026, at the Don Hutson Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.