Top NFL Prospects to Watch in the College Football Playoff First Round

For NFL fans hoping to get a glimpse of the future, the College Football Playoff is loaded with talent that will be playing on Sundays next season. There's no shortage of top NFL prospects to watch in the College Football Playoff first round.

From a projected top 10 pick at QB that has the ability to be a franchise saviour to a plethora of wide receivers that could be on your fantasy team next year, you'll want to know which players in the first round of the CFP have skill set that will take them to the next level.

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⭐️ Top NFL prospects to watch in the College Football Playoff first round

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👀 NFL prospect to watch from each CFP team

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🐘 Alabama NFL prospects to watch

Offense: Ty Simpson, QB

This is a huge test for Alabama's Ty Simpson, who was viewed as a potential top-five pick just a few weeks ago. Though Simpson's recent play has been sporadic, it's clear he has franchise QB talent with his pre-snap command and ability to work through progressions. How he fares against an elite Oklahoma pass rush will have a major impact on the way he's viewed as a prospect. With limited starts under his belt, a poor CFP performance will likely mean his return to school.

Defense: Bray Hubbard, SAF

With Alabama's LT Overton out for the Crimson Tide's first-round game against Oklahoma, safety Bray Hubbard will need to be even more impactful for this defense. Hubbard has been a major riser in the back half of the season, and he's a ball magnet with four interceptions and three forced fumbles. If he keeps up his hot play in the CFP, don't be shocked if Hubbard ends up a top 75 pick.

🅾️ Oklahoma NFL prospects to watch

Offense: Isaiah Sategna III, WR

It's hard to watch Oklahoma's offense at times, but Isaiah Sategna III has become one of the best big-play threats in the country, despite inconsistent QB play. The Arkansas transfer is dynamic as a route runner and after the catch with his lateral quickness. Sategna has put himself into the top 100 conversation as a pro-ready slot.

Defense: R Mason Thomas, EDGE

One of the funnest pass rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft class, what R Mason Thomas lacks in size, he makes up for in bend and explosiveness. He's a relentless pass rusher who plays with as much intensity as anyone suiting up in the first round. Thomas also has one of the best prospect matchups of the first round against Kadyn Proctor. It will be interesting to see how the 6-foot-7, 369-pound Proctor deals with the undersized Thomas.

🌴 Miami NFL prospects to watch

Offense: Francis Mauigoa, OL

The jury is still out on whether the NFL will view Francis Mauigoa as a guard or a tackle. He plays right tackle for Miami, but could be an All-Pro in the NFL if he kicks inside to guard, thanks to his power in the run game and anchor in pass protection. His matchup with Texas A&M speed rusher Cashius Howell could sway some NFL teams in one direction or the other based on how he performs. 

Defense: Rueben Bain Jr., DL

After a dominant start to his junior campaign, Rueben Bain Jr. began getting top 10 and even top five buzz. However, even with him racking up the sixth-most pressures in the country this season (58), there's been some recent noise that he may not end up a first-round pick because of his sub-31-inch arms. That lack of length is a killer for a defensive line prospect. Still, he has a huge test in the first round against a loaded Texas A&M offensive line. A strong outing could reignite his hype.

🤠 Texas A&M NFL prospects to watch

Offense: KC Concepcion, WR

An NC State transfer, KC Concepcion has been on the radar since his freshman season with the Wolfpack. But he's taken his game up a notch since landing in Aggieland and developing into one of the scariest playmakers in the SEC. Concepcion's fluidity, both as a route runner and with the ball in his hand, is the reason he's shot up the board into first-round convo. His matchup with Keionte Scott of Miami will be a must-watch. (Concepcion is also an elite punt returner.)

Defense: Cashius Howell, EDGE

If you like bendy pass rushers that can pull off a ghost move like Von Miller (a fellow Aggie), Howell is for you. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year began his career at Bowling Green before transferring to Texas A&M and turning into a game wrecker with the ability to dip under offensive tackles and chase down plays backside. Like Bain and Thomas, though, Howell has obvious size questions and reportedly has sub-31-inch arms. Howell vs. Mauigoa might be the best prospect matchup of the first round.

🌊 Tulane NFL prospects to watch

Offense: Shadre Hurst, OG

There isn't much NFL talent on Tulane's offense, but guard Shadre Hurst has a chance to be drafted. He's been a dominant player in the American Conference, thanks to his movement skills in the run game, and he's never been credited with allowing a sack in over 1,100 pass block snaps. Hurst is a big piece as to why the Green Wave runs the ball so well, but his size (6-foot-2, 293 pounds) will be tough to get past for NFL teams.

Defense: Santana Hopper, DL

This is an odd one. Appalachian State transfer Santana Hopper has been the best player on a strong Tulane defense, racking up 9.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks this season. He's got the versatility to kick inside as a 3-Tech on pass rushing downs while being a base 4-3 defensive end. But Hopper also just announced he's entering the transfer portal after the CFP. So, he won't be declaring for the draft this year. There's a good chance he follows head coach Jon Sumrall to Florida to boost his draft stock.

Another Tulane defender on the NFL radar is cornerback Jahiem Johnson, but he's just a redshirt sophomore.

🦈 Ole Miss NFL prospects to watch

Offense: Trinidad Chambliss, QB

For as dominant as Ole Miss' offense has been this season, the Rebels don't have a clear top 100 pick on it (star running back Kewan Lacy isn't eligible until next year). With that said, Trinidad Chambliss has certainly put himself into the Day 3 conversation after transferring from DIII Ferris State. Chambliss started the season as Ole Miss' backup, but has shone since taking over in mid-September. His arm talent is legit, and he has the mobility to make plays out of structure.

Chambliss reportedly has another year of eligibility, though, and could stay at Ole Miss or follow Lane Kiffin to LSU instead of going pro.

Defense: Zxavian Harris, IDL

A mammoth of a human being, Zxavian Harris is the anchor of Ole Miss' defense. The 6-foot-7, 322-pound nose tackle is having his best season, racking up 7.5 TFLs and three sacks. Though leverage is a major question for a player of his size that's going to play nose or 1-Tech in the NFL, it's hard to find a defensive lineman as big and nimble as Harris. He'll be hugely important to stopping Tulane's run game in the first round. 

👑 James Madison NFL prospects to watch

Offense: Pat McMurtrie, OL 

There isn't a clear-cut draftable player on James Madison's offense. Wide receiver Nick DeGennaro has some fans, while Landon Ellis will be a name to know next year. One constant to the Dukes' success over the last two years, though, has been offensive lineman Pat McMurtrie. McMurtrie started his career at Holy Cross and followed head coach Bob Chesney to JMU two years ago. He might be the most experienced player in the 2026 NFL Draft, too, with over 3,000 snaps.

Defense: Jacob Thomas, SAF

The best prospect on James Madison's defense is a redshirt freshman named Sahir West, but he won't be eligible until 2027. As for this year, safety Jacob Thomas is a good bet to be playing in the NFL preseason. He's a cerebral and physical safety who has the makings of a long-time special teams contributor in the NFL.

🦆 Oregon NFL prospects to watch

Offense: Dante Moore, QB

If Phil Knight can't entice Dante Moore to spend one more year in Eugene by hooking him up with a massive NIL deal, Oregon's star QB will likely be a top 10 pick this April. The former five-star recruit has been arguably the second-best QB in the country this season, and is No. 5 on our list of the 100 best players in the College Football Playoff. Moore's poise and deep ball placement are what you look for in a franchise QB.

It doesn't hurt that Moore is often throwing to the second-best prospect playing in the first round of the CFP, either. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq is going to earn George Kittle comparisons ... he's that good.

Defense: A'Mauri Washington, IDL

There's top 100 talent at every level of Oregon's defense, so highlighting just one player is damn near impossible. Edge rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, and safety Dillon Thieneman are all potential Day 2 picks. But it's A'Mauri Washington that offers the most upside as a freaky interior defensive lineman. A 6-foot-3, 330-pound defensive tackle shouldn't be able to move as well as Washington can, and his power is just as jaw-dropping.