Following the conclusion of the NFL regular season, draft season is nearly upon us. The College Football Playoff semifinals will give the nation a great opportunity to watch some of the best 2026 NFL Draft prospects.
These players not only have a National Championship on the line — but also their future draft stock.
Miami and Ole Miss will collide on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET in the Fiesta Bowl, and Friday’s Peach Bowl with a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff features a regular-season rematch of Oregon vs. Indiana.
Who are the top 2026 NFL Draft prospects to watch in the CFP semifinals? According to PrizePicks Team Picks NFL Draft futures, the two favorites to be the No. 1 pick will be in action, as several potential first-round picks will take the field.
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Top 2026 NFL Draft Prospects in College Football Playoff
As many as eight players participating in the CFP semifinals could hear their names called in the first round. These five prospects in action on Thursday and Friday stand out as the best at their position.
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
PrizePicks Team Picks has Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza tabbed as the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with a 1.28x payout if he's picked first.
The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner holds 3,172 passing yards, 36 pass TDs, and 6 INTs on the season. Mendoza comes off a clean performance in the Rose Bowl, completing 14-of-16 passes while totaling 192 passing yards and 3 passing TDs.
The California transfer has led the No. 1 pick race for several months, thanks to his excellent accuracy, impressive command of his offense, and ability to thrive under pressure, via NFL Draft Buzz. Game On Paper also credited Mendoza with 0.39 expected points added (EPA) per dropback (sixth).
2. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Oregon QB Dante Moore is the only real competition for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft as of now, holding a 3.22x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if picked first.
Moore’s impressed in his first season as a full-time starter by recording 3,280 passing yards, 28 pass TDs, and 9 INTs vs. Big Ten defenses. Over two games in the CFP, the former 5-star recruit has averaged 273.5 passing yards and 2 pass TDs per game.
ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Moore as his top 2026 prospect, highlighting his impressive accuracy and deep ball. The Ducks signal-caller will be 20-years-old on draft night, and his arm talent is consistently tabbed as the best of the class.
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3. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Despite Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. earning Second Team All-America honors while totaling 7 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in the regular season, he’s quickly become one of the most polarizing 2026 defensive prospects.
A lack of production is not a concern — especially after dominating Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl with eight pressures, via PFF. NFL Mock Draft Database’s 2026 Consensus Big Board ranks Bain fourth among prospects.
But Kiper puts the 6-foot-3 defensive end 19th on his big board, expressing concern about his short arms.
4. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Staying in the Canes’ trenches, Miami RT Francis Mauigoa is a brute force on the offensive line.
Unlike Bain, there aren’t many questions surrounding his NFL Draft stock, as Mauigoa has ranked as one of the top two offensive tackles of the 2026 NFL Draft class for most of the season.
The former 5-star recruit has continued to shine in two playoff appearances, allowing only 2 pressures over 58 pass block snaps.
Kiper ranks Mauigoa fifth on his big board and as 2026’s top offensive tackle, praising his excellent strength and potential to play at guard.
5. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq has been a consistent first-round prospect in NFL mock drafts throughout the 2025 season and ranks 18th on the consensus big board.
Kiper even takes it a step further by placing the Ducks tight end eighth on his big board.
His 531 receiving yards won’t blow your socks off, but Sadiq has elite traits. The top 2026 tight end prospect is a matchup nightmare with excellent speed in his 6-foot-3, 245-pound frame. Sadiq fits the modern tight end role, possessing excellent versatility thanks to absurd athleticism.
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Make 2026 NFL Draft Predictions on PrizePicks
The CFP Semifinals will be one of the last chances to watch some of the top 2026 NFL Draft prospects. Alongside Mendoza, Moore, Bain, Mauigoa, and Sadiq, Miami DE Ahkeem Mesidor and Oregon DT A’Mauri Washington are two more potential first-round prospects to watch.
You can make predictions on the 2026 NFL Draft on PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just make your picks to earn cash if you’re correct.
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