5 NFL Draft Risers From Week 5

Perhaps no quarterback has improved their draft stock more than Dante Moore through the first five weeks of the season. Moore was not projected to go in the early rounds of the draft in the offseason, but as he continues to stack great performances, he is making it more and more likely that he will be a first-round quarterback in 2026. Against No. 3 Penn State in one of the most difficult road environments in college football on Penn State’s White Out night game, Moore was in complete control of the game from start to finish.

He completed 74.4% of his passes, along with three touchdowns and no interceptions, guiding the Ducks to a double overtime victory over the Nittany Lions. Moore has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country this season, completing over 74% of his passes for nine yards per attempt and just one interception in five games. 

WR Makai Lemon, USC

Makai Lemon made big play after big play against Illinois in Week 5, finishing with 11 receptions, 151 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in the game. Lemon displayed tremendous separation skills, competitive toughness, and elusiveness after the catch. He made multiple impressive catches in the game in big moments, despite tight coverage. Maybe his most impressive moment of the game came in the fourth quarter when he caught a difficult touchdown pass on fourth down. He then finished the drive with a big two-point conversion catch. Lemon currently leads the country in receiving yards with 589 yards and ranks eighth in total receptions with 35 receptions. With Lemon’s great start to the season, he is establishing himself as a potential first-round receiver in the 2026 draft.

OT Brian Parker II, Duke

Brian Parker II has been one of the best offensive linemen in the country to start the season, currently ranking as the top-rated offensive tackle in all of college football, according to PFF. He earned ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week and PFF Team of the Week honors for his performance against Syracuse in Week 5. He helped Duke score 38 points and had a standout performance in the run game, where he posted the best PFF run blocking grade of any tackle in the country in Week 5, and played a big role in Duke going for 235 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Parker is an experienced tackle in his third season as a starter with tremendous play strength and positional versatility, with experience playing both right tackle and left tackle.

Edge Caden Curry, Ohio State

Caden Curry earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for his dominant performance against Washington. Curry had three sacks and 11 tackles, helping his defense hold the Huskies’ offense to just six points. This was Curry’s third straight game with at least one sack, and he is now tied for the fourth most sacks in the country with five. Curry did not just make his presence felt as a pass rusher. He also made a big impact against the run, with multiple run stops in the game, including back-to-back tackles for loss near the goal line to help force Washington to a field goal on one drive.

LB Taurean York, Texas A&M

Taurean York is a high-IQ linebacker with incredible instincts and tackling ability. He displayed all of his top traits at a high level against Auburn in Week 5, coming away with seven tackles, one sack, and a pass deflection. York helped shut down the Auburn running game to just 52 yards and 2.2 yards per carry, holding the Tigers to just 10 points and nine first downs in the game. York was a standout performer in the team’s elite defensive performance, leading the team in tackles and tackles for loss while earning PFF SEC Team of the Week honors.