NFL Draft intel: Top 10 CFP prospects and their ideal team fits

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. 

This week, we're listing the 10 most NFL-ready players in the College Football Playoff and their best team fits. With that in mind, here are the top prospects ranked in inverse order. 

10. Alabama Crimson Tide OT Kadyn Proctor | Best team fit: Los Angeles Chargers

In the Rose Bowl against the Indiana Hoosiers on New Year's Day (4 p.m. ET, ESPN), the Crimson Tide will rely on Proctor (6-foot-7, 366 pounds) to continue providing excellent pass protection. Per Pro Football Focus, the second-team All-American has allowed two sacks in 13 games. 

"[Proctor] has imposing strength and is difficult to get through," wrote Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema in a story published Dec. 1. "His arm length appears shorter for the tackle position, which naturally raises the question of a move inside to guard."

If Proctor falls in the draft because of positional concerns, the Chargers (11-5) should target him. He could provide more pass protection for L.A. quarterback Justin Herbert, who has taken a career-high 54 sacks in 16 games.

9. Georgia Bulldogs LB CJ Allen | Best team fit: Chicago Bears

Georgia has produced star linebackers, including Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens) and Jalon Walker (Atlanta Falcons). Allen, who has a team-leading 85 tackles, could show why he's the next one when the Bulldogs meet the Ole Miss Rebels on New Year's Day (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). 

"Allen is the ideal middle linebacker in a modern defensive scheme, packing a punch as a hitter when arriving at the ball and showing the fast processing skills to easily flow to the ball on inside and outside runs," wrote ESPN's Matt Miller on his big board.

The Bears (11-5) have been seeking a replacement for four-time Pro Bowler Smith since trading him to the Ravens in October 2022. Why not select another Bulldogs standout in the draft?

8. Miami Hurricanes OT Francis Mauigoa | Best team fit: New Orleans Saints

Tankathon lists Mauigoa (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) as the second-best OT in the class behind Utah Utes OT Spencer Fano (6-foot-6, 302 pounds). The first-team All-American has posted a stellar 88.2 PFF pass-blocking grade this season.

"Mauigoa may not be the fleet-footed tackle we usually think of going highly in the draft, but he makes up for it by being a brick wall," wrote CBS Sports' Mike Renner. "You aren't going to bull-rush him, and you aren't going to send him backwards in the run game." 

The Saints (6-10) — tied for eighth in the league in sacks allowed (45) — should eye Mauigoa closely in the Cotton Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes on New Year's Eve (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). 

7. Oregon Ducks QB Dante Moore | Best team fit: Arizona Cardinals

Moore (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) has started just 18 games in three seasons with the UCLA Bruins and Ducks, but his potential is apparent. Heading into the Orange Bowl against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on New Year's Day (noon ET, ESPN), he's tied for eighth in the FBS in touchdown passes (28). 

"Moore is still developing and will only be 20 years old at draft time," wrote ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. on his big board. "But the toolbox is loaded, and he plays with true command of the Ducks offense."

Signs are pointing toward the Cardinals (3-13) moving on from QB Kyler Murray this offseason. If Arizona takes Moore to replace him, it should have him sit and learn behind QB Jacoby Brissett, who's in the first year of a two-year, $12.5M deal.

6. Ohio State Buckeyes WR Carnell Tate | Best team fit: New York Giants

Tate (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) is Ohio State's No. 2 WR behind standout sophomore Jeremiah Smith, but he may be the top wideout in the draft. In 10 games, he has 48 receptions for 838 yards and nine TD catches.

"Tate's height and wingspan offer a quarterback-friendly target," wrote Bleacher Report's Damian Parson in his scouting report. "He extends the catch point away from his frame and plucks the ball in the air." 

Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart would certainly love playing with the talented Ohio State WR. Heading into the final week of the regular season, New York is 3-13.

5. Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs | Best team fit: Washington Commanders

If it weren't for positional value, Downs, who's tied for fourth on the Buckeyes in tackles (60), may be a top-five pick. Miller ranks the 6-foot, 205-pound DB as the No. 2 prospect in the class. 

"Comparing Downs to Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu [of the Pittsburgh Steelers] might feel extreme, but they have similar range and explosiveness," wrote Miller. 

The Commanders (4-12), who have the 27th-ranked pass defense (243.4 YPG), could sure use a ball-hawking safety like Downs. 

4. Miami Hurricanes DE Rueben Bain Jr. | Best team fit: Cincinnati Bengals 

Bain (6-foot-3, 275 pounds) lacks the ideal frame for an NFL edge-rusher, but that hasn't stopped him from being productive. PFF credits him with 66 pressures, tied for third in the FBS.  

"With a dense, short-armed body type, Bain doesn't have the frame you see from pass-rushers drafted early," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler. "But it's hard to ignore the ways he uses his get-off, power and natural leverage to pressure the quarterback and shut down the run."

The Bengals (6-10) could take Bain to replace DE Trey Hendrickson, who had four sacks in 2025 after receiving a revised contract that included a $13M pay raise. (On Dec. 11, the Bengals put Hendrickson on injured reserve because of a season-ending core muscle injury.) 

3. Texas Tech Red Raiders LB David Bailey | Best team fit: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys (7-8-1), of course, traded DE Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the season began. Bailey (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) may be the ideal replacement for him.

First-team All-American Bailey — who ranks second in the nation in sacks (13.5) — has powered Texas Tech's elite defense (10.9 points per game allowed, No. 3 in FBS).

"Pass-rushers are the second-most valuable players in the NFL outside of quarterbacks and the good ones get paid," wrote The Ringer's Todd McShay in a story published Nov. 9. "I don't think any college player is doing it better than Bailey right now." 

2. Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza | Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders 

After guiding Indiana to its first Big Ten title since 1967, Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) became the first player in school history to win the Heisman. 

"Studying the tape, Mendoza is the classic drop-back passer every NFL offensive coordinator covets in a QB1," wrote Fox Sports/NFL Media contributor Bucky Brooks in a story published Dec. 12. "He operates primarily from the pocket, executing various quick-rhythm throws that stretch the defense from sideline to sideline." 

Expect the Raiders (2-14) to move on from QB Geno Smith, who has tossed a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts. To replace him, they'll need a pro-ready passer. Mendoza, who ranks second in the FBS in TD passes (33), fits that description. 

1. Ohio State Buckeyes LB Arvell Reese | Best team fit: Tennessee Titans

Mendoza may be the best QB in the class, but Reese (6-foot-4, 243 pounds) should be considered the No. 1 prospect. 

"Want him to play as a full-time edge-rusher? Reese can do that. Prefer to keep him off the ball. He can do that, too," wrote Brugler on his big board. "I don't know how realistic it is that Reese will actually be the first player drafted, but he is the best draft-eligible prospect I have studied in 2025."

Reese — who has 6.5 sacks — could form a formidable pass-rushing duo with Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. The DT is tied for 12th in the NFL in sacks (10).

Elite defenders who can rush the passer, play off-ball and stay on the field for all three downs are rare — and that versatility is what separates Reese from the rest of the class. He'd be a great fit for Tennessee (3-13), which currently is in line for the fourth overall pick.