2026 NFL Draft Stock Up
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa has played well to close out the 2025 season. Mauigoa was excellent against Texas A&M and Ohio State in the Hurricanes’ playoff wins. Mauigoa was very good at opening holes for running back Mark Fletcher and protecting quarterback Carson Beck. Against Ole Miss, Mauigoa was not as good but was solid overall. For the NFL, Mauigoa looks like a starting right tackle. He has quality strength at the point of attack and can generate a push in the ground game. While he is not an overwhelming bull, Mauigoa is a quality run blocker. He is also quick and agile enough to be an edge protector. Mauigoa looks capable of starting quickly as a pro. Next April, Mauigoa looks like a first-round pick.
Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss
One of the Rebels who did an excellent job of blocking Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor was left tackle Diego Pounds. Pounds was stonewalling bull rushes and cutting off the edge in pass protection. His feet were not outstanding, but he was able to get Bain far around the pocket and tied up enough for his quarterback. Pounds got a huge block on Bain for a fourth-quarter touchdown pass that gave Ole Miss a late lead. Pounds may not have the feet and agility to be a starting left tackle in the NFL, but he could be a nice left guard. This tape is going to help Pounds’ draft grade, as he was very good taking on two future NFL starters and early-round picks.
Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina
Barrett had a quality 2025 season for the Gamecocks as he was a solid run defender at the point of attack. He totaled 42 tackles with two sacks and one pass batted. Barrett (6-3, 322) has size at the point of attack to compete as a nose tackle.
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
In his first season with the Red Raiders, Hunter totaled 41 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 2025. He was excellent in the playoff loss to Oregon. He had 44 tackles with one sack in 2024 and 69 tackles with three sacks in 2023. Hunter (6-4, 325) is a big tackle and gap filler at the point of attack. Hunter was at Auburn in 2021 before playing three seasons at UCF.
Jeffrey M’Ba, DT, SMU
In 2025, M’ba had a good season for the Mustangs and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He totaled five sacks with 42 tackles. M’ba has a nice skill set with some upside to develop.
Romello Height, DE, Texas Tech
In 2025, Height (6-4, 250) was a dangerous edge rusher and combined with David Bailey and Lee Hunter to help produce a lethal defensive line for the Red Raiders. Height totaled 10 sacks with 38 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a pass batted. Height showed some speed off the edge with functional strength to get off blocks. He was impressive against Oregon in the college football playoff game as well.
Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan
Moore (6-3, 260) was a productive edge rusher for the Wolverines in 2025, putting some good pressure on the quarterback. Moore totaled 10 sacks with 30 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended. He had four sacks in 2024 and five sacks in 2025. For the NFL, Moore could be a rotational designated pass rusher to start out his career.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Moore struggled in the first meeting against Indiana, and prior to the Peach Bowl, the Ducks insisted they were a better team and equipped to compete better against the undefeated Hoosiers in the rematch. However, Oregon was awful, and Moore played poorly. He was quickly rattled, and his turnovers gave the game away to Indiana.
On the first play from scrimmage, Moore telegraphed his throw on an out route to the flat, and DeAngelo Ponds jumped the route for an interception, and he sprinted 23 yards for a touchdown. Later in the first half, Moore took a bad sack, holding the ball way too long, and lost nine yards. He should have thrown the ball away. On the next play, a third down, a twist from the defensive line caused Moore to drop his eyes, and that led to him taking another sack that forced a punt. Moore followed that up with multiple fumbles to set up short fields for the Hoosiers. Versus Indiana, Moore completed 24-of-39 passes for 285 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Overall, this tape will hurt Moore. He showed that he needs development in his field vision, decision-making, and ball security. He has a good skill set for the NFL with arm talent and some mobility. Moore is an accurate passer who throws a very catchable ball with good location. He also has some mobility to move around and use his feet to make some plays. However, Moore needs to get faster at processing; he needs to get the ball out faster and needs to avoid negative plays by taking bad sacks. This season of tape will illustrate that Moore is talented, but he needs development for the next level.
Patirck Payton, DE, LSU
In 2025, Payton had 34 tackles with one sack, and it was a disappointing season for Payton. In 2023, Payton looked like a future early-round pick after he totaled seven sacks, nine passes batted, and 43 tackles with Florida State. Payton disappointed in 2024 with 35 tackles and four sacks, but he continued his decline after transferring to the Tigers this past season. Payton looks like a late-round or undrafted free agent.
