The NFL Draft is less than four months away, and we are down to only one more game in the 2023-2024 College Football season. This also means there is only one more chance for certain NFL Draft prospects to improve their stock. With this in mind, it is time to take a closer look at the top draft prospects playing in this year’s CFP National Championship Game.

Despite being the deeper of the two teams, Michigan only possesses one true first round prospect, while Washington has four different players who could hear their name called on the opening night of the draft. Today, we are going to break down these prospects in efforts to wet your appetite for what is to come as it pertains to draft coverage here this spring.

1. Rome Odunze | WR | Washington | 6’3″, 215 lbs

Odunze is the number two receiver in this draft and most likely the highest drafted player playing in this game. Receivers the size of Odunze typically get branded as “not versatile” or “one-trick ponies,” but Rome is definitely unique. His combination of size and speed put constant stress on any corner who is put on an island against him, as Odunze’s body control and field awareness allow him to dominate contested catch situations. For a bigger receiver, Odunze also displays impressive agility, both as a route runner as well as in the open field after the catch. He will be faced against one of the best corners in the country in Will Johnson, but another strong performance secures his status as a top 10 prospect in this class.

2. J.J. McCarthy | QB | Michigan | 6’3″ | 205 lbs

McCarthy is far from a polished product, but his leap from year 1 to year 2 as a starter has been nothing short of impressive. His gunslinger mentality paired with excellent mobility is a combination easy to fall in love with, but he is still rough around the edges. McCarthy has a strong arm and puts great zip on his passes, but he needs to learn to take a bit off his underneath throws. He seriously lacks touch, and his footwork inside the pocket still looks unnatural. Overall, I still expect McCarthy to be a top 15 pick, simply due to the dire need for quarterbacks around the league.

3. Bralen Trice | EDGE | Washington | 6’4″, 274 lbs

Outside of the quarterbacks, there is nobody with a greater chance of significantly improving their stock on Monday night than Bralen Trice. Trice had a slow start to the 2023 campaign but notched four sacks in his final five games of the regular season as well as two sacks in against Texas on New Year’s Day, giving him positive momentum heading into the biggest game of his life. As a prospect, Trice is not an elite athlete, but he displays solid bend and good closing speed for a pass rusher his size. Best suited for a 4-3 scheme in the NFL, Trice displays great play strength as a run defender, consistently setting the edge and making sound tackles. With a strong pre-draft process, Trice will likely be a Round 1 selection.

4. Troy Fautanu | OT/G | Washington | 6’4″, 317 lbs

Fautanu is a physically imposing lineman who has proven to be above average as both a run blocker and as a pass blocker. In his two seasons as the full-time starter at left tackle, he allowed only 4 QB hits and 2 sacks in over 1,700 snaps. However, the 27 hurries he allowed in that time span is not quite as impressive. Usually, when Fautanu loses a rep, it comes against a speed rusher who has a quick first step and good bend. This is one reason why many draft analysts, including myself, may decide to label him as a guard when the pre-draft process picks up steam. This will lessen his exposure to speed coming off the edge and put him in better position to get upfield and utilize his physicality in the run game.

5. Michael Penix, Jr. | QB | Washington | 6’3″, 213 lbs

Penix has enjoyed two fantastic seasons at Washington, and a win against a stout Michigan defense would go a long way toward boosting his stock into first-round territory. Overall, there is a lot to like about Penix. He has good, but not elite, speed as a runner, and his accuracy inside the pocket has improved greatly during his time at Washington. The big concerns that will likely determine how high he goes are all medically related. Penix suffered four consecutive season-ending injuries, and while he has remained primarily healthy at Washington, his injury history alone will be enough for some NFL teams to cross him off their board. Amongst other minor mechanical issues, one problem that could be a bigger issue in the NFL than in college is his slower delivery. Speeding up his throwing motion will be a must as he heads to the pros.

Which NFL Draft prospects do you have your eye on this Monday? Be sure to light up the comment section below with your thoughts on this and all things NFL Draft!