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Stock rises are never linear, and each player’s path from potential to productive NFL contributor will hinge on combine numbers, interviews, and the ability to translate college success into pro-ready execution. Still, these 5 players mentioned below really improved their draft stock after big games in the CFP’s quarterfinal playoff games.
Texas Tech Edge David Bailey showed the kind of speed that makes tackles look helpless, his long wingspan giving him the reach to slice through gaps and threaten quarterbacks with swift, violent hands. On every broadcast replay, his bend around the edge looked almost surgical, a reminder that edge defenders can change games with a single rush. The chatter that had once circled him in the 15-to-25 range now circled a more formidable target, as teams weighed immediate impact against potential ceiling. Scouts lately have been saying top 10.
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Ole Miss Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss had entered the year listed as a late-round hopeful, but a standout showing against a top-tier defense confected a different narrative. He faced pressure with poise, buying time with footwork and throwing with the confidence of a veteran. His ability to improvise under pressure and keep his eyes downfield drew comparisons to dynamic playmakers. It sparked discussions about a rise into the second or third round, not merely as a project but as a quarterback with clear, transferable traits.
On the interior line, Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon flashed movement skills that belied his size. At 6'5", 320 pounds, he moved with surprising fluidity, echoing pass-protector prowess overseas and showing the footwork to anchor against power with a nimble recovery. If the trend continued, he could be nudged into late first-round conversations or early second-round discussions, depending on testing that aligns with modern NFL interior schemes.
Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds emerged as a disruptive cover player, healing the gap between press-man intensity and zone-reading instincts. A strong finish to the season could push him into early-day-two status and keep teams from ignoring his potential as a versatile defender in sub-packages.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch closed the arc with explosive tape that suggested early-day-two potential. His route engineering, quick-twitch bursts, and contested-catch tracking painted a picture of a playmaker who can separate in the NFL’s fast lanes. If he tests well and maintains consistency, the hype could crystallize into a first-round whisper in some circles, but most projections still point toward a solid second round with a high ceiling.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: 5 NFL Draft stocks that have risen after the CFP's quarterfinals
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