23 future NFL Draft picks to watch in the College Football Playoff

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These are the top potential NFL draft picks that will be playing in the College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff is nearly underway as the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines will take on the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl at 5:00 p.m. ET on January 1st, 2024. In the second semifinal matchup, the No. 2 Washington Huskies will face off against the No. 3 Texas Longhorns in the AllState Sugar Bowl at 8:45 p.m. ET.

These matchups between these four Championship-hopeful teams feature several marquee college football players, including some that could go within the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Here’s a look at the future NFL draft picks to watch across all four teams in the College Football Playoff.

Michigan

The Wolverines, ranked No. 1 overall, have a plethora of NFL-caliber from top to bottom.

QB J.J. McCarthy

Michigan’s draft-eligible talent starts at the top with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is in consideration to potentially get selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

McCarthy has yet to make a decision on his future, be it remaining at Michigan for a final year or moving on, but is considered to be one of the top-signal callers in the class.

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RB Blake Corum

Corum was an option to enter the 2023 NFL Draft, but opted against that decision after undergoing surgery last offseason.

After a season that included 1,028 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior, Corum could be one of the first running backs selected in the upcoming draft.

WR Roman Wilson

With one year of remaining eligibility, Wilson could choose to return to Michigan for a final season, but is also a name that could potentially be called within the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.

As a senior, Wilson caught 41 passes for 662 yards and 11 touchdowns, serving as Michigan’s top wideout.

On film, Wilson’s speed and separation at the top of his breaks stand out, and could be a key factor in raising his stock as the draft process continues forward.

G Zak Zinter

One of the biggest question marks now due to a broken tibia and fibia sustained in the Ohio State game, Zak Zinter was going to be one of the top guards selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Zinter is still a marquee offensive line prospect and could still be seen as a top pick in the first two rounds, despite the significant injury.

DL Kris Jenkins

One of Michigan’s top defenders, Jenkins projects as a good run defender with the potential to be a three-down player at the next level, shaping him up to be a potential top-100 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

A great athlete for his position, Jenkins possesses unique traits that could boost his draft stock come NFL Combine time.

LB Junior Colson

Colson’s calling card comes in coverage, where he is most impressive with good instincts and speed to keep up with tight ends downfield.

While he’ll continue to develop as a run-stopper, the ability in coverage is one that several teams will seek in the modern-day NFL.

CB Mike Sainristil

A former wide receiver, Sainristil made the coveted change to cornerback and has blossomed at the position.

Likely a nickel cornerback at the next level given his 5’10, 185-pound frame, Sainristil also possesses the intangibles that several teams look for, which could make him a prime Day 2 selection.

S Rod Moore

Recently known for his game-clinching interception against Ohio State, Moore is still determining his future, but possesses the instincts at the safety position that NFL teams covet to go with good movement in space at 6’0, 185-pounds.

While a bit smaller than traditional NFL safeties, Moore’s versatility at the position is similar to former Michigan defensive back Dax Hill, which should boost him as one of the top safeties in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Washington

The No. 2 Washington squad is known for its electric offense and talent.

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QB Michael Penix Jr.

Just like with Michigan, Washington has a top quarterback that could be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft (sensing a trend here?) in Michael Penix Jr.

A left-handed flamethrower, Penix has undergone several injuries in his past that may lower his draft stock, but put together an impressive near-Heisman season that could see him get his name called within the first three rounds of the draft.

WR Rome Odunze

Another potential top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Odunze joins a talented corps of receivers in this year’s class, and could very easily go within the first round.

Odunze, standing at 6’3, 205-pounds, is a crisp route-runner at his size who possesses good ball skills and moves well for his frame.

WR Ja’Lynn Polk

Odunze is the star, but Polk is a very solid No. 2 wide receiver for Washington who possesses some of the best hands in this class with an extended catch radius due to his long arms.

At 6’2, 205 pounds, Polk’s hands are met with a level of physicality, which could allow him to see his name called within the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.

OL Troy Fautanu

A two-year starter at Washington, Fautanu has experience at both left tackle and left guard, and possesses long arms for his 6’4, 315 pound frame.

An explosive blocker that features very well in the run game, Fautanu could see his name called inside of the first round as well, although he likely projects to guard at the next level.

DE Bralen Trice

At 6’4, 275-pound, Trice is a prototypical defensive end and can play as a solid three-down defensive lineman who could slide down to the three-tech.

Trice’s calling card is his explosiveness and speed to power as a pass-rusher, which makes up for his average bend, and he could see his name called early in the 2024 NFL Draft as well in a pretty strong edge class.

Texas

While it’s not set in stone yet, the expectation is that quarterback Quinn Ewers will return to Texas for a final season, where he could develop and potentially be the top quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Additionally, running back Jonathan Brooks, seen as one of the top at his position in the draft, suffered a torn ACL, which now makes it likely that he returns to school.

With that said, let’s look at the rest of the top draft-eligible players from the Longhorns.

WR AD Mitchell

At 6’4, 200 pounds, Mitchell’s stock climbed significantly in 2023, as he showcased his explosive-play ability with 813 yards and 10 touchdowns on 51 catches.

Mitchell’s calling card is his separation, sparked by strong route-running, while possessing strong hands at the catch point. These traits could allow Mitchell to sneak into first-round consideration in an uber-talented wide receiver class.

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WR Xavier Worthy

Another potential first-round talent for the Longhorns, Worthy is a receiver that has been on NFL radars for a while with his elite speed and big-play ability.

Although he has dealt with injuries at times this season, Worthy has proven himself with a ton of tape stemming back to his freshman year and can play on the inside or the outside.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders

A redshirt junior, Sanders is one of the best tight ends in the 2024 NFL Draft, and could position himself to be the first one off the board after Georgia product Brock Bowers.

At 6’4, 250-pounds, Sanders has a great frame, which is seen by his good blocking efforts, but is also a big-time threat as a receiver with good athleticism and elite instincts as a ball-catcher.

DL T’Vondre Sweat

A potential first-round pick, Sweat possesses elite strength as a 6’4, 362-pound defensive lineman, but also surprising speed for his size that makes him a well-rounded player.

A disruptor as both a run-defender and a pass-rusher, Sweat’s biggest question will be his size, but the talent is there to complement the frame.

DL Byron Murphy II

One of the biggest risers in this year’s class, Murphy has the versatility along the defensive line, but has suited up primarily on the interior.

Murphy’s get-off and quickness for his size flash on tape, and will likely serve as a three-tech at the next level.

Alabama

Like Quinn Ewers is expected to do, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is returning to college for the 2024 season in hopes of improving his draft stock and becoming of the top signal-callers in the 2025 class.

WR Jermaine Burton

Alabama’s top receiver in 2023, Burton is an explosive deep-play threat for the Crimson Tide at 6’0, 195-pounds, which will likely be his calling card at the next level.

Catching 35 passes for 777 yards and eight touchdowns this season, Burton didn’t register a drop as well, showcasing solid hands to go with his high-end speed.

OL J.C. Latham

A standout from last year’s cycle as a sophomore, Latham is primed to be a first-round selection in a talented tackle class this offseason.

At 6’6, 360 pounds, Latham possesses good feet and quickness for his frame, while serving as a physical blocker with great power and strength which make him a top tackle candidate.

DE Dallas Turner

One of the top pass-rushers in this year’s class, Turner is one of the best athletes in the class at 6’4, 250 pounds.

Mixing a good get-off with intriguing bend makes Turner a top pass-rusher in this upcoming draft, and his production showcases that with nine sacks in 2023.

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CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

One of the top cornerbacks in this year’s class, McKinstry has been on draft boards for multiple seasons and is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

A 6’1, 195-pound corner, McKinstry has good athleticism and hip movement for the position to go with good length and top-level cover skills.

CB Terrion Arnold

Another top cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft, Arnold is also a projected first-rounder and could go even higher than his counterpart in the secondary.

Possessing good speed and versatility, Arnold has the necessary athleticism and IQ at the position to go with a 6’0, 195-pound frame. He’s also capable in the run game and has a high motor.