NFL Draft Notebook: Dante Moore’s first big test; Caleb Downs’ fit with the Dolphins

Week 5 of the college football season is loaded with heavyweight matchups. Several top 25 teams collide, including Oregon vs. Penn State, Alabama vs. Georgia, LSU vs. Ole Miss, and USC vs. Illinois. Beyond playoff implications, these games also pit some of the top 2026 NFL Draft prospects against elite competition.

This week’s NFL Draft Notebook spotlights Oregon quarterback Dante Moore facing his toughest challenge yet, highlights why Ohio State’s Caleb Downs could be the answer for Miami’s defense, evaluates Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr.’s rise, and covers other key storylines across the country.

Dante Moore’s first big test

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has been flying up draft boards this fall, but the level of competition he has faced so far has been underwhelming. That changes on Saturday when the Ducks travel to Happy Valley to face Penn State.

Moore has looked like a completely different player than the one who struggled at UCLA in 2023. Back then, he completed just 53.5% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Through four games at Oregon, he is completing 74% of his throws for 962 yards with 11 touchdowns to only one interception. He has also shown more mobility, averaging 6.2 yards per carry and breaking off a 28-yard run against Oregon State.

The improved accuracy jumps off the tape. Moore is routinely hitting receivers in stride, and he throws a naturally tight, catchable ball from a variety of arm angles. He is a good athlete for a pocket passer, and his decision-making looks sharper than ever. The cleaner pockets at Oregon have helped, but Penn State’s pass rush, led by defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton who has a second-round grade on my board, will give him far more pressure than he has seen so far.

The Nittany Lions’ secondary will also present Moore with his toughest challenge yet. Penn State ranks fourth in total defense, has allowed just 123 passing yards per game, and sits 12th in Pro Football Focus’ coverage grades. Windows will be tighter, and if Moore’s pocket awareness falters, turnovers could creep back into his game.

Moore entered the season with a sixth-round grade, but he is already playing his way into first-round conversation. If he can deliver against Penn State’s defense, it will not only boost Oregon’s playoff hopes but also solidify him as one of the biggest risers in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

Caleb Downs perfect fit in Miami

The Miami Dolphins have one of the worst defenses in the NFL, allowing 32.3 points per game and 41.9 yards per drive, both the worst marks in the league. Opposing quarterbacks have shredded this secondary, with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones completing 76% of his passes for 272 yards in a 33-8 win, and Drake Maye posting his best game of the season while averaging 10 yards per attempt.

To fix this lackluster pass defense, Miami will need to add true difference makers in the 2026 NFL Draft. A strong start would be selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with their first-round pick, which currently projects in the top five.

Downs would make sense for Miami because of his versatility. The 2024 Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year is a force against the run, posting 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and an 86.4 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus. He also excels in coverage, showing the range to patrol the entire field along with the awareness to anticipate and close passing windows.

If the Dolphins land Downs in round one, they could then target a cornerback like Michigan’s Jyaire Hill or LSU’s Mansoor Delane on day two to further bolster their secondary.

Second-best defender in the 2026 NFL Draft

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is firmly the top defender on my draft board, but the number two spot is still unsettled. Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. is making a strong case to claim it.

Bain entered the season with a high second-round grade after a disappointing 2024 campaign in which injuries limited him and his tackles for loss dropped from 12.5 in 2023 to 5.5 in 2024. This year, though, he has been nearly unblockable.

Heading into Miami’s showdown with Florida State, Bain has already registered 22 pressures, including 10 in last week’s win over Florida. He has also been stout against the run, earning a career-best 92.6 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus.

As a pro prospect, Bain brings a mix of traits that make him one of the most disruptive defenders in this year’s class. His first-step burst is elite, especially for a 275-pound lineman. He combines that explosiveness with the strength and frame to set the edge against the run, and his relentless motor only amplifies his impact.

Big loss for the Sooners

Oklahoma got some of the worst news possible this week. Quarterback John Mateer will miss close to a month with a hand injury suffered in the Sooners’ win over Auburn. It is a tough setback for Mateer, who had been playing some of the best football in the country.

Through four games this season, Mateer had thrown for over 270 yards in every outing and accounted for 11 total touchdowns. He was named one of NFL Mocks’ top ten performers for his showings against Illinois State and Michigan, and he had emerged as one of the early frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy.

From an NFL Draft perspective, this injury could push Mateer toward returning to Oklahoma in 2026 to put together a fully healthy season. That would give him a chance to rise into the top-10 range of the 2027 NFL Draft. If he does stay in the 2026 class, he is more likely to project as a third- or fourth-round pick depending on how well he plays when he returns.

USC’s explosive offense 

Last week, Illinois’ defense was dominated by Indiana, giving up 63 points and 579 yards to the Hoosiers. This week, the Illini face another high-powered attack in the USC Trojans, who are averaging 52.5 points per game and feature two of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten.

Makai Lemon is the higher-rated of the two on my board, carrying a third-round grade. He leads the Trojans with 24 receptions for 438 yards and three touchdowns. At 5-foot-11, Lemon projects as a slot receiver at the next level thanks to his ability to catch in traffic, strong hands, and quickness. He also brings value on special teams, having finished second in the Big Ten in 2024 with 514 kick return yards.

Ja’Kobi Lane, who also carries a Day Two grade on my board, provides a different type of weapon. At 6-foot-4, he is a big target who shows surprising agility for his size. He is a true vertical threat, averaging 26.6 yards per catch this season and recording receptions of 50-plus yards in each of his last two games.

The man throwing them the ball is also no slouch. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has completed 71% of his passes for 1,223 yards and nine touchdowns without throwing an interception. Maiava entered the season with an undrafted free agent grade, but his play has elevated him into the conversation as a possible mid-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Special teams sleeper

Punter may be the least glamorous position in the NFL, but it is one of the few that can flip field position on a single play. That is why the late rounds often provide strong value finds at the spot.

One name to watch in the 2026 NFL Draft is Elon’s Jeff Yurk. Last season, Yurk led all of college football with a 47.9-yard average, and he has pushed that number to 49.4 this year. His leg strength is clearly NFL-caliber.

The concern is that he hits too many line-drive punts. Last season his punts allowed 10.6 yards per return, with an average hang time of just 3.71 seconds. That is a technical flaw, but one that good coaching can help correct.

At this point, Yurk grades out as more of an undrafted free agent. Still, with his raw power, he is likely to earn a training camp invite. If he can add hang time and improve placement, he has a real chance to land on an NFL roster next fall.