It’s hard to believe the college football season is already a quarter of the way through, and we’re seeing NFL Draft stocks shifting fast. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is one of the biggest risers so far, while Clemson’s Cade Klubnik is trending in the opposite direction.
In this week’s NFL Draft Notebook, we break down those two quarterbacks, spotlight a linebacker who looks like a perfect fit for Detroit, and take a look at a wide receiver who could provide much-needed help for Cleveland’s struggling passing game.
Detroit Lions draft target stock soaring
Heading into the 2025 season, I suggested the Detroit Lions keep an eye on Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas. He offers much-needed depth and speed to their linebacker corps and could also contribute on special teams. Rojas’s stock is rising sharply this year. He is becoming a much more impactful run defender, with his Pro Football Focus run-defense grade jumping from 43.7 last season to 78.9 this season. He has already recorded a career-high 4.5 tackles for loss in just three games. Don’t be surprised if a team like Detroit looks at him in the third or fourth round.
Battle in the trenches
One of the best matchups for NFL scouts to watch this weekend is Utah vs. Texas Tech, a clash loaded with future draft talent in the trenches. Utah brings two of the top offensive tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft. Spencer Fano, who I currently project to the Miami Dolphins with the third overall pick, anchors the group. Across from him, Caleb Lomu is another standout with impressive athleticism and a current second-round grade.
On the other side, Texas Tech counters with a pair of pass rushers worth tracking. David Bailey, a third-round prospect on my board, leads the charge, while linebacker Romello Height, who I have graded as a Day 3 pick, provides additional pressure off the edge.
Pittsburgh is zeroing in on John Mateer
With Aaron Rodgers almost certainly in his final NFL season and showing signs of decline, Pittsburgh Steelers scouts are already eyeing his replacement. One quarterback they’ve shown heavy interest in is Oklahoma’s John Mateer, whom they’ve scouted up close twice this year. To land him, Pittsburgh will likely need to use a first-round pick, as Mateer’s draft stock has risen quickly.
In five games, he has thrown for 944 yards and five touchdowns while adding four more scores on the ground. The main concern is his tendency to freelance too often, which has led to three interceptions, but if he can operate more within rhythm, his arm strength, mobility, and accuracy give him the tools to become the Steelers’ long-term answer at quarterback.
Sleeper of the Week
It’s not often you see a player at Alabama being overlooked, much less a quarterback, but that is the case with Ty Simpson. The biggest reason people are sleeping on Simpson is his lack of experience, as he had only thrown 50 passes in his first three years with the Tide, and the slow start to his season against Florida State didn’t help.
However, in his last two games, he has looked like a potential franchise quarterback. He completed all 17 of his passes against Louisiana Monroe for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Then in week three, he was named NFL Mock's fourth-best performer of the week after completing 83% of his passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns against Wisconsin. If he continues performing at this elite level, expect him to start getting serious attention as a potential first-round pick
Matchup of the week
This week’s most talent-heavy matchup is Miami vs. Florida. The Hurricanes come in ranked fourth in the nation and look like a legitimate National Championship contender, while the Gators sit at 1-2 after a disappointing loss to South Florida but still boast plenty of NFL-caliber talent. Several players in this game project as top-100 picks.
Miami’s top prospects are defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, both of whom carry first-round grades on my board and could push into the top 10 next April. Quarterback Carson Beck has also returned to his 2023 Georgia form, giving the Hurricanes a true leader under center. On the Florida side, defensive tackle Caleb Banks, center Jake Slaughter, and offensive tackle Austin Barber each hold second-round grades, while wide receiver Eugene Wilson III brings explosive speed that can change a game in an instant.
I expect Florida to keep things close, but Miami should ultimately come out on top and further solidify themselves as one of the best teams in college football.
Quarterback seeing his stock fall
While Alabama’s Ty Simpson is on the rise, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik is headed in the opposite direction. He already has three interceptions in three games after throwing just six all of last year, and he’s missing easy throws he hit consistently in 2024. Klubnik has also been reluctant to push the ball downfield and is holding onto it too long, causing his draft stock to plummet from a projected top-10 pick to a possible Day 3 selection.
"I think Cade Klubnik’s a Day 3 guy, and you saw why today. When his weapons were missing [including Antonio Williams], he looked average. OK arm, OK processing speed. Way too overhyped."NFL scout to ESPN
Small-School pass rusher
Rhode Island’s A.J. Pena is a dominant small-school pass rusher drawing NFL interest. Last season, the FCS All-American had 22.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, giving him 38 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks over 2023–24. He has the skill set to play as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a situational pass rusher who contributes on special teams. His top trait is his flexibility off the edge, making him a feared pass rusher. Currently graded as a sixth-round prospect, a Senior Bowl invite or strong East-West Shrine Bowl showing could easily boost his stock.
Could Jordyn Tyson end up in Cleveland?
Most of the attention on Cleveland’s lack of offensive firepower has centered on 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco, but the wide receiver group has been just as bad. The Browns’ top two pass-catchers this season are actually tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and running back Dylan Sampson. Not a single wide receiver has more than nine receptions, and Pro Football Focus ranks the unit 31st in the NFL.
One player who could help change that is Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson. If the Browns end up picking around the 10th spot, either with their own pick or the one acquired from Jacksonville, Tyson makes a lot of sense. He’s a big, physical receiver who draws comparisons to three-time Pro Bowler Dez Bryant. This season, he’s already topped 100 receiving yards in two of his three games, and last year he accounted for 54% of all receiving yards by Arizona State wideouts.