From Reuben Bain to Zachariah Branch, CFP Play Shapes Titans’ 2026 Draft

By BRADEN GALL, college analyst

Each week, 440 Sports’ Braden Gall dives into the most important matchups and developments from the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The first two rounds of the College Football Playoff have provided everything fans could want: upsets, new programs, Heisman-caliber players, and, for Titans fans, lots of big plays from potential 2026 NFL Draft targets.

Ohio State offensive lineman Phillip Daniels, left, blocks Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Reuben Bain rushes against Ohio State/ ASSOCIATED PRESS

Now that Tennessee is locked into the No. 4 pick, we can begin to build the big board as well. It’s very possible to get the No. 1 edge player, the No. 1 wideout or the No. 1 defensive back with the fourth pick. The question now is: Who are the top players at each position?

Reuben Bain stakes a claim

There is much to debate about Bain’s size and overall length. But there can be no debate about his productivity. He’s a leverage monster who has been largely unblockable for the last two seasons. But his play in Miami’s playoff upsets has been downright absurd.

In the first round, he posted 3.0 sacks, 4.0 TFL and blocked a critical field goal en route to a road upset over Texas A&M. Then he posted four tackles, a sack, two TFLs and nine pressures in the win over the Buckeyes.

Bain has been arguably been the best player on any team through two rounds of playoff football. He began the season as the No. 1 pass-rushing prospect and saw his stock slip slightly as scouts dug deeper into his measurables.

There are doubts about his ability to be a three-down outside pass rusher. After two monster games in the playoffs, he’s solidified himself as this class’ best defensive lineman (No. 4 consensus ranking). He totally outplayed Ohio State’s Arvell Reese in the playoffs - for whatever that’s worth.

Obviously, Akheem Mesidor (edge) and Ahmad Moten (defensive tackle) are also worth mentioning as they have played great football over the last month. Both will be critical against Ole Miss’ dynamic offensive attack.

David Bailey and Matayo Uiagalelei

The game itself left a lot to be desired as Oregon dominated Texas Tech.

But as far as draft news goes, this game delivered two excellent performances by potential first-round pass rushers. Texas Tech’s David Bailey sacked Dante Moore once to give him a nation’s best 14.5 for the season. He also posted three QB hits, five total pressures, three run stops, two passes deflected, nine total tackles and one tackle for loss. It was an all-around showcase for a potential top 15 pick.

Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei also showed why he might be the best of the second-tier pass rush prospects. His strip sack-fumble recovery was the play of the game by either team and led to the game’s first offensive touchdown -- and will remind Titans fans of what they saw from Chase Young at Nissan Stadium just last week.

He’s a rangy, powerful and versatile player who’s more of a true defensive end and could be a value pick at the top of the second round or late first.

Bailey is No. 13 in the consensus big board rankings and Uiagalelei is No. 33.

Zachariah Branch continues to rise

The Bulldogs lost but Branch continued to show up in key situations -- like a must-have fourth-down conversion or game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter.

He’s elite after the catch, he’s thicker and tougher than his size might indicate and he delivers first downs in critical situations. He’s already declared for the draft and is flying up boards. Picking Branch at the top of the second round isn’t a reach. He finished with eight catches in the loss to Ole Miss while setting the Georgia single-season reception record this season (81).

Bulldogs defenders lacking

I’ve written a lot this year about mid-round defensive targets from Georgia’s defense. Linebacker CJ Allen (consensus No. 28), defensive lineman Christen Miller (No. 45) and corner Daylen Everette (No. 123) are all individually very talented and will be drafted.

All three could be of use to a Titans defense; however, the Georgia defense was flailing against Ole Miss for most of both games with the Rebels. This defense isn’t nearly as loaded as past Bulldogs units. The offensive talents like Branch, tight end Oscar Delp and tackle Monroe Freeling are the prospects who appeared to raise their stock in the playoff.

Keionte Scott announces himself

Scott is a mid-round defensive back prospect the Titans could eye late in Day Two or early in Day Three. But he made the biggest play of the entire quarterfinal round by jumping a screen from Ohio State and returning for a touchdown. He might only be a nickel back in the NFL, but is comfortable being used all over the middle of the field.

Thursday: Miami vs. Ole Miss

The Hurricanes' draftable defensive players have been well-documented throughout the playoffs. The key will be watching Trinidad Chambliss’ stock in a game like this.

Chambliss is flying up draft boards and his raw play-making ability is undeniable. His size is a major concern, but how he performs against this defense will be what to watch. The majority of the Ole Miss defense are late targets and the best NFL draft prospect in this game not named Bain is an offensive tackle (Francis Mauigoa) or a true freshman for Miami’s offense (Malachi Toney). 

Friday: Oregon vs. Indiana

There are two games to watch within this rematch: Elite play-makers in space and good-on-good in the trenches. Dante Moore and his weapons will face multiple draftable Hoosiers defenders. Fernando Mendoza will face a dynamic secondary and linebackers from Oregon. Inside, the Ducks have multiple offensive linemen who will be drafted and will be challenged by the IU defensive front.

For Titans fans, the passing game is what to watch. Mendoza will target Omar Cooper, Elijah Sarratt and Charlie Becker in the passing game. All four are likely to be drafted. End Uiagalelei will be charged with pressuring Mendoza and safety Dillon Thieneman might be a top two player at his position. It should be an excellent opportunity to scout.

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