Even after last week's commanding victory over the Green Bay Packers, we still have no idea what to make of the Atlanta Falcons, This is a team that could be picking top five in the 2027 NFL Draft or representing the NFC South in the playoffs. And frankly, the sample size is too small to make a determination in any direction.
So with that in mind, we always want to make sure we're doing our due diligence on top draft prospects. And given the Falcons won't take the field until Monday night against the Saints, because the college football world never stops, and there are always games worth tuning in for this afternoon. We know Ian Cunningham and this front office is doing their homework.
Unlike last week's edition of this list, we're only going to focus games worth watching with top quarterback prospects--and that isn't because of Michael Penix Jr.'s stellar season debut. It's because there are so many non-QB prospects who could do just as much for this Falcons team.
Today's slate of games is considerably weaker than last weekend's, and with Texas, Ole Miss, and Oregon on bye this weekend, it was harder to find games to choose from. Nevertheless, three still stood out, so if you're interested in getting some NFL Draft scouting in, tune in to these matchups.
The college football games with the most NFL Draft implications this weekend
1. No. 4 Miami at Clemson-- 7: 30 p.m. (ABC)
The first matchup to keep an eye on is between No. 4 Miami and Clemson in Death Valley, because even though the Tigers have gotten off to a shaky start, this is still not an easy place to play, epecially for a Miami team that boasts one of the highest-octane offenses in the nation as led by star QB Darian Mensah.
If the season were to end today, Mensah would be atop a lot of people's Heisman ballots. He's currently tied with Jayden Maiava for the most touchdown passes this season, and his strengths as a pocket passer have placed him on the first-round radar, but he isn't mobile, has been throwing to wide open receivers, and his arm talent isn't elite.
The Hurricanes could see a good chunk of their team get drafted in 2027. Since Malachi Toney isn't eligible until next draft, players like RB Mark Fletcher Jr., WR Cooper Barkate, and 6-foot-6, 360-pound tackle Samson Okunlola are also ones to take note of on offense, while DTs Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott (both over 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds) could be on their radar later on.
And then there's the Tigers, who again have produced their fair share of NFL-bound prospects with Dabo Swinney. The two big ones are on defense in CB Ashton Hampton and LB Sammy Brown, but wideouts Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore are big bodies Atlanta could be intigued by on Day 2 or 3.
2. No. 6 Indiana at Rutgers--- 8:00 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Curt Cignetti's Indiana Hoosiers are must-see TV, and though they may beat the brakes off of a disappointing Rutgers team, this game is flooded with future NFL stars.
The Hoosiers have Josh Hoover quarterbacking, and while he has yet to throw a pick this season, he's more of a Day 3 guy the Dirty Birds may look past. The players he's throwing to are more intriguing, as IU receivers Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker are both projected to be first-round picks.
Becker is 6-foot-4 and runs a 40 in the 4.4's, so he'd be a dangerous downfield complement to Drake London, while Marsh is another downfield threat, but he' s better after the catch than his teammate. And given Jake Matthews is regressing in real time, Atlanta better take a long look at OT Carter Smith.
For Rutgers, the main prospect to watch is another star wideout in KJ Duff. Duff surpassed 1,000 yards a season ago and is already at 550 yards and seven scroes through four games. And at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, this kid has NFL scouts salivating over him as a likely top-50 pick.
3. Vanderbilt at No. 2 Georgia--- 12: 45 p.m. (SEC Network)
Lastly, you know there's no way this one wasn't gonna be the local matchup in Athens. Every year, Georgia is a factory for NFL talent under Kirby Smart, and given the Falcons have drafted a former Bulldogs in each of the last two drafts, it would be wise to keep tabs on what else is going on in-state.
If you're looking for another typical Jeff Ulbrich-type linebacker, look no further than 6-foot-3, 235-pound athletic LB Chris Cole. But for as wild as it sounds, he's not even the top prospect to watch on this team thanks to two future first-rounders in the secondary: Ellis Robinson (CB) and KJ Bolden (S).
Even guys like Gunner Stockton and Nate Fraziers could be late Day 3 swings. And while Vanderbilt doesn't have anyone on the immediate draft radar, Georgia more than makes up for that.
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