Oregon’s appearance in the College Football Playoff places the Ducks on college football’s biggest stage, where execution and discipline become nonnegotiable. Beyond the pursuit of a championship, the postseason serves as a proving ground for Oregon’s 2026 NFL Draft–eligible players, many of whom now face the most demanding evaluation environment of their careers.
Scouts value playoff film for its pace, pressure, and lack of margin for error. The intensity exposes habits, technique, and composure. For Oregon’s underclassmen, the spotlight offers a chance to confirm development and reinforce early draft projections.
Quarterback Dante Moore headlines Oregon’s 2026 draft-eligible group and sits near the top of early draft boards. Moore combines natural arm talent with advanced command for a young quarterback, showing the ability to make difficult throws without forcing plays. He delivers the ball with velocity and touch, particularly on intermediate routes that require timing and anticipation rather than pure arm strength.
What separates Moore in evaluations is how he processes the field. He consistently identifies coverage pre-snap, adjusts protections, and works through progressions without relying on broken plays. When pressure arrives, he keeps his eyes downfield and maintains balance, traits NFL teams prioritize when projecting quarterbacks beyond college systems. His willingness to take checkdowns instead of forcing throws reflects maturity that often translates at the next level.
In the CFB Playoff, Moore’s poise becomes the focal point. Scouts will watch how he handles disguised coverages, late rotations, and third-down pressure, areas that often determine whether a quarterback remains an early-round projection. Leadership also factors into his standing, from tempo control to communication at the line of scrimmage.
Offensive line tested in the trenches
The playoff spotlight also shifts to Oregon’s offensive line, where three 2026-eligible players face critical evaluations. Left guard Emmanuel Pregnon brings power and physicality on the interior, using strong hands and leverage to move defenders off the ball. His ability to anchor against bull rushes and generate push in short-yardage situations plays directly into how NFL teams evaluate interior linemen.
Left tackle Isaiah World provides length and athletic traits on the edge. He shows the foot quickness needed to handle speed rushers and the frame teams look for in developmental tackles. In the playoff environment, evaluators will watch how World handles stunts, late counters, and sustained pressure across long drives, particularly when defenses test his balance and recovery ability.
Center Iaponi Laloulu adds experience and toughness inside. He plays with a wide base and finishes blocks, traits that matter when defenses tighten gaps and force offenses to earn yards. Scouts will track his hand placement, balance, and communication, all essential elements for projecting centers to the next level.
Tight end Kenyon Sadiq has emerged as Oregon’s most dependable offensive matchup weapon and is viewed as the tight end 1 for the 2026 draft class. He combines size and athleticism to stress defenses down the seam and in the red zone, creating consistent mismatches against linebackers and safeties.
Evaluators will study Sadiq’s complete game in the playoff. Blocking consistency, route discipline, and physicality after the catch all factor into how tight ends are graded. Postseason games often reveal whether a player can sustain effort across extended drives, and Sadiq’s role places him in the middle of those moments.
Defensive line depth draws attention
Oregon’s defensive front features multiple 2026-eligible prospects, beginning on the edge with defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei. He brings length and power at the point of attack and flashes the ability to collapse the pocket when he wins early. His development continues as offenses test his discipline with motion, chips, and misdirection.
Inside, defensive tackle Bear Alexander adds a different element to the evaluation. He plays with strength and suddenness, capable of disrupting plays with quick penetration or force at the point of attack. His ability to win early and affect the quarterback from the interior draws attention from evaluators who value pocket disruption without blitz help.
Defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington rounds out the group with size and leverage inside. He occupies blockers and disrupts rushing lanes, allowing the defense to stay structurally sound. Scouts will watch how often Washington alters play direction even when he does not finish the tackle.
Secondary anchored by Thieneman
Oregon’s secondary faces increased scrutiny in the playoff, where contested throws and extended plays become common. Safety Dillon Thieneman anchors that group and enters the postseason as one of the Ducks’ most visible 2026 draft-eligible defenders. Thieneman plays with urgency and instinct, triggering downhill quickly and challenging receivers in space.
Safeties are often forced to make split-second decisions when quarterbacks extend plays. Thieneman’s range allows him to close windows late, while his physicality shows up when plays spill into the open field. Scouts will watch his angles, tackling consistency, and composure after coverage breaks down.
Playoff stage sharpens evaluations
The College Football Playoff does not define draft futures, but it accelerates them. The environment removes excuses and exposes habits under stress. For Oregon’s 2026 draft-eligible players, the postseason offers a chance to validate growth, show consistency, and strengthen their place in future NFL draft conversations.
