The NFL Draft took place a couple of weeks ago, but the impact could have lasting effects throughout the entire 2026 college football season.
Instead of focusing on individual players at positions like quarterback and running back, I often find value in fading schools that lose multiple players at underrated positions such as offensive line, defensive line, and defensive back.
Here are the five position groups most impacted by this year’s NFL Draft, and how I factor that impact into teams’ college football odds.
Arizona's Secondary
This was the position group that gave me the idea to write this article. The Arizona Wildcats lose all five starters from their secondary, including four players who were drafted.
Since 2009, only one time has Arizona had four players drafted in a single class, let alone all at the same position group. The Wildcats lose 2nd-round CB Treydan Stukes, 4th-round safety Genesis Smith, 5th-round S Dalton Johnson, and 7th-round CB Michael Dansby.
When you add in the loss of CB Ayden Garnes, the Wildcats lose a combined 288 tackles, 12 interceptions, and 39 pass breakups from last year alone.
Arizona brings in seven transfers this year to compensate for the draft losses, but none of those players started at a Power 4 conference school a year ago. This is a massive talent downgrade at an underrated position group that isn’t being priced accordingly in the markets.
Best Bet: Arizona Under 7.5 wins (-115 at DraftKings)
Texas A&M's Offensive Line
The Texas A&M Aggies are coming off one of their most successful seasons in the last 30 years.
Replicating that success in 2026 will be difficult, considering the Aggies had a school-record 10 players drafted. The position group hit hardest was their offensive line, which saw four players drafted, including Chase Bisontis (2nd round), Trey Zuhn (3rd round), Dametrious Crownover (6th round), and Ar’maj Reed-Adams (7th round).
Although the Aggies bring in four transfers who all started at SEC schools last year, three of those replacements (Trovon Baugh, Tyree Adams, and Coen Echols) did not rank in the Top 600 offensive linemen per PFF.
Add in three more draft picks on the defensive line, and the Aggies won’t be nearly as formidable at the line of scrimmage this year.
Best Bet: Texas A&M to miss the playoffs (-160 at FanDuel)
Notre Dame's Running Backs
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running backs Jeremiyah Love (No. 3, Arizona Cardinals) and Jadarian Price (No. 32, Seattle Seahawks) became the first running back pair from the same school to be the first two RBs drafted.
Their replacements Aneyas Williams and Nolan James are far less experienced and explosive, and neither is a first-round talent.
I expect Notre Dame to lean much more on the passing game led by returning quarterback CJ Carr, and I’ve bet the Under 11.5 wins this offseason (value at -200 or less).
Expect the loss of Love and Price to catch up to the Irish in one game.'
Utah's Offensive Line
For the first time in program history, the Utah Utes had two players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, and they came at the same position: offensive tackle.
Spencer Fano went No. 9 overall to the Cleveland Browns, and Caleb Lomu went No. 28 to the New England Patriots. In addition to losing both tackles, the Utes also lost three other starters on the offensive line.
With zero returning starters and no incoming Power Conference transfers, it’s safe to say the Utah offensive line will take a major step back this year.
Unlike the current markets that have Utah as the third favorite in the Big 12 behind Texas Tech and BYU, I don't see the Utes as a conference title contender this year.
Clemson's Defensive Line
Despite a disappointing 7-6 record, the Clemson Tigers tied a school record with nine NFL draft picks, including three on the defensive line led by DT Peter Woods (1st round), DE TJ Parker (2nd round), and DT DeMonte Capehart (5th round).
Clemson’s recruiting has fallen off in recent years, and they still don’t rely heavily on the transfer portal. The replacements will be less experienced and less talented.
This is a program that continues to spiral downward, and the betting markets reflect it (only a 7.5-win total).
Other notables:
Miami lost a total of five players on the offensive line and defensive line to the NFL Draft, including three first-rounders led by OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 10 overall), DE Reuben Bain (No. 15 overall), and DE Akheem Mesidor (No. 22 overall).
I don’t expect the Hurricanes to be as good in the trenches this year, but they still deserve to be ACC favorites.
While they had a disappointing 2025 season, both Penn State running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen were drafted. The two combined for an incredible 7,641 career rushing yards and 97 total touchdowns. If you can still find an Under 9.5 win total out there, it’s worth a bet.
Iowa had a school-record seven players drafted, including three offensive linemen led by center Logan Jones (2nd round).
An Under 7.5 season win total might be tempting, but since 2015, Iowa has won at least eight games in every season but one — and that was the shortened 2020 COVID season, when the Hawkeyes went 6-2.
Texas Tech had a school-record nine players drafted, including three defensive linemen led by DE David Bailey (No. 2 overall). However, the Red Raiders hit the transfer portal hard with eight defensive line transfers, including five who were full-time starters last year.
They are still the overwhelming favorites in the Big 12, and I like them to win it.
