An eventful 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and it certainly had some drama for the Colorado Buffaloes.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the talk of the draft (and since) after his slide all the way to the fifth round, where he went to the Cleveland Browns.

Overall, four Buffs were drafted, which matched the most in the past 22 drafts.

There were also four CU players drafted in 2006, 2011 and 2017. Prior to this year, however, no Buffs had been drafted from 2022-24, so it’s been hit-or-miss.

Taking a very early look at the 2026 draft, the Buffs don’t have any slam-dunk prospects, such as Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter (who went No. 2 overall) and Sanders (or so we thought). There are, however, some intriguing prospects.

Plenty of things could change between now and the 2026 draft, including additions or subtractions to the roster. But, as it stands, here’s a look at who might be CU’s top draft hopefuls next year.

This list includes all the seniors, as well as juniors who could be draft eligible if they decide to leave. It’s also in order of their draft potential (opinion and speculation at this point, of course):

1. CB D.J. McKinney (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), Jr.

With a huge year, McKinney could decide to leave college early, and he’s certainly capable of a huge year. Last season, playing opposite of Hunter, he posted 62 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups, and he should be one of the top corners in the Big 12 this year. NFLDraftBuzz.com lists McKinney No. 113 on its list of 2026 draft prospects (roughly a fourth-round pick).

2. CB Preston Hodge (6-0, 200), Sr.

He got a bonus year of college football and could use it to turn some heads at the next level. He was playing very well last year before an injury sidelined him for the last four games. Playing nickel, he had 33 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups. NFLDraftBuzz ranks him at No. 220, which would put him in the seventh round.

3. DL Jehiem Oatis (6-5, 325), Sr.

The Alabama transfer needs a big year to get into the draft conversation, but he has potential. A former starter at Alabama, he has 52 tackles and three tackles for loss in his career. He’s ranked by NFLDraftBuzz at No. 264, which would be just outside the seventh and final round (257 players were drafted this year). The site, however, said Oatis “fits the mold of a rotational piece in an NFL defensive line, with the potential to develop into a starting nose tackle.”

4. DE Arden Walker (6-2, 250), Sr.

He gets better every year, and if he keeps that up, he could land in the draft. Last year, he had 6.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks and is expected to fill a bigger role this year.

5. OL Xavier Hill (6-4, 318), Sr.

An all-conference player at Memphis this past year, if Hill is at least that good for the Buffs, he’ll get attention from NFL scouts.

6. WR Omarion Miller (6-2, 195), Jr.

His talent is off-the-charts, but he’s got to put together a full season of excellence to even consider a jump to the league in 2026.

7. WR Hykeem Williams (6-2, 215), Jr.

He’s been a Buff for a couple of days, committing as a transfer from Florida State on Tuesday. In two seasons at FSU, he caught 21 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. So, why is he here? NFLDraftBuzz has him, by far, the top prospect from CU at No. 59 (which would be a second-round pick). The site said the ceiling for Williams “is among the highest in this receiver class.”

8. WR Sincere Brown (6-5, 190), Sr.

Fairly unknown because he’s a sixth-year senior with only one big season, and it came at FCS Campbell last year. It was a monster year, though, as he caught 61 passes for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns. With his size and reported speed, if he puts up big numbers for the Buffs, he’ll be a draft prospect.

9. DE Keaten Wade (6-4, 245), Sr.

Came on strong at the end of last year, finishing with 7.5 TFLs and four sacks in just six games. He is ranked No. 270 on NFLDraftBuzz, which said Wade has “raw talent with a sky-high ceiling.”

10. OL Zy Crisler (6-6, 335), Sr.

A new Buff this year, Crisler started 28 games in the Big Ten at Illinois and was twice named all-conference honorable mention. Combine his size, Big Ten experience and a great year at CU, and he’ll be in the mix.

Others to watch

QB Kaidon Salter, 6-1, 200, Sr. (No. 289 on NFLDraftBuzz); TE Sav’ell Smalls, 6-3, 260, Sr. (No. 310 on NFLDraftBuzz); DL Anquin Barnes, 6-6, 315, Sr.; DL Amari McNeill, 6-4, 295, Sr.; DB Carter Stoutmire, 5-11, 205, Jr.