NFL Draft 2026 Rumors on Dante Moore After Oregon's Win vs. JMU in CFB Playoff Bracket

The momentum behind Oregon quarterback Dante Moore being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft "is very real," according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler.

Brugler reported the general consensus for the 2025 season was that Moore would stick around.

"But that started to shift over the second half of the year, and the impending departure of offensive coordinator Will Stein (who's staying on the Ducks' sideline for the Playoff before exiting for the Kentucky head coaching job) was considered a needle-mover," per the report.

Brugler added that "it will make it even tougher for him to bypass the NFL Draft" if Moore has another strong showing in the College Football Playoff.

Moore went 19-of-27 for 313 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in the Ducks' 51-34 win over James Madison in the first round. He also scored on a five-yard run in the first quarter.

Dante Moore goes OFF vs. James Madison Dukes

00:11

There isn't a standout passer in the 2026 draft class. Even before he made the decision to return to Texas, Arch Manning's stock slid a bit. Penn State's Drew Allar, Clemson's Cade Klubnik, Miami's Carson Beck and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier all failed to assert themselves as the No. 1 QB as well.

Moore ranks second behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza in Bleacher Report's big board, but the gap between the two is marginal. Mendoza is No. 5 overall with a grade of 8.5, while Moore is ninth and has a grade of 8.3.

B/R draft scout Damian Parson compared the Ducks star to Houston Texans signal-caller C.J. Stroud.

"Arm talent and velocity are strengths of Moore's profile," Parson said. "He delivers passes with more than enough RPMs to attack slightly occupied throwing windows. He knows when to choose between velocity and throwing with touch to layer the football."

With the dawn of the NIL era, college athletes have more to consider when they weigh their options. On3 puts Moore's NIL valuation at $2.3 million.

If the redshirt sophomore has a good chance of going first overall or at least being a top-five pick, then he may not see a lot of downside in declaring now.