Last month, in Boulder, Colorado put its top NFL hopefuls on display during its annual Pro Day. Overall, there were solid numbers and a good energy in the building.
Now, as the 2026 NFL Draft begins in Pittsburgh, the focus has shifted to something simpler. Was any of it enough for the Buffs?
Outside of last year’s four draft picks, including Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall, Colorado has not had a player selected since 2021. The Buffaloes went without a pick in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and this weekend is trending in that same direction.
This year’s prospects have all had their moments. There’s Kaidon Salter at quarterback. Sincere Brown at wide receiver. Preston Hodge in the secondary. Keaten Wade and Arden Walker off the edge. Amari McNeill at defensive tackle. Xavier Hill, Zy Crisler and Zarian McGill on the offensive line. Alejandro Mata on special teams. And Jeremiah Brown at linebacker.
Realistically, the clearest path to hearing a name called may come from the offensive line group or Hodge. Those are positions where experience, versatility and reliability still carry weight late in the draft.
Everyone else is working from a different angle.
Salter showed command in his Pro Day throwing session. Sincere Brown’s 4.38 speed stands out on any board. Wade and Walker bring traits off the edge. There are reasons to believe. Just not enough to influence any of the various 7-round mock drafts floating around the internet.
That is what the draft comes down to, especially late. Not just being solid, but giving a team a reason not to wait.
Right now, Colorado’s group still feels like it lives on that line. Close enough to be in the conversation, not quite far enough to control it.
That likely means the next step comes after the draft with undrafted free agent signing and training camp invites.
Under Deion Sanders, the program looks different. The talent is better. The attention is real. But the draft remains the true measuring stick, and this weekend will show exactly where Colorado stands.
If one of these names are called, it is a breakthrough. If not, it is a reminder. Colorado path to the NFL is getting closer under Coach Prime, it's just not all the way there yet.
But for these prospects, the draft is not the defining moment. It is not about where you are selected or whether you are selected at all. What matters is how you respond when your opportunity finally comes.
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