The 2026 football season is kicking off over the next few weeks, and while NFL teams get preseason games out of the way in preparation for the regular season, the college ranks are getting ready to show off the top talent in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
Next year's draft class should be loaded with top-end talent at multiple positions, no doubt headlined by a marquee quarterback class full of big names like Arch Manning (Texas) and Dante Moore (Oregon). There's elite talent at other positions as well, such as Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, and a deep crop of blue-chip edge rushers like Colin Simmons (Texas) and Dylan Stewart (South Carolina).
2027 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | Interior OL | Edge | Interior DL | LB | CB | S
As we get ready for another exciting football season, here's an early look at how I stack the top 50 overall prospects eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft:
1. Jeremiah Smith | WR | Ohio State
Smith has been locked into this spot from the moment he stepped on the field for the Buckeyes as a true freshman. He's been NFL-ready his entire career in Columbus, and when he finally makes the jump, he'll have all the physical tools and experience needed to make a massive impact right away at the next level.
2. Leonard Moore | CB | Notre Dame
In studying some of this year's top wide receiver prospects, Moore was consistently jumping off the tape as the best player on the field. The definition of a shutdown corner, Moore checks every box NFL teams are looking for at the position, and he heads into the 2026 college football season as one of the most dominant players in the country.
3. Colin Simmons | Edge | Texas
If you're looking for a premium edge rusher at the top of the board next year, Simmons makes a strong case to be the best of the bunch. He's already racked up 21 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss over his first two seasons at the college level, and is primed for another dominant campaign in 2026.
4. Dylan Stewart | Edge | South Carolina
Much like Simmons, Stewart has been flashing his first-round talent from Day 1 at the college level. His rare combination of explosiveness and bend around the edge has made for some ridiculous highlights, and there's rare upside for a big-play defender who has already tallied 22.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.
5. Arch Manning | QB | Texas
After choosing to go back to school for another year, Manning should benefit from another season of experience against top competition before jumping to the pros. There's never been any doubt about his physical traits, and if he lives up to the unreal expectations that come along with his name, he could be the slam-dunk No. 1 overall pick in 2027.
© Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
6. Dante Moore | QB | Oregon
The likely No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft had he declared, Moore opted for another year of experience with the Ducks before making the leap. He'll be highly motivated to get his team a national title this time around, but he's already got all the physical and mental tools to be a franchise passer at the next level.
7. Cam Coleman | WR | Texas
The physical traits are obvious with Coleman, but his production suffered from inconsistent quarterback play at Auburn. Now that he'll have Arch Manning throwing him the ball, Coleman shouldn't have any problems putting up big numbers while showing off the talent that could make him a high-end WR1 at the next level.
8. LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina
There's plenty of boom-or-bust to Sellers' evaluation, but I still believe he's got the most upside of any quarterback in this class. His combination of size, athleticism and arm strength give him a limitless ceiling, but he still needs refinement as a pocket passer if he wants to be a quality starter at the next level. I'm buying his potential until proven otherwise.
9. CJ Carr | QB | Notre Dame
I'm not convinced Carr declares with two years of eligibility still remaining after this season, but he's talented enough to consider it if he lives up to the hype this season. All the physical tools are there when it comes to projecting success at the next level, and with the talent he has around him in South Bend, he should have no problem delivering on the high expectations.
10. Trevor Goosby | OT | Texas
Goosby could have been a fairly early pick in this year's draft as a high-upside project thanks to his rare combination of size, power and athleticism, but he made the wise choice to come back for another year with the Longhorns. With another season of experience and some more polish on his technique, Goosby could be a dominant blocker and a top-10 pick.
Best of the Rest
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11. Jordan Seaton | OT | LSU
12. David Stone | DL | Oklahoma
13. Ellis Robinson IV | CB | Georgia
14. A'Mauri Washington | DL | Oregon
15. KJ Bolden | DB | Georgia
16. Kewan Lacy | RB | Ole Miss
17. Trevor Lauck | OT | Iowa
18. Will Echoles | DL | Ole Miss
19. Kelley Jones | CB | Mississippi State
20. Charlie Becker | WR | Indiana
21. Justin Scott | DL | Miami (FL)
22. Jamari Johnson | TE | Oregon
23. Ryan Coleman-Williams | WR | Alabama
24. Jacarrius Peak | OT | South Carolina
25. Ashton Hampton | CB | Clemson
26. Matayo Uiagalelei | Edge | Oregon
27. Quincy Rhodes Jr. | Edge | Arkansas
28. Cayden Green | OL | Missouri
29. Austin Siereveld | OL | Ohio State
30. Trinidad Chambliss | QB | Ole Miss
31. Carter Smith | OL | Indiana
32. Sammy Brown | LB | Clemson
33. Kade Pieper | OL | Iowa
34. Trey'Dez Green | TE | LSU
35. Julian Sayin | QB | Ohio State
36. Jadan Baugh | RB | Florida
37. Omarion Miller | WR | Arizona State
38. Damon Wilson Jr. | Edge | Miami (FL)
39. Vicari Swain | CB | South Carolina
40. Ahmad Moten Sr. | DL | Miami (FL)
41. Zabien Brown | CB | Alabama
42. Ahmad Hardy | RB | Missouri
43. Tae Johnson | S | Notre Dame
44. Chris Peal | CB | Syracuse
45. Darian Mensah | QB | Miami (FL)
46. Nick Marsh | WR | Indiana
47. Drew Mestemaker | QB | Oklahoma State
48. Jayden Maiava | QB | USC
49. Chris Cole | LB | Georgia
50. Koi Perich | S | Oregon
