As the 2026 football season draws near, it's time to take an early look at the top running back prospects eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Kewan Lacy from Ole Miss looks like a surefire first-round talent, while Florida's Jadan Baugh has the same kind of game-breaking ability that could put him in the top-32 conversation with another impressive campaign in 2026. Missouri's Ahmad Hardy is another high-end prospect, but it remains to be seen how quickly he can get back to full strength after suffering a gunshot wound in the offseason.
There's tons of upside elsewhere in the class, too. Georgia's Nate Frazier, Georgia Tech's Justice Haynes, and Miami's Mark Fletcher Jr. all bring the kind of explosive playmaking ability and well-rounded skill sets that could make them all featured backs at the next level in the right situation.
As we get ready for the start of a new football season, here's an early look at how I stack the board at running back for the 2027 NFL Draft:
| RANK | PLAYER | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|
1. |
Kewan Lacy |
Ole Miss |
2. |
Jadan Baugh |
Florida |
3. |
Ahmad Hardy |
Missouri |
4. |
Nate Frazier |
Georgia |
5. |
Mark Fletcher Jr. |
Miami (FL) |
6. |
Justice Haynes |
Georgia Tech |
7. |
Antwan Raymond |
Rutgers |
8. |
Isaac Brown |
Louisville |
9. |
Darius Taylor |
Minnesota |
10. |
Raleek Brown |
Texas |
