The first full week of the 2026 college football season is giving us our first look at many of the top prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft class, including what’s expected to be a stellar group of wide receivers.
The biggest names at the top of that list understood the assignment, putting up some huge numbers in their respective season openers, and delivering on the preseason hype that had them all firmly planted in the first round of just about every early mock draft for next year.
Even though we can’t count Miami’s Malachi Toney because he won’t be eligible until 2028, here’s what we saw from the top pass-catchers in the 2027 NFL Draft class this week:
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Pour one out for the Ball State secondary. The consensus No. 1 overall prospect in the 2027 class, Smith hit the ground running Saturday, carving up the Cardinals for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns on eight receptions. His services weren’t much needed in the second half of a blowout win, but the statement had already been made. Obviously, Smith will more adequately prove his mettle against better competition throughout the rest of the season (starting with next week’s road showdown against Ohio State), but you can only play the team in front of you, and Smith made it clear that he’s the genuine article, no matter who’s lining up on the other side.
Cam Coleman, Texas
Coleman’s talent has always been obvious, but watching his film at Auburn was infuriating, as he would constantly beat his defender only to watch the ball sail over his head. That shouldn’t be a problem now that he’s catching passes from Arch Manning, and our first look at that combo backed up that assumption. Coleman only caught three passes in Saturday’s dominant win over Texas State, but he turned them into 70 yards and two touchdowns. The skill set here reminds me of Malik Nabers at LSU, but with more size (6-3, 204) and above-the-rim impact. That’s gonna be fun to watch all year long, and then again at the next level.
Charlie Becker, Indiana
The Hoosiers had a ton of clutch performers on their way to a national title last year, and Becker was among them. When Fernando Mendoza needed a big play downfield or a back-shoulder conversion on third down, Becker came through all year long. Mendoza has been replaced by TCU transfer Josh Hoover, and Becker is still making the same big plays, catching four passes for 64 yards and two scores against North Texas. Becker’s combination of size (6-4, 208), athleticism, and ability to expand his catch radius in the end zone could make him a top-15 pick in 2027, and more performances like the one we saw from him Saturday are certainly ahead before then.
Nick Marsh, Indiana
The Hoosiers lost Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt to the 2026 NFL Draft, but they helped alleviate those departures with the arrival of Marsh, a transfer from Michigan State. The former Spartan made his presence felt right away Saturday, showing off incredible hands and impressive body control on a one-handed touchdown catch on a fantastic back-shoulder throw from Hoover on a slot fade. Marsh only caught two passes for 17 yards, but that one play illustrates what he’s capable of when the ball comes his way. He could give the Hoosiers a pair of first-round picks at wide receiver next year.
Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama
I wrote earlier about the frustrating drops that continued to plague Coleman-Williams in Saturday’s runaway win over East Carolina, but I’ll focus on the positives here. Playing just a couple of quarters and change, Coleman-Williams dropped 130 yards on five receptions, averaging 26 yards per catch. Consistency and focus will obviously be the key for Coleman-Williams if he wants to stay in the first-round conversation heading into next offseason, but the explosiveness and big-play ability are still obvious. Hopefully, he can shake off the drops and continue to create splash plays downfield for the Crimson Tide all year long.
KJ Duff, Rutgers
It was a rough night for the Scarlet Knights against UMass on Thursday, but Duff definitely pulled his own weight. Despite the crushing home loss to a team that didn’t win a single game last year, Duff lit up the stat sheet with nine receptions for 196 yards and a hat trick of touchdown catches. Listed at 6-6, 225, Duff’s massive frame and huge catch radius were on full display against the Minutemen, and those traits will have NFL scouts and decision-makers dreaming about the possibilities he’ll bring to the next level. He doesn’t create a ton of separation, but with his size and wingspan, he’s the kind of pass-catching target who’s open even when he’s covered.
2027 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | Interior OL | Edge | Interior DL | LB | CB | S
