We’re a little more than a week away from the start of the 2026 college football season, which will give us our first on-field look at the top prospects in eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft.
It should be a star-studded class, headlined by a quarterback class that features a pair of hopefuls for the No. 1 overall pick in Arch Manning (Texas) and Dante Moore (Oregon). Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the best overall player in the class, and will be a steal for whichever team lands him anywhere after that top spot.
There are two stellar edge rushers to watch this fall in Dylan Stewart (South Carolina) and Colin Simmons (Texas), and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore currently sits right behind Smith at the top of my board.
2027 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | Interior OL | Edge | Interior DL | LB | CB | S
How will this impressive class mesh with the most pressing needs for all 32 NFL teams come next April?
Here’s an early look at how the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft could turn out:
1. Arizona Cardinals
Arch Manning | QB | Texas
I’m not sure why the Cards spent an early third-round pick on Carson Beck (I’ll have to see more than one impressive preseason outing to be convinced), given the fact they could easily land this pick with a rebuild-level roster and being buried at the bottom of one of the league’s toughest divisions. If they do end up in this spot, and Manning has the season we all expect, Arizona could land a true franchise passer with the talent and potential to eventually turn the team’s fortunes around.
2. New York Jets
Dante Moore | QB | Oregon
Had Moore declared for the 2026 draft, he likely would’ve landed in this exact spot, with the same team. He’s back for some unfinished business with the Ducks, and another year of starting experience won’t hurt his development as he gains even more polish before making the jump to the next level. Armed with a ton of young talent (and three first-round picks in this draft), Moore could land with a promising roster with tons of upside.
3. New York Giants
Jeremiah Smith | WR | Ohio State
Even if Malik Nabers is back to full strength, his presence wouldn’t keep the Giants from spending this pick on the best overall player in the entire draft. A complete receiver who was an instant superstar as a freshman in Columbus, Smith has all the physical and mental traits to make a huge impact right away, especially if he lands on a team that forces opposing defenses to choose between him and Nabers when rolling coverages.
4. Cleveland Browns
Dylan Stewart | Edge | South Carolina
I’m not sure we’ll end up with three quarterback prospects worthy of top-five picks, and if that ends up being the case, the Browns would be better off taking an elite talent at another premium position instead of reaching for the next-best passer on the board. Stewart has rare explosiveness off the ball, with the size, length and athleticism to be an absolute menace for opposing tackles and quarterbacks alike.
© Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
5. Las Vegas Raiders
Leonard Moore | CB | Notre Dame
The Raiders have their new franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, and now it’s time to build a winner around him. That means prioritizing talent and value over any particular positional need, but this would be a fantastic match of both. Outside of Smith, Moore is the best prospect in this class heading into this season, with all of the physical and mental traits to develop into a shutdown corner at the next level.
6. Miami Dolphins
Colin Simmons | Edge | Texas
The rebuild is on in Miami, and after loading up on young talent with a huge 2026 draft class, the Dolphins could kick off next year’s group with a high-upside edge rusher. Simmons can win with both speed and power off the edge, and he checks every box NFL teams are looking for in impact players who can potentially take over games with their ability to get after the quarterback.
7. Washington Commanders
Cam Coleman | WR | Texas
Losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil for most (if not all) of the 2026 season is a massive blow for the Commanders, and it could sink their hopes of being competitive this year. The silver lining could be a top-10 draft slot and the chance to grab Coleman, who would give Jayden Daniels an immediate WR2 upgrade with the skill set to eventually take over for Terry McLaurin as the top target in Washington’s passing game.
8. Tennessee Titans
Trevor Goosby | OT | Texas
The sky’s the limit for Cam Ward, but only if the offensive line holds up. They need a franchise left tackle of the future, and that’s what Goosby is capable of being. He’s got rare physical traits and impressive athleticism for his size, along with the power to be a dominant force if he can polish his technique this season. As long as his recent injury isn’t too serious, Goosby has top-10 potential.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
9. Atlanta Falcons
Jordan Seaton | OT | LSU
It’s time for the Falcons to find a successor for Jake Matthews at left tackle, and this would be the ideal opportunity. A highly touted recruit coming out of high school, Seaton has a chance to prove his mettle against SEC competition after transferring from Colorado. All the physical tools are there for Seaton to develop into a franchise player, but he’s still more upside than proven commodity right now.
10. New York Jets (from IND)
David Stone | DL | Oklahoma
After landing their new franchise quarterback, the Jets continue reloading their roster with young talent, this time on the other side of the ball. Every successful rebuild has to invest in the trenches, and Stone has the combination of size, power and explosiveness to be a disruptive force at the next level.
11. New Orleans Saints
Ellis Robinson IV | CB | Georgia
The Saints need a true shutdown corner of the future, and Robinson could be the perfect fit if they end up picking in this range. Robinson checks every box from a physical standpoint, and his experience against top competition in the SEC should ensure he’ll be well prepared for the NFL’s best pass-catchers.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina
This is the first spot where I could see a QB-desperate team taking a swing on the next-best prospect in this class. Barring any of the redshirt sophomores declaring, Sellers is the one I’m banking on with his athletic traits and upside. If he lives up to his full potential, Sellers could be a superstar if he fine-tunes his mechanics and becomes more consistent as a pocket passer.
© Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
13. Minnesota Vikings
Kelley Jones | CB | Mississippi State
If there’s one thing opposing offenses don’t want, it’s Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores having big, athletic corners on the outside who can match up physically with the top pass-catching weapons across the league. Jones brings elite size and length to the position, with the ball skills and smarts to be a star, especially if he lands with one of the best coordinators in the business.
14. Carolina Panthers
Jacarrius Peak | OT | South Carolina
The Panthers just spent a first-round pick on Monroe Freeling, but with Taylor Moton getting older and Ikem Ekwonu better off sliding inside to guard, they could make another long-term investment in the offensive tackle position next offseason. A transfer from North Carolina State, Peak has all the physical tools to develop into a franchise bookend.
15. Detroit Lions
Will Echoles | DL | Ole Miss
Despite many recent attempts in the early rounds, the Lions still don’t have enough high-impact players along the interior of their defensive front. They could take another swing with Echoles, a disruptive force with an impressive blend of power and explosiveness. Hitting on an every-down inside defender could help transform this entire defense by controlling the line of scrimmage and forcing more third-and-long situations.
16. Kansas City Chiefs
Charlie Becker | WR | Indiana
It’s no secret the Chiefs are still looking for a reliable No. 1 target for Patrick Mahomes as Travis Kelce enters what could be the final season of his Hall of Fame career, and even with impressive early returns from fifth-round rookie Cyrus Allen, they could target a bigger prospect to give them Rashee Rice insurance. Becker would fit the bill, and he brings big-play ability that always comes through in clutch situations.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Jamari Johnson | TE | Oregon
It feels unfair to give Joe Burrow yet another dynamic downfield target for the passing game, but the Bengals could absolutely go that route if the board falls the right way next year. Johnson would be an intriguing addition as a mismatch weapon who could exploit 1-on-1 opportunities while opposing defenses are worried about stopping Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
18. Dallas Cowboys (from GB)
Ryan Coleman-Williams | WR | Alabama
I’ll be shocked if Jerry Jones shells out what it will cost to keep George Pickens on a long-term deal to be the Cowboys’ WR2 alongside CeeDee Lamb, and if he doesn’t, he’ll need to find a worthy replacement to help keep Dak Prescott and the passing game operating at a high level. Coleman-Williams struggled last year after an incredible freshman season, but I’m banking on a bounce-back 2026 campaign that puts him back in the first-round conversation.
19. San Francisco 49ers
Trevor Lauck | OT | Iowa
It’s time for the 49ers to plan for life after Trent Williams, and while it’s unfair to expect any rookie to adequately replace a future Hall of Famer, spending a first-round pick on a new franchise left tackle would be a wise investment. Iowa has a long history of producing some of the best offensive line prospects in the country, and Lauck is the latest in a long line of Hawkeyes with Pro Bowl potential in the offensive trenches.
20. New York Jets (from DAL)
Ashton Hampton | CB | Clemson
After trading away Sauce Gardner last year, the Jets could use another outside corner with some size, making Hampton an ideal candidate with his huge frame and impressive length. Hampton’s physical traits should allow him to hang with the league’s bigger, more physical pass-catchers. If he lives up to his potential in 2026, he could easily be a top-25 pick.
21. Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Siereveld | OL | Ohio State
After last season, there’s no such thing as too much investment in the offensive line for the Chargers. Even if the tackles both stay healthy moving forward, continuing to load up on interior help would be ideal. Siereveld has experience at both guard and tackle, but his best projection at the next level might be inside. That versatility and experience at multiple positions should be valuable if injuries continue to pop up.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
KJ Bolden | DB | Georgia
There aren’t many glaring holes on this roster, but adding another versatile playmaker for the secondary wouldn’t hurt. Bolden is an undersized by dynamic defender who can lineup over the top or in the slot, with the smarts, quickness, toughness and ball skills to make agreessive plays on the ball and take it away.
23. Buffalo Bills
Yhonzae Pierre | Edge | Alabama
The Bills spent a high second-round pick on TJ Parker this year, but they could still target another young pass rusher to pair him with on the other side of the defensive front. Pierre comes into the 2026 season loaded with upside thanks to an impressive blend of size, athleticism and physicality, and he could play his way into a first-round spot if he lives up to his potential this year.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A’Mauri Washington | DL | Oregon
As expected, Vita Vea is sticking around through the 2027 season with a new deal, but their star nose tackle is 31 years old, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them draft his replacement next April. Washington could’ve been a fairly early pick in the 2026 draft, but after another year of experience and polish, he’ll be even more prepared to make an instant impact at the heart of Tampa Bay’s defensive front.
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
25. Houston Texans
Kewan Lacy | RB | Ole Miss
David Montgomery and Woody Marks should be a solid 1-2 punch for the Houston backfield this season, but Montgomery will be 30 next June, and Marks is may be better suited for a change-of-pace role. Lacy is an explosive runner with home-run ability and the pass-catching skills to be a true featured back on all three downs.
26. Philadelphia Eagles
Cayden Green | OL | Missouri
Philly knows the value of continuing to invest in the trenches as well as any team in the league, and injuries have exposed their lack of quality depth along the offensive line recently. Green has been stellar at tackle for the Tigers, but he could have an even brighter future at the next level if he slides inside to guard.
27. New England Patriots
Trey’Dez Green | TE | LSU
This offense should take things to another level after trading for AJ Brown, but the Pats could also use a young tight end to develop for the future. Green’s size and athleticism give him a ton of potential, and if he continues his current trend of development, he could prove to be another valuable weapon for Drake Maye in New England.
28. Seattle Seahawks
Carter Smith | OL | Indiana
One of the few glaring holes on this roster is along the interior of the offensive line, where the defending Super Bowl champs could use a long-term upgrade at the guard spot opposite Grey Zabel. Smith has a ton of experience at tackle, but he might be best suited for inside work at the next level. He would be a polished, pro-ready addition for a team that’s built to contend for years to come.
29. Chicago Bears
Quincy Rhodes Jr. | Edge | Arkansas
Chicago’s offense should be one of the NFL’s best for a long time with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams in charge, but the defense needs help if they want to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Halas Hall. The biggest needs are in the trenches, where the Bears need more impact players who can stuff the run and get to the quarterback. Rhodes would address the latter, with a skill set that could have gotten him selected fairly early in the 2026 draft.
30. Denver Broncos
Sammy Brown | LB | Clemson
There aren’t many holes in this roster, but the Broncos could benefit from investing an early pick in a high-end playmaker for the second level of their defense. Brown is the early favorite to be the first off-ball linebacker off the board, with the blend of size, smarts, and physical traits to be a long-term starter for one of the league’s best defenses.
31. Cleveland Browns (from LAR)
Trinidad Chambliss | QB | Ole Miss
I still think Shedeur Sanders can be a successful starter with the right supporting cast, but if the Browns want to take another swing on a quarterback next year, Chambliss could be an intriguing option. Had he remained in the 2026 class, Chambliss would’ve been graded in a similar range to where I had Ty Simpson, who ended up being a top-15 pick. He’s a dynamic playmaker with a live arm who will be even more polished after another year of starting experience.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Kade Pieper | OL | Iowa
The loss of Tyler Linderbaum will no doubt be felt by the Ravens’ offense, but they could end up with a chance to replace him with another stellar center prospect from the same program. Pieper would have big shoes to fill for a second time, but the film we’ve seen up to this point says he’s up to the task.
