Sports

2027 NFL Draft Rankings: Top Prospects to Watch

By Luke Easterling Athlon Sports

Updated April 27, 2026 1:15 PM

I know we've barely finished handing out immediate grades for this year's NFL Draft class, but it's never too early to look ahead at the top talent that will be available next April.

The 2027 NFL Draft class has already been labeled as one of the best ones in recent memory, thanks to some elite prospects who have already shown they can dominate at the highest level of college football. While this year's quarterback class was lackluster at best, the 2027 crop of passers has a chance to be special, if a handful of high-upside prospects can live up to the high expectations they're carrying into the 2026 season.

There are big-play pass-catchers, explosive edge rushers, an elite shutdown corner, and some exciting running backs in the 2027 group, as well as a long list of trench players on both sides of the ball with first-round talent and potential.

Here's my early look at the top prospects who will be 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 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.

Texas QB Arch Manning is the early favorite to be next year's No. 1 overall pick. (Jordan Prather-Imagn Images Jordan Prather-Imagn Images Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

6. Dante Moore | QB | Oregon

The likely No. 2 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, 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. Jordan Seaton | OT | LSU

One of Deion Sanders' most prized recruits at Colorado, Seaton transferred to LSU, where he'll try to deliver on the high expectations of that five-star rating. His tape has been inconsistent up to this point, but if he can fine-tune his technique and improve his level of play on a snap-by-snap basis, he could develop into a franchise left tackle prospect.

9. 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.

10. Julian Sayin | QB | Ohio State

I'm not sure who will be the third-best quarterback in this class, but Sayin has as good a chance as any of the remaining prospects to take that title. He lacks ideal size, but he's an accurate passer with a strong enough arm who makes sound decisions with the football, and has already proven that big games aren't too much for him.

Best of the Rest

South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers has as much upside as any quarterback in the country. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Images) Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

11. A'Mauri Washington | DL | Oregon

12. KJ Bolden | S | Georgia

13. David Stone | DL | Oklahoma

14. Ellis Robinson IV | CB | Georgia

15. Zabien Brown | CB | Alabama

16. Ahmad Hardy | RB | Missouri

17. LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina

18. CJ Carr | QB | Notre Dame

19. Ryan Coleman-Williams | WR | Alabama

20. Jamari Johnson | TE | Oregon

21. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

22.. Trey'Dez Green | TE | LSU

23. Quincy Rhodes Jr. | Edge | Arkansas

24. Kewan Lacy | RB | Ole Miss

25. Matayo Uiagalelei | Edge | Oregon

26. Kelley Jones | CB | Mississippi State

27. Ahmad Moten Sr. | DL | Miami (FL)

28. Austin Siereveld | OT | Ohio State

29. Damon Wilson II | Edge | Missouri

30. Cayden Green | OL | Missouri

31. Anthony Smith | DL | Minnesota

32. Chris Peal | CB | Syracuse

33. Koi Perich | S | Oregon

34. Nick Marsh | WR | Indiana

35. Trinidad Chambliss | QB | Ole Miss

36. Darian Mensah | QB | Miami (FL)

37. Will Heldt | Edge | Clemson

38. Nate Frazier | RB | Georgia

39. Brenden Sorsby | QB | Texas Tech

40. Jayden Maiava | QB | USC

41. Mario Craver | WR | Texas A&M

42. Rasheem Biles | LB | Texas

43. OJ Frederique Jr. | CB | Miami (FL)

44. Brice Pollock | CB | Texas Tech

45. Will Echoles | DL | Ole Miss

46. Ty Benefield | S | LSU

47. Kenyatta Jackson | Edge | Ohio State

48. Jordan Ross | DL | LSU

49. Mateen Ibirogba | DL | Texas Tech

50. A.J. Holmes Jr. | DL | Texas Tech

This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 12:57 PM.