I'm already getting excited for the 2027 NFL draft. This class could be really, really good. We have elite wide receivers, standout defenders and a bunch of excellent quarterback prospects. I've been holding off on ranking the best players available until we had a big enough sample of tape, but with roughly half the 2026 college football season in the bank, I'm ready to debut my Big Board for 2027.
My normal disclaimer: This is not a mock draft. What follows isn't any form of prediction for when or where players will get picked once we hit Round 1 on April 29 in Washington D.C. Instead, this is simply my personal ranking of the best players in the class. The list below is based on my own evaluations from what I see on film and some conversations I've had around the NFL. And remember that a lot can change here. Players will rise and fall on the board, and some will even return to school for another year at the collegiate level before turning pro in the future.
Here is my current ranking of the top 25 prospects in the 2027 draft class, which includes a ton of QBs. And at the bottom, I've included the best players at each position. Check back regularly right through draft day -- I will keep this list updated as the class continues to take shape. But one spot that might not change at all is No. 1 ...
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Positional rankings
1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 222 pounds
2026 stats over six games: 48 catches, 916 receiving yards, 11 touchdown catches
Smith is very clearly the best player in this draft class. He's big, fast and physical, and he snatches the ball on the run cleanly. On 281 career targets, he has just six drops. And Smith has the body control to make tough catches. I love the way that he is always looking to improve, too. Smith worked on his after-the-catch skills heading into the 2026 season, and he has been able to make some things happen with the ball in his hands using his strength and speed.
Ohio State continues to feed him targets (north of 10 per game), and nobody can cover him. That was very apparent against Illinois in September, when he caught 12 balls for 217 yards and four touchdowns. In three seasons at Ohio State, he has 38 career touchdown catches, and he's averaging 16.5 yards per catch. Just an incredible football player.
2. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215
2026 stats over five games: 67.5% completion rate, 1,575 passing yards, 13 touchdown passes, five interceptions; 136 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
Mestemaker didn't even start at quarterback for his high school team; he was the punter, played some safety and was the backup QB. Then he walked on at North Texas in 2024 as a QB before becoming the starter in 2025. After throwing for more than 4,000 yards, Mestemaker transferred with coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. It's an incredible story.
His toolbox is also pretty incredible. I love the way he scans the field and bides his time in the pocket. Mestemaker has the big arm to make all of the throws, with 30 completions going for 20-plus yards this season (third in the FBS). But he also has the mobility to pick up nice chunks of yardage on the ground. Mestemaker shows linebacker-esque toughness and plays with a competitive edge. He doesn't turn 21 years old until January, and he has just 20 career starts to his name. So, there's a lot of untapped potential.
3. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 197
2026 stats over five games: Eight tackles, four pass breakups
Moore is exactly what NFL coaches look for in a lockdown cornerback. He has elite length and ball skills, with seven interceptions and 22 pass breakups over his three-year career. He's scheme versatile, too. Moore displays great awareness and instincts in coverage, and he's a silky smooth mover. His footwork is truly outstanding. Moore consistently performs at a high level, but he's still looking for his first pick of the season. He missed the Oct. 10 game against Stanford because of a concussion.
4. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (Fla.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205
2026 stats over five games: 84.2% completion rate, 1,438 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes, zero interceptions; 97 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
Mensah is at his third program in three years, transferring from Tulane to Duke (where he had 34 touchdown passes last season) and then on to Miami. To date, he has started 32 college games -- great experience for a kid who doesn't even turn 22 until January. He is a smooth, fluid passer with solid accuracy. He's smart in the pocket and manages the game really well. And the mobility is there for him to beat a defense as a rusher when the situation calls for it.
Mensah currently leads the nation in completion percentage (84.2%) and QBR (92.5), and he's third in yards per attempt (10.8). Scouts are getting excited for Miami's trip to South Bend in November to play Notre Dame -- that game is going to say a lot about Mensah's draft stock because the Hurricanes have played a pretty light schedule thus far.
5. Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 246
2026 stats over five games: 17 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 20 pressures, two forced fumbles, three run stops
Did you catch Simmons against Tennessee in September? He had 5.5 sacks in that game alone. The production is off the charts -- he has 30.5 sacks, 40.5 tackles for loss and eight forced fumbles over three seasons. And in 2026, he is leading the nation in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (12) and pressure rate (23.0%). Simmons is the type of closer most NFL defenses want rushing off the edge.
Simmons is explosive out of the blocks with natural bend, and he can beat opponents with outside or inside moves. And he isn't given enough credit for the power element in his game.
6. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205
2026 stats over five games: 70.1% completion rate, 1,435 passing yards, 11 touchdown passes, four interceptions; 147 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns
A lot will be made about Chambliss' smaller frame and the fact that he'll be 25 years old before the 2027 NFL season even begins, but he's the ultimate point guard at the quarterback position. I'm really impressed with his pocket presence and mobility, and the mechanics are sound. Chambliss puts zip on his passes with a nice tight spiral and avoids turnovers (seven career picks). And he's a playmaker who sees the field well, often relying on his legs to pick up first downs -- or score. Chambliss has 13 rushing TDs over the past two seasons.
Since transferring in from Ferris State and taking over for Austin Simmons early last season, Chambliss has played his best on the brightest stages. He always seems to respond when he's challenged. He's a real leader on offense.
7. Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235
2026 stats over six games: 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 10 pressures, seven run stops, three pass breakups
Cole is all over the field every Saturday. He's 235 pounds but looks like a safety at the second level. Cole is quick to diagnose thanks to his football IQ and then flies to the ball, especially in lateral pursuit. He is going to be a combine standout with that tremendous speed.
He is versatile, too. Cole can line up off the ball on the inside or on the outside, and he will consistently make plays against the run, in coverage and as an occasional pass rusher -- I see solid bend and burst off the edge. Cole is an outstanding player and is perfect for the way NFL football is played today.
8. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
2026 stats over six games: 70.8% completion rate, 1,378 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes, one interception; 78 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns
There's a lot to like in Carr's game. He's smart and processes quickly before and after the snap, which is part of the reason he has taken just two sacks all season. He's accurate to all levels and throws with anticipation. And while his arm strength is good but not great, he can cause conflict for defenses with his mobility. Carr can throw on the move or pick up a first down on the ground. Nothing phases him, and he's always in control. In short, Carr is pretty advanced in the key areas of NFL-level quarterback play.
Just as it is for Darian Mensah on the other sideline, the Nov. 7 matchup with Miami will be important -- but the looming BYU matchup should also show us what Carr can do against strong competition.
9. Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
2026 stats over three games: Five tackles, 1.0 sacks, 2.0 tackles for loss, 10 pressures, two forced fumbles, one run stop
Stewart hasn't played much in the early part of the season. He missed the opener as he recovered from a back injury, and then he was suspended for one game for punching an Alabama player in the helmet and arguing with coaches on the sideline. But when he is playing, you can tell pretty quickly. His traits jump off the tape. It's just a matter of whether the production can catch up; Stewart has 12 career sacks over three seasons despite recording 78 pressures over those 27 games.
Stewart can vary his path to the QB, and he closes quickly with speed to power. He also has the big frame to hold the point and shed blockers against the run. The pass-rush ability is there, but he needs to figure out how to translate his physical traits into stat-sheet production on a more consistent basis.
10. Austin Simmons, QB, Missouri
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220
2026 stats over six games: 64.8% completion rate, 1,434 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes, one interception; 50 rushing yards
This might be a little bit of a surprise to some folks, but go watch the tape. There is no better thrower of the football in the collegiate ranks right now than this young lefty -- he's a pure passer. Simmons can sling it with the best of them -- the ball explodes out of his hands. But he's also very accurate and mixes in good touch with all that velocity. Simmons transferred from Ole Miss after a 2025 season in which he was hurt early and lost his job to Trinidad Chambliss, and his electric arm has allowed Missouri to hit big plays down the field in 2026. Simmons is 12th in the nation with 10.6 air yards per attempt.
What's holding him back? Simmons has started just eight career games. His experience is still going to be pretty light by the end of the season, and that might scare some NFL teams. There's a chance Simmons returns to school for another year, but he deserves to be here on the Big Board because of his outstanding skill set and high ceiling.
11. Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 208
2026 stats over six games: 30 catches, 529 receiving yards, eight touchdown catches
I love the way Becker attacks the football. He consistently wins in tight coverage with his big frame, excellent hands and nice adjustments to find the ball in the air. Becker can locate the open spots in the coverage, and he can stretch the field with his speed. He has averaged 17.6 yards per reception this season. I'll be watching him at the combine; he is going to test really well and should post a pretty fast 40-yard dash time.
12. Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 204
2026 stats over five games: 17 catches, 318 receiving yards, five touchdown catches
The traits are there. Coleman displays outstanding body control and the catch radius to haul in throws outside the strike zone. He's very good in contested catch situations, and he has brought in a few deep balls this season, helping his per-catch average up to 18.7. After two seasons at Auburn, Coleman came to Texas with a lot of hype. But the Longhorns' pass game has been a little uneven, and Coleman has seen only 27 targets through five games.
13. Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
2026 stats over five games: 15 tackles, one interception, nine pass breakups, 0.5 tackles for loss
Hampton's confidence shows in his play. You can tell he loves matching up with the opposition's No. 1 receiver and going to battle. And more often than not, Hampton wins. He has allowed just 2.5 yards per pass attempt in his direction this season, which ranks in the top 20 in the nation.
He plays an aggressive style, crowding receivers at the line of scrimmage, getting in his hip pocket and disrupting routes right away. Hampton can plant and drive on the ball (though his ball production is only moderate, with four career picks), and he has the recovery speed to make plays with his back to the QB when necessary.
14. Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 225
2026 stats over six games: 110 carries, 672 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns; seven catches, 46 receiving yards
Baugh is tied for the FBS lead in rushing touchdowns (12), and he's tied for ninth in rushing yards per game (112.0). He has it all, including really good field vision, breakaway speed and shiftiness. Baugh can cut back to make defenders miss, and he has the power to break tackles. He's a handful to bring down, and he almost never puts the football on the ground -- he hasn't fumbled since 2024, and that was his only career fumble across 1,000-plus offensive snaps. Baugh is also dependable as a receiver out of the backfield when called upon.
15. Greg Johnson, G/C, Minnesota
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 325
2026 stats over six games: Six starts, zero sacks allowed, one pressure allowed
Johnson has played significant snaps at left guard and center this season, and he's a high-level blocker at both spots. Versatility is one of his best traits; he had 50-plus snaps at both tackle spots last season in addition to his work on the interior. Johnson is a strong run blocker, with an aggressive, nasty edge to his game. He's powerful and can sustain well. But he also anchors well in pass protection, and he has never allowed a sack across 43 career games (34 starts).
16. Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 315
2026 stats over five games: 13 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 3.0 tackles for loss, nine pressures, six run stops, one pass breakup
NFL teams love penetrating, disruptive interior defensive linemen, and Echoles gets into opponents' backfields on a consistent basis. He had 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in 2025, and while the sacks haven't really come yet in 2026, he's causing headaches for QBs with nine pressures. Echoles is explosive and can beat double-teams with his high effort level. He's also very effective in lateral pursuit. And I like his professional approach to the game.
17. Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 307
2026 stats over six games: Six starts, zero sacks allowed, zero pressures allowed
Seaton has started 28 games at left tackle, including 22 at Colorado before transferring to LSU before the 2026 season. And he has not allowed a sack since 2024. He can push blockers past the QB and has improved as a run blocker, showing the ability to pull there. Seaton is in great shape this season, and he looks the part. He just needs to be coached up a little to realize his full potential as an elite left tackle.
18. Yhonzae Pierre, Edge, Alabama
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 251
2026 stats over six games: 17 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, 15 pressures, one forced fumble, two run stops, one interception, two pass breakups
As his eight sacks and 40 pressures of 2025 suggest, Pierre is a good pass rusher. But what I really like about his tape is the way he seals the edge and takes care of the run. He made 10 run stops last season. He does a nice job changing direction. Pierre is a complete player who will get after the QB, stop ball carriers in their tracks and drop into coverage against the pass. Check out his pick-six from early September against East Carolina.
19. Kade Pieper, G, Iowa
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 298
2026 stats over six games: Six starts, zero sacks allowed, two pressures allowed
Pieper has played primarily right guard, but he's versatile, and some scouts might see him as a center in the pros. He's an athletic blocker who can pull and get to the second level to help spring big runs. He's also effective driving defenders off the ball. Over 32 career games (19 starts), Pieper has not allowed any sacks.
20. Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205
2026 stats over five games: 17 tackles, six pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss
I had an eye on Jones last season for the 2026 class before he went back to school, and his consistency over these past two seasons is impressive. He anticipates well in coverage, and he uses his huge 6-foot-4 frame and long arms to attack receivers in press and make plays on the ball. Jones has only two interceptions (both last season), but he has broken up 17 passes since the start of 2025.
Jones can fly, too. He could put up a really good 40 time at the combine in March. He's comfortable with his back to the QB and is disruptive at the catch point. And he's a willing tackler in run defense.
21. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 325
2026 stats over five games: Five starts, zero sacks allowed, zero pressures allowed
Goosby is technically sound with the ability to drop an anchor in pass protection and the powerful hands to move defensive ends off the ball in the run game. As a run blocker, his strength and ability to carry out combo blocks stand out. He has solid length to handle pass rushers, and he has allowed just two sacks over 35 career games (20 starts). Most of that experience has been at left tackle, and Goosby projects there in the pros. "Consistent" is the one word I'd use to describe his game, and he maximizes his ability.
22. Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
2026 stats over six games: 13 tackles, one interception, four pass breakups
Physical kid. He isn't afraid to step up and make a tackle. He gets a little grabby in coverage at times, but he won't get pushed around by receivers. The playmaking spiked last season, too, when he picked off four passes in his first season as a starter. Robinson has one INT so far in 2026, but he has also broken up four passes on 19 balls thrown his way. He shows the speed to handle vertical routes, and he seems to be getting more and more consistent in coverage.
23. Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 314
2026 stats over six games: Six starts, zero sacks allowed, three pressures allowed
Yet another Iowa offensive lineman makes the list. Lauck has been a mainstay at left tackle since the beginning of last season, starting 19 games there over that time (one sack allowed in 2025, none this season). His pass protection traits have stood out in particular this season, as he's technically sound. I see good footwork and balance on the tape, and he sustains well and finishes his blocks.
24. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 222
2026 stats over five games: 63.0% completion rate, 1,122 passing yards, 10 touchdown passes, five interceptions; 174 rushing yards
Manning has dropped to QB6 on my board -- but he's still a top-25 player because of the skill set. I see the size, mobility and arm strength that NFL teams look for in a franchise quarterback. He can make throws rolling out, and he is dangerous as a runner (10 rushing touchdowns last season).
But Manning is too inconsistent, especially when it comes to accuracy and decision-making. He's going to be a tough evaluation. Watch just about any game he plays, and you'll ride the roller coaster of getting excited about his NFL ceiling and then wondering whether he's ever going to truly put it all together. Manning doesn't see the field as well as other quarterbacks on this list, and he occasionally throws off balance. And while the accuracy is better this season than it was in 2025, it still has to improve. I'm very curious to see how the rest of this season plays out.
25. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
2026 stats over four games: 69.7% completion rate, 926 passing yards, nine touchdown passes, zero interceptions; 22 rushing yards
Moore hasn't played since September, when he took a hit against USC and suffered a concussion. He's back at practice, but he has already been ruled out for Saturday's matchup with Nebraska.
When Moore is at the top of his game, he's an impressive passer. He changes arm angles, he's mechanically sound, he displays precise ball placement, and there's good touch on his deep ball. Throws look effortless because of his arm strength, and he can deliver strikes while rolling out. There's even some scramble ability there. The toolbox is full.
But he has to show he can take over some games against top-tier competition. His performance against Penn State in 2025 (at a time when the Nittany Lions were the No. 3 team in the country) was exceptional. I thought he was going to build on that and enter the 2026 draft as one of the top QBs on the board. But he couldn't bottle that performance and repeat it against other top teams over the rest of that season. He now has a chance to prove he can rise to the matchup this year -- most notably against Ohio State on Nov. 7.
Position rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
2. Darian Mensah, Miami (Fla.)
3. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
4. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
5. Austin Simmons, Missouri
Just missed: Arch Manning, Texas; Dante Moore, Oregon
Running backs
1. Jadan Baugh, Florida
2. Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami (Fla.)
3. Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
4. Nate Frazier, Georgia
5. Hollywood Smothers, Texas
Just missed: LJ Martin, BYU; Justice Haynes, Alabama; DeSean Bishop, Tennessee
Wide receivers
1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
2. Charlie Becker, Indiana
3. Cam Coleman, Texas
4. Nick Marsh, Indiana
5. KJ Duff, Rutgers
Just missed: Deuce Alexander, Ole Miss; Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama
Tight ends
1. Trey'Dez Green, LSU
2. Jamari Johnson, Oregon
3. Luke Reynolds, Virginia Tech
4. Andrew Rappleyea, Penn State
5. Peter Clarke, Temple
Just missed: Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech; Benjamin Brahmer, Penn State; Jeremiah Hasley, Duke
Offensive tackles
1. Jordan Seaton, LSU
2. Trevor Goosby, Texas
3. Trevor Lauck, Iowa
4. Samson Okunlola, Miami (Fla.)
5. Carter Smith, Indiana
Just missed: Cayden Green, Missouri
Interior offensive linemen
1. Greg Johnson, Minnesota
2. Kade Pieper, Iowa
3. Anthonie Knapp, Notre Dame
4. Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati
5. Austin Siereveld, Ohio State
Just missed: Dominick Giudice, Missouri
Edge rushers
1. Colin Simmons, Texas
2. Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
3. Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
4. Devan Thompkins, Alabama
5. Damon Wilson II, Miami (Fla.)
Just missed: Clev Lubin, Louisville; Will Heldt, Clemson
Defensive tackles
1. Will Echoles, Ole Miss
2. Xavier Gilliam, Tennessee
3. David Stone, Oklahoma
4. A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
5. Ahmad Moten Sr., Miami (Fla.)
Just missed: Terrance Green, Alabama; A.J. Holmes Jr., Texas Tech; Tavion Gadson, Kentucky
Linebackers
1. Chris Cole, Georgia
2. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame
3. Xavier Atkins, Auburn
4. Arion Carter, Tennessee
5. Tony Rojas, Penn State
Just missed: Sammy Brown, Clemson; Ben Roberts, Texas Tech; Kip Lewis, Oklahoma
Cornerbacks
1. Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
2. Ashton Hampton, Clemson
3. Kelley Jones, Mississippi State
4. Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia
5. Chris Peal, Syracuse
Just missed: Zabien Brown, Alabama; Demello Jones, Georgia; Jalen Mayo, Houston
Safeties
1. Brauntae Johnson, Notre Dame
2. Kingston Lopa, California
3. KJ Bolden, Georgia
4. Koi Perich, Oregon
5. Adon Shuler, Notre Dame
Just missed: Zach Lutmer, Iowa; Jaylen McClain, Ohio State; Ty Benefield, LSU
Kickers and punters
1. Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss (PK)
2. Daniel Sparks, Virginia (P)
3. David Olano, Texas A&M (PK)
4. Evan Crenshaw, Troy (P)
5. Tate Sandell, Oklahoma (PK)
Just missed: Palmer Williams, Baylor (P)