5 2027 NFL Draft Non-QB Prospects Capable of Jumping Into Top-5 Conversation

The excitement for the 2027 class may reach nuclear levels based on a handful of prospects asserting themselves as elite prospects and breaking up the highly anticipated quarterback crop.

"Conversations with NFL scouts and front office officials indicate that at this early juncture there's at least 15 quarterbacks who could conceivably be considered in the first-round conversation," ESPN's Pete Thamel reported.

The fallout of having multiple non-quarterback talents deserving of top-five consideration will only strengthen what looks like the best draft class, at least on paper, in recent memory.

Bleacher Report already identified the five prospects most likely in competition to become the No. 1 overall pick for the 2027 draft class, which included Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart, as well as the top three quarterbacks. As noted, even more quarterbacks will find themselves in the top-10 conversation if they perform well this fall.

Prospects at the other premium positions shouldn't be overlooked. Five more talents present enough upside and growth potential to find themselves in rarified air among what's already viewed as a special class.

Pro tip: Watch a lot of the Texas Longhorns this fall.

Edge Colin Simmons, Texas

David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Among this specific tier or prospects, Colin Simmons has a greatest chance to not only be a top-five pick but the No. 1 overall prospect when it's all said and done.

In the earlier article identifying top pick candidates, South Carolina's Dylan Stewart held a slight advantage over Simmons, because he has more traditional traits for an edge-defender. However, Simmons has been the more productive player to date.

The first-team All-SEC selection displays the explosiveness, flexibility and tenaciousness that NFL teams want from a typical edge-rusher. The former 5-star recruit already registered 29.5 tackles for loss, 21 sacks and six forced fumbles during his first two seasons. As a true sophomore, Simmons led the SEC last season with 61 quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus.

Plus, the 6'3", 244-pound defender plays stand-up end. He is asked to drop into space as part of pressure packages and doesn't look out of place. Is that where his true value derives? Of course not. That skill simply adds to Simmons' all-around game, particularly since he's not necessarily built like a true defensive end.

NFL teams aren't going to care if Simmons is doesn't quite have the length and comes in a littler lighter than preferred when he continually disrupts opposing offenses. He's arguably on par with this year's No. 2 overall pick David Bailey right now, while being two-and-a-half years younger.

Though Texas' top defender can elevate his game even further by showing he consistently hold up at the point of attack and finish regularly to create more impact plays.

CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame

Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

A total of six cornerbacks over the last 10 classes have been drafted in the top five. The 2027 class has an outside shot at two entering that range, with Notre Dame's Leonard Moore already considered one of the cycle's top overall prospects.

In two seasons, Moore proved himself as an elite cover corner, while being named a Freshman and consensus All-American. According to Pro Football Focus, he is the only cornerback since the site began tracking college football to earn an 85 or better overall grade during his first two seasons. Moore was the nation's highest graded corner last year, even over Mansoor Delane, who the Kansas City Chiefs chose with the sixth overall pick in April's draft.

Physically, Moore fits the archetype of what NFL teams want in a No. 1 cornerback. The true junior is 6'2" and nearly 200 pounds, with good length and play-strength. He displays good ball skills, too. Moore defended 18 passes and snagged seven interceptions, including five in 2025, during his first two seasons.

Moore is a bigger corner. His fluidity with how he tests in change-of-direction drills will be something scouts watch closely. Also, the NFL will want to know what kind of top-end speed he has to close space when forced to scramble after a wide receiver does create some separation. These numbers will be used for confirmation, because college football's CB1 already showed the caliber of play and skill set to warrant consideration as arguably the best prospect at his position over the last decade.

OT Trevor Goosby, Texas

Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Trevor Goosby showed tremendous growth throughout the 2025 campaign, to the point where he could have easily been OT1 in this year's draft had he chosen to declare for the event.

Instead, the 21-year-old first-team All-SEC performer went back to Texas, where he'll protect the blind side for the presumed No. 1 overall pick, Arch Manning, and help the Longhorns make a push toward a national championship.

Goosby has the size (6'7", 325 lbs) and movement skills to be a long-term NFL left tackle.

"Goosby is a young, inexperienced tackle with vines for arms and very good play strength who operates with a feel of a more experienced player," B/R scout Brandon Thorn wrote. "His high-cut frame results in middling lateral quickness, but he makes up for it with sound positional leverage, length and strength that signals an ascending player who will compete for a starting job sooner rather than later."

This initial assessment came before the offensive line prospect made his intentions clear. Furthermore, he played well enough, with the requisite traits, where his upside would have likely trumped any other offensive tackle available in April's event.

Now, Goosby has an opportunity to further elevate his status. A dominant season as part of a program that will be under a microscope will quell any concerns that lingered after his first as a starter.

Big bodies are always held at a premium. This year's first round included nine blockers. Goosby should work his way into a higher grade than all of them.

CB Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia

Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Leonard Moore may be the standard at cornerback entering he current draft cycle, but he's not the only one worthy of early consideration. Georgia's Ellis Robinson IV doesn't have the size or physicality of Moore, though his coverage skills are superb.

To be clear, Robinson doesn't shy away from contact. The 6'0", 190-pound corner will smack a ball-carrier. He's simply not built the same as Moore. That's OK. Plenty of top cover corners aren't.

Also, Robinson had to overcome the stigma of initial disappointment. Unlike Moore, Georgia's 5-star recruit failed to make an impact in Year 1.

The redshirt freshman wasn't a starter to open Year 2, either. Eventually, everything began to click. By the end of the 2025 campaign, Robinson earned second-team All-SEC status.

"From the time he got here, he's got elite ball skills, elite cover ability, toughness, and a competitor," Smart said, per Mark Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald. "The mental disposition and the stamina are probably two reasons he struggled as a freshman, because we had good players here. …. He could probably cover as good as they could then. He didn't always know exactly what to do. He got better at that. He got better at having a short memory."

A confident Robinson has the length, fluidity and recovery skills to shut down an opponent's top receiver. He simply needs to build on what began as last season progressed. A entire campaign of elite play will place Robinson in the same stratosphere as Moore.

NFL coaches will be licking their chops to add Robinson because of his competitiveness.

"If you're upset about that now, you're going to have to get used to that," Smart said of Robinson's demeanor after surrendering a catch during an initial practice despite being an early enrollee. "These are good players. He's like, 'I ain't getting used to that. I ain't used to that.'"

WR Cam Coleman, Texas

Scott Wachter/Getty Images for ONIT

Once again, the incoming wide receiver class will be loaded with talent. Despite the depth often found at the position, high-end prospects demand early draft consideration as the market explodes for play-makers in the pass game.

Beyond Jeremiah Smith, who will likely be the class' No. 1 overall prospect, Cam Coleman can stake his claim as a standout second option, particularly as part of the Texas Longhorns' offense.

Coleman was already one of the nation's most explosive targets, but Auburn has a long history of not properly developing talented wide receivers. The program has featured shoddy quarterback play, too. Coleman still managed 1,306 yards and 13 touchdown grabs during his first two seasons. His transfer can create an ascendancy where Smith doesn't go unchallenged as WR1.

At Texas, Coleman will benefit from A) Steve Sarkisian's proven offensive scheme and B) catching passes from the potential No. 1 overall pick, Arch Manning. The receiver's skill set should finally be on full display.

"He came here with real intentions and a real reason of understanding," Sarkisian told reporters. "He wants to compete for a national championship and he wants to put himself in the best position to get ready for the NFL. And he came to a pro style offense for a reason. We've obviously had a pretty good recent history of receivers getting drafted down to the NFL fairly highly. And so he understands why he came."

The setup shouldn't just make Coleman more productive; he'll improve as his route-tree expands thanks to Sarkisian's system. The 2027 class could end up being a similar setup to when Julio Jones and AJ Green entered the NFL at the same time.