2027 NFL Draft Early Top 25 Big Board Before CFB Week 0

The NFL draft process may be an inexact science, but the excitement for the 2027 class should not be tempered. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department reconvened after its summer break and discovered the hype appears real.

Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith is already graded higher than any other prospect since the group began six years ago. Four quarterbacks are counted among this initial Top 25, including three in the Top 10.

This group features high-end pass-rushers, an elite cornerback and a few exciting offensive tackle options. The skill positions are loaded, too, with three running backs cracking the initial 18 slots.

Professional scouts and decision-makers are already giddy about the potential found among this class. They should be.

Brandon Thorn: Brandon is the author of the Trench Warfare newsletter, which focuses exclusively on offensive and defensive line evaluation. He also contributes as an analyst to Establish the Run, serves as the scouting coordinator for OL Masterminds and is a selection committee member for the Joe Moore Award. 

Dame Parson: Dame is the lead host of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast. Previously, he spent three years as a senior draft analyst for The Draft Network, while evaluating draft prospects as the founder of The Scouting Room.

Matt Holder: Matt played college football, worked in college recruiting and is a Scouting Academy graduate. He has covered the NFL draft since 2019, writes about the Las Vegas Raiders for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride and co-hosts Tape Don't Lie, which provides film breakdowns and draft analysis.

Daniel Harms: Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL draft since 2019, while contributing for RGR Football. He spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network. He's now entering his second season with the B/R Scouting Department.

Brent Sobleski: Brent serves as an NFL analyst for Bleacher Report. He's covered the draft for multiple outlets since the 2004 class, including 13 seasons with B/R.

Grading Scale

10: Generational Talent/No. 1 Overall

9.5-9.9: Top-Five Prospect

9.0-9.4: Top-10 Prospect

8.5-8.9: Immediate Impact Prospect / 1st Round

8.0-8.4: Year 1 Starter / Late 1st-2nd Round

7.5-7.9: Potential Impact Player / 2nd Round

7.0-7.4: High-Level Backup / Potential Starter / 3rd Round

6.5-6.9: Potential Role Player / Part-time contributor / 4th Round

6.0-6.4: Developmental Prospect / 5th Round

5.5-5.9: Backup/Draftable / 6th-7th Round

5.0-5.4: Backup/UDFA with Roster Potential / UDFA

4.0-4.9: Developmental Prospect / UDFA

3.0-3.9: Training Camp Body / UDFA

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Grades for each player were assigned by the following scouts:

Dame Parson: QBs, RBs, and WRs

Brandon Thorn: OTs, OGs and Centers

Matt Holder: DL, Edge and LBs

Daniel Harms: CBs, Safeties and TEs

Top 25

AP Photo

Texas quarterback Arch Manning

Ties in grades were broken through roundtable discussions among the four scouts.

1. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State (9.8)
2. CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame (9.0)
3. Edge Colin Simmons, Texas (8.6)
4. QB Darian Mensah, Miami (8.5)
5. Edge Dylan Stewart, South Carolina (8.4)
6. QB Arch Manning, Texas (8.4)
7. QB Dante Moore, Oregon (8.4)
8. WR Cam Coleman, Texas (8.4)
9. DL Will Echoles, Ole Miss (8.3)
10. OT Trevor Goosby, Texas (8.1)
11. CB Ashton Hampton, Clemson (8.1)
12. DL David Stone, Oklahoma (8.1)
13. RB Jadan Baugh, Florida (8.1)
14. TE Jamari Johnson, Oregon (8.0)
15. RB Ahmad Hardy, Missouri (8.0)
16. OT Jordan Seaton, LSU (7.9)
17. WR Nick Marsh, Indiana (7.9)
18. RB Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss (7.9)
19. CB Zabien Brown, Alabama (7.9)
20. WR Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama (7.9)
21. S Brauntae Johnson, Notre Dame (7.8)
22. Edge Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame (7.8)
23. QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (7.8)
24. OT Trevor Lauck, Iowa (7.7)
25. LB Chris Cole, Georgia (7.7)

Quarterbacks

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Miami's Darian Mensah

Scouted by Dame Parson

1. Darian Mensah, Miami (8.5)

2. Arch Manning, Texas (8.4)

3. Dante Moore, Oregon (8.4)

4. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (7.8)

Explain the Grade: Darian Mensah, Miami

Mensah is a well-rounded quarterback with the skill set suited for NFL success. He is a mentally tough and poised quarterback, showing a high football IQ. He processes information quickly and delivers accurate passes all over the field.

His top priority as a quarterback is winning from the pocket, but he has enough athleticism to scramble and convert on third downs. 

Mensah proved at Tulane and then Duke that he can do more with less talent around him. After transferring to Miami, he will be surrounded by significantly more talent, with expectations of continuing the Hurricanes' transfer quarterback success.

If the 21-year-old prospect continues to play efficiently and shows he can put the offense on his shoulders, he will solidify himself as the class' QB1, much like Cam Ward previously did.

Next Up: Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Sayin is entering his second season as the Buckeyes' full-time starter. He only has 14 starts under his belt. Extended experience can make him a more enticing option for professional evaluators, as long as he continues to play at a high level.

Accuracy and ball placement are plus-traits within his game. His 77.0 percent completion rate led the nation in 2025, and he finished with the third highest QBR (88.4). His efficiency helps prove he is not simply a product of an elite environment and he can carry Ohio State's offense as a passer. 

However, Sayin is undersized. Furthermore, his physical traits will not wow many NFL evaluators. A replication or improvement upon his 2025 success, with steadier performances against top opponents, will alleviate some of those concerns and strengthen his draft stock.

Running Backs

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Scouted by Dame Parson

1. Jadan Baugh, Florida (8.1)
2. Ahmad Hardy, Missouri (8.0)
3. Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss (7.9)

Explain the Grade: Jadan Baugh, Florida

Baugh is the engine of the Florida Gators' offense. He ran for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Baugh displays excellent vision, patience and post-snap processing quickness. Plus, the 225-pound ball-carrier runs with a powerful downhill style and excellent contact balance to churn out extra yardage.

The junior prospect can expand his route tree and effectiveness in the passing game to help with his NFL projection. Plus, his pass-protection awareness needs consistency against simulated pressure packages.

Still, Baugh has the buildup speed, power, vision, patience and mental aptitude to secure RB1 during the 2026 campaign.

Next Up: Isaac Brown, Louisville

Brown is one of the nation's most dynamic running backs even though he's not widely known. The 5'9", 190-pound ball-carrier is an open-field threat to gash defenses for big plays.

The 21-year-old has averaged over 7.0 yards per carry since joining the Cardinals in 2024, because he's an elusive and shifty mover, often forcing defenders in space to miss tackles. 

A healthy 2026 campaign will be pivotal for his draft stock. Otherwise, Brown's game, speed, and body-type resembles the Miami Dolphins' Devon Achane.

Wide Receivers

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Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith

Scouted by Dame Parson

1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State (9.8)
2. Cam Coleman, Texas (8.4)
3. Nick Marsh, Indiana (7.9)
4. Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama (7.9)

Explain the Grade: Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama

Coleman-Williams burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old freshman in 2024, racking up 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on his way to becoming a Freshman All-American. At that point, his name was mentioned alongside Jeremiah Smith as one of the country's best young wide receivers. 

Coleman-Williams is dynamic with reliable top-end speed to take the top off a defense. He's also a good route-runner and separator, as well as advanced at forcing missed tackles after the catch.

In 2025, dropped passes became the constant theme. Coleman-Williams must clean up those concentration lapses and become more sure-handed. If he does, the receiver's name will be called much sooner than later during the 2027 draft's first round.

Next Up: Nyck Harbor, South Carolina

Harbor is the most physically imposing and athletic wide receiver in the country. He's listed at 6'5", 239 pounds and runs a 10.3-second 100-meter dash. He's a big-play threat waiting to happen. 

But Harbor is an undeveloped route-runner and lacks technical refinement. His combination of size, strength and elite open-field speed is captivating in a vacuum. At the same time, scouts need to see him take a significant leap in creating separation and defeating man-coverage to be considered a high-end prospect.

Tight Ends

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Oregon's Jamari Johnson

Scouted by Daniel Harms

1. Jamari Johnson, Oregon (8.0)

Explain the Grade: Jamari Johnson, Oregon

Oregon could easily feature the following draft class' best tight end prospect in back-to-back years.

Johnson is different than Kenyon Sadiq, though. The former is an exceptional route-runner with legit ball skills and ability to create after the catch, but he still has work to do as a blocker.

A 6'5", 257-pound frame, willingness to be physical and alignment versatility are all promising traits. Johnson's breakout season is basically expected at this point.

Next Up: Trey'Dez Green, LSU

What NFL team doesn't want a 6'7" tight end with explosive movements and the ability to win one-on-one matchups? Green is a mismatch in the making. His build almost resembles a create-a-player on a video game. Green just moves differently, too, and not just for his size. The junior prospect is in line for a big season as part of Lane Kiffin's offense, which should cause his draft stock to skyrocket.

Offensive Line

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Texas' Trevor Goosby

Scouted by Brandon Thorn

1. Trevor Goosby, Texas (8.1)

2. Jordan Seaton, LSU (7.9)

3. Trevor Lauck, Iowa (7.7)

Explain the Grade: Trevor Goosby, Texas

Goosby was a first-year full-time starter in 2025. At 20 years old, he displayed rare play-strength at that stage of his career, using vines for arms and commanding strength to stone and engulf defenders at the point of attack.

He also operated with patience and feel beyond his experience level.

Goosby's 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 with the traits of a high-floor NFL starter.

Next Up: Kade Pieper, Iowa

Pieper is converting from right guard to center this season, which makes him next in line among athletic Iowa centers. The current Hawkeye has the splash plays, physical traits and background of recent draft picks Tyler Linderbaum and Logan Jones.

At 6'3", Pieper is taller than those other two but similarly undersized at 298 pounds. At the same time, he displays rare explosiveness that results in a twitchy, lean player.

His ability to maintain weight and improve his play strength this season will be key to determining his floor as a prospect. Even so, there is no question Pieper's movement skills are high-end and deserving of a mention. 

Defensive Linemen

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Ole Miss' Will Echoles

Scouted by Matt Holder

1. Will Echoles, Ole Miss (8.3)
2. David Stone, Oklahoma (8.1)

Explain the Grade: Will Echoles, Ole Miss

Echoles was dominant against the run last season, showing the ability to defeat all types of blocks. This skill was readily apparent during Ole Miss' playoff run. It's now the primary reason why he's rated so highly going into the 2027 campaign.

The junior prospect does have room for growth as a pass-rusher, but he has the traits to grow in that department and become a complete, dominant interior defensive tackle.

Next Up: A'Mauri Washington, Oregon

Oregon had several draft-eligible players surprisingly return to school, with Washington being one of the biggest (literally and figuratively) shockers.

The 6'3", 320-pound defensive tackle has great size, strength and movement skills to develop into a complete player.

His lack of pass-rush production keeps him out of the Top 25 for now, but Washington can climb the board if he adds a move or two to his arsenal.

Edge-Rushers

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Texas' Colin Simmons

Scouted by Matt Holder

1. Colin Simmons, Texas (8.6)
2. Dylan Stewart, South Carolina (8.4)
3. Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame (7.8)

Explain the Grade: Colin Simmons, Texas

Let the race between Simmons and Dylan Stewart for the top edge defender in the 2027 draft class begin!

Both are cut from a similar cloth, possessing very good athleticism to be productive at the next level if they can improve their hand-usage.

The Texas product's motor and increased production last season give him a slight advantage as of now. Conversely, the South Carolina product experienced a slight regression from his impressive freshman year.

Next Up: Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

Uiagalelei held a Day 2 draft grade from the B/R Scouting Department before he returned to Oregon for another season. The 6'5", 272-pound edge defender presents great size and moves well for someone of his stature.

If Uiagalelei adds some polish as a pass-rusher, he could enter the first-round conversation.

Linebackers

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Georgia's Chris Cole

Scouted by Matt Holder

1. Chris Cole, Georgia (7.7)

Explain the Grade: Chris Cole, Georgia

This year's linebacker class is filled with talented prospects who don't have much previous starting experience. Cole certainly falls into that category.

But the 6'3", 235-pound linebacker has great size and good athleticism to be effective in coverage. He does have room for growth against the run.

However, the 20-year-old already has good technique when taking on blocks and is a "bet on the traits"-type of prospect.

Next Up: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame

Viliamu-Asa doesn't have much starting experience heading into the season, either, but he presents plenty of potential with his movement skills and pop when operating downhill.

The Golden Domer does have two significant red flags, though. His previous tape shows a lack of instincts. The junior also has a lengthy injury history. The linebacker can't do much about the latter, but extended playing time can help with both to varying degrees.

Cornerbacks

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Notre Dame's Leonard Moore

Scouted by Daniel Harms

1. Leonard Moore, Notre Dame (9.0)
2. Ashton Hampton, Clemson (8.1)
3. Zabien Brown, Alabama (7.9)

Explain the Grade: Ashton Hampton, Clemson

A physical, technical press-man corner, Hampton brings an edge to the boundary. He excels in press-coverage and quickly tracks the football downfield.

The 6'2", 205-pound corner does an excellent job supporting the run, tackles with good form and triggers downhill quickly. He can still grow as a zone-defender.

Even so, the 20-year-old is the class' second-best corner prospect at the onset of the 2026 campaign. 

Next Up: OJ Frederique Jr., Miami

While Frederique only played 368 snaps last season, the underclassman showed exactly what he can do against top competition, particularly when handling the Indiana Hoosiers' talented trio of wide receivers during the National Championship Game.

The Miami defensive back is an obvious breakout candidate to make a significant jump up draft boards. 

Safeties

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Notre Dame's Brauntae Johnson

Scouted by Daniel Harms

1. Brauntae Johnson, Notre Dame (7.8)

Explain the Grade: Brauntae Johnson, Notre Dame

Someone with natural instincts on the back end of a defense is essential to making plays at safety. Johnson pairs those traits with excellent burst and range to round out his profile.

He brings a certain level of physicality and trusted tackling profile, making plays anywhere at a high level.

The 6'2", 200-pound prospect has the size and all of the requisite tools to be a true single-high presence at the next level. 

Next Up: KJ Bolden, Georgia

Bolden started all 14 games for the Bulldogs last season.

The 20-year-old prospect does a great job recognizing plays, fitting the run and flying around the field. He's instinctive and often finds himself around the ball, more so last season while adding a few tackles for loss.

Bolden could realistically be the class' top safety prospect once the calendar turns to April.