How 2027 NFL Draft Defensive Prospects Stack Up Against Recent Classes

The 2027 NFL draft class is the seventh cycle since the creation of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department. As hype continues to build around next April's group of talent, some context may be necessary to fully understand how good it may or may not be once the event begins in Washington D.C.

"In speaking with scouts and executives this summer, I noticed more excitement than normal, and the upcoming 2027 class might actually live up to that standard-issue statement [of being loaded with talent]," ESPN's Jordan Reid reported.

Excitement has been amped up mainly because of a deep quarterback class that can feature a handful of first-round talents, as well as arguably the best singular talent B/R has evaluated to date. The defense shouldn't be overlooked, though.

Individually, the upcoming crop may not be top-tier across the board. In a vacuum, only one projection right now has a 2027 draft-eligible prospect as the top-rated player at his position compared to those previous six classes.

However, the potential exists within its entirety to be one of the best. The group is loaded with significant upside to place it among some of the top classes within the discussed time frame.

Keep in mind, the current evaluation process is in its infancy. The B/R scouts just finished their summer scouting. How each of the prospects respond during games through the postseason, all-star contests and the combine process will drastically influence perception.

As of now, everyone should be excited based on what the 2027 class can be, though it's not quite there yet.

Edge-Rusher

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Texas' Colin Simmons

Top 2027 Prospect: Colin Simmons, Texas (8.6)

B/R Era Best: Will Anderson Jr., Alabama (9.6)

Five edge-rushers have been chosen among the top-five picks between the 2022 and '26 draft classes. If the quarterback position doesn't sit atop a team's wish list, a pass-rusher is usually next in line.

Looking ahead, a couple of organizations should be giddy about the potential found among the '27 crop, particularly at the top.

Texas' Colin Simmons and South Carolina's Dylan Stewart are both true juniors, who will be 21 when drafted. Their skill sets do differ, though each has the ability to be an elite edge-rusher at the next level.

The B/R Scouting Department grades Simmons as the top edge prospect as the 2026 campaign nears.

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

Simmons produced 21 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss compared to Stewart's 11 and 22.5 during their first two seasons. The latter is a more traditional hand-in-the-dirt option, while the former will likely be an outside linebacker in odd fronts.

Regardless of how they are aligned, both could work their way into the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick depending on how everything breaks throughout the upcoming collegiate and NFL campaigns.

On average, five edge prospects have been selected in the first round of the last five draft classes.

Clemson's Will Heldt, Notre Dame's Boubacar Traore, Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei and Miami's Dame Wilson III are also in the first-round mix at this juncture. Increased production this fall will elevate each of their draft stocks going into next spring.

Defensive Linemen

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Ole Miss' Will Echoles

Top 2027 Prospect: Will Echoles, Ole Miss (8.3)
B/R Era Best: Jalen Carter, Georgia (9.5)

An interior defender's value skyrockets if they're able to consistently collapse the pocket as a true three-down option. Those options are rare, though. Jalen Carter set the standard as a legitimate difference-maker during the B/R Scouting Department era. No one in this year's class comes close to that level.

Grade-wise, Ole Miss' Will Echoles aligns more with Bryan Bresee, Byron Murphy II and Walter Nolen III among recent draftees. Each of those mentioned were rock-solid first-round options, with the latter two selected among their respective class' top 16 picks.

As DL1, Echoles can increase his status by improving in one key area, even though he's already a disruptive presence.

"The 6'3", 315-pound defender does have room for growth as a pass-rusher," Holder said, "but the Ole Miss product is the class' best run-defender in the trenches."

Oklahoma's David Stone is another defensive tackle carrying a first-round grade to open the campaign. He's considered a notch or two below Echoles by B/R, but he displays explosive traits with significant growth potential during his second full season as a starter.

Oregon's A'Mauri Washington is a semi-sleeper among this particular group, because his build indicates a traditional nose tackle. However, he displays good burst to go along with immense strength. He's capable of violently shedding blocks and getting into backfields to make plays.

The 320-pound defender may not be on par with Jordan Davis when he came out of Georgia, but an NFL team could easily select the first-team All-American sooner rather than later to anchor the middle of its defense.

Conversely, Miami's duo of Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott can flat out get off the ball. Moten is the position group's best pure pass-rusher, while Scott resets the line of scrimmage.

All five defensive tackles can work their way into next April's opening frame, which would be the second time in the last eight draft classes.

Linebackers

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Georgia's Chris Cole

Top 2027 Prospect: Chris Cole, Georgia (7.7)
B/R Era Best: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame/Arvell Reese, Ohio State (8.5)

The linebacker position tends to be situation-dependent. Since it's a devalued position in general, the top linebacker isn't going to be a first-round option at all times. An off-ball linebacker not hearing their name called in the opening frame isn't a surprise.

The opposite also occurs, as in this year, when two elite talents, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, both become top-10 draft picks. The 2027 crop appears to be much closer to the former than the latter.

Georgia's Chris Cole currently carries the highest grade from the B/R Scouting Department. However, his status is a bet on traits and projection. Cole started one game for the Bulldogs in the last two seasons. He's played more than 30 snaps in a contest only six times. Despite the limited playing time, the underclassman finished fourth on the team with 59 total tackles, second with seven tackles for loss and first with 4.5 sacks.

Obviously, the former 5-star recruit is expected to take on a much more prominent role this fall. His length, athleticism and position flexibility portend a breakout season.

An argument can be made in Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa's favor as the crop's best pure linebacker. Unfortunately, he's dealt with knee injuries since high school. The 20-year-old returned to full-contact practices this week after last year's season-ending ACL tear.

Texas' Rasheem Biles, Clemson's Sammy Brown, Texas Tech's Ben Roberts and Georgia's Raylen Wilson comprise the next tier of linebacker options.

Cornerbacks

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Notre Dame's Leonard Moore

Top 2027 Prospect: Leonard Moore, Notre Dame (9.0)
B/R Era Best: Travis Hunter, Colorado (9.2)

Notre Dame's Leonard Moore is the second-highest graded prospect for the 2027 draft class regardless of position. His inclusion, combined with the depth of the quarterbacks and two premium pass-rushers, helps elevate the entire crop of talent, which is viewed as top-heavy.

To make Moore's standing even more impressive, he's the highest-rated pure cornerback prospect in the B/R Scouting Department era.

Technically, Travis Hunter held the highest grade as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class. However, he received a bump in grade due to his dual-threat capabilities. For comparison, Patrick Surtain II and Christian Gonzalez finished their draft cycles with 8.4 and 8.3 grades, respectively. Whereas, Moore already sits at a 9.0 (out of 10).

The unanimous All-American has all of the traits to be a No. 1 NFL corner. He's a 6'2", 197-pound defensive back with the length and technique to handle man and zone coverage responsibilities. The true junior has thrived since the moment he put on a Fighting Irish jersey.

"According to PFF's wins above average metric, he ranked as the third-most valuable cornerback in the nation as a true freshman in 2024, trailing only 2025 first-round picks Travis Hunter and Jahdae Barron," Max Chadwick wrote. "Moore earned a nation-leading 91.8 PFF grade as a sophomore."

Cornerback is always a loaded position anyway, with an average of 33 drafted over the last five classes. Moore may headline the group, but far more will draw heavy interest throughout the draft process.

Currently, B/R also grades Clemson's Ashton Hampton and Alabama's Zabien Brown as first-round options. Georgia's Ellis Robinson IV clearly has the upside to be in that same tier after coming on strong over the second half of the 2025 campaign. Miami's OJ Frederique Jr. is another possibility early in the process, as long as he builds upon last year's performance in limited usage.

Safeties

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Notre Dame's Brauntae Johnson

Top 2027 Prospect: Brauntae Johnson, Notre Dame (7.8)

B/R Era Best: Caleb Downs, Ohio State (9.2)

The 2026 safety class turned out to be the exception, not the rule.

This year, Caleb Downs was the No. 1 overall pick regardless of position. He's an outlier. Even so, the standout defensive back still didn't hear his name called among the top-10 picks. He and Kyle Hamilton are the only two safeties to crack the top 20 in the last five years. Even legitimate first-round talents, like Malaki Starks and Dillon Thieneman, lasted until the 25th slot.

Notre Dame's Brauntae Johnson is graded significantly lower than everyone mentioned. Johnson should be considered a second-tier safety prospect despite being the 2027 class' top-graded option.

His range falls closer to Jaquan Brisker, Brian Branch, Xavier Watts and Nick Emmanwori coming out of college, which places the Notre Dame prospect as a fringe first-to-second round possibility. Everyone mentioned turned into an outstanding NFL defensive back, though they weren't considered elite prospects entering the league.

Georgia's KJ Bolden finds himself in a similar position as Johnson. The two could be competing all season to eventually become the class' top safety.

The group contains more functional deep safeties than dynamic playmakers or versatile hybrid defenders. The safety position isn't generally valued highly anyhow. While the class has promise, it will take a back seat compared to nearly every other positional group in 2027.