The NFL opted against a 2026 supplemental draft, fully shifting the attention to the upcoming 2026 college football season. While opening kickoff remains weeks away, early summer scouting provides the first meaningful evaluation of the 2027 NFL Draft landscape. Reviewing 2025 tape helps identify strengths, weaknesses, and storylines heading into the season. Some prospects enter 2026 with heavy expectations to solidify first-round status, while others aim to break out and earn national attention for the first time.
2027 NFL Draft: Preseason Primer and Summer Scouting
Over the coming months, I will feature position-by-position breakdowns, prospect evaluations, updated rankings, and individualized scouting reports to track how the class develops from now through Draft weekend in Washington, D.C.
Before diving deeper, I have completed a high-level overview of the class based on extensive 2025 film study. Factors like transfers, new coaching staffs, eligibility issues (including sports betting cases), injuries, and other variables make 2026 a uniquely dynamic year. The 2027 class has already drawn praise from scouts and analysts, with some labeling it potentially generational. Throughout this season, its trajectory will be monitored closely.
Quarterback — Strength
The 2027 class is headlined by talent under center, drawing significant early buzz. While not flawless, it features several high-ceiling signal-callers with distinct skill sets.
Positional value inflates draft stock, but evaluations here avoid any curve, though anticipated growth is factored in. Two prospects have earned first-round grades in early 2027 NFL draft scouting: Arch Manning and Dante Moore.
Following Manning and Moore are fringe first-round talents and strong Day 2 players, including LaNorris Sellers, CJ Carr, Brendan Sorsby,, Drew Mestemaker, Trinidad Chambliss, and Darian Mensah. Additional Day 3 candidates like Sam Leavitt, Julian Sayin, Jayden Maiava, Nico Iamaleava, John Mateer, and Josh Hoover add developmental depth in the late rounds as well.
From Manning’s pedigree, throwing mechanics, and accuracy, to Sorsby’s gambling situation, to the volatility and upside of dual-threat talents like Sellers – intrigue surrounds the class. Compared to the past five quarterback classes, only 2024 graded higher for me. This group has a chance to be the defining position of the class and projects as one of the draft’s clear strengths with multiple potential starters.
My Early Top-5
- Arch Manning
- Dante Moore
- LaNorris Sellers
- CJ Carr
- Brendan Sorsby
Running Back — Solid
The running back position lacks the elite top-end talent of recent classes — Jeremiyah Love and Ashton Jeanty. However, it offers intriguing depth.
Jadan Baugh and Ahmad Hardy lead the way, though Hardy’s availability after a gunshot wound adds uncertainty. Others like Kewan Lacy, LJ Martin, Nate Frazier, Raleek Brown, Mark Fletcher, Antwan Raymond, and Hollywood Smothers provide potential Day 2 options.
Baugh stands out with the most complete, translatable skill set as the early RB1. A healthy, productive Hardy could solidify himself as RB2, with Lacy close behind. Running backs like Antwan Raymond and LJ Martin have really piqued my interest and found themselves in my top-5 backs.
This group was difficult to separate with Nate Frazier having intriguing size and speed, Mark Fletcher bringing size with the “bruiser back” mentality, and Raleek Brown bringing high-end elusiveness and a high forced missed tackle rate. The class may not boast a special back overall. However, it clearly has the potential to yield multiple quality starters and NFL rotational pieces making it a solid position group within the class.
My Early Top-5
- Jadan Baugh
- Ahmad Hardy
- Kewan Lacy
- Antwan Raymond
- LJ Martin
Wide Receiver — Strength
Wide receiver once again headlines the offensive side, blending elite top talent with impressive depth into Day 2. After a number of years of intrigue, Jeremiah Smith finally enters his draft-eligible junior season. He does so with an exciting combination of size, speed, and frame that couple extremely well with his ball skills and vertical threat ability. Smith has the chance to enter rare territory if further development is had in his short and intermediate route running and can improve his YAC elusiveness.
Cam Coleman also projects as potential top-10 pick with Charlie Becker potentially hearing his name called in the second half of the first round. Round 2 offers exciting depth with prospects such as Nick Marsh, Omarion Miller, and Ryan Coleman-Williams.
The combination of premium players at the top and quality throughout makes WR —alongside QB — one of the defining strengths of the 2027 class.
My Early Top-5
- Jeremiah Smith
- Cam Coleman
- Charlie Becker
- Ryan Coleman-Williams
- Nick Marsh
Tight End — Solid
The 2027 tight end class offers promising talent with a mix of receiving threats and in-line blockers. Jamari Johnson, capable of both, has emerged as the clear TE1 — a versatile, fluid mover who previously shared the spotlight before stepping forward. Expect a big 2026 breakout as Johnson anchors Oregon’s offense and contends for first-round consideration.
Trey’Dez Green provides strong Day 2 value as a big-bodied red-zone weapon. Terrance Carter Jr., Peter Clarke, DJ Vonnahme, and Benjamin Brahmer add depth into the later portion of the day-two.
The group projects as slightly above average historically. Recent classes featured standouts like Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren (2025), and Brock Bowers (2024), so 2027 is solid rather than elite, but should still produce reliable NFL contributors.
My Early Top-5
- Jamari Johnson
- Trey’Dez Green
- Terrance Carter Jr.
- Peter Clarke
- DJ Vonnahme
Offensive Line — Strength
The offensive line stands out with high-end talent and solid depth, particularly at tackle. Trevor Goosby and Jordan Seaton boast ideal size, length, and athleticism for franchise left tackles and project as first-round picks. Depth includes Trevor Lauck, Jacarrius Peak (returning from a knee injury), and Niki Prongos.
Interior prospects with college tackle experience who project better inside —Cayden Green, Austin Siereveld, Carter Smith, and Brandon Baker — bolster the group. Them, alongside true guard Kade Pieper and center Iapani Laloulu. Multiple early-round selections and reliable starters across the line are likely, making this a clear strength for teams looking to fortify their trenches.
My Early Top-10
- Jordan Seaton
- Trevor Goosby
- Cayden Green
- Trevor Lauck
- Austin Siereveld
- Carter Smith
- Iapani Laloulu
- Kade Pieper
- Jacarrius Peak
- Brandon Baker
Interior Defensive Line — Strength
Defensive tackle is a clear strength, featuring several potential first-round disruptors. Will Echoles, David Stone, Ahmad Moten, and A’Mauri Washington lead with their own unique skill sets. Their teammates — Justin Scott at Miami, Bear Alexander at Oregon, and Texas Tech’s Mateen Ibirogba and A.J. Holmes — extend the depth of the position into Day 2.
This group exceeded expectations from early tape study and should produce impactful interior linemen.
My Early Top-5
- Will Echoles
- David Stone
- A’Mauri Washington
- Ahmad Moten
- Justin Scott
Edge — Solid
Edge rushers represent a premium NFL position, and the 2027 draft delivers exciting top-end athletes from a scouting perspective in Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons. Additional Day 2 options like Yhonzae Pierre, Quincy Rhodes, Matayo Uiagalelei, Kenyatta Jackson, Will Heldt, and Damon Wilson provide value.
Premium traits (explosiveness, length, counters) shine at the top, though depth tapers slightly behind the elites. Overall, it’s a solid group capable of delivering high-impact pass rushers.
My Early Top-5
- Dylan Stewart
- Colin Simmons
- Yhonzae Pierre
- Will Heldt
- Matayo Uiagalelei
Off-Ball Linebacker — Solid
The linebacker position is solid due to strong depth in the early Day 2 range rather than overwhelming top-end talent. Prospects like Sammy Brown, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Ben Roberts, Rasheem Biles, and Chris Cole offer starter potential.
No one from the group is likely to go in Round 1. However, several could be selected in Round 2 and develop into impact players. Sammy Brown stands out with strong athletic traits and instincts as a run defender; coverage is his clearest area for growth. If he improves there, he profiles as an outstanding three-down off-ball linebacker.
My Early Top-5
- Sammy Brown
- Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
- Ben Roberts
- Rasheem Biles
- Chris Cole
Cornerback — Strength
The cornerback group is headlined by one of the draft’s top overall prospects in Leonard Moore. Moore is an outstanding shutdown corner and the only defender who consistently slowed 2025 standout and Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon. His transition to the NFL should be seamless, with a clear profile as a lockdown CB1.
Ashton Hampton is the clear CB2 and worthy of first-round consideration himself. Additional Day 2 value comes from Ellis Robinson, Kelley Jones, OJ Frederique Jr., and Zabien Brown. With elite talent at the top and quality depth, this group projects as a strength.
My Early Top-5
- Leonard Moore
- Ashton Hampton
- Ellis Robinson
- OJ Frederique Jr.
- Kelley Jones
Safety — Solid
The safety class is headlined by another Notre Dame defensive back in Tae Johnson. Overall, his frame needs filling out. However, he shows intelligence, range, and tackling ability. With added strength, Johnson projects as a high-end NFL safety worthy of first-round consideration.
On Day 2, KJ Bolden leads the way and sits close behind Johnson. Dashawn Spears, Koi Perich, Jelani McDonald, and Bray Hubbard also offer value. The class provides good talent at the top with solid depth into the later portions of Day 2.
My Early Top-5
- Tae Johnson
- KJ Bolden
- Dashawn Spears
- Koi Perich
- Jelani McDonald
Final Thoughts
This preseason scouting primer represents the current 2027 NFL draft landscape based on 2025 film study, early summer evaluations, and college football storylines such as transfers, coaching changes, and eligibility situations. One thing to keep in mind is that evaluations are fluid and this is only the starting point. Until a prospect’s final game has been played, All-Star (Senior Bowl and East West Shrine) games have passed, the combine has been competed, and pro-days have been held, more information is always coming and needs to be evaluated.
The 2026 college football season will dramatically reshape the class. Some prospects will break out and rocket up boards with standout performances, while others may regress or fail to meet lofty expectations. Injuries, scheme changes, position switches, and decisions to return for another season (or enter the transfer portal) will shift the picture throughout the year up until draft weekend in Washington D.C. A few current top names could slip and unforeseen players could emerge as first-round surprises. That’s exactly why following along matters. Over the coming months, I will deliver updated positional rankings, in-depth scouting reports, film breakdowns, and rising/falling prospect to watch as the season unfolds.
The 2027 class already shows strong potential to be one of the better groups in recent memory, but its final shape will be determined on the field.
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