Arch Manning, Dante Moore and 25 more names to know for 2027 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books, which means it’s time to turn the page to the 2027 class. Early on, this group looks much stronger and features several players who have the potential to be long-term NFL cornerstones. Headlined by names like Dante Moore and Leonard Moore, here are 27 prospects to know for the 2027 NFL Draft, including a mix of proven stars and potential sleepers. 

Quarterbacks who could shape the 2027 NFL Draft class

1. Arch Manning, QB, Texas

The player who will be talked about the most this year will likely be Texas quarterback Arch Manning. While there is no doubt Manning has great bloodlines, he is also a legit prospect based on what he put on tape late last season. He is a polished passer who shows good touch and timing, and he is a better athlete than people give him credit for, especially compared to Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.

2. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Before deciding to return to school, Dante Moore had a real case to be the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft and potentially the number one overall pick. What stands out is the arm talent. He can make every throw, extend plays when things break down, and delivers the ball with a smooth, natural motion. The biggest thing holding him back right now is processing speed. If he cleans that up and starts diagnosing defenses quicker, he has as much upside as anyone in this class.

3. DJ Lagway, QB, Baylor

A sleeper in the 2027 NFL Draft quarterback class is DJ Lagway, who was viewed as the top recruit in his class. However, after two injury-plagued, disappointing seasons at Florida, he transferred to Baylor this offseason. While he needs to polish his game and improve his football IQ, he still has the arm strength and raw skills to see his name fly up draft boards this season.

Early first-round names NFL fans need to know now

4. Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri

One of the few running backs who has a shot of going in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft is Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy, who led the nation in yards after contact (1,181) while also leading the Power Four in rushing yards (1,648) and forced missed tackles (96) last season. He is a physical downhill runner who reminds me some of Emmitt Smith, who is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. 

5. Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville

While Louisville’s Isaac Brown was limited to just seven games last season, his production when healthy was impressive as he averaged 8.8 yards per carry and rushed for 884 yards and seven touchdowns. One area he is working on improving this offseason is his run blocking, and if he can be more proficient in that area and stay healthy, he should be one of the top running backs off the board in the 2027 NFL Draft. 

6. Lendon Phillips Jr.,RB, Iowa

The most underrated running back in the Big Ten going into the season is Iowa’s Lendon Phillips Jr., who came to the Hawkeyes as a transfer after a great career in the FCS at South Dakota. Last season, he led the FCS with 1,921 rushing yards and 83 forced missed tackles, which was ten more than any other back. Look for him to have a strong season this year behind an impressive Iowa offensive line. 

7. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Going into the 2027 NFL Draft cycle, Jeremiah Smith is widely viewed as the top non-quarterback in the draft. Smith is a big, physical wide receiver who has all the tools to be an elite wide receiver in the NFL. Over his two-year career, he has been named the Big Ten Conference’s Richter-Howard Wide Receiver of the Year twice and joins Marvin Harrison Jr. as the only Buckeyes with two 1,000-yard receiving seasons. 

8. Cam Coleman, WR, Texas

While we might not see a wide receiver go in the top five picks this year, there is a good chance both Jeremiah Smith and Cam Coleman go in the top five next year. Coleman is a big, athletic wide receiver who caught 56 passes for 708 yards and five touchdowns last season at Auburn. Look for that production to jump this season with him joining Arch Manning at Texas this season.

9. Eugene Wilson III, WR, LSU

A player who reminds me of Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion, who should be a first-round pick this year, is new LSU wide receiver Eugene Wilson III, who made the move from Florida to LSU this offseason. The biggest reason for this comparison is their ability to make plays once the ball is in their hands. However, to reach that level, Wilson will need to stay healthy this season after finishing back-to-back seasons with injuries. 

Which names could become household stars by 2027

10. Terrance Carter Jr., TE, Texas Tech

Going into the 2026 season, there is no standout tight end in the class. However, one of the more productive tight ends in college football is Texas Tech’s Terrance Carter Jr., who is coming off back-to-back 600-yard receiving seasons. The reason he will have a hard time being more than a third-round pick, though, is a lack of size (6-2, 245) and being only an average blocker. 

11. Peter Clarke, TE, Temple

While Terrance Carter Jr. lacks ideal size, the same can’t be said for Temple’s Peter Clarke, who comes in at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds. He also has impressive production, being named a HERO Sports first-team Group of Five All-American this year after catching 30 passes for 483 yards and six touchdowns. In addition, he is a strong blocker who earned an 81.4 PFF run-blocking grade. 

12. Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU

Going into the 2026 season, LSU’s Jordan Seaton is viewed as one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. This offseason he transferred from Colorado to LSU, where he looks like a much more motivated player, having gone from 330 pounds to 307 pounds already this offseason. In order to be a first-round pick, though, he must improve as a run blocker. 

13. Carter Smith, OT, Indiana

Another highly thought of offensive tackle is Indiana’s Carter Smith. Last season, Smith became the first Hoosier to win the Big Ten’s Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year award and was a big reason Indiana won the National Championship last year. One area he needs to improve on is cutting down on penalties after drawing seven flags last fall. 

14. Cayden Green, OG, Missouri

Missouri’s Cayden Green made the move to offensive tackle and did a great job at the position last year, being named first-team All-SEC. However, I like him better as a guard in the NFL due to his impressive strength and the fact his athletic ability makes him better in a small area. Look for Green to get serious first-round interest this year. 

15. Kade Pieper, C, Iowa

Iowa’s Kade Pieper was being talked about as a top 50 prospect last year, with CBS Sports naming him the 40th best player in the 2026 class. Instead of declaring for the NFL Draft, though, Pieper decided to return to Iowa and shift to center. If he can have another impressive season this year, it could give Iowa two centers drafted in back-to-back years, with Logan Jones hearing his name called this year and Pieper hearing his name called in the 2027 NFL Draft. 

16. Matayo Uiagalelei, ED, Oregon

A big, physical defensive end to watch in the 2027 NFL Draft is Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei, who has 21 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks over the past two seasons. This is despite him playing out of position as a 3-4 outside linebacker, as his skill set fits more of a traditional 4-3 defensive end. 

17. Tyrique Tucker, DT, Indiana

One of the most disruptive defensive tackles in the 2027 NFL Draft is first-team All-Big Ten pick Tyrique Tucker. Last season, he recorded 12 tackles for loss and six sacks, and over the past two seasons his PFF run defense grade is an impressive 85.6. What makes him such a playmaker is his quickness off the ball and how well he uses his leverage to get penetration. 

18. David Stone, DT, Oklahoma

A player who had a breakout season last year is Oklahoma’s David Stone. After recording just six tackles in 2024, he recorded 42 tackles and eight tackles for loss despite just starting two games. One trait scouts like about Stone is how explosive he is for a 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle. 

19. Cade Uluave, MLB, BYU

The top linebacker in the transfer portal this year was Cade Uluave, who after being named first-team All-ACC and leading the team with 100 tackles made the move from California to BYU. He is a linebacker with a great motor and the instincts to consistently be in the right position. He should enter next season with a Day Two grade.

"Cade Uluave is a great player who is dynamic and never slows down. He has one speed and is so intense."

BYU coach Kalani Sitake

20. Owen Long, MLB, Arizona State 

Another highly productive linebacker who switched teams this offseason is Owen Long, who moved on from Colorado State to join Arizona State. Last season, he led the nation in tackles with 151 stops, and he should be an immediate upgrade to the Sun Devils’ run defense.

21. Colin Simmons, OLB, Texas

One of the highest-rated players in the 2027 NFL Draft is Texas All-American linebacker Colin Simmons. This past season, he led the SEC with 12 sacks and earned a PFF pass rush grade of 91.7. He shows excellent burst off the ball and surprising power for a 6-foot-3, 245-pound edge defender. 

22. Keyshawn Johnson, LB, Syracuse

A player who dominated at the small school level and is taking his talent to the ACC this year is new Syracuse linebacker Keyshawn Johnson. This past season, the OVC Defensive Player of the Year had a UT Martin school-record 13.5 sacks, and over the past two seasons has accounted for 24 tackles for loss. 

23. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore is a likely top ten pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. This is due to being an impressive athlete, especially for a 6-foot-2 corner, along with his good ball skills, having picked off five passes last year. In addition to leading the Irish in interceptions last season, the All-American also allowed just a 45.9 QBR when thrown at in coverage. 

24. Jontez Williams, CB, USC

A cornerback who is coming back from a serious injury this year is new USC Trojan Jontez Williams, who started his career at Iowa State. When healthy, though, he has produced at a high level, posting an 84.6 PFF coverage grade, and in 2024 he finished third in the Big 12 Conference with four interceptions. 

25. Amare Ferrell, S, Indiana

While Indiana lost a ton in the 2026 NFL Draft, Hoosier fans know there is plenty of talent returning, and with Curt Cignetti leading the show, they should be a National Championship contender. One of those players is Indiana’s Amare Ferrell, who has eight interceptions over the past two seasons.

26. Earl Little Jr., S, Ohio State 

A team who will be competing with Indiana for the National Championship also has plenty of 2027 NFL Draft prospects to watch. One of those prospects is new safety Earl Little Jr., who was Florida State Seminoles’ 2025 Defensive MVP after leading the team with 76 tackles and four interceptions. 

27. Mateen Bhaghani, K, UCLA

A kicker to watch in the 2026 NFL Draft is UCLA’s Mateen Bhaghani. This past season, he connected on 80% of his kicks, including two from over 50 yards, with a long of 54 yards.

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