The race for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft continues to be dominated by quarterbacks and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. But as the NFL season moves past the midway point, could a defensive star emerge as the biggest prize for a team picking inside the top 10?
While the Los Angeles Chargers remain atop the current draft order with an 0-7 record, several franchises are right on their heels, facing franchise-changing decisions in next April's draft. For a few of those teams, landing a blue-chip defensive star could be the first step toward a dramatic turnaround.
All eyes are on Smith and rising quarterback prospects like Drew Mestemaker, but the defensive side of the ball has its own potential game changers. Headlined by Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, a talented group of defenders could shake up the first 10 selections. But which defensive star could make the biggest leap?
2027 NFL Draft order entering Week 9
Pick | Team | Record | SOS |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | LA Chargers | 0-7 | .538 |
2 | Tennessee | 1-7 | .477 |
3 | Miami | 1-6 | .594 |
4 | Indianapolis (NY Jets) | 2-6 | .476 |
5 | Philadelphia | 2-6 | .484 |
6 | NY Jets | 2-6 | .547 |
7 | Houston | 2-5 | .457 |
8 | New Orleans | 2-5 | .550 |
9 | Washington | 2-4-1 | .465 |
10 | Dallas (NY Jets) | 3-5 | .442 |
11 | Arizona | 3-5 | .500 |
12 | Tampa Bay | 3-5 | .508 |
13 | Atlanta | 3-5 | .567 |
14 | Las Vegas | 4-4 | .477 |
15 | Baltimore | 4-4 | .484 |
16 | LA Rams (Cleveland) | 4-4 | .519 |
17 | Seattle | 4-4 | .519 |
18 | Cleveland | 5-3 | .477 |
19 | Carolina | 3-4 | .534 |
20 | Green Bay (Dallas) | 5-3 | .535 |
21 | New England | 5-3 | .551 |
22 | NY Giants | 4-2-1 | .419 |
23 | Cincinnati | 5-2 | .461 |
24 | Kansas City | 5-2 | .469 |
25 | Jacksonville | 5-2 | .450 |
26 | Detroit | 5-2 | .523 |
27 | Pittsburgh | 6-2 | .477 |
28 | Chicago (Tennessee) | 6-2 | .535 |
29 | Denver | 6-2 | .496 |
30 | Minnesota | 6-1 | .527 |
31 | San Francisco | 6-1 | .454 |
32 | Buffalo | 6-1 | .488 |
Who holds the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, and could defense change the top 10?
While I don’t see the Chargers bypassing Jeremiah Smith with the No. 1 overall pick, they are a team that could use a franchise-caliber cornerback or edge rusher. That puts Notre Dame's Leonard Moore and Texas star Colin Simmons in the conversation, even if neither is likely to overtake Smith or the top quarterbacks.
That makes the No. 2 overall pick very interesting. The Tennessee Titans are in the driver's seat to land a defensive game changer following the blockbuster trade that sent Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears. Could Simmons become the new face of Titans' defensive front?
Rounding out the top 5 are the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles, two teams with needs at key defensive spots. The Eagles are particularly intriguing given their need for an impact edge rusher. Could Simmons or South Carolina's Dylan Stewart be the game changer Philadelphia has been searching for?
When it comes to other defensive prospects high on the draft board, Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles and Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV and linebacker Chris Cole are three more talented prospects who could make a push into the top 10. Both could be intriguing fits for the Jets, who currently hold three selections among the first 10 picks. With that much draft capital, New York could make defense a major priority.
Whether it's Simmons or Stewart coming off the edge, Robinson shutting down opposing receivers or Echoles creating havoc along the defensive line, this class has the talent to shake up the top 10. But which defenders could actually land there?
Here are our Week 9 projections for five defensive stars and their potential landing spots in the 2027 NFL Draft.
5 defensive stars who could crash the 2027 NFL Draft top 10
No. 2: Tennessee Titans: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
No. 5: Philadelphia Eagles: Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
No. 6: New York Jets: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
No. 8: New Orleans Saints: Will Echoles, DL, Ole Miss
No. 10: New York Jets: Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
In this projection, two edge rushers land inside the top five. While Simmons gives the Titans a potential defensive cornerstone, the more intriguing fit may be Stewart landing with the Eagles. As a big-time pass rusher, Stewart could be the type of impact player who helps shift Philadelphia back into contention if its struggles continue through the 2026 NFL season.
The Eagles already have young talent like Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt off the edge, but Stewart could emerge as the alpha dog of that group, giving Philadelphia another disruptive presence alongside Jalen Carter in the middle. That combination could make the Eagles' defensive front one of the most intimidating in the NFL.
Another interesting projection is the Jets landing Leonard Moore with the No. 6 overall pick. With three selections inside the top 10, New York has an opportunity to reshape its roster in a single draft. The Jets could potentially land their quarterback of the future, a shutdown cornerback in Moore and a versatile linebacker in Chris Cole, whose rising draft stock makes him an intriguing selection at No. 10.
Don't overlook the defensive talent that could shake up the top 10. For teams like the Titans, Eagles and Jets, landing a game changer could alter the future of their franchise. But which defensive star could make the biggest leap as the 2027 NFL Draft approaches?
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