2027 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Isaac Brown surges, Arch Manning slides after Week 6

Week 6 of college football delivered another shakeup in the 2027 NFL Draft conversation. Isaac Brown reminded everyone why he entered the season as the most explosive running back in the country, while Noah Fifita and Nick Marsh strengthened their cases as potential draft-day steals.

But not every highly regarded prospect helped his stock. Arch Manning's latest struggles raised more questions about his first-round outlook, and Jadan Baugh is suddenly facing concerns that could change his draft projection.

In this week's NFL Draft Stock Watch, we break down four prospects moving up, four trending down and the NFL teams that could be watching closely.

2027 NFL Draft stock up: Four prospects making their move

Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville 

After a slow start to the season, Isaac Brown has bounced back in a big way, rushing for 260 yards over his last two games, including an FBS-leading 235 yards against Florida State this week.

He averaged 13.8 yards per carry against the Seminoles, highlighted by a 97-yard touchdown run that set multiple Louisville program records, and added a 71-yard kickoff return.

Brown’s blazing speed allows him to take any carry the distance, while his surprising contact balance has helped him force 27 missed tackles this season.

At 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, his size remains a consideration, but he has also made significant strides as a pass blocker.

The Houston Texans could be an ideal fit for Brown as they look to upgrade a rushing attack that entered the week ranked 30th in the NFL, averaging just 79 yards per game.

Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona 

While much of the attention surrounding undersized quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft has focused on Trinidad Chambliss, Arizona’s Noah Fifita could be another intriguing prospect capable of outperforming his draft position.

Fifita has put up impressive numbers this season, throwing for 16 touchdowns while completing 73 percent of his passes and averaging 292.7 yards per game. By comparison, Chambliss has thrown 11 touchdowns while completing 70 percent of his passes and averaging 287 yards per game, although Fifita has played one additional game.

While he lacks the prototypical size NFL teams prefer at quarterback, he has several traits working in his favor, including the ability to make big-time throws.

His 11 PFF big-time throws rank sixth in the FBS, highlighting his playmaking ability.

Fifita can also use his mobility to extend plays, buy time in the pocket and pick up crucial yards as a runner.

Combined with his impressive accuracy and ability to deliver a catchable ball, those skills could make him an intriguing late-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana 

A player who came up big when his team needed him most was Indiana WR Nick Marsh, who caught the game-winning 44-yard touchdown on fourth down.

Overall, he finished with six catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. This gives Marsh back-to-back games with at least 120 receiving yards.

As a pro prospect, his top trait is his physical style of play. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound wide receiver routinely outmuscles defensive backs for the ball, and this season he has caught seven of the eight passes thrown his way in tight coverage.

If Marsh continues producing at this level, he could work his way into the middle-to-late first-round conversation. The Las Vegas Raiders are among the teams that could benefit from adding a physical receiver with his skill set.

Ethan Wesloski, LB, Oklahoma State 

Oklahoma State is emerging as a contender to win the Big 12 this season after failing to win a conference game last year, thanks in large part to the transfers who followed head coach Eric Morris from North Texas.

While offensive standouts like quarterback Drew Mestemaker and wide receiver Wyatt Young have received much of the attention, linebacker Ethan Wesloski has been a key leader on the Cowboys' defense after making the same move from the Mean Green.

Wesloski leads the team with 53 tackles and has recorded 17 tackles in each of his last two games, showcasing his instincts and ability to find the football.

I currently have a Day 3 grade on Wesloski, who could be an intriguing option for the Dallas Cowboys as they look to improve their run defense.

2027 NFL Draft stock down: Arch Manning leads four prospects facing questions

Arch Manning, QB, Texas

One of the biggest upsets in college football this weekend came when Oklahoma knocked off Texas, and Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning played a significant role in the loss.

Manning once again showed flashes of brilliance, making several big-time throws and accounting for three touchdowns, but his inconsistency proved costly.

He also threw two interceptions, including the game-sealing pick that allowed Oklahoma to secure the victory.

Those struggles are beginning to affect how evaluators view his draft stock. ESPN’s Jordan Reid ranks Manning as the fifth-best quarterback in the class and gives him a second-round grade.

That represents a significant drop for a player widely projected to be a top-five prospect entering the season.

Darius Taylor, RB, Minnesota

A player who was once viewed as a potential Day 2 pick but is now facing serious questions about his NFL Draft outlook is Minnesota running back Darius Taylor.

After averaging over 5.0 yards per carry across his first three seasons, Taylor is averaging just 2.4 yards per carry this season while producing only 30 rushing yards per game.

Injuries have played a role in his decline, but the lack of production could make it difficult for Taylor to regain his previous draft standing. If he cannot return to form, he could find himself fighting for a late-round selection or an opportunity as an undrafted free agent, whether he enters the draft this year or next.

"Blame it on health, but the once-dynamic, exciting running back (Darius Taylor) looks like a cooked shell of what he was when he took the Big Ten by storm as a freshman."

Eric Strack of Minnesota Sports Fan

Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri

A player whose stock has taken a significant hit this year is Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy. However, it has nothing to do with his performance on the field and everything to do with concerns about his ability to return to full health after being shot in the leg last May.

When healthy, Hardy is a powerful runner who is coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The biggest question is whether he can return to full strength and regain the form that made him one of the nation's most productive running backs. Until teams have a clearer picture of his recovery, his draft projection will remain difficult to determine.

Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida

Florida running back Jadan Baugh got off to a scorching start this season, averaging 150 rushing yards per game while scoring nearly three touchdowns per contest.

However, his production has fallen off significantly over the past two weeks, averaging just 36 yards per game with only one touchdown and two forced missed tackles.

A major factor has been opponents' willingness to load the box and challenge Florida's passing game, but Baugh also has concerns with his lack of burst, which allows defenders to reach him in the backfield before he can build momentum as a physical runner.

If those limitations continue to show up on film, Baugh could slide into Day 2 of the 2027 NFL Draft, potentially putting him on the radar of the Green Bay Packers.

Final thoughts: Which 2027 NFL Draft prospects can bounce back?

With the 2027 NFL Draft still months away, these prospects have plenty of opportunities to change their outlook. Brown and Fifita are building momentum, while Marsh and Wesloski continue to give NFL scouts reasons to take notice. On the other hand, Manning and Baugh must prove their recent struggles are temporary, while Taylor's production and Hardy's recovery remain important questions.

The biggest question moving forward is which prospects can sustain their success as the competition gets tougher and NFL teams begin taking a closer look at the 2027 draft class.

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