2027 NFL Notebook: Louisville deep threat, Arizona State enforcer are players to know

As the 2026 NFL Draft cycle nears its end and the focus begins to shift to 2027, a few under-the-radar prospects are already starting to emerge. That includes a big-play wide receiver set to make an impact at Louisville and a physical, hard-nosed linebacker anchoring the middle for Arizona State. This week’s notebook highlights those names, checks in on Arch Manning’s recovery, and breaks down several other prospects gaining early momentum. 

Tre Richardson is a speedster to watch

One of the more dynamic wide receivers in the 2027 NFL Draft is new Louisville wide receiver Tre Richardson, who played at Vanderbilt last season. The speedy receiver had two catches of over 70 yards in two of his final three games, including a 75-yard touchdown against Iowa. He also hit 23.1 MPH on his 71-yard touchdown against Kentucky, the fastest recorded among receivers in the 2025 season according to SportSource Analytics and Tracking Football. Teams looking for a true vertical deep threat in the 2027 NFL Draft will be paying close attention to him this season.

Run stuffer to watch: ASU's Owen Long

A middle linebacker to watch this upcoming season is Arizona State’s Owen Long, a four-star transfer according to 247Sports who led the nation in tackles last season at Colorado State. He should be one of the better run stuffers in the Big 12 this season, thanks to his disciplined play and ability to consistently finish in the open field. NFL scouts will also like his 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame, but if he wants to be more than a late-round pick, he needs to improve in coverage and show he has the athleticism to stay on the field for all three downs.

Arch Manning back to full health

Good news out of Austin is that Texas quarterback Arch Manning is fully recovered from the offseason foot injury that limited him during spring ball. He enters the 2026 season with a high first-round grade after finishing last year looking like a much more relaxed and improved passer. If he builds on how he played down the stretch, he will have a real shot to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. 

"People are allowed to say whatever they want. It doesn't really affect me. I know where I'm going and I know no one's going to stop me. So that's where I am with all that."

Texas QB Arch Manning to On3.com

Top AAC tight end

A tight end to watch from the AAC this season is Temple’s Peter Clarke, who broke out last year with 30 catches for 483 yards and six touchdowns after totaling just five receptions in his first two seasons with the Owls. He also earned an impressive 90.5 PFF overall grade, the top mark among starting tight ends, and proved to be a reliable target with just one drop on the year. At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, he brings strong run-blocking ability and the physicality to open lanes, making him a clear NFL draft candidate in 2027.

New receiving weapon for Georgia

Georgia lost its top three receivers in the offseason, with Zachariah Branch, Colbie Young, and Dillon Bell all heading to the NFL. That led to them adding Isiah Canion in the transfer portal, who should team with London Humphreys to give Gunner Stockton two reliable targets in the passing game. Canion comes over from Georgia Tech, where the 6-foot-4 wideout caught 33 passes for 480 yards and four touchdowns. Along with his imposing size, he also has the speed to stretch a defense, having run a 4.51 40-yard dash coming out of high school.

Some much needed protection for LaNorris Sellers

Going into the 2026 season, one of the highest-rated quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft is South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. But if he’s going to take the next step, he needs better protection from an offensive line that has given up 71 sacks over the past two seasons. One player expected to help fix that is new left tackle Jacarrius Peak, who played last season at NC State and led the team with 50 pancake blocks.

Intriguing developmental quarterback

One developmental quarterback to keep an eye on in the 2027 NFL Draft is FAU’s Caden Veltkamp. He has the size and arm strength to play in the NFL at 6-foot-6, 236 pounds, and can easily push the ball downfield. However, he must improve on a disappointing season in which he threw 17 interceptions, largely due to sloppy footwork, as he too often throws off his back foot with a poor base. If he can return to his 2024 form, when he won C-USA Offensive Player of the Year at Western Kentucky, he could draw Day Three interest.

Drawing Tez Johnson comparisons

New Oregon wide receiver Iverson Hooks is drawing comparisons to former Oregon receiver Tez Johnson from head coach Dan Lanning due to his quickness, ability to snap in and out of routes, and effectiveness on option routes. Hooks is coming off a strong season at UAB where he led the Blazers in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns after finishing with 31 more catches than the next closest teammate. Like Johnson, he is a smaller receiver, and that lack of size is a concern for NFL scouts despite his production and separation ability.

Biggest challenge for DJ Lagway

Once viewed as the top quarterback in his recruiting class and a future high NFL Draft pick, DJ Lagway now faces a critical reset after two subpar seasons at Florida before transferring to Baylor. As USA Today’s Matt Hayes detailed in his profile, the biggest thing Lagway needs to regain is his confidence and ability to play freely instead of feeling like every throw has to be perfect. If he can get back to trusting his talent, he still has the natural ability to develop into a high-level NFL starter and work his way back into early-round consideration. 

Top kicker in 2027 NFL Draft

A player competing for the top kicker spot in the 2027 NFL Draft is Georgia Tech’s Aidan Birr, who earned First-Team All-ACC honors last season. He converted 86% of his field goals, including going 8-of-11 from 40+ yards with a long of 55. He also stood out on kickoffs, allowing just 17% of his kicks to be returned while averaging a 4.03-second hang time, according to PFF.

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