NFL Draft Fallout: Rams face receiver crisis, 5 prospects Colts should target

With Week 7 of the NFL season in the books, we are getting closer to the midway point of the season, which means we are starting to get a clearer picture of team needs for the 2027 NFL Draft. One of those needs is wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, who have battled both injuries and a lack of depth at the position.

In this week’s NFL Draft Fallout, we take a look at how the Rams could address this need in the 2027 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts could be heading toward a roster overhaul following the firing of general manager Chris Ballard. We highlight five prospects who could help Indianapolis begin rebuilding for the future.

With the NFL trade deadline approaching, we also examine a position that is holding back the Patriots’ defense, who could replace Brian Thomas Jr. in Jacksonville, whether the Eagles could target a quarterback, and why the Bills need help in the secondary.

Rams must address wide receiver in 2027 NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Rams are one of the most polarizing teams in the NFL right now. Entering the season, they were widely expected to compete for a Super Bowl championship, but after seven games, they sit at 3-4. On the positive side, they are coming off a dominant performance against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, their passing game remains a concern, largely because of their wide receiver situation.

The Rams’ receiving corps has been plagued by injuries throughout the season. Puka Nacua missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a hip injury, and now Davante Adams could miss up to 10 games after rupturing his hamstring. The situation becomes even more concerning when looking at the depth behind them. Konata Mumpfield is the team’s next-leading receiver with just nine catches this season, and only two Rams wide receivers caught a pass on Sunday, with Nacua accounting for eight of the nine receptions by the position.

With Adams set to turn 34 next season and scheduled to become a free agent, adding a wide receiver in the 2027 NFL Draft should be a priority. While Los Angeles would love to land a prospect like Charlie Becker, acquiring a receiver of his caliber could be difficult without a first-round pick and with just four selections currently available in the draft. Fortunately, two intriguing options could provide value in the middle and later rounds.

One potential target is LSU’s Jackson Harris, who has emerged as a major contributor for the Tigers. Despite recording just five receptions and no touchdowns over LSU’s first three games, Harris has since taken off, leading the team with 634 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He could be an intriguing long-term replacement for Adams, particularly because of his ability to make contested catches. According to PFF, Harris has caught nine of 12 targets thrown into tight coverage this season.

The Rams could also look to add a receiver later in the draft by targeting Florida Atlantic’s Easton Messer. Messer is coming off an outstanding performance in which he accounted for five touchdowns against Rice. His ability to find open space in the passing game could make him an appealing slot receiver, drawing comparisons to former Rams star Cooper Kupp. Messer has caught 58 passes this season, the second-most in the FBS, and could also contribute on special teams. He is averaging 32.7 yards per punt return, potentially addressing another area of need for Los Angeles.

Ultimately, the Rams don’t need to find a star receiver with their limited draft capital, but they do need to add reliable depth and prepare for life after Adams. If Harris and Messer can translate their college production to the NFL, they could give Matthew Stafford more weapons while helping Los Angeles remain competitive in the NFC.

Indianapolis Colts 2027 NFL Draft targets

While the Rams are looking to add pieces to remain competitive, the Indianapolis Colts could be heading in an entirely different direction. Instead of addressing a few roster weaknesses, Indianapolis may be preparing for a much larger overhaul.

The Indianapolis Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard last week and followed that move with another lackluster offensive performance against the Vikings on Sunday. Combined with the growing number of trade rumors surrounding the team, the situation raises questions about whether Indianapolis is headed for a roster rebuild. The 2027 NFL Draft could be a key part of that process, although the Colts face a challenge with no first-round pick currently in their possession. Here are five players Indianapolis could strongly consider targeting.

1. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami

While the Colts currently lack a first-round pick, that could change at the trade deadline depending on what they decide to do with running back Jonathan Taylor. If Indianapolis moves Taylor for a mid-to-late first-round selection, targeting Miami quarterback Darian Mensah would make sense as the team evaluates its long-term future at the position. Daniel Jones has continued to raise questions about his consistency, while Anthony Richardson looks like a bust. Mensah is an extremely accurate passer who has completed 82 percent of his passes this season and does an excellent job taking what defenses give him. He could provide Indianapolis with a promising building block as the franchise looks to reshape its roster.

2. LJ Martin, RB, BYU

If the Colts decide to hold on to Jonathan Taylor, they could look to add a younger running back who can take some of the workload off him and keep him fresh throughout the season. BYU’s LJ Martin is a big, physical back at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds who is averaging an impressive 7.8 yards per carry this season. Although Martin is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, he has the size and skill set to develop into an excellent backup to Taylor. If concerns about his injury history cause him to slide into Day 3 of the 2027 NFL Draft, Martin could represent excellent value for Indianapolis.

3. Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State

One move that contributed to Chris Ballard’s departure was the trade for Sauce Gardner, who has struggled to match his previous level of play this season. Combined with Indianapolis’ overall struggles in the secondary, the Colts could look to add at least one cornerback in the 2027 NFL Draft. One potential target with their second-round pick is Mississippi State’s Kelley Jones. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Jones has the size and physical tools to match up with bigger receivers, and his 80.1 PFF coverage grade this season suggests he has the potential to develop into a valuable addition to Indianapolis’ secondary.

4. Joe Brunner, OG, Indiana

Another player who could find himself on the trade market is offensive guard Quenton Nelson, who remains one of the top players at his position in the NFL. If Indianapolis moves on from Nelson, the Colts will need to find a replacement, and even if he stays, adding depth to the offensive line would be a sensible move. Indiana’s Joe Brunner is an intriguing option, showcasing strong pass protection by not allowing a single sack during his college career while also displaying an ability to finish blocks in the run game. With two fifth-round picks, Indianapolis could target Brunner on Day 3 as a potential long-term investment in its offensive line.

5. AJ Holmes Jr., DT, Texas Tech 

Another player the Colts could consider moving on from in the coming weeks is defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. If Indianapolis decides to trade Buckner, finding a young replacement in the 2027 NFL Draft would become a high priority. Texas Tech’s A.J. Holmes Jr. could be an intriguing option in the third round, as he has been on fire lately, recording three sacks over his last two games. Holmes is also a force against the run, using his power to consistently clog running lanes and disrupt opposing offenses. He showcased that ability last season by earning an impressive 89 PFF run-defense grade, making him a potential fit for a Colts defense looking to get younger along the defensive line.

NFL Draft news and notes

Patriots must address linebacker position

One area of concern for the New England Patriots in their loss to the Chicago Bears was the play of linebacker Robert Spillane. Spillane was repeatedly exposed in space, earning a disappointing 36.9 PFF grade. His struggles, combined with backup Darius Muasau’s inconsistent play, make linebacker a position New England should prioritize in the 2027 NFL Draft. One intriguing option on Day 3 is Oregon’s Devon Jackson, who, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, is the fastest linebacker in college football. Jackson’s speed and athleticism could give the Patriots a potential solution to their struggles defending in space.

Jaguars ready to move on

It’s starting to look like Jacksonville is ready to move on from wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. After a stellar rookie season in which he caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2024, Thomas has struggled to replicate that success over the past two seasons. His latest setback came when he was benched against the Houston Texans, raising further questions about his future with the Jaguars. If Jacksonville does move on, don’t expect the team to invest heavily in a receiver early in the draft. The Jaguars appear comfortable with Travis Hunter, Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers, but they could target a bigger, more physical receiver on Day 3, such as Clemson’s T.J. Moore.

Could the Eagles enter the 2027 NFL Draft quarterback market?

It has been a noisy week in Philadelphia when it comes to quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is expected to miss the rest of the season due to blood clots. The situation also raises questions about whether Hurts will remain the Eagles’ long-term answer heading into the 2027 NFL season. Philadelphia hopes Tanner McKee can prove he is capable of leading the offense for the remainder of the season, but that is far from a sure thing. If McKee struggles, don’t be surprised if the Eagles consider drafting a quarterback in the first round, with Miami’s Darian Mensah emerging as an intriguing potential target.

Bills must address secondary despite hot start

The Buffalo Bills are off to a hot start at 5-1, and with Kansas City getting manhandled by Seattle on Sunday night, Buffalo should be considered the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. However, one concern is the secondary, which is allowing 286 passing yards per game while giving up completions on 65% of passes thrown against it. One target the Bills should keep a close eye on in the second round of the 2027 NFL Draft is Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill. Hill held Indiana’s Charlie Becker, widely regarded as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2027 class, to just 32 yards on three catches while recording two tackles and two pass deflections against the Hoosiers.

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