NFL Draft Notebook: Why Noah Fifita and Isaac Brown are NFL Draft sleepers to watch

While the football calendar may be relatively quiet, NFL scouts are anything but. With fall camps approaching, front offices are continuing to build their early 2027 NFL Draft boards, searching for breakout stars and identifying under-the-radar prospects before the rest of the country catches on. This week's NFL Draft Notebook highlights one of the nation's most overlooked quarterbacks, the most explosive running back in college football, and several additional prospects who could see their draft stock rise over the coming months.

Why Noah Fifita deserves more respect

One of the more overlooked quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft is Noah Fifita of Arizona. Despite earning first-team All-Big 12 honors, setting a school record with 29 touchdown passes, and throwing just six interceptions last season, he is somehow ranked only 966th overall on NFL Mock Draft Database's consensus board. That ranking drastically undervalues his talent, which is why I currently have a sixth-round grade on him.

What stands out most about Fifita is his ability to create plays from the pocket. Rather than taking off at the first sign of pressure, he does an excellent job of keeping his eyes downfield, extending plays, and allowing routes to develop. He is also an accurate passer, completing 64 percent of his throws despite his receivers dropping 23 passes last season. His decision-making is another strength, as his 29 touchdowns against just six interceptions ranked eighth among qualified FBS quarterbacks. He has also shown he can thrive in critical situations, finishing third in the FBS with a 90.9 PFF passing grade on third and fourth down in 2023 while ranking fifth nationally with a 73.3 passing grade under pressure.

The trait that could ultimately make him an ideal NFL backup, however, is his character. Arizona head coach Brent Brennan called him "the best story in college football," praising not only his play but also his leadership, faith, community involvement, and daily commitment to doing the right things. Wide receiver Tre Spivey echoed those sentiments, calling Fifita the hardest worker in the entire program. Those are the qualities NFL teams look for in a backup quarterback who can prepare the starter throughout the week, earn the respect of the locker room, and step in if needed.

"Noah Fifita is the best story in college football. He's an incredibly good football player, but he's also this rare human being that chooses the right things every day. He's a man of great faith. He's a great teammate. He's a great leader. He's super engaged in our community. He's got a nonprofit. He always finds ways to do extra to give, and that's rare in today's day and age."

Arizona head coach Brent Brennan

There are legitimate concerns, which is why I currently see him as a late-round prospect. At just 5-foot-10, he lacks ideal NFL size, and he doesn't possess elite arm strength or top-end velocity on deep throws. Scouts will also want to see him put together back-to-back strong seasons after a disappointing 2024 campaign in which he threw 12 interceptions, just 18 touchdowns, completed 61 percent of his passes, and struggled with consistency. Even with those limitations, Fifita's playmaking ability, accuracy, leadership, and football intelligence give him the tools to carve out a long career as a reliable NFL backup.

Most explosive back in 2027 NFL Draft

While Florida's Jadan Baugh and Missouri's Ahmad Hardy are the top two running backs on my 2027 NFL Draft board entering the season, Louisville's Isaac Brown is the most explosive runner in the class. According to CBS Sports' Cody Nagel, Brown led all of college football with an explosive run rate of 18.6%.

In addition to leading the nation in explosive run rate, the third-team All-ACC selection rushed for 884 yards on just 101 carries, averaging 8.8 yards per carry and 5.33 yards after contact, both of which ranked second in the FBS. His 39 percent forced missed tackle rate also led all Power Four running backs. As a freshman, Brown set Louisville's school record with 1,173 rushing yards, further showcasing his big-play ability.

Beyond the production, Brown possesses traits that should make him an intriguing NFL prospect. His elite speed makes him a home-run threat every time he touches the football, and he has a legitimate chance to be one of the fastest running backs at the 2027 NFL Combine. He also displays outstanding elusiveness, frequently making defenders miss in space, while his vision allows him to quickly identify and exploit small running lanes before they close.

While there is no question Brown's explosiveness will impress NFL scouts, there are legitimate concerns about his projection. At just 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, he lacks ideal size, raising durability questions after missing the end of last season with an injury. Those concerns are further reinforced by the fact that he never carried the ball more than 16 times in a game, leaving evaluators to wonder whether he can handle the workload of a featured back at the next level. His size also shows up in pass protection, where he earned just a 23.7 PFF pass-blocking grade and can be overwhelmed by larger defenders.

Even with those concerns, Brown enters the season with a third-round grade on my board because of his game-breaking speed and playmaking ability. At the next level, he projects best as part of a committee backfield alongside a more physical downhill runner. One potential fit could be the Chicago Bears if they allow D'Andre Swift to leave in free agency after the season, pairing Brown's explosiveness with Kyle Monangai's physical running style.

Quick hits around the 2027 NFL Draft

• A surprise team that could be looking at the quarterback position in the first or second round of the 2027 NFL Draft is the Atlanta Falcons. While that may seem unlikely after they selected Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, injuries and inconsistent play have left his long-term future uncertain, and he is now competing with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting job. One quarterback who would be an excellent fit in Kevin Stefanski's offense is Notre Dame's CJ Carr. Fresh off an impressive performance at the Manning Passing Academy, Carr impresses with his high football IQ, accuracy, and ability to make quick decisions, making him a natural fit in Stefanski's timing-based, play-action system.

• One of the biggest questions surrounding the Cleveland Browns entering the season is their offensive line, which was ranked as the NFL's worst unit by Sharp Football. While there is optimism within the organization that the group will improve despite likely featuring four new starters, it is difficult to imagine Cleveland not addressing the position in next year's NFL Draft. One mid-round prospect who could be a strong fit is Ole Miss offensive guard Patrick Kutas. At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, Kutas has outstanding size and impressive functional strength, allowing him to anchor against power rushers and making him extremely difficult to bull-rush.

• BYU running back LJ Martin was named the Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, and it's easy to see why. Entering the season as the conference's top returning running back, Martin rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, highlighted by a 222-yard, 32-carry performance against Cincinnati. As an NFL prospect, Martin brings an intriguing combination of size and agility, measuring 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds while displaying surprisingly quick feet for a back of his frame. The biggest question he'll need to answer before the 2027 NFL Draft is whether he has the long speed to turn solid gains into explosive plays at the next level.

• While Martin was named the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Texas Tech defensive tackle A.J. Holmes Jr. earned the conference's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors. The recognition is well deserved, as Holmes enters the season as PFF's top returning defensive tackle in college football. His 34 pressures last season were tied for the most among Power Four defensive tackles, while his 88.3 PFF run-defense grade ranked tied for second nationally. If Holmes can build on that production this fall, he has the talent to climb into late first-round consideration in the 2027 NFL Draft.

• With the Los Angeles Rams acquiring Myles Garrett this offseason, they could eventually lose Byron Young, who is coming off a 12-sack season, if his price tag becomes too high. If that happens, the Rams could turn to Josaiah Stewart, who showed promise in a limited role last season, while also targeting another pass rusher in the 2027 NFL Draft despite having only four draft picks. One player who could draw strong consideration in the second round is Princewill Umanmielen from Ole Miss, who recorded nine sacks last season and has the upside to help replace Young's production.

• A player to watch from the Group of Six is Arkansas State offensive guard Tristian Smith. What stands out about Smith is his outstanding pass protection, as he earned a 90.1 PFF pass-blocking grade last season after allowing just one sack and four total pressures. While that production is impressive, most NFL teams will likely view him as a seventh-round or undrafted free agent prospect because of his short arms and average athleticism. Still, don't be surprised if Smith earns a roster spot next year as a dependable backup offensive guard in the NFL.

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