playMel Kiper Jr.Oct 15, 2026, 06:25 AM ETCloseMel Kiper Jr. has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on “SportsCenter,” ESPN studio shows and ESPN Radio. He is the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes regularly for ESPN+.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsI’m already getting excited for the 2027 NFL draft. This class could be really, really good.
We have elite wide receivers, standout defenders and a bunch of excellent quarterback prospects. I’ve been holding off on ranking the best players available until we had a big enough sample of tape, but with roughly half the 2026 college football season in the bank, I’m ready to debut my Big Board for 2027.My normal disclaimer: This is not a mock draft. What follows isn’t any form of prediction for when or where players will get picked once we hit Round 1 on April 29 in Washington D.C. Instead, this is simply my personal ranking of the best players in the class.
The list below is based on my own evaluations from what I see on film and some conversations I’ve had around the NFL. And remember that a lot can change here. Players will rise and fall on the board, and some will even return to school for another year at the collegiate level before turning pro in the future.Here is my current ranking of the top 25 prospects in the 2027 draft class, which includes a ton of QBs. And at the bottom, I’ve included the best players at each position.
Check back regularly right through draft day — I will keep this list updated as the class continues to take shape. But one spot that might not change at all is No. 1 …Jump to: Positional rankings1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio StateHeight: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 222 pounds2026 stats over six games: 48 catches, 916 receiving yards, 11 touchdown catchesSmith is very clearly the best player in this draft class. He’s big, fast and physical, and he snatches the ball on the run cleanly.
On 281 career targets, he has just six drops. And Smith has the body control to make tough catches. I love the way that he is always looking to improve, too. Smith worked on his after-the-catch skills heading into the 2026 season, and he has been able to make some things happen with the ball in his hands using his strength and speed.Ohio State continues to feed him targets (north of 10 per game), and nobody can cover him.
That was very apparent against Illinois in September, when he caught 12 balls for 217 yards and four touchdowns. In three seasons at Ohio State, he has 38 career touchdown catches, and he’s averaging 16.5 yards per catch. Just an incredible football player.2. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma StateHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 2152026 stats over five games: 67.5% completion rate, 1,575 passing yards, 13 touchdown passes, five interceptions; 136 rushing yards, two rushing touchdownsMestemaker didn’t even start at quarterback for his high school team; he was the punter, played some safety and was the backup QB.
Then he walked on at North Texas in 2024 as a QB before becoming the starter in 2025. After throwing for more than 4,000 yards, Mestemaker transferred with coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. It’s an incredible story.His toolbox is also pretty incredible. I love the way he scans the field and bides his time in the pocket.
Mestemaker has the big arm to make all of the throws, with 30 completions going for 20-plus yards this season (third in the FBS). But he also has the mobility to pick up nice chunks of yardage on the ground. Mestemaker shows linebacker-esque toughness and plays with a competitive edge. He doesn’t turn 21 years old until January, and he has just 20 career starts to his name.
So, there’s a lot of untapped potential.3. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre DameHeight: 6-2 | Weight: 1972026 stats over five games: Eight tackles, four pass breakupsMoore is exactly what NFL coaches look for in a lockdown cornerback. He has elite length and ball skills, with seven interceptions and 22 pass breakups over his three-year career. He’s scheme versatile, too.
Moore displays great awareness and instincts in coverage, and he’s a silky smooth mover. His footwork is truly outstanding. Moore consistently performs at a high level, but he’s still looking for his first pick of the season. He missed the Oct. 10 game against Stanford because of a concussion.4.
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (Fla.)Height: 6-3 | Weight: 2052026 stats over five games: 84.2% completion rate, 1,438 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes, zero interceptions; 97 rushing yards, two rushing touchdownsMensah is at his third program in three years, transferring from Tulane to Duke (where he had 34 touchdown passes last season) and then on to Miami. To date, he has started 32 college games — great experience for a kid who doesn’t even turn 22 until January. He is a smooth, fluid passer with solid accuracy. He’s smart in the pocket and manages the game really well.
And the mobility is there for him to beat a defense as a rusher when the situation calls for it.Mensah currently leads the nation in completion percentage (84.2%) and QBR (92.5), and he’s third in yards per attempt (10.8). Scouts are getting excited for Miami’s trip to South Bend in November to play Notre Dame — that game is going to say a lot about Mensah’s draft stock because the Hurricanes have played a pretty light schedule thus far.5. Colin Simmons, Edge, TexasHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 2462026 stats over five games: 17 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 20 pressures, two forced fumbles, three run stopsDid you catch Simmons against Tennessee in September? He had 5.5 sacks in that game alone.
The production is off the charts — he has 30.5 sacks, 40.5 tackles for loss and eight forced fumbles over three seasons. And in 2026, he is leading the nation in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (12) and pressure rate (23.0%). Simmons is the type of closer most NFL defenses want rushing off the edge.Simmons is explosive out of the blocks with natural bend, and he can beat opponents with outside or inside moves. And he isn’t given enough credit for the power element in his game.6.
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole MissHeight: 6-0 | Weight: 2052026 stats over five games: 70.1% completion rate, 1,435 passing yards, 11 touchdown passes, four interceptions; 147 rushing yards, five rushing touchdownsA lot will be made about Chambliss’ smaller frame and the fact that he’ll be 25 years old before the 2027 NFL season even begins, but he’s the ultimate point guard at the quarterback position. I’m really impressed with his pocket presence and mobility, and the mechanics are sound. Chambliss puts zip on his passes with a nice tight spiral and avoids turnovers (seven career picks). And he’s a playmaker who sees the field well, often relying on his legs to pick up first downs — or score.
Chambliss has 13 rushing TDs over the past two seasons.Since transferring in from Ferris State and taking over for Austin Simmons early last season, Chambliss has played his best on the brightest stages. He always seems to respond when he’s challenged. He’s a real leader on offense.play1:02Ole Miss coach tells Eisen what makes Trinidad Chambliss so special7. Chris Cole, LB, GeorgiaHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 2352026 stats over six games: 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, 10 pressures, seven run stops, three pass breakupsCole is all over the field every Saturday.
He’s 235 pounds but looks like a safety at the second level. Cole is quick to diagnose thanks to his football IQ and then flies to the ball, especially in lateral pursuit. He is going to be a combine standout with that tremendous speed.He is versatile, too. Cole can line up off the ball on the inside or on the outside, and he will consistently make plays against the run, in coverage and as an occasional pass rusher — I see solid bend and burst off the edge.
Cole is an outstanding player and is perfect for the way NFL football is played today.8. CJ Carr, QB, Notre DameHeight: 6-2 | Weight: 2152026 stats over
