The First Look at the 2027 Class
The Athletic released its inaugural 2027 NFL Draft preseason big board Wednesday, and the list is headlined by the two most recognizable names in college football. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith takes the No. 1 overall spot, while Texas quarterback Arch Manning cracks the top 10 at No. 7 — a ranking that signals the draft industry's growing confidence in Manning's development under Steve Sarkisian.
The 2027 class is projected to be one of the deepest in recent years, with a particularly strong group of wide receivers and edge rushers. The Athletic's board, compiled by draft analyst Nick Baumgardner, ranks the top 40 draft-eligible prospects regardless of position, with a focus on NFL projection rather than college production alone.
Top 10: The 2027 NFL Draft's Elite
1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State — Smith's placement at No. 1 is the least surprising ranking on the board. The two-time All-American has 2,258 career receiving yards and 27 touchdowns, and his combination of size (6'3", 215 lbs), speed (4.28 40-yard dash), and route-running precision has drawn comparisons to Julio Jones. Scouts view Smith as a generational talent who would have been the first receiver taken in any of the last three drafts had he been eligible. His 2026 season — in which he is the focal point of Ohio State's offense — will be the final validation of his draft stock.
2. James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee — Pearce's 12.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in 2025 made him the most disruptive pass rusher in the SEC. His 4.38 40-yard dash at 245 pounds is the kind of athletic profile that has produced top-5 picks at the position. Scouts are divided on whether he is a pure 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker, but his pass-rush win rate (22%) is the best in the FBS.
3. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan — Graham's 4.95 40-yard dash at 320 pounds is the most absurd athletic testing number on the board. His 2025 season (8 sacks, 12 TFL) was dominant, and his ability to push the pocket from the interior makes him a rare defensive tackle prospect with first-round certainty. The 2026 season will be a showcase for his pass-rush development against double-teams.
4. Will Campbell, OT, LSU — Campbell has been a starter since his freshman season, and his combination of size (6'6", 325 lbs), agility (5.05 40-yard dash), and functional strength (450-pound bench) has made him the consensus top offensive tackle in the class. He has not allowed a sack in his last 22 games, a streak that enters the 2026 season as the longest in the FBS.
5. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia — Starks' 2025 season (5 interceptions, 10 pass breakups) was the best of his career, and his athletic testing numbers — 4.35 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical — are elite for the safety position. Scouts view him as a do-everything defensive back who can play single-high, in the box, or in the slot. His versatility is the most valuable trait in a passing league.
6. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas — Banks, a two-year starter at left tackle, is the anchor of Texas's offensive line. His 5.01 40-yard dash and 440-pound bench press are elite for the position, and he has not allowed a sack in his last 15 games. The 2026 season will be a test of his consistency against the SEC's deepest group of edge rushers.
7. Arch Manning, QB, Texas — Manning's placement at No. 7 is the most debated ranking on the board. His 2025 season (2,500 passing yards, 22 touchdowns in 10 games) was a part-time role, and his 2026 season will be his first as a full-time starter. Scouts are divided on his ceiling — some see a top-3 pick, others view him as a late first-rounder — but the consensus is that his arm talent, football IQ, and family pedigree make him the most marketable quarterback prospect since Trevor Lawrence. A strong 2026 season could push him into the top 3.
8. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado — Hunter's two-way ability makes him the most unique prospect in the class. His 2025 season (75 catches, 1,100 yards, 10 TDs on offense; 5 interceptions on defense) earned him All-American honors at both positions, and his 4.32 40-yard dash is the fastest among top-10 prospects. Scouts are still debating his primary position at the next level, but his athleticism is undeniable.
9. Harold Perkins, LB, LSU — Perkins' 2025 season was limited by injury, but his athletic testing numbers — 4.42 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical — remain elite. His 2026 season will be a critical evaluation period, as scouts want to see him return to the form that made him a preseason All-American in 2024.
10. Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina — Harbor's 4.31 40-yard dash at 242 pounds is the most impressive testing number on the board. His 2025 season (45 catches, 680 yards, 8 TDs) was solid but not spectacular, and his 2026 season will be a test of whether his production can match his athleticism. Scouts view him as a high-ceiling, high-risk prospect.
The Wide Receiver Class: Unprecedented Depth
The 2027 class's wide receiver group is the deepest in draft history, with Smith leading a group of five receivers in the top 20. Harbor (No. 10), Texas's Cam Coleman (No. 14), Georgia's Nitro Tuggle (No. 17), and Miami's Malachi Toney (No. 19) round out a group that scouts believe could produce three first-round picks — a feat that has happened only twice in the last decade.
Coleman's placement at No. 14 reflects his transfer from Auburn to Texas, where he joins a loaded offense that includes Manning and a deep receiving corps. Toney, the cover athlete of College Football 27, is the most versatile receiver in the class, with the ability to line up outside, in the slot, or in the backfield.
The Quarterback Class: Manning and the Rest
Manning is the only quarterback in the top 20, reflecting the draft industry's view that the 2027 class is light on elite quarterback prospects. Alabama's Keelon Russell (No. 28), LSU's Michael Van Buren (No. 34), and Georgia's Gunner Stockton (No. 38) are the only other quarterbacks on the board, and all three are projected as Day 2 picks. The 2026 season will be critical for all four, as a strong performance could push Manning into the top 3 and the others into the first round.
What This Means for CFB 27
In College Football 27, the 2027 NFL Draft class is fully simulated in Dynasty mode, with Smith, Pearce, and Manning as the highest-rated prospects. Smith enters the game as a 99 overall prospect with 'Star Development' and 'Generational' traits, making him the most valuable draft asset in the game's history. Manning is rated 94 overall with 'High Motor' and 'Clutch' traits. For Dynasty players, the 2027 draft class is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to land a franchise-altering player, with the top 10 representing the deepest group of prospects in the game's simulation history.
