My Pre-Season 2026 (2027 Draft) Top 50

[mayoclinic]

Dane Brugler's pre-season top 50 will be out in about 10 days. I'm going to beat him to it.

This is not my personal list, or Pats-specific. Nor is it an attempt to predict Brugler's. There are guys who I think are not top 50 talents, but who I expect will be on many top 50 lists (e.g., Matayo Uiagaleilei, Ryan Coleman-Williams). It's a bit of a compromise between who I predict and who I think worthy.

Offense (25)

QB (7):

QB will be king. Teams are desperate, and the crop has been thin since 2024. Underclassmen declarations will be key, but for now:

Arch Manning, Texas
Dante Moore, Oregon
Julian Sayin, Ohio St.
Darian Mensah, Miami
CJ Carr, Notre Dame
Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma St.
Drake Lindsey, Minnesota

RB (3):

There are no Jeremiyah Love talents, but overall it is a better group than 2026.

Jaden Baugh, Florida
Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
Ahmad Harvey, Missouri

TE (2):

Jamari Johnson, Oregon
Trey'Dez Green, LSU

WR (6):

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio St.
Cam Coleman Texas
Charlie Becker, Indiana
Nick Marsh, Indiana
Junior Sherrill, Vanderbilt
Omarion Miller, Arizona St.

OL (7):

Jordan Seaton, LSU
Trevor Goosby Texas
Jacarrius Peak, S. Carolina
Kade Pieper, Iowa
Greg Johnson, Minnesota
PJ Williams, SMU
Niki Prongos, Stanford

Defense (25)

IDL (5):

David Stone, Oklahoma
Justin Scott, Miami
Will Echoles, Ole Miss
A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
Ahmad Moten, Miami

EDGE (6):

Dylan Stewart, S. Carolina
Colin Simmons, Texas
Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
Jordan Ross, LSU
Damon Wilson, Miami
Clev Lubin, Louisville

LB (3):

Chris Cole, Georgia
Sammy Brown, Clemson
Kyngstonn Viliamu-asa, Notre Dame

S (4):

KJ Bolden, Georgia
Bruntae Johnson, Notre Dame
Jelani McDonald, Texas
Jaylen McClain, Ohio St.

CB (7):

Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia
Ashton Hampton, Clemson
Zavien Brown, Alabama
Kelley Jones, Mississippi St
OJ Frederique, Miami
Brice Pollock, Texas Tech

Near misses: Austin Siereveld, Carter Smith, Cayden Green, Vicari Swain, Mateen Ibirogba

There are guys who I think could be risers (Demello Jones, Dashawn Spears, Mo Oratokhai, Brandon Baker, AJ Green, Marquise Lightfoot, etc.), but they need to produce before moving them up.

I'll see how Dane Brugler's top 50 compares, and how my list holds up in 3-4 months.

 

[manxman2601]

Good list. I'd say EDGE, CB and QB are the most up in the air at this point.

Also, it's going to be interesting to see whether we get any Mansoor Delane's, Chris Johnson's, Iheanachor's and Mesidor's this year. Maybe that happened last year so much because the overall quality was weak.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think there are a lot of locks, but also a lot that's up in the air. OL and TE come to mind - the league is starved for both. After Jordan Seaton and Trevor Goosby the OT position is wide open; I think Niki Prongos is the next puree OT with upside and athleticism. Jacarrius Peak and PJ Williams are very athletic and can play inside and out. Kade Pieper and Greg Johnson have IOL versatility as well.

Austin Siereveld, Carter Smith and Cayden Green are all very solid, but I don't think any have the footwork or athleticism to thrive outside in the NFL.

Jamari Johnson and Trey'Dez Green are locks barringbinjury, but no one last year foresaw the run on 2nd/3rd round TEs. Guys like Peter Clarke, Andrew Rappleyea and Chris Corbo could all emerge.

QB trumps all, so if the QBs perform and come out, a lot of good players at other positions will get pushed down.

 

[mayoclinic]

Luke Easterling top 50 for comparison:

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2027-nfl-draft-rankings-preseason-top-50-big-board-arch-manning-jeremiah-smith

He has LaNorris Sellers, Trinidad Chambliss and Jordan Maieva in his top 50. Also Ryan Coleman-Williams and Matayo Uiagalelei, Vicari Swain, Quincy Rhodes, Carter Smith, Austin Siereveld and Cayden Green.

 

[mayoclinic]

Bleacher Report pre-season top 25:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25469907-2027-nfl-draft-early-top-25-big-board-cfb-week-0

Ryan Coleman-Williams, Trinidad Chambliss, Trevor Lauck and Boubacar Traore not in my top-50.

 

[mayoclinic]

Ryan Melo top 25:

2027 NFL Draft Prospect Big Board: Way-Too-Early Look at Top 25 Prospects

As we enter the 2027 NFL Draft cycle, scouts and executives are incredibly excited about the upcoming class. After a 2026 draft that generally lacked high-end t

www.si.com

Solid list, wouldn't include Matayo Uigalelei.

 

[mayoclinic]

James Foster's preseason rankings:

https://jfosterdraft.com/2027/

 

[mayoclinic]

Nick Baumgardner 's top 50:

2027 NFL Draft rankings: Jeremiah Smith leads preseason list, Arch Manning cracks top 10

Smith is an elite prospect, but he's not alone in what could be a loaded 2027 draft class.

www.nytimes.com

 

[mayoclinic]

Manx commented in the Nick Baumgardner thread on how much upheaval there was last year from Dane Brugler's top 50 reason list.

There will be a lot of turnover this year as well, but my top 30-40 predictions:

Offense:

5-6 QBs: Arch Manning and Dante Moore top 10 locks if they declare. Darian Mensah, CJ Carr, Drew Mestemaker, Drake Lindsey all with top 25 potential. LaNorris Sellers, Trinidad Chambliss, Jordan Maieva, Nicole Iamaleava and Sam Leavitt all possible risers. Teams are QB starved.

1-2 RBs: Kewan Lacy and Jaden Baugh both top talents.

4-5 WRs: Jeremiah Smith top 5 lock, Cam Coleman top 10. Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh not far behind. Lots of others will emerge.

2+ TEs: Hard to see Jamari Johnson and Trey'Dez Green not going top 40. TE demand is escalating rapidly.

4-5 OTs: Trevor Goosby and Jordan Seaton are locks. Trevor Lauck, Melvin Siani, Jacarrius Peak, Niki Prongos, Ian Moore and PJ Williams could emerge. Along with QB and EDGE, OT is among the most coveted positions.

2-3 IOL: Kade Pieper and Greg Johnson the best pure IOLs. Anthonie Knapp and Brandon Baker could emerge. Carter Smith, Austin Siereveld and Cayden Green are possible conversions.

Defense:

4-6 IDL: Justin Scott, David Stone, Will Echoles and A'Mauri Washington could all flirt with the top 20. Ahmad Moten seems to lead the next tier, with both Texas Tech DTs possible breaktgroughs.

4-6 EDGE: Colin Simmons and Dylan Stewart are top 10-15 locks. Others will emerge, as EDGE is top-3 along with QB and OT in terms of coveted positions. Yhonzhae Pierre and Jordan Ross seem most likely to need, Clev Lubin and Damon Wilson possible. Marquise Lightfoot and AJ Green are my sleepers.

1-3 LBs: Chris Cole, Sammy Brown and KVA are all top-25 talents IMO, but LB is devalued.

4-6 CBs: Leonard Moore top 10, Ellis Robinson IV top 20. Ashton Hampton, Kelley Jones and Zabien Brown will all flirt with the 1st round. Someone else will emerge.

2-4 S: KJ Bolden, Jelani McDonald, and Tae Johnson are all top-40 talents. Someone else will emerge, my $ is on Jaylen McClain .

 

[mayoclinic]

Looking at the top 40 from 2026, we had:

2 QB: Fernando Mendoza (1), Ty Simmons (13)

2 RB: Jeremiyah Love (3), Jadarian Price (32)

7 WR: Carnell Tate (4), Jordyn Tyson (8), Makai Lemon (20), KC Concepcion (24), Omar Cooper (30), De'Zhaun Stribling (33), Denzel Boston (39)

1 TE: Kenyon Sadiq (16)

7 OT: Spencer Fano (9), Francis Mauigoa (10), Kadyn Proctor (12), Blake Miller (17), Monroe Freeling (19), Max Iheanachor (21), Caleb Lomu (28)

3 IDL: Olaivavega Ioane (14), Keylan Rutledge (26), Chase Bisontis (34)

3 IDL: Caleb Banks (18), Peter Woods (29), Kayden McDonald (36)

7 EDGE: David Bailey (2), Rueben Bain (16), Akheem Mesodor (22), Malachi Lawrence (23), Keldric Faulk (31), TJ Parker (35), R Mason Thomas (40)

2 LB: Arvell Reese (5), Sonny Styles (7)

3 CB: Mansoor Delane (6), Chris Johnson (27), Colton Hood (37)

3 S: Caleb Downs (11), DillonThieneman (25), Treydan Stukes (37)

 

[mayoclinic]

Looking at the top 40 from 2025, we had:

3 QB: Cam Ward (1), Jaxson Dart (25), Tyler Shough (4)

4 RB: Ashton Jeanty (6), Omarion Hampton (22), Quinshon Judkins (36), TreVeyon Henderson (38)

5 WR: Tetairoa McMillan (8), Emeka Egbuka (19), Matthew Golden (23), Jayden Higgins (34), Luther Burden (39)

2 TE: Colston Loveland (10), Tyler Warren (14)

5 OT: Will Campbell (4), Armand Membou (7), Kelvin Banks (9), Josh Conerly (29), Josh Simmons (32)

4 IDL: Tyler Booker (12), Grey Zabel (17), Donovan Jackson (24), Jonah Savaiinaea (37)

5 IDL: Mason Graham (5), Kenneth Grant (13), Walter Nolen (16), Derrick Harmon (21), Tyler Williams (28)

4 EDGE: Abdul Carter (3), Mykel Williams (10), Shemar Stewart (17), James Pearce (26)

3 LB: Jaylen Walker (15), Jihaad Campbell (31), Carson Schwesinger (33)

3 CB: Travis Hunter (2), Jahdae Barron (20), Maxwell Hairston (30)

2 S: Malachi Starks (27), Nick Emmanwori (35)

 

[mayoclinic]

Early thoughts on 2027, in comparison:

1. WR rivaling 2024.

2. Coles/Brown/KVA will not be as good as Reese/Styles, but will give Walker/Campbell/Schwesinger a run for their money.

3. CB the best it's been in a while.

4. S will rivaling 2026 for depth.

5. IDL the strongest group in ages.

6. EDGE and QB wild cards until 2026 unfolds.

 

[mayoclinic]

I would also note that probably the 2 most impactful defensive rookies last year were #33 Carson Schwesinger and #35 Nick Emmanwori.