Dynasty Nerds 
Draft Nerds 
NerdHerd 
The 2027 draft class has been hyped up for 2-3 years now. Owners have mortgaged their whole franchise over acquiring 2027 draft picks. As the season unfolds, will they regret trading for those selections?
I truly don’t see how that’s possible. With the type of talent and depth in the 2027 draft class, the owners with the earliest and most picks could run the league a year or two from now. The class has workhorse running backs, alpha wide receivers, and franchise quarterbacks. Let’s dive into an early look at how the draft board could unfold.
🔗 Start Building Your Dynasty
Top 25 Rookie Big Board for 2027 NFL Draft Prospects
Tier 1 – Early 2027 1st Round Pick
No. 1 | Jeremiah Smith | WR | Ohio State | 6’4’’ | 222 lbs
I see Jeremiah Smith as the consensus 1.01 in rookie drafts. Surely, a quarterback will get drafted earlier than him in real life, but we’ve seen quarterback development as especially hit or miss in the NFL over the last few years. Smith feels bust-proof. He has seemingly everything you could want in a wide receiver prospect.
Smith has size, speed, route-running ability, body control, and extremely strong hands. He dominated Texas’ elite defense in the second game of the season. Smith racked up 8 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. He simply couldn’t be covered. I’m holding my breath to see who his quarterback will be at the next level because nothing else matters.
No. 2 | Dante Moore | QB | Oregon | 6’3’’ | 220 lbs
This selection may be one of the hardest for me, because the QB1 battle is very much at large and I am nowhere close to ready to crown a winner. Dante Moore stands out over Arch Manning at the moment because of his ability to take care of the football. Moore’s 9:0 touchdown to interception ratio through 3 games showcases his reliability.
The major hiccup for Moore so far was a brutal performance all around in the loss to Oklahoma State. The Oregon offensive line had no answers for the pass rush, causing Moore to get sacked 4 times. He was under pressure and duress practically the whole game. There remains so much football to be played, but if Moore can continue to take care of the football, this battle could come down to a coin toss in April.
No. 3 | Arch Manning | QB | Texas | 6’4’’ | 222 lbs
Arch Manning could still easily leapfrog Dante Moore and become the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. I loved Manning’s attitude in the comeback win against the tough Ohio State defense. Circumstances had been against Manning, and nothing came easy. He decided to stop caring and just let it rip.
I wanted to see Manning continue that momentum throughout the rest of the season, but he followed it up with a poor performance against UTSA where he was 17 for 33 passing for 164 yards. Manning reminds me of Trevor Lawrence as a prospect. Both showcased elite arm talent and impressive technique and footwork. Lawrence had better ability to get through reads and better accuracy at this stage in his career, but Manning is finally hitting his stride as a prospect.
No. 4 | Darian Mensah | QB | Miami | 6’3’’ | 205 lbs
Darian Mensah has been one of my highest rising prospects of the season. I’ve been incredibly impressed with his poise in the pocket and ability to find the open receiver. Unfortunately, Mensah hasn’t been tested by a top-25 defense yet this season. He will have plenty of big games throughout the season, but Mensah has barely let the ball hit the ground so far.
Through 3 games, Mensah has completed 71 out of 79 passes for 873 yards and 11 touchdowns to no interceptions. He truly cannot have played much better than he has been. It may take until the November 7th game against Notre Dame before Mensah plays a defense that really tests his abilities.
Tier 2 – Mid 2027 1st Round Pick
No. 5 | Kewan Lacy | RB | Ole Miss | 5’11’’ | 205 lbs
Kewan Lacy has dealt with some health concerns early in the season so far. Everything has been minor enough to not knock him off the RB1 spot. He was able to get on the field and help Ole Miss get a huge win over LSU and Lacy’s old coach Lane Kiffin. Lacy had only 9 carries on a snap count limit, but he produced 43 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Lacy has a well-rounded skillset that makes me think he’ll translate well at the next level. After 29 receptions last year, Lacy is already at 7 receptions this year. If he can continue to be a dual threat back on the ground and in the air, I think Lacy will remain the top RB option in PPR leagues.
No. 6 | Jadan Baugh | RB | Florida | 6’1’’ | 225 lbs
Jadan Baugh is making an intense push for the RB1 job, and it would not surprise me if he ends up being the first running back selected in the NFL Draft come April. He is a powerful and elusive runner. He is a hard man to tackle because he can juke you out or run through your chest. Baugh is putting up video game numbers so far this year and may even be in Heisman contention.
In his first 3 games, Baugh has turned 54 carries into 458 yards and 8 touchdowns. Florida’s offense runs through him, and despite defenses gameplanning to stop him and stacking the box, Baugh can’t be denied. He ran wild against Auburn’s defense for 162 yards, leading Florida to a 44-39 win. Baugh faces an intense matchup against a quality Ole Miss defense next weekend.
No. 7 | Ahmad Hardy | RB | Missouri | 5’10’’ | 210 lbs
Ahmad Hardy has yet to make his 2026 debut. He is still recovering from an offseason gunshot wound. I’m maintaining his ranking out of the assumption that he will get back healthy. At his peak last season, Hardy was nearly unstoppable.
He racked up 1,649 yards rushing last season against a stout SEC schedule. I am starting to get worried about his future. I think worst case scenario, Hardy could rehab to come back and be a part of the 2028 draft class. It would be devastating if he loses some athleticism after his return from injury. It’s impossible to speculate over, but I wish nothing but the best for Hardy’s health and future.
No. 8 | Cam Coleman | WR | Texas | 6’3’’ | 204 lbs
Cam Coleman made the correct choice to transfer from Auburn to Texas during the offseason. He had been hampered with unfortunate quarterback play during his time there. Coleman, however, hasn’t quite hit his stride as a longhorn yet. He had a miserable drop-turned-interception against Ohio State. Coleman has also shown flashes.
The talent is definitely there. Coleman has 4.3 speed and explodes past defenders in the open field. Coleman already has 4 touchdowns through 3 games this season. I want to see him showcase an ability to move the chains. I want him to rack up 100-yard games. At the moment, it seems possible for Coleman to become a DeSean Jackson elite deep threat weapon, but I think he has a lot to offer at the intermediate level as well.
No. 9 | Charlie Becker | WR | Indiana | 6’4” | 208 lbs
Charlie Becker is closer to WR2 than he is WR4. He emerged down the stretch last season as one of the most reliable pass catchers for Fernando Mendoza during Indiana’s championship run. Becker has continued that momentum showing both explosiveness and strength at the catch point.
Becker has great size and speed for the position. He is certainly a red zone threat with 6 touchdowns already this season, but he is more than that. Becker is an elite chain mover. He has very solid hands and gets separation easily. A more nuanced Alec Pierce is my NFL comparison for Becker.
Tier 3 – Late 2027 1st Round Pick/Early 2nd Round Pick
No. 10 | Jamari Johnson | TE | Oregon | 6’5’’ | 255 lbs
Jamari Johnson is currently out with an undisclosed injury. His presence was sorely missed in the loss against Oklahoma State, but it doesn’t seem like a longterm issue that would hurt his dynasty stock. Johnson is still my TE1 until proven otherwise.
Johnson is a well-rounded tight end. He blocks, runs routes, and gains yards after the catch. Johnson could fit any NFL scheme. I would like to see him get back healthy and continue to contribute as a primary weapon for Dante Moore. It’s so rare for an offense to run through a tight end at the college level, but Jamari Johnson is one of the rare prospects that allows it to work.
No. 11 | Trinidad Chambliss | QB | Ole Miss | 6’0’’ | 205 lbs
Trinidad Chambliss will consistently get underrated because of his age and size, but he continues to get the job done. He is the most poised and clutch quarterback in the NCAA. If it’s 4th and 8, there isn’t a quarterback I’d choose over him. In the most important game of the year, Chambliss made play after play to beat LSU. He ended with 363 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, and most importantly, a win.
Chambliss may not be a 1st Round pick, but I think he’ll have a bright future in the NFL regardless. He has the exact type of creative ability necessary at the next level. When the play breaks down, Chambliss still finds a way to turn it into positive yards time and time again. He could be a major steal in SuperFlex leagues.
No. 12 | Drew Mestemaker | QB | Oklahoma State | 6’3” | 215 lbs
Drew Mestemaker is an enigma. As soon as I think I’m out, he makes a ridiculous NFL-level throw and I’m back in. Mestemaker has the best arm talent of anyone in the class. He reminds me of Josh Allen out of Wyoming. It’s important to note that certain teams may not have had the patience or ability to develop Allen into the elite MVP he is today.
Mestemaker has MVP caliber upside, but his floor is in the basement. If he cannot fix some of his field vision and decision-making issues, he could end up as the next Anthony Richardson–all of the traits and upside but none of the results. He may be a part of the 2028 NFL Draft as he continues to develop, but there are few more intriguing prospects than Mestemaker.
No. 13 | Nate Frazier | RB | Georgia | 5’10’’ | 205 lbs
Nate Frazier is a bruiser. Unfortunately, Georgia really hasn’t faced anybody of consequence so far this season, and they’ve barely needed Frazier. He has turned just 24 carries into 202 yards and 5 touchdowns. His efficiency has been off the charts, but he’ll receive his first true test this weekend in a tough matchup against Oklahoma.
I would ideally like to see Frazier used more in the pass game. He only has 29 receptions in his 3 years at Georgia. Frazier is not the blame for this, and I think he is more than capable of catching screens and turning upfield. We just haven’t seen it with any type of volume. Regardless, any NFL team that needs a running back will be targeting Frazier heavily on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
No. 14 | Isaac Brown | RB | Louisville | 5’9’’ | 190 lbs
Isaac Brown is the modern NFL running back. He’s a weapon. Brown is explosive and dynamic. With the ball in open space, he’s incredibly difficult to pull down. Brown is a big play threat at all times, one missed tackle away from an 80-yard, game-breaking touchdown.
Unfortunately, Brown hasn’t had quite the usage I was hoping for this season. Louisville hasn’t figured out creative ways to get Brown the ball in the passing game. They continue to run him in between the tackles, which is fine–he can do that; however, their offense would benefit tremendously from having him run more routes. Even if Brown doesn’t get the chance to showcase it more at the college level, receiving is a skill that is in his bag and will raise his value in PPR leagues.
No. 15 | Trey’Dez Green | TE | LSU | 6’7” | 237 lbs
Even though Trey’Dez Green is not as good of a blocker as Jamari Johnson, he may be a better route runner and receiver. Unfortunately, Green is not nearly as scheme versatile and would thrive best in a program that utilizes tight ends in the slot as much as possible. Green moves unbelievably well for a player his size.
He truly plays like an NBA Power Forward who found his way onto a football field. Green can jump with anyone, and I would trust him to make a contested catch over most NFL defenders. He’s had at least 4 receptions in every game so far, but I would love for the LSU offense to go through Green more often down the stretch.
No. 16 | CJ Carr | QB | Notre Dame | 6’2’’ | 215 lbs
CJ Carr has been efficient so far this season, but his first true test is still on the horizon. He’s taken less than a sack a game, but also he’s dropped back to pass less than 30 times a game. Notre Dame’s defense and run game have been so solid that Carr really hasn’t had any type of pressure on him so far this season.
That being said, Carr is still in the mix to be among the top quarterbacks taken in the NFL Draft. He has showcased high leadership skills and poise during his time at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are shaping up to be a playoff team, so Carr will have plenty of opportunities to raise his stock down the stretch. They play BYU on October 17th and Miami on November 7th. Both are must-watch games for CJ Carr.
Tier 4 – Late 2027 2nd Round Picks
No. 17 | Nick Marsh | WR | Indiana | 6’3’’ | 213 lbs
Nick Marsh has talent. I love his ability to catch the ball through contact and his play strength reminds me of A.J. Brown as a prospect. Marsh is finally settling in at Indiana. He only had 2 catches each of his first 2 games, but he finished with 7 catches for 81 yards last week. Marsh can truly be an X-prototype receiver at the next level.
I think his ability to run with the ball in his hands is underrated. At Michigan State, Marsh consistently showcased that he could gain yards after the catch. Through 3 games this year, he is averaging 6.7 yards after the catch. If Indiana can continue to get the ball in Marsh’s hands, he will create big plays for this contending team.
No. 18 | Ryan Coleman-Williams | WR | Alabama | 6’0’’ | 184 lbs
Talent has never been the question for Ryan Coleman-Williams. He burst onto the national stage as a 17-year-old freshman with a ridiculous spin move touchdown against Georgia. Since then, the hype and potential has outweighed the production much of the time. His biggest issue has been drops. He has 18 drops so far in his college career.
If he can develop more secure hands, Coleman-Williams has the ability to be a 1st Round pick. His ability to gain yards after the catch is elite. He took a screen for 46 yards to the house against Florida State last week. I really think his route running is nuanced and professional. Coleman-Williams achieving his potential really comes down to the discipline of hitting the jugs machine every single day for 15 minutes before and after practice.
No. 19 | Ryan Wingo | WR | Texas | 6’2’’ | 214 lbs
At times this year, Ryan Wingo has outshone teammate wide receiver Cam Coleman for Texas. Wingo was stifled in the most recent game against UTSA for 2 catches and 22 yards (he exited with an injury before returning), but he was very impressive in the opener against Texas State. He had 7 catches for 121 yards, including a touchdown.
Wingo is an explosive receiver. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ran a 4.3 40-yard dash. He can contribute as a deep threat or an intermediate option, but Wingo is the type of weapon that you want to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. I think he will test very well at the combine and could end up as a 2nd Round pick.
No. 20 | Julian Sayin | QB | Ohio State | 6’1’’ | 214 lbs
Julian Sayin is a bit polarizing as a prospect. He’s undersized and doesn’t have as much zip on the ball as other prospects. Some analysts knock him for the elite weapons at his disposal. Most other quarterbacks aren’t throwing to a generational wide receiver prospect; however, Sayin has done his job.
He gets the ball to his weapons accurately. He works on time and in the confines of the offense. Sayin may rely too much on Jeremiah Smith, unfortunately. If a defense was capable of taking him away (like Texas in some of the big moments Week 2), Sayin doesn’t quite have an answer. The jury is still out on Julian Sayin as a 2027 prospect, but he reads the field and gets the ball out to his weapons quickly and accurately which is important for quarterbacks.
No. 21 | Bryant Wesco Jr. | WR | Clemson | 6’2’’ | 195 lb
Bryant Wesco Jr. is the top receiving weapon for a Clemson offense that is still finding it’s identity on offense. Wesco is an outside receiver with impressive speed. He’s averaged over 6 yards after the catch per reception in his NCAA career so far. Wesco has dealt with some inaccurate quarterback play so far this season, but Tait Reynolds really showed some promise down the stretch against UNC.
Wesco finished the UNC game with 77 yards, his most so far this season. As the Clemson offense gels, I think Wesco will flourish and his stock could certainly rise. At minimum, his speed and size set him up to be a deep threat option in the NFL, keeping opposing defenses honest. Wesco definitely has potential to be a Day 2 pick in the NFL Draft.
No. 22 | KJ Duff | WR | Rutgers | 6’6” | 225 lbs
KJ Duff has had an unbelievable start to the 2026 season. His stats have been unworldly. He’s averaging 8 catches for almost 140 yards and 2 touchdowns per game. Duff is very lanky, but he is smooth. You would expect someone of his stature to have stiff hips, but he has the agility of a much smaller player.
Duff is performing very well even as the focal point of this Rutgers offense. Defenses know that they have to stop one player, and they simply cannot do it. Duff is beating guys deep or on intermediate routes. Duff could continue to rise into the 1st Round if he remains this productive throughout the season.
No 23 | Omarion Miller | WR | Arizona State | 6’2” | 215 lbs
Omarion Miller continues the trend of big wide receivers. There is no shortage of receivers over 6’0” tall in this class. Miller started the season hot with 8 catches, 102 yards, and a touchdown in the opener. Since then, he hasn’t reached over 30 yards receiving.
Miller is someone that could be a Senior Bowl riser. He is hampered by mediocre quarterback play and inaccurate targets. Throughout his college career, Miller has 7.8 yards after the catch per reception and 2.36 yards per route run. I’m not sure what his priorities were, but I feel like he could have chosen a better option with better QB play than Arizona State out of the portal last year.
No. 24 | Nyck Harbor | WR | South Carolina | 6’5” | 239 lbs
Nyck Harbor is an absolute freak athlete, but it doesn’t always translate to the football field. The upside is tantalizing. If he can add another 10-15 lbs, Harbor could break the NFL as the fastest tight end of all time. As is, Harbor is still capable of 4.2 speed at a ridiculously massive size.
It just still doesn’t seem like it has all come together as a receiver. After dropping a wide open touchdown (albeit in the pouring rain) against Towson, Harbor was just putting in cardio and blocking last week against Mississippi State. He seemed to be open on a couple of deep routes, but Sellers never saw him on what could have been a game-changing play. Harbor needs to be more productive, or he will fall off of this list soon.
No. 25 | LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina | 6’3’’ | 238 lbs
I couldn’t leave LaNorris Sellers off this list, despite his rough start to the 2026 season. He needs a serious mind reset to turn his season around, but I won’t put it out of the question. LaNorris Sellers has some of the best raw talent of any quarterback eligible for this draft; however, his decision making has been atrocious so far this season.
Sellers threw 2 interceptions against Mississippi State and looked off the whole game. It seemed like he was guiding the ball instead of throwing it. At this point, Sellers’ stock could continue to drop and may be returning for his senior year, or he could flip the switch and materialize some of the flashes he has shown previously. Something has to change.
Conclusion
Thank you so much for reading my first 2027 rookie big board of the season. We are still very early in the process as these players rise and fall in value. Throughout the coming months, many high leverage games will be played—which I care the most about. How do you play when the defenses are the toughest and the lights are the brightest? I will continue to analyze the 2027 rookie class and give you an update.
Take Control of Your Dynasty Today
Want to see where your lineup stacks up? Start building like the pros with our most powerful tools and resources:
- 📱 Dynasty Nerds App → Analyze trades, compare rosters—see where you rank.
- 🏈 Dynasty Rankings → Updated player values for every position.
- 🎓 Rookie Mock Draft Hub → Find the next wave of talent for your drafts.
- 🚀 Join the NerdHerd → Unlock premium tools and exclusive extra podcast.
👉 It’s time to take control of your dynasty and see where your lineup truly ranks.
