2027 NFL draft class hype gets early backing from ESPN analyst
ESPN's Jordan Reid says scouts see unusual depth in the 2027 NFL draft class, led by quarterbacks, receivers and defensive talent.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The 2027 NFL draft class is already pulling NFL attention away from the next board, with ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid reporting that scouts and executives have been talking up the group for months.
Reid wrote that the buzz is stronger than the usual yearly optimism about a future class. After what he described as two weaker drafts, he said conversations with league evaluators and his early film study point to a class with high-end talent and depth at premium positions.
The early name parade starts at quarterback, where Texas' Arch Manning and Oregon's Dante Moore are being discussed as possible top-five picks, according to Reid. He reported that Moore is viewed by people inside the league as the current favorite to be QB1.
Is the 2027 NFL draft class really loaded?
Reid's answer is yes, at least at this early stage. He reported that NFL evaluators are especially upbeat about quarterback, wide receiver, defensive line and cornerback, with enough depth to make the class more than a few famous names at the top.
Quarterback is the headline act. Reid projected four passers could go in the first round, which he noted is close to the average since 2017. He listed Manning, Moore, Notre Dame's CJ Carr, Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker and Miami's Darian Mensah among quarterbacks drawing attention.
Moore's case is built on a breakout season at Oregon. Reid reported that he threw for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 71.8% of his passes.
Manning's 2025 season drew mixed reviews in Reid's reporting. Scouts saw improvement after a rough opening performance against Ohio State, though one NFC scout compared his current profile to Daniel Jones as a good prospect rather than a great one.
Who could go No. 1 in the 2027 NFL draft?
Reid wrote that the first pick is most likely to come from quarterback or edge rusher at this point. He identified Moore, Manning and South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart as the early leaders.
Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons is also in the race for the top edge spot, according to Reid. Stewart had 4.5 sacks in 2025, and an AFC evaluator told Reid his movement skills give him No. 1 pick potential if his sack production jumps.
Reid said he currently has 16 players carrying first-round grades, the most he has handed out during summer scouting. Defensive tackle led his early board with four players carrying Round 1 grades, including Miami's Ahmad Moten Sr. and Ole Miss' Will Echoles as his top two at the position.
A first-round grade is an evaluator's projection that a player has talent worthy of being selected in Round 1. It is an early scouting view, not a guarantee of where a player will be drafted.
Receivers and corners add to the buzz
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith is one of the class headliners. Reid reported that Smith has been on scouts' radar since his freshman breakout in 2024, and an NFC assistant general manager compared his profile to Julio Jones.
Texas receiver Cam Coleman is another potential top-10 pick in Reid's outlook. Coleman caught 56 passes for 708 yards and five touchdowns last season before transferring from Auburn to Texas, according to ESPN.
At cornerback, Notre Dame's Leonard Moore has drawn top-10 buzz in Reid's reporting. Georgia's Ellis Robinson IV and Clemson's Ashton Hampton also carry first-round grades on his early board.
One sign that teams believe the hype: Reid reported there was hesitation around the league to trade 2027 draft capital this offseason. He pointed to the A.J. Brown deal, in which the Patriots sent a 2028 first-round pick to the Eagles, as an example of teams trying to hang on to 2027 selections.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.