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Mel Kiper’s ESPN 2027 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 15 Players Ranked

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

You Tell Us! What Does Your 2027 NFL Draft Big Board Look Like?
Join the Draft Board Debate: Who is Your 2027 NFL Draft Top 5?

Mel Kiper's initial top 15 features five highly-touted signal-callers, but now it's your turn to debate the draft board!
- THE QB BATTLE: Who is your top quarterback in the 2027 class, Drew Mestemaker, Darian Mensah, Trinidad Chambliss, CJ Carr, or Austin Simmons?
- GENERATIONAL TALENT: Is Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith the safest, most surefire prospect in this entire draft class?
- TRENCH MONSTERS: Between Texas' Colin Simmons and South Carolina's Dylan Stewart, which edge rusher has the higher NFL ceiling?
Drop your hot takes and draft board rankings in the comments!
Mel Kiper's 2027 NFL Draft Player Rankings
Draft Day Darlings: Mel Kiper's Top 15 Prospects on the 2027 NFL Draft Big Board

The calendar might say October, but the scouting world is already looking straight toward April. The 2027 NFL Draft class is shaping up to be an absolute monster, loaded with elite perimeter playmakers, game-wrecking defensive anchors, and a deep, wildly fascinating quarterback crop.

From Heisman-contending transfers to physical freaks dominating the trenches, the top of the draft board is taking shape. While prospects will inevitably rise, fall, or decide to return to school as the college football season hits its back half, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has officially locked in his mid-season evaluations.

Here is our original breakdown of Kiper's Top 15 Prospects on the 2027 NFL Draft Big Board, featuring his exact scouting insight on college football's elite.
15. Greg Johnson | G/C | Minnesota
Height: 6'6" | Weight: 325

Trench warfare is won by nasty, technically sound maulers, and the Golden Gophers have a certified bulldozer anchoring their offensive line. Whether Greg Johnson's kicking out to the tackle spot or moving bodies on the interior, he plays with a vicious edge in the run game while remaining an absolute brick wall in pass protection.

"Johnson is a strong run blocker, with an aggressive, nasty edge to his game. He's powerful and can sustain well."
14. Jadan Baugh | RB | Florida
Height: 6'1" | Weight: 225

The Swamp is home to one of the most punishing, complete ball carriers in the country. Jadan Baugh runs with violent, low-pad leverage that exhausts linebackers in the fourth quarter, yet possesses the elite breakaway gear necessary to turn a tiny sliver of daylight into a 60-yard house call.

"He has it all, including really good field vision, breakaway speed and shiftiness. Baugh can cut back to make defenders miss, and he has the power to break tackles."
13. Ashton Hampton | CB | Clemson
Height: 6'2" | Weight: 205

You want an alpha-dog mentality in your secondary? Look no further than Death Valley and Ashton Hampton. The Tigers' boundary enforcer plays a brutally physical brand of press-man coverage, actively seeking out the opposition's top target and making their afternoon miserable from the opening whistle.

"He plays an aggressive style, crowding receivers at the line of scrimmage, getting in his hip pocket and disrupting routes right away. Hampton can plant and drive on the ball, and he has the recovery speed to make plays with his back to the QB when necessary."
12. Cam Coleman | WR | Texas
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 204

The numbers for Cam Coleman in Austin might not jump off the stat sheet just yet, but the underlying talent is undeniable. When the Longhorns' transfer wideout gets isolated on the boundary, his massive catch radius allows him to bail out errant throws and haul in acrobatic grabs along the sideline.

"Coleman displays outstanding body control and the catch radius to haul in throws outside the strike zone. He's very good in contested catch situations and he has brought in a few deep balls this season."
11. Charlie Becker | WR | Indiana
Height: 6'4" | Weight: 208

The defending national champions found an absolute gem on the perimeter in Charlie Becker. The Hoosiers' towering target plays the game like a power forward in the red zone, high-pointing 50/50 balls in traffic and consistently winning physical battles against smaller, overwhelmed defensive backs.

"I love the way Becker attacks the football. He consistently wins in tight coverage with his big frame, excellent hands and nice adjustments to find the ball in the air. Becker can locate the open spots in the coverage, and he can stretch the field with his speed. "
10. Austin Simmons | QB | Missouri
Height: 6'4" | Weight: 220

Don't let the light collegiate resume fool you; Austin Simmons can spin the football as well as anyone on the planet. The electric left-hander possesses a genuine howitzer attached to his shoulder, capable of uncorking deep boundary shots that most collegiate quarterbacks wouldn't even dream of attempting.

"There is no better thrower of the football in the collegiate ranks right now than this young lefty -- he's a pure passer. Simmons can sling it with the best of them -- the ball explodes out of his hands. But he's also very accurate and mixes in good touch with all that velocity."
9. Dylan Stewart | Edge | South Carolina
Height: 6'5" | Weight: 250

When you build a defensive end in a laboratory, the resulting blueprint looks exactly like this Gamecock. The raw physical traits are downright scary, allowing Dylan Stewart to convert elite straight-line speed directly into violent power moves that leave offensive linemen completely overwhelmed.

"Stewart can vary his path to the QB, and he closes quickly with speed to power. He also has the big frame to hold the point and shed blockers against the run."
8. CJ Carr | QB | Notre Dame
Height: 6'2" | Weight: 215

Running the show under the Golden Dome requires icy veins, and this signal-caller operates with the heartbeat of a seasoned pro. CJ Carr rarely forces the ball into danger, using elite anticipation and a quick release to navigate pressure while keeping the Irish offense moving efficiently.

"He's smart and processes quickly before and after the snap, which is part of the reason he has taken just two sacks all season. He's accurate to all levels and throws with anticipation. And while his arm strength is good but not great, he can cause conflict for defenses with his mobility. Carr can throw on the move or pick up a first down on the ground. Nothing phases him, and he's always in control."
7. Chris Cole | LB | Georgia
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 235

Kirby Smart breeds terrifying linebackers, and his latest enforcer is a heat-seeking missile at the second level. Chris Cole possesses sideline-to-sideline range, blowing up run fits in the A-gap one play before flipping his hips to run stride-for-stride with athletic tight ends in coverage.

"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. "
6. Trinidad Chambliss | QB | Ole Miss
Height: 6'0" | Weight: 205

Age and height will be the talking points during draft season, but turn on the tape and you see an absolute magician operating Pete Golding's tempo offense. Trinidad Chambliss thrives in chaos, making instinctual throws from unstable platforms and consistently delivering clutch drives when the lights shine brightest.

"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. And he's a playmaker who sees the field well, often relying on his legs to pick up first downs -- or score."
5. Colin Simmons | Edge | Texas
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 246

Offensive tackles are going to have nightmares about this Longhorn for years to come. Colin Simmons explodes off the snap with terrifying first-step quickness, terrorizing quarterbacks and collapsing pockets before passing plays even have a chance to develop.

"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."
4. Darian Mensah | QB | Miami (FL)
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 205

The ultimate journeyman success story, South Beach's newest star has transformed Mario Cristobal's offense into an absolute juggernaut. Darian Mensah processes defensive shells at light speed, operating with surgical efficiency in the short-to-intermediate game before using his legs to break the back of man-coverage schemes.

"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."
3. Leonard Moore | CB | Notre Dame
Height: 6'2" | Weight: 197

When you need an entire side of the field completely shut down, you call South Bend and get Leonard Moore. The Irish's lockdown corner brings terrifying length to the boundary, disrupting timing routes at the line of scrimmage and using rare hip fluidity to stay glued to the hip pocket of premier wideouts.

"Moore is exactly what NFL coaches look for in a lockdown cornerback. He has elite length and ball skills. He's scheme versatile, too. Moore displays great awareness and instincts in coverage, and he's a silky smooth mover. "
2. Drew Mestemaker | QB | Oklahoma State
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 215

From a walk-on punter/backup at North Texas to the unquestioned leader of the Pokes' high-octane offense, the Stillwater signal-caller has the wildest origin story in college football. Drew Mestemaker plays the game with an electric edge, extending plays outside the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield to hunt for explosive chunk yardage.

"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. 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."
1. Jeremiah Smith | WR | Ohio State
Height: 6'4" | Weight: 222

There isn't a defensive back in the country who can handle this kid one-on-one. The Buckeyes' generational wideout possesses the physical dominance of an NBA power forward combined with the silky-smooth route-running of an NFL veteran. Jeremiah Smith dictates terms to defensive coordinators on every single snap.

"Smith 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. 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."
You Tell Us! What Does Your 2027 NFL Draft Big Board Look Like?
Join the Draft Board Debate: Who is Your 2027 NFL Draft Top 5?

Mel Kiper's initial top 15 features five highly-touted signal-callers, but now it's your turn to debate the draft board!
- THE QB BATTLE: Who is your top quarterback in the 2027 class, Drew Mestemaker, Darian Mensah, Trinidad Chambliss, CJ Carr, or Austin Simmons?
- GENERATIONAL TALENT: Is Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith the safest, most surefire prospect in this entire draft class?
- TRENCH MONSTERS: Between Texas' Colin Simmons and South Carolina's Dylan Stewart, which edge rusher has the higher NFL ceiling?
Drop your hot takes and draft board rankings in the comments!
Mel Kiper's 2027 NFL Draft Player Rankings
Draft Day Darlings: Mel Kiper's Top 15 Prospects on the 2027 NFL Draft Big Board

The calendar might say October, but the scouting world is already looking straight toward April. The 2027 NFL Draft class is shaping up to be an absolute monster, loaded with elite perimeter playmakers, game-wrecking defensive anchors, and a deep, wildly fascinating quarterback crop.

From Heisman-contending transfers to physical freaks dominating the trenches, the top of the draft board is taking shape. While prospects will inevitably rise, fall, or decide to return to school as the college football season hits its back half, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has officially locked in his mid-season evaluations.

Here is our original breakdown of Kiper's Top 15 Prospects on the 2027 NFL Draft Big Board, featuring his exact scouting insight on college football's elite.