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Mel Kiper’s ESPN Top 25 College Football Players Ranked: 2027 NFL Draft Big Board

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say! Who are the Top Prospects in College Football?
Sound Off on Draft Prospects: Debating Kiper's Board

We've broken down Kiper’s latest evaluations, but now it's your turn to step into the war room and debate the draft board!
- THE ARCH MANNING DILEMMA: Mel Kiper has Arch Manning slotted at No. 24 overall (QB6). Is his ceiling worth an early 1st-Round investment, or do the seven interceptions and up-and-down accuracy mandate that he stays in college?
- FREAK RECEIVER VALUE: Between KJ Duff (6'6", 9 TDs at Rutgers) and Nick Marsh (6'3", 10 contested catches at Indiana), which towering red-zone nightmare would you draft first?
- BLIND-SIDE PERFECTION: Who is the safer 1st-Round offensive tackle selection—Iowa's Trevor Lauck (zero sacks in 2026) or LSU's Jordan Seaton (zero sacks allowed since 2024)?
Drop your hot takes and prospect grades in the comments!
Mel Kiper's Top 25 Draft Prospects
Draft Day Darlings: Breaking Down Mel Kiper Jr.'s 2027 NFL Draft Big Board

The top tier of the draft board set the stage with blue-chip quarterbacks and generational perimeter threats, but rounds are won, and franchises are built on the depth found right in the heart of the 1st-Round conversation. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has officially locked in his mid-season big board, unveiling the top 25 prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft class.

From polarising franchise passers like Arch Manning and Dante Moore battling for 1st-Round positioning to 6-foot-6 perimeter freaks, lockdown boundary corners, and unyielding trench anchors who haven't surrendered a sack all autumn, the scouting tape is heating up.

Here is our comprehensive breakdown of Kiper’s Big Board, complete with verified measurables, production profiles, and pro evaluations.
25. Dante Moore | QB | Oregon
Dante Moore NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 21
When Dante Moore is dialed in, the ball explodes off his fingers with natural, effortless beauty. His pure arm talent and touch on deep boundary balls rival anyone in this class, but an abbreviated four-game campaign and injury questions leave front offices debating his true sample size.

"When Moore is at the top of his game, he's an impressive passer. He changes arm angles, he's mechanically sound, he displays precise ball placement, and there's good touch on his deep ball. Throws look effortless because of his arm strength, and he can deliver strikes while rolling out. There's even some scramble ability there. The toolbox is full."
24. Arch Manning | QB | Texas
Arch Manning NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 222 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 22
No player in the country commands more eyeballs or sparks more heated war room arguments than Texas' QB1. Manning flashes every single physical tool you could ever ask for—a live arm, elite athleticism outside the pocket, and rare off-platform playmaking—but the weekly roller-coaster consistency has evaluators on edge.

"Watch just about any game he plays, and you'll ride the roller coaster of getting excited about his NFL ceiling and then wondering whether he's ever going to truly put it all together. Manning doesn't see the field as well as other quarterbacks on this list, and he occasionally throws off balance. And while the accuracy is better this season than it was in 2025, it still has to improve. I'm very curious to see how the rest of this season plays out."
23. Trey'Dez Green | TE | LSU
Trey'Dez Green NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'7"
- Weight: 237 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
A dual-sport athlete with fluid hardwood athleticism, Green is redefining what modern tight ends look like in the SEC. Opposing safeties simply don't have the size to contest him in the air, and linebackers don't have the lateral quickness to run with him across the middle.

"The physical and athletic traits are outstanding, and opponent defenses are going to have issues game planning around him -- he's 6-foot-7 with quicks and hands! But what really jumps out to me about his tape is his after-the-catch ability. Of his 272 receiving yards this season, 152 have come after the ball is in his hands."
22. Kade Pieper | G | Iowa
Kade Pieper NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 298 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 21
Playing right alongside Trevor Lauck, Pieper provides the explosive interior push that powers the Hawkeyes' ground-and-pound identity. His agility out in space on counters and screens makes him an absolute weapon against modern, light-box defenses.

"He's an athletic blocker who can pull and get to the second level to help spring big runs. He's also effective driving defenders off the ball. Over 33 career games (20 starts), Pieper has not allowed any sacks."
21. Greg Johnson | G/C | Minnesota
Greg Johnson NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 325 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 21
Johnson is an old-school road grader who plays with the kind of mean streak that offensive line coaches dream about. He sets the physical tone in the trenches for the Gophers and gives an NFL front office immediate versatility to plug in anywhere along the interior.

"Johnson is a strong run blocker, with an aggressive, nasty edge to his game. He's powerful and can sustain well. But he also anchors well in pass protection, and he has never allowed a sack across 44 career games (35 starts)."
20. Jordan Seaton | OT | LSU
Jordan Seaton NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 307 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 21
Blind-side protectors with 30-plus high-major starts under their belts don't come around very often. Seaton arrived in Baton Rouge and instantly proved his pass-protection traits can hold up against the most terrifying edge rushers the SEC has to offer.

"He can push blockers past the QB and has improved as a run blocker, showing the ability to pull there. Seaton is in great shape this season, and he looks the part. He just needs to be coached up a little to realize his full potential as an elite left tackle."
19. Jadan Baugh | RB | Florida
Jadan Baugh NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 231 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 22
In an era where three-down workhorse backs are supposed to be extinct, Baugh is dragging defenders across first-down markers every single Saturday. He runs with violent pad level, deceptive second-level burst, and an uncanny ability to wear down opposing fronts as the game wears on.

"He's a handful to bring down, and he almost never puts the football on the ground -- he hasn't fumbled since 2024, and that was his only career fumble across 1,116 offensive snaps. Baugh is also dependable as a receiver out of the backfield when called upon."
18. Kelley Jones | CB | Mississippi State
Kelley Jones NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 22
Boundary cornerbacks with legitimate track speed and condor-like reach are the rarest commodities in football. Jones took a calculated gamble by heading back to Starkville, and it has paid off in spades as he's put together two straight seasons of elite SEC game tape.

"Jones can fly, too. He could put up a really good 40 time at the combine in March. He's comfortable with his back to the QB and is disruptive at the catch point. And he's a willing tackler in run defense."
17. KJ Duff | WR | Rutgers
KJ Duff NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 225 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
If you were building a modern offensive mismatch in a lab, he would look an awful lot like Duff. The Scarlet Knights star is essentially a power forward running routes on grass, forcing defensive coordinators into impossible substitution dilemmas every single Saturday.

"Duff routinely uses his size to box out defenders. He attacks the ball in the air, and I see outstanding hands and body control. He adjusts well to off-target throws. Over his career, Duff has averaged 17.2 yards per catch, presenting his big-play potential."
16. Nick Marsh | WR | Indiana
Nick Marsh NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 19
Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers hit the jackpot when Marsh arrived in Bloomington. He possesses the prototypical frame of an NFL X-receiver, combining raw acceleration with an expansive catch radius that makes him an immediate weapon on early downs and down the boundary.

"Marsh has improved there this season, winning in tight coverage more and more (10 contested catches). He has sure hands and can haul in off-target passes. Marsh just turned 20 years old, and the arrow is pointing up."
15. Trevor Lauck | OT | Iowa
Trevor Lauck NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 314 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 21
Iowa offensive linemen are practically engineered in a laboratory for Sunday football, and Lauck is the next blind-side fortress ready to step right into a pro huddle. His quiet consistency in the Big Ten has made him one of the cleanest, most technically refined pass-blocking evaluations in the entire class.

"His pass protection traits have stood out in particular this season, as he's technically sound. I see good footwork and balance on the tape, and he sustains well and finishes his blocks."
14. Will Echoles | DT | Ole Miss
Will Echoles NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 315 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
Modern NFL defensive coordinators crave interior linemen who do more than just occupy space—they want penetrating game-wreckers who can blow up zone reads before they even get started. Echoles brings heavy hands, violent knock-back power, and the kind of SEC trench motor that immediately pops on film.

"Echoles is explosive and can beat double-teams with his high effort level. He's also very effective in lateral pursuit. And I like his professional approach to the game."
13. Ashton Hampton | CB | Clemson
Ashton Hampton NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
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
Cam Coleman NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 201 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
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
Charlie Becker NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 204 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
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
Austin Simmons NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
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
Dylan Stewart NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’5”
- Weight: 245 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
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
CJ Carr NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 21
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
Chris Cole NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 235 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 21
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
Trinidad Chambliss NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 200 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 24
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
Colin Simmons NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 240 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
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)
Darian Mensah NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 21
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
Leonard Moore NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
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
Drew Mestemaker NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 211 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
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
Jeremiah Smith NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 223 lbs
- Age (on CFB Week 1): 20
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."
Have Your Say! Who are the Top Prospects in College Football?
Sound Off on Draft Prospects: Debating Kiper's Board

We've broken down Kiper’s latest evaluations, but now it's your turn to step into the war room and debate the draft board!
- THE ARCH MANNING DILEMMA: Mel Kiper has Arch Manning slotted at No. 24 overall (QB6). Is his ceiling worth an early 1st-Round investment, or do the seven interceptions and up-and-down accuracy mandate that he stays in college?
- FREAK RECEIVER VALUE: Between KJ Duff (6'6", 9 TDs at Rutgers) and Nick Marsh (6'3", 10 contested catches at Indiana), which towering red-zone nightmare would you draft first?
- BLIND-SIDE PERFECTION: Who is the safer 1st-Round offensive tackle selection—Iowa's Trevor Lauck (zero sacks in 2026) or LSU's Jordan Seaton (zero sacks allowed since 2024)?
Drop your hot takes and prospect grades in the comments!
Mel Kiper's Top 25 Draft Prospects
Draft Day Darlings: Breaking Down Mel Kiper Jr.'s 2027 NFL Draft Big Board

The top tier of the draft board set the stage with blue-chip quarterbacks and generational perimeter threats, but rounds are won, and franchises are built on the depth found right in the heart of the 1st-Round conversation. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has officially locked in his mid-season big board, unveiling the top 25 prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft class.

From polarising franchise passers like Arch Manning and Dante Moore battling for 1st-Round positioning to 6-foot-6 perimeter freaks, lockdown boundary corners, and unyielding trench anchors who haven't surrendered a sack all autumn, the scouting tape is heating up.

Here is our comprehensive breakdown of Kiper’s Big Board, complete with verified measurables, production profiles, and pro evaluations.