2027 Top 32 Big Board: Pre Training Camp Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a new Draft Cycle Season. AskQuestionsLater here, bringing you the 2027 NFL Draft Scouting Cycle. A new season means new surprises and new prospects and thus new opportunities for players to prove themselves. However, for me, the 2027 Draft Class is truly a great one; highlighted by some of the NFLs most coveted positions. Some positions return to power while others remain strong. Now, before we begin, as always, a disclaimer;


These written statements by the author do not reflect nor are shared opinions of members of TheSteelersFans Message Board, Staff Members and/or Site Administrator.




Legend:


***: Denotes Generational Prodigy (Borderline Hall of Fame Level coming out. Top 3 at their position.. minimum. All Pro's follow in their wake with either OPOY or DPOY being in their future.)


**: Denotes Instant Impact Player (Top 10 at their Position.. minimum. Perennial All Pro, Multiple Pro Bowls.)


*: Denotes Instant Starter (Possible to definite Pro Bowl. Possibly some All Pro nods.)


- Blue Text: Riser

-Red Text: Faller




1.) *** Jeremiah Smith: Wide Receiver from Ohio State University


2.) ** Kenyatta Jackson Jr.: EDGE from Ohio State University


3.) * Dylan Stewart: EDGE from the University of South Carolina


4.) ** Will Echoles: Defensive Tackle from the University of Mississippi


5.) ** Nate Frazier: Running Back from the University of Georgia


6.) ** Jordan Seaton: Offensive Tackle from Louisiana State University


7.) * Xavier Chaplin: Offensive Tackle from Florida State University


8.) * Kade Pieper: Center from the University of Iowa


9.) * Julian Sayin: Quarterback from Ohio State University


10.) * Jordan Ross: EDGE from the University of Tennessee


11.) * Carter Smith: Center from the University of Indiana


12.) Leonard Moore: Cornerback from the University of Notre Dame


13.) Ben Roberts: Linebacker from Texas Tech University


14.) * Colin Simmons: Hybrid from the University of Texas


15.) * Matayo Uiagaleilei: EDGE from the University of Oregon


16.) KJ Bolden: Safety from the University of Georgia


17.) Cam Coleman: Wide Receiver from the University of Texas


18.) A'Mauri Washington: Defensive Tackle from the University of Oregon


19.) Kyngston Viliamu-Asa: Linebacker from the University of Notre Dame


20.) Braylon Staley: Wide Receiver from the University of Tennessee


21.) Chris Peal: Cornerback from the University of Syracuse


22.) Jayden Jackson: Defensive Tackle from the University of Oklahoma


23.) Ryan Williams: Wide Receiver from the University of Alabama


24.) Quincy Rhodes Jr.: Interior Defensive Lineman from the University of Arkansas


25.) Faletau Satuala: Safety from Brigham Young University


26.) Braylan Shelby: EDGE from the University of Southern California


27.) Terrance Carter Jr.: Tight End from Texas Tech University


28.) Austin Siereveld: Guard from Ohio State University


29.) Iapani Laloulu: Center from the University of Oregon


30.) Trey'Dez Green: Tight End from Louisiana State University


31.) Jadan Baugh: Running Back from the University of Florida


32.) Jaylen McClain: Safety from Ohio State University.



*** Arch Manning, CJ Carr, Jayden Maiava, Sam Leavitt, Suntarine Perkins, David Stone and others are left off ***



A lot of surprises with a lot of questions I would imagine... so... let's answer some of them. To start given how it is the biggest elephant in the room, yes, you all are reading this correctly; outside of Julian Sayin, I don't have any other QB within the Top 32. As I have been consistent with my methodology, the biggest reasons why the likes of Carr, Maiava, Levitt and even Manning are not on the list have a lot to do with the following two critical issues; ability to remain calm and composed under pressure as well has possessing the ability to adapt to the overall flow of the game no matter how intense the game gets. To me, Julian Sayin has shown he is the best of the best minus his final two games. Technically speaking, Maiava can remain cool under pressure but his release speed fluctuates between games. As for Manning, I get why so many have him within the Top 10 but the lack of comfort and overall lack of mechanics with him give me great pause... and I mean GREAT PAUSE. To be a First Round QB for me, the basics, fundamentals and principles of the position are a pre requisite. Now, I would be equally draconian to not realize that Manning did play with a bad shoulder and that did affect him for certain. However, even before the shoulder injury, Arch was far too inconsistent with his feet; either heel clicking too often nor not driving his hips during throws. Carr and Leavitt have opposite yet fatal flaws; Carr can stand in and take hits but his rhythm (his greatest trait and the best among any QB in the class) takes a massive hit while Leavitt's release speed ties directly to both his throwing motion along with his limited starts. Both are undersized and both are currently not equipped to deal with the pounding that Day One NFL Starting QBs are often tasked to deal with.


As for the others not listed, David Stone has tremendous.. and I mean TREMENDOUS upside as a borderline All Pro DT. The biggest issue for me lies within two key aspects; on field progression and off field progression. The whole Transfer Portal Drama aside, David Stone's lack of patience is directly tied to his youth; overeager, overaggressive and out of control. As a result, both his pass rushing plan and his run defense are a reflection of this; too inconsistent. The highs are incredible but the lows are ghastly. Everything else for him to be a Top 5 DT when he enters the league is there minus these ingredients... but those key ingredients separate the good IDLs from the great ones. For that matter, Will Echoles' abilities in both is a massive reason why he isn't the best IDL in the class but one of the best I have ever scouted. Seeing some Quinnen Williams in him though Williams was more developed as pass rusher. Still time for him though.


Now, Suntarine Perkins is an entirely different case. The issue's don't stem from his abilities as a Coverage LB; some of the best I have ever scouted. Hell, he might even give Sonny Styles, Devin White and Tremaine Edmunds a run for their money when it is all said and done. If playing the ILB was only about that though. Good blitzer but average to poor Run Defense. The second an Offensive Lineman gets their hands on him, its over. As such, Ben Roberts from Texas Tech is my highest rated Linebacker for now. Roberts doesn't have quite the pass rushing repertoire that Perkins has but Roberts is a very good Coverage LB in his own right while being the far superior Run Defender. Add in his superior size and Roberts is a much safer play for NFL Teams wanting that Modern ILB who can be a three down LB.



Finally, to round off the surprises, yes, you are, again, reading the top 10 correctly. Kenyatta Jackson Jr is going to surprise a lot of people; as is Kade Pieper, Xavier Chaplin and Jordan Ross. Of the four, Ross might be the most intriguing; not too good of a run defender though his frame suggests otherwise. Effort isn't the issue here. What is a major benefit though is, to me, is the best 3-4 OLB in the class. Very scheme versatile while possessing all the traits and tools needed to succeed though his overall speed and first step are special. Kade Pieper over the likes of Sheridan Wilson, Greg Johnson and Joe Otting but the one aspect that Kade possesses that the other three don't is his processing capabilities. He already has blue chip agility, great core strength and hand placement but that processing is what sets him apart from other Centers in this class despite him being a Guard. He will be a good Guard but there is serious All Pro ability for him at the pivot.



That will do it for now for the 2027 NFL Draft Big Board. I do have Pre Training Camp for the next update will be after that for there is quite a bit to sift through in terms of tape. For now, this is where I stand. Remember though that we are very early in the process and as always, rankings are subject to change!


With that said, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below as it always helps me out. Next up is the 2027 Top Five Positional Rankings! Until next time, this is AQL saying so long, farewell, stay safe and have an awesome day!!

 

I have questions about Sayin Ohio State played an easy schedule until those last two games, he didn't look as good when pressured against better competition. I think by the end of the season Manning and Cam Coleman will be highly rated.

 

My biggest surprise is 3 Centers in the top 15.

 

I see only two though within the Top 15. There is three total though overall. For me, having elite overall athleticism, namely in the domains of both agility and explosiveness to pair with a rock solid anchor and natural leverage are key traits that separate good Centers from great ones. Center is still mainly a tools based position but the last seven seasons have largely increased the pre requisite for athletic pivots.


Those types of Centers usually garner 1st Round Consideration given how rare they are to find. More often than not with Centers it is either great athleticism but poor overall strength or vise versa. Having both in the category of great?! That warrants a selection. Elite tools to boot?!


Now you enter the territory classified as a slam dunk blue chip talent.

 

Personally, I believe pieper is ranked far too high..... 1st and foremost, he is far to undersized at 290 lbs to even be considered either in the top 5 at his position, or anywhere near the top 32 overall...
2nd, he's a RG with the ability to play C... you're getting too far into the Mike Tomlin position flexibility handbook here...
Same thing goes for Carter Smith..... he's a LT. .... to so drastically change his position and still rank him as high as you have is unrealistic

 

Kade isn't going to be a flex based IOL though. His primary role will be a Center. My ranking of him has very little to do with his versatility. That however is obfuscation from why he is ranked that high.


Recall how Tyler Linderbaum was considered too light as a Center?! That didn't stop him from garnering three straight Pro Bowls. He was initially listed at 296 but now plays at 305. Given how much more Kade can fill his frame, I doubt adding 10 to 15lbs will limit his athletic abilities. In addition, his play strength and core strength that do show up on tape tell me he is just fine in terms of his overall strength profile. Not the strongest Center but his strength is well above average; not great but not too far off.



To conclude, Carter Smith isn't listed as a Center because it is something that he is incapable of; his processing ability being some of the best Overall among all Offensive Lineman and said tool a major one to play Center. The issue that I have with Carter Smith is the same I had with Francis Mauigoa; average footspeed along with average overall reactionary athleticism for the Offensive Tackle position. Along the interior though?! That changes his profile drastically for he will be one of the most athletic Centers not just in the class but potentially in the NFL when he declares. Add in his hand technique, anchor, discipline along with what I outlined and you have a Center who has all the traits and tools to be a Day One starter.


Part of being a Center is having a pre requisite ability to process information overall, remain stout in pass protection but most notably having the overall athleticism to be able to be used in multiple formations. Pulls, screens, sweeps and stunts all require some form of lateral agility. Especially now given today's freakshow IDLs, the demand for overall reactionary athleticism can now be classified as a pre requisite for a Center.


Without it, he is just a turnstile.

 

You do a lot of research on this and you should be commended for it. On the other hand your 2026 Big 32 board didn't include the first 2 players taken in the draft, Fernando Mendoza and David Bailey.