2027 draft outlook and analysis (skill positions)

The '26 draft was good, but the '27 draft is considered much deeper, which is why teams declined to give up any future draft capital during trades...let's take a look at some of those prospects


QB:
If this yrs class of qb's was considered underwhelming, people are salivating over next yrs class..

1. Arch Manning Tex. 6'4' 219lbs --- when your last name is Manning, then you know you'll be under a microscope ... the improvement has shown, but he hasn't totally put it all together yet... if he does this upcoming season, then look for him to be the #1 overall

2. Dante Moore 6'3" 209 lbs Ore. ---- if he hadn't returned to school, Moore would've been the #2 overall pick... we'll see if returning was a smart decision or not

3. Julian Sayin Ohio St. 6'1" 208 Lbs ---- has everything around him at Ohio St to be successful. ... next yrs combine will determine how he's looked at

4. LaNorris Sellers S. Carolina 6'3" 240 Lbs---- tantalizing athletic ability but is he the next Dante Culpepper or the next Anthony Richardson

5. Trinidad Chambliss Miss. St. 6'1" 200 Lbs. --- electric player that showed out in the CFP's.. his fighting to get another yr of college eligibility rather than go to the next level will bring questions about his true competitive fire, and he will be a yr older (25 when the'27 nfl season starts), which will also give some teams pause when it comes to using a high pick on him


RB:
This yr it was Jerimiah Love, his backup and everyone else.. the '27 class is a bit more even, but quite possibly no 1st rounders

1. Nate Frazier Ga. 5'10" 210 Lbs --- electric burst, but has ball security issues

2. Mark Fletcher Miami 6'2" 225 Lbs---- will be leaned on heavily with Carson Beck gone

3. Justice Haynes Mich. 5'11" 210 Lbs--- shifty, with good balance... needs to improve in the passing game

4. CJ Baxter Tex. 6'1" 227 Lbs. --- rare speed for his size.. Will find some good lanes with defenses focusing on Arch

5. LJ Martin BYU 6'2" 220lbs. --- good vision and speed with solid hands


WR:
The wr class for quite a while now has been very strong and this class is no different, except for 1 transcendent talent..

1. Jeremiah Smith Ohio St 6'3" 223 Lbs. --- Coaches and Gm's have been waiting for Smith to be draft eligible since his freshman yr... unfortunately, any team with a win percentage of .at least .400 can forget about him.... at worst, he will come off the board at #3 overall

2. Cam Coleman Tex. 6'3" 201 Lbs--- field stretcher that will see a lot of single coverage due to his bookend

3. Ryan Wingo Tex 6'2" 214 Lbs. --- another longhorns burner that has to be accounted for

4. Nick Marsh Indiana 6'3" 203lbs. --- Unknown what his season will be now that Mendoza is gone, but believe that scouts already have enough tape on him from Mich St.

5. Ryan Williams Ala. 6'0" 175 Lbs. ---- Devonta Smith 2.0

6. Nyck Harbor S. Carolina 6'5" 235 Lbs. ---- mouth watering measurables with legitimate track star speed.... athletic ability alone will ensure that he goes no lower than 2nd rd.. lookout if he puts it all together though


TE:
Some very good chain movers in this class, but not many blockers

1. Terrance Carter Tex Tech. 6'2" 245 Lbs. --- knows how to find open lanes

2. Tre'Dez Green LSU 6'7" 240lbs. --- will create mismatches throughout the intermediate area

3. Walker Lyons USC 6'4" 245 Lbs. --- another seam buster with good hands

4. Jelani Thurman Ohio St 6'6" 250 Lbs. --- best blocker in the class with the ability to find open lanes (which should be easy considering the buckeyes' wr's)

5. Luke Reynolds Penn St. 6'4" 250 Lbs. --- this kid could be the next George Kittle

 

If Arch and the Longhorns don't have the type of season that rockets him to the #1 overall pick, I expect him to stay in college.


Personally, I think being graded as a top 5-10 prospect would be enough to jump into the draft with both feet. I mean as far as QBs go. But I also understand the long term value of number of snaps taken.


I'm really looking forward to the Steelers TC battle this year at QB.

 

Agreed. Personally i'm not salivating with that bunch yet.

If Manning comes out he will arguably be the 1st pick(name sake) followed by Moore. That's if Moore has a solid season.

The other three really don't move the needle for me.

Seasons have come and gone as the QB position fizzled being the year.

I'm glad they drafted a QB. Let the competition begin between Allar and Howard.

 

Ill be honest, I'm not enamored with the qb class next year. I dont see it.

 

Another Manning. Has to play with your head at times thinking of what went before you. I've seen it in the Golf world and it didn't go well. I'm curious what Tiger Woods' and John Daly's sons will achieve.

 

It has to be much better than the 2026 QB class.

 

I am currently working on my too early Top Five Positional Rankings and Top 32 Big Board myself. Should have it done within a few weeks. I can say this; in terms of talent, 2027 blows 2026 out of the water overall.


For that matter, the upcoming EDGE, IDL and IOL class are a lot better than this one. QB, WR and RBs are a given. Cornerback does have a couple of great pieces but appear to be top heavy and Safety simply isnt matching this year though there could be some surprises. ILB much of the same.

 

A lot of those QBs will have another year of eligibility in 2027, like Carr, Leavitt, Manning, Moore.

 

I could swear I listed more positions than just QB

 

Would like to see Steelers drafting Safety or CB in first round next year, if we're not drafting QB.

 

One guy from the 2027 class whose status is already in jeopardy.

 

So long as it isn't sports related, a gambling addiction will more than likely be overlooked

 

I just hope he doesn't end up like Art Schlichter.

 

Not if he bet on his own team there is a chance he's ineligible to play this season.

 

Time for all you Mel Kiper's to send in that resume to the Steelers. Do not forget the cover letter.

 

Of course.... that would qualify as sports related, as I mentioned

 

The Athletic's 2027 early mock released:

Early 2027 NFL mock draft: Arch Manning, Dante Moore top potentially elite QB class - The Athletic

Manning goes to the Cards, Moore goes to the Browns.

Steelers take someone few people have mentioned.... what is wrong with yinz?

8. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State

A former walk-on, Mestemaker put himself on the NFL radar with his performance at North Texas last season. Now at Oklahoma State (with the same coaching staff), he has an ascending skill set that has scouts highly intrigued.

 

Picking 8th??? NOWAYINHELL

There are some DING DONGS here who have been predicting a record of 8-9, 7-10 and worse for OVER 20 YEARS

 

I'll be picking 7-10 or 6-11 even if Rodgers returns.

 

I wouldn't rule out EDGE depending on how T.J. Watt looks. Highsmith and Herbig are nice but neither are a "Batman" type EDGE. Thankfully, 2027 has some seriously kick ass EDGE Prospects.

 

The fact that he is the unfortunate poster child of "what could happen" yet is still not spoken of regarding this new NIL is baffling to me. As far as I see it, his name needs to be spoken in greater frequencies of occurrence.