2027 Top Five Positional Rankings: Pre Training Camp

Good day to you all. Much like how we began the 2027 Top 32 Big Board, today we cover the Top Five Positional Rankings for the 2027 NFL Draft Class. A new season brings us new players to rank and of course, plenty of time to decide who among them reigns supreme in their position! 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.




Quarterbacks:


1.) Julian Sayin

2.) CJ Carr

3.) Dante Moore

4.) Arch Manning

5.) Jayden Maiava



Best Arm Talent: Jayden Maiava

Best Accuracy: Julian Sayin

Best Pocket Poise: Julian Sayin

Best Pocket Presence: Julian Sayin/CJ Carr/Dante Moore

Best Pre Snap Recognition: Julian Sayin/Dante Moore

Best Decision Maker: Julian Sayin

Best Coverage Reader: Julian Sayin/CJ Carr

Best Release: CJ Carr

Best Improv. Skills: Dante Moore/Arch Manning

Best Runner: Arch Manning

Biggest Boom/Bust: Jayden Maiava (needs to be more consistent; his overall time to throw being his biggest one)

Most Pro Ready: Julian Sayin/CJ Carr

AQL's Favorite: Julian Sayin


Running Backs:


1.) Nate Frazier

2.) Jadan Baugh

3.) Ahmad Hardy

4.) Rueben Owens II

5.) Mark Fletcher Jr.


Best Speed: Rueben Owens II

Best Power: Mark Fletcher Jr.

Best Vision: Nate Frazier/Ahmad Hardy

Best BCA (Ball Carrying Ability): Jadan Baugh

Most Versatile: Nate Frazier/Ruben Owens II

Biggest Boom/Bust: Ruben Owens II (scheme specific)

Most Pro Ready: Nate Frazier/Jadan Baugh

AQL's Favorite: Jadan Baugh





Wide Receivers:



1.) Jeremiah Smith

2.) Cam Coleman

3.) Braylon Staley

4.) Ryan Williams

5.) Evan Stewart



Best Speed: Ryan Williams

Best Hands: Jeremiah Smith

Best Route Running: Jeremiah Smith/Evan Stewart

Best Separator: Jeremiah Smith/Evan Stewart

Best Coverage Recognition: Jeremiah Smith/Braylon Staley

Best Blocking: Evan Stewart

Best CIT (Catch In Traffic): Jeremiah Smith/Braylon Staley/Evan Stewart

Best YAC: Jeremiah Smith/Cam Coleman/Ryan Williams/Evan Stewart

Best Deep Threat: Ryan Williams

Biggest Boom/Bust: Cam Coleman (consistency questions regarding effort) & Ryan Williams (same as Coleman but potentially worse)

Most Versatile: Jeremiah Smith/Braylon Staley/Evan Stewart

Most Pro Ready: Jeremiah Smith

AQL's Favorite: Evan Stewart





Tight Ends:


1.) Terrance Carter Jr.

2.) Trey'Dez Green

3.) Jelani Thurman

4.) Jamari Johnson

5.) Peter Clarke



Best Speed: Terrance Carter Jr.

Best Hands: Terrance Carter Jr./Jelani Thurman

Best Route Running: Terrance Carter Jr/Trey'Dez Green

Best Seperator: Terrance Carter Jr./Jamari Johnson

Best Coverage Recognition: Terrance Carter Jr/Jamari Johnson

Best Blocking: Jemari Johnson/Peter Clarke

Best CIT (Catch In Traffic): Terrance Carter Jr./Jamari Johnson

Best YAC: Trey'Dez Green/Jamari Johnson

Best Deep Threat: Trey'Dez Green/Terrance Carter Jr.

Biggest Boom/Bust: Trey'Dez Green (Will adding weight help or hurt his overall perforamcne)

Most Versatile: Terrance Carter Jr./Jamari Johnson/Peter Clarke

Most Pro Ready: Jamari Johnson/Peter Clarke


AQL's Favorite: Peter Clarke





Offensive Tackles:


1.) Jordan Seaton

2.) Xavier Chaplin

3.) Howard Sampson

4.) Cayden Green

5.) Monroe Mills




Best Pass Blocker: Jordan Seaton

Best Pass Protection Technique: Jordan Seaton

Best Recovery Ability: Jordan Seaton/Cayden Green

Best Run Blocker: Xavier Chaplin

Best Run Block Technique: Cayden Green/Xavier Chaplin

Best Zone Blocker: Howard Sampson/Monroe Mills

Best Man Gap Blocker: Xavier Chaplin

Most Versatile: Jordan Seaton/Cayden Green

Biggest Boom/Bust: Jordan Seaton (Major questions regarding his run blocking.. and I mean major)

Most Pro Ready: Cayden Green

AQL's Favorite: Howard Sampson


Interior Offensive Lineman:


1.) Kade Pieper

2.) Carter Smith

3.) Austin Siereveld

4.) Iapani Laloulu

5.) Luke Montgomery



Best Pass Blocker: Carter Smith/Kade Pieper

Best Pass Blocking Technique: Carter Smith

Best Recovery Ability: Kade Pieper/Austin Siereveld

Best Run Blocker: Iapani Laloulu

Best Run Blocking Technique: Iapani Laloulu/Carter Smith/Luke Montgomery

Best Zone Blocker: Kade Pieper/Carter Smith

Best Man Gap Blocker: Iapani Laloulu/Austin Siereveld

Biggest Boom/Bust: Carter Smith (how a player can quickly adapt to positional changes vary)

Most Versatile: Austin Siereveld

Most Pro Ready: Kade Pieper/Iapani Laloulu/Luke Montgomery

AQL's Favorite: Kade Pieper



Interior Defensive Lineman:


1.) Will Echoles

2.) A'Mauri Washington

3.) Quincy Rhodes Jr.

4.) Jayden Jackson

5.) Anthony Smith



Best Pass Rusher: Anthony Smith/Quincy Rhodes Jr

Best Power Rusher: Quincy Rhodes Jr/A'Mauri Washington/Will Echoles

Best Speed Rusher: Anthony Smith

Most Versatile Rusher: Anthony Smith

Best Run Stopper: Will Echoles/A'Mauri Washington

Best Anchor: A'Mauri Washington/Will Echoles

Best Leverage: Will Echoles = A'Mauri Washington (both are equal here)

Best 3 Tech: Will Echoles/Anthony Smith

Best 5 Tech: Anthony Smith/Quincy Rhodes Jr.

Best 0/1 Tech: A'Mauri Washington/Jayden Jackson

Most Versatile: Will Echoles/Anthony Smith

Biggest Boom/Bust: Will Echoles (Tackling consistency. Not due to effort but lack of technique)

Most Pro Ready: A'Mauri Washington/Anthony Smith

AQL Favorite: A'Mauri Washington




EDGE:


1.) Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

2.) Dylan Stewart

3.) Jordan Ross

4.) Matayo Uiagaleilei

5.) Braylan Shelby



Best Speed Rusher: Jordan Ross/Dylan Stewart/Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

Best Power Rusher: Kenyatta Jackson Jr./Matayo Uiagaleilei

Most Versatile Rusher: Braylan Shelby/Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

Best Run Stopping: Kenyatta Jackson Jr

Best Coverage: Jordan Ross

Best HID (Hand in Dirt): Kenyatta Jackson Jr./Matayo Uiagaleilei

Best 3-4 OLB: Jordan Ross/Dylan Stewart

Biggest Boom/Bust: Dylan Stewart (Health)

Most Versatile: Kenyatta Jackson Jr./Matayo Uiagaleilei

Most Pro Ready: Jordan Ross

AQL's Favorite: Kenyatta Jackson Jr.


Off-Ball Linebackers:


1.) Ben Roberts

2.) Kyngston Viliamu-Asa

3.) Colin Simmons (HYBRID)

4.) Drayk Bowen

5.) Sammy Brown



Best Overall Pass Coverage: Ben Roberts

Best Man Coverage: Ben Roberts

Best Zone Coverage: Ben Roberts/Kyngston Viliamu-Asa

Best Run Support: Drayk Bowen

Best Block Shedding: Drayk Bowen/Kyngston Viliamu-Asa

Best Pass Rusher: Colin Simmons

Best Processor: Ben Roberts

Best Instincts: Drayk Bowen/Ben Roberts

Best Leadership: Sammy Brown/Kyngston Viliamu-Asa

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Kyngston Viliamu-Asa (Needs to stay healthy)

Most Versatile: Kyngston Viliamu-Asa/Colin Simmons

Most Pro Ready: Ben Roberts/Kyngston Viliamu-Asa

AQLs Favorite: Sammy Brown




Cornerbacks:


1.) Leonard Moore

2.) Chris Peal

3.) Boo Boo Carter

4.) Kelley Jones

5.) DJ McKinney



Best Man Coverage: Leonard Moore/DJ McKinney

Best Zone Coverage: Chris Peal/Kelley Jones

Best Run Support: Kelley Jones/Boo Boo Carter

Best Blitzer: Boo Boo Carter

Best Speed: Chris Peal/Leonard Moore

Best COD (Change of Direction): Chris Peal

Best Instincts: Boo Boo Carter

Best Technician: Leonard Moore

Best Tackler: Chris Peal/Boo Boo Carter

Best Slot: Boo Boo Carter

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Boo Boo Carter (Character Concerns)

Most Versatile: Chris Peal/Boo Boo Carter

Most Pro Ready: Leonard Moore


AQL's Favorite: DJ McKinney



Safeties:


1.) KJ Bolden

2.) Faletau Satuala

3.) Jaylen McClain

4.) Tae Johnson

5.) Keon Sabb



Best Man Coverage: Keon Sabb/Tae Johnson

Best Zone Coverage: Faletau Satuala/Tae Johnson/Keon Sabb

Best Speed: KJ Bolden

Best Power: Faletau Satuala

Best Tackler: Faletau Satuala/Keon Sabb

Best COD: KJ Bolden

Best Instincts: KJ Bolden/Tae Johnson

Best Slot: Faletau Satuala/KJ Bolden/Keon Sabb

Best Single High: Jaylen McClain/KJ Bolden

Best Pure Safety (FS or SS): Tae Johnson

Best Strong Safety: Faletau Satuala/Keon Sabb

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Jaylen McClain (Is he more than just a Single High Safety?)

Most Versatile: Keon Sabb/Tae Johnson

Most Pro Ready: KJ Bolden

AQL's Favorite: Keon Sabb





2026 NFL Draft Rankings By Position (Final):

1.) EDGE: After falling off hard in 2026, this group looks poised to dominate the 2027 NFL Draft Cycle. Kenyatta Jackson nor Braylen Shelby are household names now but they will be in due time. Others like Jordan Ross, Dylan Stewart and Matayo Uiagaleilei are known and will remind everyone why they will be among the first EDGEs selected. Colin Simmons can also be counted here though he is best suited as a Hybrid role.

2.) Interior Defensive Lineman: Much like the EDGEs, this group comes back with a vengeance for the 2027 NFL Draft Cycle. Even if not accounting for the likes of David Stone, this group has serious talent and depth at all three levels. Look for others like Bear Alexander from Oregon, Justin Scott from Miami and Stephiylan Green from Clemson to rocket up the boards.

3.) Wide Receivers: Third from last in 2026 to third from first this season, this Wide Receiver Class has the chance to be special. For that matter, this group could be number one overall before it is all said and done. Jeremiah Smith is the headliner but others like Evan Stewart from Oregon or Mike Matthews from Tennessee offer full level versatility. If the "unicorn" in Nyck Harbor can put it all together, say hello one of the best draft classes I have ever scouted.

4.) Interior Offensive Lineman: Major jump for the big boys here. Kade Pieper and Carter Smith both have the potential to be some of the most athletic Centers to ever come out in the past generation. Yes, their athleticism is truly special and deserves that recognition. The Ohio State boys in Siereveld and Montgomery lock in as rock solid Guards while a Man Gap team will love Iapani Laloulu. Greg Johnson and Joe Otting didn't make the cut but that doesn't mean they are any less deserving; both are day one IOL capable.

5.) Cornerbacks: Much like the NFL, the College World has had enough of Wideouts catching... whatever the hell they please and then some. Much like the Wideouts, this groups potential may likely see them rank much higher by the time the draft rolls around. Moore, Peal and Boo Boo all are not just Day One Starters but all are or possess impact potential. DJ McKinney and Kelley Jones round out strong perimeter corners though others like Jyaire Hill will look for a bounce back.


6.) Offensive Tackle: Just dropping one spot this year, I do believe that Jordan Seaton still has a chance to unseat the likes of Kadyn Proctor from a season ago. Just have to see about him developing those run blocking abilities of his. Beyond him?! Cayden Green and Xavier Chaplin both have questions though Green's inconsistency will be heavily looked at for while he has the range and foot speed to be a Left Tackle, his heel clicking and somewhat inconsistent base will be a major area of concern. Monroe Mills does possess injury concerns but there is simply too much potential there to be ignored. Howard Sampson though remains not just my biggest sleeper among OTs but among all players in this draft cycle; regardless of position. Among the underdogs I have listed, Sampson has the potential to earn some serious coin in terms of draft stock.


7.) Quarterbacks: Initially was going to slot them lower but I cannot deny the potential. The problem is much, and I mean much of that potential has yet to be tapped and it is fair to say right now if it even can. From Drew Mestemaker's ghastly overall mechanics to Jayden Maiava's inconsistent release speed, this class is all over the place. Thankfully, there is a Franchise Signal Caller in Julian Sayin but he is the only one I see as of current. CJ Carr and Dante Moore though can prove me wrong but I need to see greater pocket poise from both.


8.) Safety: This group claims three of the Top 32 Spots. Problem is, this group falls off hard after the Top 50. Only a handful of players right now are in the Top 75 from this group and even fewer in the Top 100.


9.) Running Back: While this group has superior top end talent than the QBs, the rest of the class is lacking at the moment. Essentially, this class comes in two flavors; either really fast and agile but not very durable in between the tackles or ridiculously strong and powerful but with little to no agility or flexibility.


10.) Off Ball Linebackers: This placement may shock a lot of people given how I have one to potentially two of these players in my Top 15 of the Top 32 and three overall within the Top 20. Two massive issues though; Colin really doesn't account for a true three down ILB and would be a waste of his talents anyways. The second?! Man...., after Kyngston Viliamu-Asa.. this group submarines bad. Drayk Brown currently has a Top 75 Grade for me while Sammy Brown is on the outside looking in for the Top 100 overall. This year simply isn't it for nabbing a ILB. If you missed out in 2026.... tough luck.


11.) Tight Ends: We are truly long gone from the days of the Brock Bowers Sweepstakes. Coincidentally enough, this is the only group within the past five seasons I can state that there have been two Generational Players in the group. However, the issue for this group of Tight Ends Group is the same for Brock's and Kenyon's years but worse; the talent is... very, very poor. Only two Tight Ends I currently have rated within the Top 50 Overall... and both are listed within the Top 32. Everyone else listed is either barely within the Top 75 like Jelani Thurman and Jamari Johnson or are way outside the Top 100 like Peter Clarke. Just like the Off Ball LBs, if you didn't nab one in 2026... you are out of luck here.

 

Part two (Offense):


Quarterbacks:


Not impressed with this class like so many others sans Julian Sayin. I am personally pushing all my chips to the middle of the table for him to be the best of the best of his class. Arch still has time but he truly is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde right now. Dante Moore technically does have Round One potential but his lack of Pocket Poise combined with his rail thin build give me great pause on how he will hold up for a 17 to potentially 18 game season. CJ Carr much of the same though he possesses a better frame to fill out.


Running Backs:

Nate Frazier and Jadan Baugh will both be a treat to watch. Ahmad Hardy as well though his ability to both break tackles along with his elite agility will be interesting to see if he can become more of a Receiving Option this season.


Wide Receivers:


Don't sleep on Evan Stewart battling the likes of Cam Coleman for the Number Two spot. There is much more to like with him than people are giving him credit for.


Tight Ends:


Really need to see where this group goes. As it stands currently, the worst Tight End group I have scouted in some time. That said, Trey'Dez Green is simply way too intriguing a Tight End for me; almost as much as Darnell Washington was circa 2023.


Offensive Tackle:


I do expect the overall rankings to stay the same right up until the halfway point of the College Football Season. Jordan Seaton has both technique, athleticism, discipline and fundamentals that one cannot teach but his overall run blocking is way behind. Thankfully, he has the effort so that is something to watch. For me, as I said before and will again, look for Howard Sampson to surprise, if not shock, a lot of people. Xavier Chaplin possess Franchise Caliber Offensive Tackle Traits right now but currently has Top 50 technique. However, given how rare such players come around, players like Chaplin are worth a roll of the dice.


Interior Offensive Line:


Samson Okunlola from Miami and Malachi Breland from Arkansas are names not listed but ones to watch. Should both perform well, the Ohio State boys are in some serious trouble.


Defense up next!

 

Part Three (Defense):



Interior Defensive Line:


Very strong group overall including some I have already given some shoutouts to. Defensive Lineman of all types can be found in this draft; run stuffing 0 techs to pass rushing 5 techs and everything in between. David Stone declaring will play a big factor though in determining if this is the greatest IDL Class I have ever scouted... should he develop in the way I hope he can. Even if he returns, still one of the best I have ever scouted thus far.


EDGE:


This group has the potential to finally knock off the vaunted 2017 Class as the best EDGE Group I have ever scouted. I don't see a Myles Garrett type Pass Rusher here but Kenyatta Jackson Jr is not too far off athletically. He just needs to put it together; much of that manifesting during the latter part of last season. In every round, there is zero shortage of EDGE Talent here but for the first time in some time, this group is more malleable in terms of versatility. Players like Braylen Shelby or Matayo Uiagaleilei can play not just the traditional 4-3 DE Role but also the 3-4 OLB one as well; either side as an additional bonus. Colin Simmons is accounted for here as well but I do believe that I will have to add another category for this season; Hybrid Players. I do see a lot more this season that in seasons past; Suntarine Perkins from Ole Miss, Chris Cole from Georgia and even Teitum Tuioti from Oregon. Again, I will have to see how all of these players play out along with studying their tape more but this may be the season I add the Hybrid Type into my rankings for I have a number of them within the Top 100 overall.


Off Ball Linebackers:


Much like Jacob Rodriguez, Ben Roberts is a bona fide, three down ass kicker at the MLB spot. Kyngston Viliamu-Asa is as well but his health will determine whether or not to spend a pick on him; medicals doubly so. Sammy Brown just needs more tackling consistency and more improvement from his play recognition but the foundation for a three down Mack Linebacker is there.


Cornerbacks:


Not quite as strong as 2026 but I do like Leonard Moore more than I do both Jermod McCoy and Mansoor Delane at this point in time. I personally won't be surprised if Moore ends up challenging the likes of both Smith and Jackson Jr from Ohio State as my top overall rated player before the season ends either; his overall talent is just that special and doesn't come around that often. Peal and Boo Boo are also great and, like Moore, can be Top 10 party crashes by the time the College Football Season is all said and done. Biggest lotto ticket though still belongs to DJ McKinney. He had Top 50 written all over him during the early outs of the 2025 College Football Season but fell off hard. Now, with new life at the South Bend, can he return to form?! If he can, he just may be the biggest riser of any player overall.


Safeties:


Not quite as confident now for this group. Only KJ Bolden and Faletau Satuala warrant a First Round selection for both do so many different things either great or very good while possessing the moxie and confidence while doing so. Jaylen McClain is a certified turnover machine but unlike Bud Clark, he just doesn't possess that moxie that Safeties need that Clark showcased a year ago. Sabb has the Moxie but is just okay overall as an athlete; a discount AJ Haulcy if anything. Still plenty of time for this group to do good things though.


Final Thoughts:


Again, keep in mind we are in the way too early phase of the 2027 NFL Draft Cycle. Plenty will change as the months roll on by and we get into the College Cycle. Until then, this is who I have among the best of the best overall.


That said, that will do it for the Prologue to the 2027 Top Five Positional Rankings!! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed! It will be quite some time before we update this list again as the end of Training Camp will occur in August; just in time for the College Football Season! Much like the Top 32, the list will be updated once again for the Post Training Camp as well. Before we even get to that though, one final tidbit of info; the First Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft for the 2027 Season is nearing completion and should be done within a week!! Until then though, this is AskQuestionsLater saying so long, stay safe, have an awesome day and hope to see ya next time!!

 

I've gotta start with your qb and rb rankings:

I am absolutely not a fan of Carr's or Maiava's arm talents.... neither of these guys move the needle for me.. i question their ability to throw receivers open or thread tight needles.... they're both mobile, but in a group of roaches with the lights turned on type of way... while i didn't have him in my own top 5 list, I would still replace at least one of those guys with Sam Leavitt... while a little slight in his build, he has a more accurate arm and has special mobility on a Lamar Jackson level.....

At RB, while i like the guys you listed, I have some right outside the top 5....
Jadan Baugh is a load, with surprising speed, but his consistency in the passing game leaves questions in my mind... someone like CJ Baxter would be better served in his place..
I do like Hardy, and I wish him a speedy recovery (he was shot in the leg about a week ago), but i have serious doubts about him being effective against strong fronts... his hands are only average to my eyes as well...
BYU's LJ Martin has the best hands of the bunch and is a very smooth and "easy" runner

 

As far as you lr wr's and te's are concerned, The entire world knows this is Jeremiah Smith's world and all the other receivers are just in it..... that said, I like Braylon Staley's upside, but his concentration lapses gives me great pause, while a guy like Evan Stewart just isn't strong enough..... he gives me Calvin Austin vibes..
Take a look at Nick Marsh.. this kid is George Pickens without the diva attitude.... i also believe that Cam Coleman is most effective only due to Ryan Wingo's presence


For the te's yes, Carter is the obvious #1 here, while tre'dez green has some special athleticism for his height....
But Walker Lyons and Luke Reynolds have much more upside than Johnson and Clarke

 

At OT, Howard Sampson has the size, but his technique leaves a lot to be desired and needs quite a bit of refinement to be rated as high as you have him..... similarly, with Monroe Mills.. Mills tends to get a little high in his stance (especially late in games), and is susceptible to bull rushes.... he also has issues finishing blocks... yes, all those things are coachable, but until such time, I feel you have him rated far too high

 

This is just a thought I don't like teams <TANKING>to get a high draft pick-- it seems wrong.so I have an why not make teams perform better to get better draft picks. I do not care if a team sucks..GET better ---Anyway my thought is totally reverse it.#1 pick goes to Superbowl champ. and so on and so forth. Steelers pick would probably stay about the same always in the middle. Just a thought I have.

 

I feel your thinking at iol is too broad.... ... not every highly rated guard can man the C spot ( kendrick Green comes to mind here) and not every high rated C can move over to guard..... I encourage you to separate the 2 spots and rate the positions individually

 

I hope we are not looking at OTs next draft.

 

At the D-line, we're fairly close on our respective lists on the interior.... the only real difference is that I have Quincy Rhodes projected at DE rather than on the interior.....
For that matter, i feel that you did the same thing concerning DE's and edges and combined them...... there are similarities as far as pass rush and setting the edge against the run, but a true edge can also find himself in pass coverage as well l, while a DE will not..
You should separate the 2 in your rankings, as there are quite a few DE's out there that aren't fit for OLB at the next level and vice versa


As far as edge is concerned, i also have Kenyatta Jackson in my top 5..... no one has his motor, but to rank him #1 is extremely optimistic ...Jordan Ross, imho, is better than TJ Parker was, and Dylan Stewartis simply a game wrecker........ don't sleep on Anto Saka



I think you're very unfair with the ilb's as a class...... you have the class itself very low, while I see it as a very loaded group, with starters to be found as low as rd 6.....
I admittedly have no idea what to make of Suntarine Perkins... I rated him at ilb, as his size just doesn't translate on the outside at the next level.... for that matter, he may be too small for the inside as well... he could be a candidate for Safety like Carnell Lake... Lake was also an OLB in college, but too small to stay in the front 7... got converted to S and the rest is history.... right now, he's the ultimate tweener, but if he runs well in next yrs combine, you can start queuing the Lake comparisons..... also, don't sleep on Clev Lubin.... this kid is every bit a candidate to be moved to the outside a la Arvell Reese or Micah Parsons

 

At CB, we're almost at full agreement here... the one exception being Kelley Jones... i agree Jones is up there in the rankings, but I only comprised my list based on draft eligible players for 2027, and Jones is only a soph....

At S, I also feel we are close in our respective rankings... the one major exception being satuala..... I don't feel, at this time, that he has the requisite speed to be truly successful at the next level..... if he proves me wrong during the combine and his pro day, then I'll be the first to eat crow, and make it public... meanwhile, i submit LSU's Dashaun Spears... if he declares, I have a hard time not placing him as a top 15 pick..... i also have his teammate TY Benefield as a day 2 pick, unless he has a major breakout this yr

 

Not quite.


IOL is a broad term nowadays for the overall positions themselves are often coached up at both the High School Level and Collegiate Level anymore. If this were even 15 years ago, I would a agree with you. However, due to the absurd rise of the different types of IDLs, Coaches have to adapt to that archetype.


Adapt or die. That is what separate good programs from great ones in terms of producing talent. Iowa, Arkansas, Penn State, Norte Dame, LSU, Alabama and Ohio State are all either good to great examples of this.

 

Have to remember that Offensive Tackle is a comically heavy traits based position. Traits matter a lot more on the outside as the amount of space the lineman can move is increased while the time it will take to engage the defender is decreased. Foot speed does indeed matter; a major reason why both Howard and Mills make the list. You are correct about Mills and Howard's technique but technique can be taught to get better.


As for the traits?! It is a classic case of have or don't have. Moreover to the point, both are tall Offensive Tackles; their lateral strides being greater than their shorter peers. That simply factors into basic human anatomy. Think about it this way. Usain Bolt doesn't just possess the world record for being the fastest man purely due to his speed. Usain's unnatural height at 6'5 coupled with his God Given speed were the ultimate match made in heaven. The same ideology can be applied to Offensive Tackles; the taller one is, the greater their strides will be when setting their pass protection. Now, not every tall tackle will be a tackle; Xavier Truss from Georgia a very good example or even Trey Zuhn III from Texas A&M. Have to have the foot speed. However, even if that foot speed by said tall OT is average at best, it can still work for the amount of strides he needs to meet his opponent will be less than a Tackle that is short.


In short?! Height matters as far as OTs go in todays NFL. For me, I wouldn't go beyond 6'9 for that is the limit. Alejandro Villanueva was the last behemoth class tackle that ended up working out at that height.

 

Quincy Rhodes projects as a 5 Tech to me for his get off simply isn't good enough to be a full time 4-3 DE. The toolkit, contact balance and decent agility are all appeasing but the lack of a first step really let's him down; a shame for he is one of the best power rushers in the class. As a 5 Tech 3-4 DE though?! You have something serious there; doubly so given his frame can add another 15lbs. He is already naturally strong overall so he wouldn't need to add more weight for increased strength.


As for EDGE, Kenyatta Jackson Jr is as close to a Super Freak as I have seen since Myles Garrett. Not sure if there is anyone currently in the upcoming College Football Season who comes even close. Much like Offensive Tackles, EDGE is a comically traits heavy position. Again, those traits have to do something but the foundation that Jackson Jr already showed is simply too difficult to ignore; doubly so in comparison to his peers. As for the rest, Jordan Ross has officially surpassed James Pearce Jr for the fastest first step I have ever scouted. As a 3-4 Rush Backer, that first step matters quite a bit; closing speed as well which is again, something Ross also has. If the major concern is weight, fair enough but unlike Colin Simmons, Ross' ability to set the edge is what puts him here.


Simmons to me looks maxed out in terms of his frame. Adding any more weight is going to severely limit his abilities as a pass rusher. I don't have the same issues with Ross. If anything, Ross' issues in Run Defense have less to do with weight and more do with his lack of awareness against zone blocking concepts. That part can be coached. Play strength, core strength and functional strength though?! Again, a classic case of you either have it or you don't.

 

I doubt it barring something extreme.


EDGE, ILB, IDL, QB and Safety would be the targets as of today if the draft for 2027 was looming. Given how stacked this EDGE Class is, I seriously doubt Pittsburgh will have much of an issue finding one; that and Pittsburghs uncanny ability to hit on Rush Backers often.

 

Keep in mind that height can also work against the tall O-linemen..... the initial punch and especially knee bend has to be factored in as well as lateral movement... without that knee bend, the taller OT's can easily fall victim to the dip move that James Harrison made so popular

 

Fair point. Knee bend is critical for OTs and this is usually an area they struggle with. Gravity is working against them so the burden of proof is them improving their leverage overall.


I counter with the fact that, nowadays, today's tall OTs usually have better overall ability to set and anchor against such bull rushers. That still isn't going to stop the Reuben Bains nor Jared Verses of the world. However, they will not cede as much ground as they have in the past.


Overall, while aspects like knee bend and even stiffness in the hips are flaws that cannot be fixed, improving one's pass sets and improving both hand placement along with strike timing can mitigate those flaws. Still won't look pretty but it still will get the job done.


In a league that is constantly starved for even averagr OTs, having someone who is good enough is invaluable.

 

Who can we get with the 32nd overall pick?