2027 NFL draft risers: 10 prospects who could see their stock soar this fall
2027 NFL draft risers: 10 prospects who could see their stock soar this fall
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAYWed, May 27, 2026 at 1:57 PM UTC
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Even 11 months out, the 2027 NFL Draft looks likely to be shaped by known entities.
Relative to other classes, next year's group has a rare collection of established college football stars who look destined to become early picks, including Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, among others. All have been staples of way-too-early mock drafts – including ours – and provided an uncommon level of consensus at this point in the calendar.
Still, any sense of certainty this far removed from the actual draft is likely an illusion. Fernando Mendoza, Carnell Tate and Arvell Reese were hardly household names last spring, yet each ended up making it into the top five in April. More are sure to follow their trajectory.
USA TODAY Sports earlier in May took a look at the quarterback prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft who could rise in the upcoming season. Here are 10 more players whose stock could see a serious uptick this fall:
RB Nate Frazier, Georgia
Led by Missouri's Ahmad Hardy, Mississippi's Kewan Lacy and Florida's Jadan Baugh, the Southeastern Conference is loaded with running backs who could shape the 2027 class at their position. But don't overlook Frazier. Even without the starring role that other ball carriers in the conference enjoy, the former five-star recruit offers up speed to turn the corner as well as the frame (5-10, 210 pounds) and contact balance to thrive working on the inside. His breakaway speed sets him apart from many other backs in the class, as does his unrealized potential as a receiver.
WR Charlie Becker, Indiana
With Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt serving as the focal points of Indiana's passing attack, there were only so many opportunities for Becker to make his mark during the Hoosiers' national title run. The 6-4, 204-pound target, however, still delivered in key spots. He figures to play a much larger role this fall as Indiana reconfigures its receiving corps for TCU transfer Josh Hoover, who takes over behind center for Fernando Mendoza. Hoover's proclivity for attacking downfield should help Becker, who averaged 20 yards per catch, show off his catch radius and jump-ball prowess. With more polish and an expanded body of work, he could easily end up in the first-round mix.
WR Isaiah Horton, Texas A&M
At 6-4 and 208 pounds with a knack for plucking jump balls, Horton has long looked the part of a featured weapon yet never actually served in that role. His contributions at both Miami and Alabama were largely as a complementary target, save for a three-touchdown outing last year against Auburn. At Texas A&M, he'll look to make the most of his considerable physical tools. As a supersized receiver who's smoother than he gets credit for, Horton has plenty in common with Denzel Boston, the Washington product who was taken by the Cleveland Browns in the early second round. He likely won't be the true go-to threat for an offense that returns Mario Craver, but this season should provide his best platform to date for exhibiting the full range of his skill set.
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TE Peter Clarke, Temple
The United Kingdom-based NFL Academy broke through with its first draft pick – Miami Dolphins tight end Seydou Traore – in April. It shouldn't be a long wait for the next one. Clarke, a London product who first latched onto the sport through flag football, should help expand the league's growing international footprint. He's already demonstrated a distinct level of comfort as a receiver, hauling in 30 catches for 483 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. At 6-6 and 265 pounds, he's equipped to bully defenders in the run game and at the catch point. With significant room for growth as he continues to hone his craft at the position, Clarke is set to hit the league at a time when in-line threats capable of changing the calculus for defenses are in high demand.
TE Trey'Dez Green, LSU
A walking mismatch at 6-7 and 240 pounds, Green has primarily been defined by his highlights rather than his complete body of work. That's understandable, though, given that he turned in seven touchdowns on 33 catches last season for the Tigers. Yet 2026 could be the year that he makes the leap from curiosity to centerpiece. Lane Kiffin's explosive offense and transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt's calculated aggressiveness should bring out the best in the towering target, who already is an alluring red-zone asset. More refinement is required in his game, particularly with his blocking, but tight ends with his catch radius and body control are extremely rare.
OT Lance Heard, Kentucky
In Texas' Trevor Goosby and LSU's Jordan Seaton, the 2027 class has two legitimate potential top-10 picks at offensive tackle. Heard seems like a long shot to surpass either one, but he could make up a good deal of ground and join the unsettled second tier behind them. Kentucky will be the 6-6, 330-pounder's third stop within the SEC after stints at LSU and Tennessee. He grew into a third-team All-Conference selection at the latter spot after a rocky start to his career, and his ascent could continue this season. If it does, there should be no shortage of teams drawn to a left tackle with an upper-echelon combination of frame and footwork.
DT James Smith, Ohio State
Defensive tackle might be one of the deepest and most talented positions for next year's class. Among the figures capable of making the group even stronger is Smith, a transfer from Alabama who is trying to put everything together in his final season. Thus far, the most noise he's made was with his spring remark that the Big Ten was faster and more intense than the SEC. He'll look to make more waves on the field as the replacement for Kayden McDonald, whose trajectory and style Smith is trying to emulate. Capable of controlling the action at the line of scrimmage or dispatching would-be blockers, Smith could be in line to make significant strides and become vaunted defensive line coach Larry Johnson's latest pro success story.
DE Anto Saka, Texas A&M
At Northwestern, Saka made steady contributions but never fully seized the spotlight, posting 12 sacks over three seasons. Now, the former high school sprinter has a chance to showcase his uncommon explosiveness. At 6-4 and 255 pounds, Saka isn't anywhere near as pliable as Cashius Howell, whose departure leaves a sizable void in the Aggies' pass rush. Yet the combination of burst and determination might make Saka enough of a force to catch the eye of NFL teams, many of which have gravitated toward defensive ends with comparable traits.
OLB Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
When given the starting nod a few contests into his third year with the Crimson Tide, Pierre capitalized on the opportunity. He collected seven of his eight sacks in his final eight contests to finish as the team's leader in the category. If his hot streak carries over into the new year, he could carve out a spot among the class' premier pass rushers. Listed at 6-3 and 248 pounds, Pierre might only be a fit for defenses that incorporate 3-4 looks. But if he continues to wreak havoc in the SEC, his pro potential should be readily evident.
CB Jyaire Hill, Michigan
With standout edge rusher John Henry Daley and cornerback Smith Snowden following Kyle Whittingham from Utah to Michigan, there's plenty of change afoot on the Wolverines' defense. In Hill, however, the unit has an important source of continuity. The 6-2, 190-pound cover man is capable of blanketing the Big Ten's most physically imposing receivers, though his reliance on his physicality has rendered him an inconsistent presence on the back end. A savvier and more patient approach could vault his stock, as few college corners are as well-equipped as Hill to take on the rigors of NFL coverage assignments.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2027 NFL Draft: 10 prospects whose stock could soar this season
Source: “AOL Sports”
