Summer Scouting: Early look at 2027 NFL Draft Class – Defense

Welcome to Summer Scouting, a personal favorite time of the year for me. Over the course of the next 1-2 months, I will be breaking down the draft classes, prospects to watch, breakout candidates, and much more on a week to week basis to better help prepare for the actual 2027 draft cycle.

The 2027 NFL draft is under a year away, and summer time is, for many, including myself the best part to scout. Previewing the potential future picks, and watching those will rise and fall over the next season into the draft process is always intriguing. The 2027 class has the ability to be a draft class that is talked about for the next decade with the potential talent that is slated to declare, and it’s not talent that is banking on a big year, but talent that has shown their abilities to play at a high level since they were true freshman.

The 2027 class is likely to be one of the deepest classes in NFL history, and for the Las Vegas Raiders, they only hold six selections, something I imagine will change this season and off-season with the potential trades of Kolton Miller, Maxx Crosby, and Kirk Cousins along with in draft trades. Regardless, a look at the 2027 class and where the strengths/weaknesses are at the beginning of summer scouting.

EDGE Rushers: LET THEM RUN, ALSO MULTI GENERATIONAL POTENTIAL
Top Names: Colin Simmons (Texas), Dylan Stewart (South Carolina), Quincy Rhodes (Arkansas), Matayo Uiagalelei (Oregon), Anthony Smith (Minnesota), Anto Saka (Texas A&M), Damon Wilson (Miami), Will Heldt (Clemson), Yhonzae Pierre (Alabama), Princely Umanmielen (LSU), John Henry Daley (Michigan), Kenyatta Jackson (Ohio State), Jordan Ross (LSU), Teitum Tuioti (Oregon), Elijah Rushing (Oregon),
Watch in 2026: Boubacar Traore (Notre Dame), Jonathan Mladonado (Ole Miss), Bryce Young (Notre Dame), Jayden Morgan (Boise State), James Williams (Oklahoma State), Melkart Jaoude (UNC), Ade Adebawore (Oklahoma), Trey White (Texas Tech), Keon Keeley (Notre Dame)
Sleepers/Risers Potential: Clev Lubin (Louisville), Taylor Wein (Oklahoma), Toby Anene (Colorado), J’Mond Tapp (Memphis), Gabe Harris (Georgia), Miles Capers (Vanderbilt), Adam Trick (Texas Tech), Jalen Thompson (Arizona State), Clayton Smith (Arizona State)
Initial Grade: A

• The EDGE classes in recent years have really risen, and it seems as each season is almost an improvement off the last. The 2026 class didn’t have a ton of top end talent, but they did see some good talent in the late 1st to 3rd rounds. The 2027 class projects to be nearly generational in terms of how many players could see their names called early on and the true talent of the class. SEC standouts Colin Simmons & Dylan Stewart project to be high end pass rushers in the NFL, and both have been well discussed since their freshman seasons. Additionally, the class also features standouts Quincy Rhodes, Matayo Uiagalelei, and Will Heldt who all are searching to build off their 2025 seasons. John Henry Dailey, Princely Umanmielen, Teitum Tuiti, Elijah Rushing, Boubacar Traroe, and Anthony Smith can all...