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2027 NFL Draft: 10 prospects with something to prove this fall
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- 2027 NFL Draft: 10 prospects with something to prove this fall
It's far too early for any narratives surrounding the 2027 NFL Draft to amount to anything more than a talking point.
With a full season and 11 months left before the event begins in Washington, D.C., the landscape of next year's class is far from settled . And despite several prized prospects already looking to be in a promising position to be early picks, many more still have significant work to do to establish their place among the top options available.
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From former top recruits seeking a breakthrough to star players hoping for a bounce-back campaign, here are 10 potential prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft who still have something to prove heading into the fall:
WR Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama
As a 17-year-old freshman, Coleman-Williams - who earlier this year changed his last name to honor his mother - often made the miraculous look routine. He navigated a concussion and leg injury as a sophomore; however, he was repeatedly undone by the basics of his position, racking up a Football Bowl Subdivision-high 14 drops. An offseason reset could help Coleman-Williams shake the mental toll, which he acknowledged grew as his errors compounded.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has stood by his star target, saying the receiver has put in the proper offseason work to rectify last season's issues. If he can prove more reliable in re-establishing his explosiveness after the catch, Coleman-Williams should return to the first-round conversation in short order.
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WR Nyck Harbor , South Carolina
Even as a high schooler, Harbor had the makings of a combine darling. As a 6-5, 242-pound receiver who blazed a 10.11-second 100-meter dash while running track at South Carolina, he's in a class of his own athletically. But there's long been a gulf between what seemed possible for Harbor and what he actually achieved on the field. And even after a junior campaign in which he led the Gamecocks with 618 yards and six touchdown catches, there's still work for him to do to prove he can be a reliable asset for an offense rather than merely a one-note curiosity.
The arrival of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles could help create far more favorable looks for Harbor and quarterback LaNorris Sellers , a fellow physical marvel trying to make good on his immense potential.
OT Xavier Chaplin , Florida State
Upon transferring from Virginia Tech to Auburn, Chaplin seemed to have as good a chance as anyone to land in the first round in a muddled class of offensive tackles. A turbulent transition to the Southeastern Conference, however, brought any notion of a lofty draft spot to a quick halt. Chaplin's penalty problems were so pervasive that, since-fired coach Hugh Freeze later acknowledged the team discovered that a hearing problem was contributing to the left tackle's woes.
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With a fresh start at Florida State, the 6-7, 348-pound blocker has one last chance to demonstrate the full extent of his abilities. He could be an enticing project in the pros as a mauling presence capable of engulfing edge rushers with his massive frame. However, he still needs considerable refinement despite already having notched 37 career starts.
DE Keon Keeley , Notre Dame
As the marquee signing of Nick Saban's recruiting class, Keeley never quite found his way at Alabama. Things seemed to be coming together for the former top-five recruit toward the end of last season, when he appeared to set himself up for a much heavier workload in 2026. Yet he opted to jump to Notre Dame, the school he first committed to as a high schooler before reversing course.
A force off the edge at 6-5 and 275 pounds, Keeley should benefit from working on a Fighting Irish defensive line that features established disruptors in edge rusher Boubacar Traore and defensive tackle Francis Brewu , a transfer from Pitt.
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DE Jordan Ross, LSU
Another former five-star recruit who has hit the transfer portal, Ross has yet to see his considerable talents translate into consistent production. Despite stringing together some promising stretches at Tennessee , he logged just 1 1/2 sacks in two years as a backup. Still, even if he was far from the main attraction of the Tigers' offseason remake, he's an important part of the reloading effort under Lane Kiffin. Working opposite a more prolific arrival from the SEC in Princewill Umanmielen , the 6-5, 245-pound edge rusher should have the opportunity to weaponize his combination of speed and power fully.
DE Dylan Stewart , South Carolina
Stewart enjoyed a stunning introduction to the college football world as a freshman, with his rare burst and blend allowing him to teleport into opposing backfields almost instantly. His follow-up effort was a significant letdown, with a nagging back injury inhibiting his development. The 6-5, 245-pound edge rusher will seek a return to form in the fall as the cornerstone of a defense counting on him to create havoc.
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Stewart can at times be overly reliant on his speed and quickness, but rounding out his game with more force could make him a strong candidate to be the first defensive player taken in 2027.
OLBs Trey White and Adam Trick, Texas Tech
While many players on this list are looking to move past disappointing 2025 campaigns, White and Trick are trying to capitalize on strong showings from the previous year. Each dominated against a lower level of competition - White at San Diego State and Trick at Miami ( Ohio ) - and now will help replace the Red Raiders' massively disruptive pass-rushing tandem of David Bailey and Romello Height .
White's build (6-2, 255 pounds) might pose a problem for his pro projection, but he doesn't shy away from working inside or getting physical with opposing blockers. Trick, meanwhile, led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 73 pressures. Both will benefit greatly if they can maintain their impressive production against Big 12 foes.
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CB AJ Harris , Indiana
Penn State 's calamitous season ensnared Harris, whose preseason first-round buzz dissipated amid uneven outings. Perhaps a change of scenery within the Big Ten will do him some good. Harris is set to be a key figure for a Hoosiers secondary in transition, teaming up with fellow promising cornerback Jamari Sharpe to help replace second-round pick D'Angelo Ponds .
With just one interception and six passes defensed in three collegiate seasons, the 6-1, 189-pounder might never be more than a marginal threat to make a play on the ball. But few cornerbacks can stick with bigger receivers downfield as well as shiftier targets underneath the way Harris can.
CB DJ McKinney , Notre Dame
After notching three interceptions while holding down the cornerback spot opposite Travis Hunter Jr. , McKinney looked poised for a breakout season as the new focal point of Colorado's secondary. Yet a turbulent year in coverage prompted him to transfer to Notre Dame rather than declare for the draft.
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Working opposite unanimous All-American and potential top-10 pick Leonard Moore , McKinney will return to a role in which he's afforded more favorable matchups, yet he's still likely to see a high volume of throws his way from teams trying not to test his lockdown teammate. One likely point of emphasis for the 6-2, 180-pound corner: Filling out his frame to better hold up in man coverage against more physical receivers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2027 NFL Draft: 10 prospects with something to prove this season
