The Cleveland Browns are just weeks away from starting their 2026 campaign, but a different kickoff will grab the attention of their front office. The college football season begins this week, giving franchises an early opportunity to evaluate the top prospects available for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Todd Monken's squad has improved this offseason, but it still has plenty of weaknesses waiting to be addressed. Luckily, the Browns have two first-round picks in a class with sky-high expectations.
Cleveland should be keeping tabs on these 30 players as the college football season gets underway. This isn't an overall ranking of draft prospects, but rather a functional big board to fit the Browns' expected needs.
Position Rankings: Linebackers , Quarterbacks , Offensive Linemen , Edge Rushers , Cornerbacks
South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
30. Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State EDGE
Jackson may not be the most athletically gifted edge rusher in college football, but he plays a sound brand of defense that NFL coaches can appreciate. He would immediately step in as a contributor in Cleveland's edge rotation.
29. Austin Siereveld, Ohio State G
Siereveld played left tackle for the Buckeyes last season, but a move inside could be in the cards for him once he reaches the league. He's a reliable pass protector with positional versatility, exactly what the Browns need moving forward.
28. Cayden Green, Missouri G
Another current offensive tackle who could move inside to guard, Green only allowed seven pressures last season at Missouri. He's an excellent pass protector who could become a more well-rounded player with a bit of added strength.
27. Quincy Rhodes Jr., Arkansas EDGE
If the Browns want another pocket-pushing edge rusher to pair with Jared Verse , Rhodes Jr. could be their guy. The Arkansas prospect has the large frame to hold the edge and is growing into pass-rush productivity.
26. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina QB
If Sellers can finally put it all together in his final season at South Carolina, he could be a top-five draft pick. He has unreal physical tools and can shake off a sack at any moment, but his processing and consistency have been lacking.
25. Chris Cole, Georgia LB
Cole is an athletic linebacker who would pair nicely with Browns star Carson Schwesinger . He has limited action under his belt at Georgia, but he's expected to take a major leap in 2026.
24. Teitum Tuioti, Oregon EDGE
Tuioti announced himself with 9.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in his third season at Oregon. The Ducks brought back most of their talented defensive line, so he'll have plenty of one-on-one opportunities to show off his skill as a pass rusher.
23. Kelley Jones, Mississippi State CB
At six-foot-four and 195 pounds, Jones has the frame to bring Pete Carroll back into the league. He carries some of the hip fluidity concerns that come with a taller cornerback prospect, but his speed and ball skills are enough to warrant a closer look.
22. Ben Roberts, Texas Tech LB
Roberts is tasked with filling the void left by current Miami Dolphins linebacker and former Texas Tech star Jacob Rodriguez. Roberts produced four interceptions last season and fits the run like a seasoned veteran.
21. Kade Pieper, Iowa C
Iowa pumps out pro-caliber interior offensive linemen on a yearly basis, and Kade Pieper is the latest example. He has the movement skills and strength to play in either a gap scheme or zone running scheme.
Notre Dame linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
20. Jacarrius Peak, South Carolina OT
Peak is a bit undersized by NFL tackle standards, but he is one of the most agile offensive linemen in the class. He'll be tasked with protecting Sellers' blind side this year as the Gamecocks look to improve.
19. Will Echoles, Ole Miss DT
With Mason Graham already in place, the Browns don't necessarily have a glaring need at defensive tackle. Echoles could be the kind of player to cause Andrew Berry to throw out his needs. The Ole Miss defender is an anchor against the run and was a productive pass rusher last season.
18. Damon Wilson II, Miami EDGE
If Cleveland is looking for a speedy edge rusher to balance out Verse's physicality, Wilson II could be a strong choice. He has elite acceleration off the line of scrimmage and offers a developed bag of pass-rushing moves.
17. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame LB
At the heart of a talented Notre Dame defense, Viliamu-Asa is already one of the strongest run defenders in college football. His coverage skills aren't elite, but he can hold up as a zone dropper.
16. KJ Bolden, Georgia S
The Browns may have their safety duo set for 2026, but Ronnie Hickman's deal runs out after this season. Bolden, a versatile safety from Georgia, could help Cleveland maintain their strength at the position.
15. Zabien Brown, Alabama CB
Brown has the speed to keep up with any receiver in the NFL. He's still growing into his coverage technique, but he has the potential to be a first-round cornerback prospect.
14. CJ Carr, Notre Dame QB
The Browns are expected to spend one of their two first-round picks on a quarterback next season. If they're unable to pick one in the top five, Carr could be a strong option later in the first round. He doesn't have the elite physical traits of the class's top passers, but he's a consistent thrower.
13. Sammy Brown, Clemson LB
Brown combines elite speed and agility with physicality in the run game. He can range from sideline to sideline. While his coverage skills are lacking, he enters the season as one of the top linebacker prospects in the country.
12. Ashton Hampton, Clemson CB
This draft class is home to some elite cornerback prospects, and Hampton is no exception. He has a long frame and good speed, and he brings more in run defense than most cornerbacks.
11. Cam Coleman, Texas WR
After drafting KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston , the Browns don't have a clear need for a wide receiver. They may not be able to pass up on the top two wideouts in this class, though. Coleman is big, fast, and strong at the catch point. He should see a major increase in production after transferring to Texas.
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
10. Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia CB
Robinson IV may not have the ideal frame for a cornerback, but his coverage skills speak for themselves. He can hold up in both man and zone looks and has the ball skills to disrupt plays at the catch point.
9. Darian Mensah, Miami QB
Mensah is the next man up in Miami's pipeline of transfer quarterbacks. He may not have the strongest arm, but he's accurate when throwing to all areas of the field. Mensah could be productive in Monken's offense.
8. Colin Simmons, Texas EDGE
With 21 sacks over the last two seasons, Simmons is one of the most productive edge rushers in the SEC. He's a bit undersized, but his elite bend and pass-rush arsenal pose difficult problems for opposing offensive tackles.
7. Trevor Goosby, Texas OT
After drafting Spencer Fano in the top ten, the Browns may choose to form their tackle duo of the future in 2027. Goosby could have been a first-round pick this offseason, but he chose to return to Texas for another year. He's one of the best pass-protectors in the class.
6. Jordan Seaton, LSU OT
Another offensive tackle, Seaton requires a bit more projection than Goosby. His movement skills are rare for a player of his size, though. If he can improve his technique after transferring to LSU, he will solidify himself as a first-round pick.
5. Leonard Moore, Notre Dame CB
Moore has been the best cornerback in college football for years now. He doesn't have a clear area of weakness in his game and could immediately become one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. Positional value is the only thing pushing him down the Browns' board.
4. Dylan Stewart, South Carolina EDGE
Few edge defenders have the athletic tools that Stewart brings to the table. The South Carolina star has the bend and burst that scouts look for, and he has already turned it into solid production. With another year of terrorizing quarterbacks, Stewart could become a top-five draft pick.
3. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State WR
Jeremiah Smith became the best wide receiver in college football as a freshman. He'll finally be draft eligible in 2027. While the receiver position isn't a pressing need for Cleveland, it would be hard to argue with adding a player of Smith's caliber.
2. Dante Moore, Oregon QB
The Browns have positioned themselves to find their quarterback of the future in 2027. Even if he takes the job back from Deshaun Watson , Shedeur Sanders likely isn't the long-term answer. Moore could be, though. He's accurate, has a strong arm, and operates his offensive system like a 10-year veteran.
1. Arch Manning, Texas QB
Manning is the prize of the 2027 class. He has all of the physical tools that scouts look for, and he started to put them to use in the back half of the 2026 season. Even if he shows minimal progress this year, he'll likely be drafted in the top five.
This article was originally published on www.dawgpounddaily.com as Browns 2027 NFL Draft Big Board: 30 players to watch as college football begins .
