The 2027 NFL Draft already has plenty of big names getting the attention, but every draft has players who go from relative unknowns to legitimate prospects once the college football season gets rolling.
This isn’t a list of the best prospects in the 2027 class. It’s about identifying players I believe in before the rest of the draft world catches up.
Here are 10 sleepers I’m keeping a close eye on heading into the 2026 season.
WR — Omarion Miller, Arizona State: Miller has been turning heads since arriving at Arizona State and is quickly building a case as one of the most overlooked receivers in the 2027 class. He’s a vastly talented receiver who has the potential to make a major jump up draft evaluators’ big boards.
WR- Nyck Harbor, South Carolina: Young, with elite size and speed. Nyck possesses the desired athleticism for the position, coupled with his physical tools, making him a matchup nightmare. If he can put everything together as a pass catcher, he has the potential to be one of the best receivers in college football.
TE — Zack Marshall, Michigan: Marshall has the athleticism, receiving ability, and blocking versatility to develop into a big-time weapon and become a more prominent piece of Michigan’s offense.
TE — Cole Spence, Vanderbilt: At 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, Spence has the size and athleticism to become a nightmare matchup at tight end. After emerging as a clutch playmaker in 2025, he has the receiving ability, physicality and versatility to take on a much bigger role in Vanderbilt’s offense now that Eli Stowers is in Philadelphia.
EDGE — John Henry Daley, Michigan: Daley is one of the more intriguing under-the-radar edge rushers in the 2027 class. He brings explosive athleticism, a relentless motor, and proven pass-rushing production, giving him a chance to make a major jump in 2026.
DT — A.J. Holmes Jr., Texas Tech: Holmes Jr.’s measurables and physical profile stack up well against traditional NFL defensive tackle prototypes, giving him the size and frame to become an intriguing interior defensive prospect.
DT — Kemari Copeland, Virginia Tech: Copeland is an explosive interior defender with rare strength and athleticism for the position. He enters 2026 with the production and physical tools to become one of the most intriguing defensive tackles in the 2027 NFL Draft class. He also made an appearance on this year’s Feldman Freak List.
LB — Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame: Viliamu-Asa has the physical tools, instincts and all-around ability to emerge as a true difference-maker at linebacker. He has another season to reach his enormous potential.
CB — Jaquez White, Virginia Tech: White is a physical, athletic corner with the instincts, versatility and coverage ability to emerge as one of the more intriguing defensive backs in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
S — DaShawn Spears, LSU: Spears brings an ideal combination of size, range, versatility and athleticism that could allow him to impact the game against both the run and the pass.
Maybe some of them become household names, or maybe there are a couple I look back on and wonder what I was thinking.
That’s what makes finding sleepers so much fun.
As I mentioned at the top, I’m betting on these 10 having a breakout before the rest of the NFL Draft world catches up. We shall see how it plays out.
