This year’s defensive class may not have the household names we see on the other side of the ball — check out my top 10 offensive prospects here — but there’s already some serious blue-chip talent at the top.
Don’t be surprised if the top three players on this list factor heavily into the top five next spring. That’s how impressive they’ve already been on tape.
With that in mind, here are my top 10 defensive prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft.
1. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Watch the USC tape, and you’ll understand why Leonard Moore takes the top spot. Not many sophomore corners in college football history can say they put a vice grip on Biletnikoff Award winners. Moore can. He demolished Makai Lemon in their matchup, essentially taking him out of the progression. The long, rangy corner has special press-man ability. We could easily be talking about him as an all-time caliber prospect next spring.
2. Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
Dylan Stewart has that know-it-when-you-see-it level of freakish athleticism. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder knifes into backfields like a slot cornerback. He’s still more raw talent than polished pass rusher, but that raw talent is off the charts. It won’t take more than one or two consistent moves for him to become a serious problem at the next level.
3. Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
Colin Simmons is a tuned-up edge rusher who is easily the best returning pass rusher in the country. He has the ideal body type for a modern edge defender, with long arms despite standing just 6-foot-3. It’s hard to envision him falling outside the top 10 next spring.
4. David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
David Stone has the kind of all-around game the NFL will love. He has the body type to line up anywhere along the defensive interior, where he can win with both strength and quickness. That currently shows up more against the run than as a pass rusher, but he can develop in the latter area. His 22 run stops last season were the third most among returning Power Four defensive tackles.
5. A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
A’Mauri Washington is a tailor-made athlete for the modern nose tackle role. He has rare explosiveness at 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, which helps him live in opposing backfields. Washington was already a fringe first-rounder on tape last year after his first season as a full-time starter, but he chose to return because he has the tools to go much higher.
6. Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
I’m not sure how a defense like Mississippi State’s kept a talent like Kelley Jones under wraps for two seasons, but once he earned a starting role last year, he became a breakout star. Across 375 coverage snaps, the massive corner allowed just 11 catches. That’s not a typo. His 28.9% completion rate allowed was the best in the nation. He’s a true press corner who can stop receivers in their tracks at the line of scrimmage.
7. Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
Will Echoles showed shades of Walter Nolen while stepping into a bigger role on Ole Miss’ interior last season. He has 3-technique athleticism, and it showed against both the run and pass. His 28 run stops last year were tied for the most among returning Power Four defensive tackles. He’s also one of the younger draft-eligible players in college football, as he won’t even turn 20 until August.
8. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is a hybrid linebacker prospect who can line up on the edge or off-ball and still acquit himself well. He’s an overtly physical player who excels at taking on blocks in the run game. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in November, so his status for 2026 remains uncertain.
9. Zach Lutmer, DB, Iowa
Zach Lutmer took to the slot role in Iowa’s defense last fall like a fish to water. He not only excelled in coverage, but also in finishing plays around the line of scrimmage. The rising junior is incredibly fluid moving between assignments in a way that could translate to either outside corner or safety at the next level.
10. Ty Benefield, S, LSU
Ty Benefield was a three-year starter at Boise State before transferring to LSU this spring. He’s a 6-foot-3, 205-pound safety with far more range than you’d expect for someone his size. His calling card, though, is his ability to thump downhill as one of the bigger hitters in college football.
