The NFL has barely caught its breath from the three-day 2026 NFL Draft, but the race to 2027 is already underway.
With the next cycle starting to take shape, here are five non-quarterbacks to know before the buzz goes from rumblings to deafening.
LSU Tigers tight end Trey’Dez Green
With NFL offenses evolving to include more two and three tight end sets (12 and 13 personnel), Green could be a legitimate difference-maker at the next level.
The 6-foot-7, 244-pound target is more than just a big body to throw jump balls to in isolation in the end zone — although he’s great at that, too.
Green, who had 33 receptions, 433 yards and seven touchdowns last season, was arguably the brightest spot on an otherwise dreadful 2025 Tigers offense. The 2026 junior is great with the ball in his hands, possessing remarkable quickness for a player of his size, allowing him to cut up field for impressive gains after the catch.
Green should benefit immensely this season playing in first-year LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s explosive offensive scheme, giving him a chance to produce monster numbers and further impress pro scouts.
If you enjoyed the discourse on Jeremiyah Love’s 2026 NFL Draft value, we have excellent news. Hardy, a rising junior who’ll become draft-eligible next offseason, could fire up the debate once again.
The electric back led the SEC in rushing a season ago, gaining 1,649 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns on 256 carries (6.4 yards per attempt). Hardy began his career at Louisiana-Monroe (2024), where he had 237 carries, 1,351 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman.
The 2025 consensus All-American has incredible cutback ability, which was clearly on display on the following touchdown runs of 72 and 43 yards against Mississippi State last November, a game he finished with 300 yards on 25 carries.
With only 14 career receptions, Hardy (5-foot-10, 205 pounds) must show more in that area to launch his name into the conversation as a top-10 prospect, but he’s done enough on the ground to already warrant conversation as a Day 1 pick.
Could the Longhorns have the top two picks of the 2027 NFL Draft? That could be a major storyline heading into next year’s event in Washington D.C. Quarterback Arch Manning is the way-too-early predicted No. 1, and Simmons could join as arguably the top edge-rush prospect in the 2027 class.
Simmons has 21 sacks in 29 games, including an SEC-high 12 as a sophomore in 2025. Already one of the country’s top defenders, Simmons should cement himself as a top 2027 draft pick this fall.
Indiana may have a player go in the top 10 in back-to-back drafts for the first time in program history, with Smith possibly joining 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza next year. Per Sports Info Solutions data, he had a 1.3 percent blown block rate in 2025, lower than 2026 first-round pick Francis Mauigoa, the Miami star who went No. 10 overall to the New York Giants.
Smith ranks as the top tackle and No. 8 prospect in the 2027 class, per Pro Football Focus. With so many moving parts on offense after last season’s national title run, Smith’s stability could be vital, allowing him to prove his worth with a largely different cast.
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Texas’ Cam Coleman are among the top wideouts in the 2027 class, but Thomas is one who could sneak into Round 1 with another season as productive as his 2025.
The 2026 senior had 67 receptions, 966 yards and 12 touchdown in his first season at Houston, demonstrating separation-making speed and ability to withstand hits for big gains.
On the following play against Arizona, Thomas broke three tackles on a short in-breaking route before taking the ball 52 yards for a score.
He also turned a quick pass against Baylor into a touchdown by gaining 25 yards after the catch, while breaking away on a go route for a score versus UCF.
He can also make catches in tight windows, such as on the following touchdown against West Virginia when he came down with the ball while blanketed in coverage.
With an impressive skillset, Houston has deployed him in a number of ways, including getting him the ball out of the backfield on this Texas Bowl touchdown against LSU, beginning the play in motion before hauling in the pass in the right flat.
While not at the top of the 2027 class at his position, Thomas is indicative of the depth at wide receiver next season, providing value for teams further down the draft board.
