2027 NFL Draft Defensive Line Rankings & Scouting Reports
Top DL Prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft
The 2027 NFL Draft defensive line class features 4 potential first-round talents. Our rankings combine film analysis, advanced metrics, and team fit projections, updated weekly throughout the college season. Click any prospect below to see their full scouting report with strengths, weaknesses, NFL player comparison, and combine measurables.
Top 39 DL Prospects for 2027 NFL Draft
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Will Echoles - Ole Miss
Consensus Rank: #10 | Position Rank: DL1
Our model: #12 overall (DL2), 1 spot lower than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (Top 15)
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A'Mauri Washington - Oregon
Consensus Rank: #12 | Position Rank: DL2
Our model: #11 overall (DL1), 2 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (Top 15)
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David Stone - Oklahoma
Consensus Rank: #14 | Position Rank: DL3
Our model: #14 overall (DL3), 2 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (Top 15)
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Justin Scott - Miami (FL)
Consensus Rank: #27 | Position Rank: DL4
Our model: #28 overall (DL4), 2 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (15-32)
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Ahmad Moten Sr - Miami (FL)
Consensus Rank: #37 | Position Rank: DL5
Our model: #38 overall (DL6), 2 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 2nd Round
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AJ Holmes Jr - Texas Tech
Consensus Rank: #65 | Position Rank: DL6
Our model: #83 overall (DL10), 12 spots lower than consensus
Projected: 3rd Round
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Tavion Gadson - Kentucky
Consensus Rank: #74 | Position Rank: DL7
Our model: #71 overall (DL7), 9 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 3rd Round
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Devan Thompkins - Alabama
Consensus Rank: #75 | Position Rank: DL8
Our model: #75 overall (DL9), 6 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 3rd Round
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Bear Alexander - Oregon
Consensus Rank: #87 | Position Rank: DL9
Our model: #74 overall (DL8), 19 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 3rd Round
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Jayden Jackson - Oklahoma
Consensus Rank: #121 | Position Rank: DL10
Our model: #126 overall (DL13), 2 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Taylor Wein - Oklahoma
Consensus Rank: #129 | Position Rank: DL11
Our model: #107 overall (DL11), 29 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Maraad Watson - Texas
Consensus Rank: #131 | Position Rank: DL12
Our model: #128 overall (DL14), 10 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Horace Lockett - UCF
Consensus Rank: #137 | Position Rank: DL13
Our model: #133 overall (DL15), 11 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Mateen Ibirogba - Texas Tech
Consensus Rank: #145 | Position Rank: DL14
Our model: #152 overall (DL17), 1 spot higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Francis Brewu - Notre Dame
Consensus Rank: #151 | Position Rank: DL15
Our model: #164 overall (DL18), 5 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Ezra Christensen - Colorado
Consensus Rank: #161 | Position Rank: DL16
Our model: #186 overall (DL20), 16 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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John Walker - Ohio State
Consensus Rank: #175 | Position Rank: DL17
Our model: #189 overall (DL21), 4 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Emmanuel Oyebadejo - Florida
Consensus Rank: #183 | Position Rank: DL18
Our model: #144 overall (DL16), 50 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Mario Landino - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #210 | Position Rank: DL19
Our model: #242 overall (DL23), 18 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Tyrique Tucker - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #213 | Position Rank: DL20
Our model: #172 overall (DL19), 55 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Kemari Copeland - Virginia Tech
Consensus Rank: #218 | Position Rank: DL21
Our model: #280 overall (DL25), 48 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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James Smith - Ohio State
Consensus Rank: #230 | Position Rank: DL22
Our model: #352 overall (DL27), 108 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Cody Sigler - Auburn
Consensus Rank: #274 | Position Rank: DL23
Our model: #249 overall (DL24), 43 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Hero Kanu - Texas
Consensus Rank: #349 | Position Rank: DL24
Our model: #213 overall (DL22), 159 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Will Whitson - Mississippi State
Consensus Rank: #355 | Position Rank: DL25
Our model: #357 overall (DL28), 22 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Dominick McKinley - LSU
Consensus Rank: #372 | Position Rank: DL26
Our model: no rank yet, consensus only
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Jason Onye - Notre Dame
Consensus Rank: #390 | Position Rank: DL27
Our model: #384 overall (DL29), 35 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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DJ Hicks - Texas A&M
Consensus Rank: #436 | Position Rank: DL28
Our model: #442 overall (DL32), 25 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Kelby Collins - South Carolina
Consensus Rank: #437 | Position Rank: DL29
Our model: #429 overall (DL30), 39 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Joe Hjelle - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #447 | Position Rank: DL30
Our model: #482 overall (DL37), 4 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Keanu Tanuvasa - BYU
Consensus Rank: #450 | Position Rank: DL31
Our model: #447 overall (DL33), 34 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Jordan Hall - Georgia
Consensus Rank: #466 | Position Rank: DL32
Our model: #432 overall (DL31), 66 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Dallas Afalava - Wake Forest
Consensus Rank: #470 | Position Rank: DL33
Our model: #479 overall (DL36), 23 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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CJ Mims - Texas A&M
Consensus Rank: #473 | Position Rank: DL34
Our model: #535 overall (DL40), 30 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Marquis Gracial - Missouri
Consensus Rank: #514 | Position Rank: DL35
Our model: no rank yet, consensus only
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Markis Deal - TCU
Consensus Rank: #530 | Position Rank: DL36
Our model: #493 overall (DL38), 69 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Tawfiq Thomas - Georgia Tech
Consensus Rank: #532 | Position Rank: DL37
Our model: #460 overall (DL34), 104 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy - South Carolina
Consensus Rank: #546 | Position Rank: DL38
Our model: #541 overall (DL41), 37 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Jordan Sanders - Florida State
Consensus Rank: #557 | Position Rank: DL39
Our model: no rank yet, consensus only
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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2027 Defensive Line Class Analysis
Interior defensive line depth is strong with 4 first-round caliber prospects. Will Echoles headlines a class of disruptive interior presences who can collapse the pocket and stuff the run.
Defensive Line-Needy Teams for 2026
Teams projected to target defensive lines early include: Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers. Each team's draft position and specific roster construction will determine the best fit for top prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the #1 DL in the 2027 NFL Draft?
Will Echoles from Ole Miss is currently the consensus #1 defensive line prospect, ranking #10 overall in our big board.
How many DLs will go in the first round in 2026?
Projections suggest 4 defensive lines could be selected in the first round, depending on team needs and draft position.
What makes the 2027 DL class special?
The 2027 defensive line class offers exceptional depth with 4 potential first-rounders and strong developmental prospects in the middle rounds.
Related Draft Resources
- 2027 NFL Draft Big Board & Scouting Reports - All positions ranked
- 2026 NFL Combine & Draft Visit Tracker - Measurables and team meetings for defensive lines
- NFL Mock Draft Simulator - Draft these defensive lines yourself