2027 NFL Draft Defensive Line Rankings & Scouting Reports
Top DL Prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft
The 2027 NFL Draft defensive line class features 3 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 40 DL Prospects for 2027 NFL Draft
-
David Stone - Oklahoma
Consensus Rank: #10 | Position Rank: DL1
Our model: #14 overall (DL3), 4 spots lower than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (Top 15)
View full scouting report -
A'Mauri Washington - Oregon
Consensus Rank: #13 | Position Rank: DL2
Our model: #13 overall (DL2)
Projected: 1st Round (Top 15)
View full scouting report -
Will Echoles - Ole Miss
Consensus Rank: #21 | Position Rank: DL3
Our model: #7 overall (DL1), 14 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (15-32)
View full scouting report -
Ahmad Moten Sr - Miami
Consensus Rank: #33 | Position Rank: DL4
Our model: #47 overall (DL6), 14 spots lower than consensus
Projected: 2nd Round
View full scouting report -
Justin Scott - Miami
Consensus Rank: #38 | Position Rank: DL5
Our model: #93 overall (DL9), 55 spots lower than consensus
Projected: 2nd Round
View full scouting report -
AJ Holmes Jr - Texas Tech
Consensus Rank: #47 | Position Rank: DL6
Our model: #68 overall (DL7), 21 spots lower than consensus
Projected: 2nd Round
View full scouting report -
William Echoles - Ole Miss
Consensus Rank: #52 | Position Rank: DL7
Our model: #33 overall (DL4), 19 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 2nd Round
View full scouting report -
Anthony Smith - Minnesota
Consensus Rank: #95 | Position Rank: DL8
Our model: #40 overall (DL5), 55 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 3rd Round
View full scouting report -
Ezra Christensen - Colorado
Consensus Rank: #110 | Position Rank: DL9
Our model: #125 overall (DL14), 15 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Bear Alexander - Oregon
Consensus Rank: #113 | Position Rank: DL10
Our model: #75 overall (DL8), 38 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Jayden Jackson - Oklahoma
Consensus Rank: #114 | Position Rank: DL11
Our model: #110 overall (DL10), 4 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Francis Brewu - Notre Dame
Consensus Rank: #115 | Position Rank: DL12
Our model: #153 overall (DL16), 38 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Mario Landino - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #126 | Position Rank: DL13
Our model: #197 overall (DL20), 71 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Mateen Ibirogba - Texas Tech
Consensus Rank: #128 | Position Rank: DL14
Our model: #142 overall (DL15), 14 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Elijah Griffin - Georgia
Consensus Rank: #144 | Position Rank: DL15
Our model: #216 overall (DL22), 72 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Taylor Wein - Oklahoma
Consensus Rank: #147 | Position Rank: DL16
Our model: #114 overall (DL11), 33 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Justus Terry - Texas
Consensus Rank: #160 | Position Rank: DL17
Our model: no rank yet, consensus only
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Tyrique Tucker - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #168 | Position Rank: DL18
Our model: #173 overall (DL19), 5 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
CJ Fite - Arizona State
Consensus Rank: #181 | Position Rank: DL19
Our model: #226 overall (DL23), 45 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Maraad Watson - Texas
Consensus Rank: #191 | Position Rank: DL20
Our model: #234 overall (DL25), 43 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Tavion Gadson - Kentucky
Consensus Rank: #193 | Position Rank: DL21
Our model: #121 overall (DL12), 72 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
James Smith - Ohio State
Consensus Rank: #204 | Position Rank: DL22
Our model: #232 overall (DL24), 28 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Dominick McKinley - LSU
Consensus Rank: #214 | Position Rank: DL23
Our model: #243 overall (DL26), 29 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Hero Kanu - Texas
Consensus Rank: #255 | Position Rank: DL24
Our model: #159 overall (DL17), 96 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Cody Sigler - Auburn
Consensus Rank: #279 | Position Rank: DL25
Our model: #172 overall (DL18), 107 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Will Whitson - Mississippi State
Consensus Rank: #280 | Position Rank: DL26
Our model: #204 overall (DL21), 76 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Emmanuel Oyebadejo - Florida
Consensus Rank: #286 | Position Rank: DL27
Our model: #327 overall (DL32), 41 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
DJ Hicks - Texas A&M
Consensus Rank: #289 | Position Rank: DL28
Our model: #317 overall (DL31), 28 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Kemari Copeland - Virginia Tech
Consensus Rank: #302 | Position Rank: DL29
Our model: #304 overall (DL28), 2 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Keanu Tanuvasa - BYU
Consensus Rank: #323 | Position Rank: DL30
Our model: #308 overall (DL29), 15 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Jordan Hall - Georgia
Consensus Rank: #324 | Position Rank: DL31
Our model: #291 overall (DL27), 33 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Kelby Collins - South Carolina
Consensus Rank: #326 | Position Rank: DL32
Our model: #343 overall (DL34), 17 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Dallas Afalava - Wake Forest
Consensus Rank: #334 | Position Rank: DL33
Our model: #309 overall (DL30), 25 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
CJ Mims - Texas A&M
Consensus Rank: #335 | Position Rank: DL34
Our model: #357 overall (DL36), 22 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Marquis Gracial - Missouri
Consensus Rank: #354 | Position Rank: DL35
Our model: #364 overall (DL38), 10 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Jason Onye - Notre Dame
Consensus Rank: #360 | Position Rank: DL36
Our model: #328 overall (DL33), 32 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Markis Deal - TCU
Consensus Rank: #361 | Position Rank: DL37
Our model: #344 overall (DL35), 17 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Joe Hjelle - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #367 | Position Rank: DL38
Our model: #361 overall (DL37), 6 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy - South Carolina
Consensus Rank: #375 | Position Rank: DL39
Our model: #416 overall (DL40), 41 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report -
Jordan Sanders - Florida State
Consensus Rank: #391 | Position Rank: DL40
Our model: #429 overall (DL41), 38 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report
2027 Defensive Line Class Analysis
Interior defensive line depth is strong with 3 first-round caliber prospects. David Stone 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?
David Stone from Oklahoma 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 3 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 3 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
- Mock Draft Simulator - Draft these defensive lines yourself