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 40 DL Prospects for 2027 NFL Draft
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Will Echoles - Ole Miss
Consensus Rank: #7 | Position Rank: DL1
Our model: #13 overall (DL2), 6 spots lower than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (Top 15)
Top comp: Christian Wilkins | Likely: Backup 45%
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A'Mauri Washington - Oregon
Consensus Rank: #22 | Position Rank: DL2
Our model: #12 overall (DL1), 10 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (15-32)
Top comp: Mazi Smith | Likely: Backup 45%
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Xavier Gilliam - Tennessee
Consensus Rank: #23 | Position Rank: DL3
Our model: #22 overall (DL3), 1 spot higher than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (15-32)
Top comp: Jer'Zhan Newton | Likely: Backup 50%
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David Stone - Oklahoma
Consensus Rank: #27 | Position Rank: DL4
Our model: #28 overall (DL4), 1 spot lower than consensus
Projected: 1st Round (15-32)
Top comp: Jalen Carter | Likely: Backup 55%
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Devan Thompkins - Alabama
Consensus Rank: #34 | Position Rank: DL5
Our model: #34 overall (DL5)
Projected: 2nd Round
Top comp: Maason Smith | Likely: Starter 45%
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Ahmad Moten Sr - Miami (FL)
Consensus Rank: #39 | Position Rank: DL6
Our model: #39 overall (DL6)
Projected: 2nd Round
Top comp: Peter Woods | Likely: Backup 60%
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Justin Scott - Miami (FL)
Consensus Rank: #40 | Position Rank: DL7
Our model: #69 overall (DL9), 29 spots lower than consensus
Projected: 2nd Round
Top comp: Tommy Akingbesote | Likely: Backup 60%
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AJ Holmes Jr - Texas Tech
Consensus Rank: #63 | Position Rank: DL8
Our model: #70 overall (DL10), 7 spots lower than consensus
Projected: 2nd Round
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Tavion Gadson - Kentucky
Consensus Rank: #74 | Position Rank: DL9
Our model: #58 overall (DL8), 16 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 3rd Round
Top comp: Maason Smith | Likely: Starter 45%
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Bear Alexander - Oregon
Consensus Rank: #77 | Position Rank: DL10
Our model: #57 overall (DL7), 20 spots higher than consensus
Projected: 3rd Round
Top comp: Eric Gregory | Likely: Backup 40%
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Jide Abasiri - USC
Consensus Rank: #103 | Position Rank: DL11
Our model: #110 overall (DL13), 7 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Esezi Otomewo | Likely: Didn't stick 45%
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Emmanuel Oyebadejo - Florida
Consensus Rank: #123 | Position Rank: DL12
Our model: #109 overall (DL12), 14 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Taylor Wein - Oklahoma
Consensus Rank: #124 | Position Rank: DL13
Our model: #107 overall (DL11), 17 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Dante Stills | Likely: Backup 60%
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Horace Lockett - UCF
Consensus Rank: #126 | Position Rank: DL14
Our model: #111 overall (DL14), 15 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Jordan Davis | Likely: Backup 50%
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Francis Brewu - Notre Dame
Consensus Rank: #131 | Position Rank: DL15
Our model: #132 overall (DL16), 1 spot lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Skyler Gill-Howard | Likely: Backup 60%
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Jayden Jackson - Oklahoma
Consensus Rank: #136 | Position Rank: DL16
Our model: #137 overall (DL17), 1 spot lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Jay Tufele | Likely: Backup 45%
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Mateen Ibirogba - Texas Tech
Consensus Rank: #137 | Position Rank: DL17
Our model: #140 overall (DL18), 3 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Cory Durden | Likely: Backup 40%
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Bryce Young - Notre Dame
Consensus Rank: #155 | Position Rank: DL18
Our model: #170 overall (DL20), 15 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Maraad Watson - Texas
Consensus Rank: #163 | Position Rank: DL19
Our model: #174 overall (DL21), 11 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Eric Gregory | Likely: Backup 45%
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Tyrique Tucker - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #191 | Position Rank: DL20
Our model: #157 overall (DL19), 34 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Khalil Davis | Likely: Backup 40%
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Ezra Christensen - Colorado
Consensus Rank: #193 | Position Rank: DL21
Our model: #204 overall (DL24), 11 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Cameron Sample | Likely: Backup 40%
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Mario Landino - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #195 | Position Rank: DL22
Our model: #227 overall (DL26), 32 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Ruke Orhorhoro | Likely: Backup 45%
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Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace - Kentucky
Consensus Rank: #199 | Position Rank: DL23
Our model: no rank yet, consensus only
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Michael Kilbane - Northwestern
Consensus Rank: #215 | Position Rank: DL24
Our model: #190 overall (DL22), 25 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Keith Cooper Jr. | Likely: Backup 45%
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Kemari Copeland - Virginia Tech
Consensus Rank: #221 | Position Rank: DL25
Our model: #286 overall (DL30), 65 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: DeWayne Carter | Likely: Backup 45%
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Cody Sigler - Auburn
Consensus Rank: #224 | Position Rank: DL26
Our model: #230 overall (DL27), 6 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: DeWayne Carter | Likely: Backup 50%
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Hero Kanu - Texas
Consensus Rank: #275 | Position Rank: DL27
Our model: #199 overall (DL23), 76 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Vernon Broughton | Likely: Backup 50%
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Williams Nwaneri - Nebraska
Consensus Rank: #277 | Position Rank: DL28
Our model: #218 overall (DL25), 59 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Ian Geffrard - Texas
Consensus Rank: #296 | Position Rank: DL29
Our model: #302 overall (DL33), 6 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Bryce Hawthorne - Iowa
Consensus Rank: #297 | Position Rank: DL30
Our model: #292 overall (DL32), 5 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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James Smith - Ohio State
Consensus Rank: #316 | Position Rank: DL31
Our model: #310 overall (DL35), 6 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Lawrence Thomas | Likely: Didn't stick 50%
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Jaray Bledsoe - Mississippi State
Consensus Rank: #317 | Position Rank: DL32
Our model: #251 overall (DL29), 66 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Stephen Daley - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #319 | Position Rank: DL33
Our model: #332 overall (DL39), 13 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Dominick McKinley - LSU
Consensus Rank: #332 | Position Rank: DL34
Our model: no rank yet, consensus only
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: James Thompson Jr. | Likely: Backup 35%
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Joe Hjelle - Indiana
Consensus Rank: #334 | Position Rank: DL35
Our model: #337 overall (DL40), 3 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: Ty Hamilton | Likely: Backup 50%
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Daevin Hobbs - Tennessee
Consensus Rank: #338 | Position Rank: DL36
Our model: #331 overall (DL38), 7 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
Top comp: LaBryan Ray | Likely: Didn't stick 40%
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Tawfiq Thomas - Georgia Tech
Consensus Rank: #342 | Position Rank: DL37
Our model: #291 overall (DL31), 51 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Leroy Jackson - NA
Consensus Rank: #355 | Position Rank: DL38
Our model: #380 overall (DL44), 25 spots lower than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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CJ Fite - Arizona State
Consensus Rank: #372 | Position Rank: DL39
Our model: #323 overall (DL36), 49 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
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Tomiwa Durojaiye - South Carolina
Consensus Rank: #376 | Position Rank: DL40
Our model: #325 overall (DL37), 51 spots higher than consensus
Projected: Mid-Late Round
View full scouting report
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 #7 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