NCAAF · 1 hour ago

CBS Sports Ranks the Top 10 Defensive Players for the 2027 NFL Draft

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

You Tell Us! Does Renner Have it Right?
Building the 2027 Defense

The 2027 defensive class is already showing players likely to define the next era of NFL stardom. While the offensive players might get the hype, these guys are the ones who will be dictating the pace on Sundays.

Join the Debate: Who is your #1?
- The Lockdown King: Is Leonard Moore an all-time cornerback prospect, or will the ACL recovery of Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa keep Notre Dame's defensive hype in check?
- The Edge Rushers: Between Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons, who has the higher ceiling as a pass rusher?
- The Defensive Interior: Does the rare explosiveness of A'Mauri Washington make him a better pro prospect than a statistical producer like David Stone?
- The Shutdown Stat: Is Kelley Jones' 11-catch season the most impressive metric in this entire rankings list?
Drop your take in the comments: Which of these defensive stars would you take in the Top 5? What do your Top 10 Rankings look like?
Top 10 Defensive Prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft
Evaluating the Blue-Chip Talent of 2027

The 2027 NFL Draft might feel like a distant light on the horizon, but for NFL front offices, the positional audit has already begun. This cycle features a ton of talent that, while lacking some of the flash of the offensive stars, boasts an elite tier for any pro roster. We are seeing a blend of freak athleticism on the edge and lockdown integrity in the secondary that suggests the top of next year's board will be a tough call for coordinators.

Based on the latest rankings from CBS Sports' Mike Renner, these are the ten defensive prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft.
10. Ty Benefield
LSU | Safety

Ty Benefield brings a strong mentality to the LSU secondary after a productive stint at Boise State. At 6-foot-3, he offers rare range for his size and has established a reputation as one of the premier downhill hitters. He provides the aggressive approach needed in the deep third of the field.

"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." - Renner
9. Zach Lutmer
Iowa | Defensive Back

Zach Lutmer has become a specialist in the slot for an Iowa defense that consistently produces pro-ready talent. His fluidity between assignments and his ability to finish plays near the line of scrimmage suggest he could transition to several roles in an NFL secondary. He is a high-IQ player who excels in high-traffic areas.

"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... incredibly fluid moving between assignments." - Renner
8. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
Notre Dame | Linebacker

Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is an excellent defender capable of providing an impact either on the edge or in space. He is an overtly physical thumper who excels at neutralizing the run game, though a late-season ACL injury has added a layer of scouting uncertainty to his 2026 outlook. When healthy, he is a powerhouse.

"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" - Renner
7. Will Echoles
Ole Miss | Defensive Tackle

Will Echoles is a rising star on the interior who pairs elite 3-technique athleticism with youthful energy, as he won't even turn 20 until late summer. He tied for the Power Four lead in run stops among returning players, showcasing a sharp ability to find the ball-carrier. His trajectory suggests he is a high pick in the making.

"Will Echoles showed shades of Walter Nolen while stepping into a bigger role on Ole Miss' interior last season." - Renner
6. Kelley Jones
Mississippi State | Cornerback

Kelley Jones is the definition of a breakout star whose efficiency metrics are almost difficult to believe. He is a massive corner who uses his size to provide a physical challenge for receivers at the line of scrimmage.

"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." - Renner
5. A’Mauri Washington
Oregon | Defensive Tackle

A’Mauri Washington is a mountain of a man who showcases surprising explosiveness, rare for the nose tackle position. He returned to school to refine his draft stock, but his tape already shows a player capable of living in the opposing backfield.

"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."
4. David Stone
Oklahoma | Defensive Tackle

David Stone is a versatile interior defender who has already proven to be elite against the run. With 22 run stops last season, he ranks among the top Power Four producers at his position. His ability to win with a combination of raw strength and twitchy quickness gives him the flexibility to run through multiple techniques.

"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." -Renner
3. Colin Simmons
Texas | EDGE

Colin Simmons provides strength to the Longhorns' front as one of the premier returning pass rushers in the country. His length and motor allow him to operate as a high-octane disruptor. He is a virtual lock to remain in the top-tier conversation through next spring, given his elite archetypal fit for the modern NFL.

"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." -Renner
2. Dylan Stewart
South Carolina | EDGE

Dylan Stewart is the ultimate athlete whose physical tools are currently outpacing his technical refinement, which is a terrifying prospect for opposing quarterbacks. Once he marries his freakish explosiveness with a consistent pass-rush plan, he will hit hard at the next level.

"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." -enner
1. Leonard Moore
Notre Dame | Cornerback

Leonard Moore has established himself as the guy in the secondary after a sophomore campaign that saw him essentially delete high-level receivers from the box score. His rangy frame and elite press-man mechanics can suffocate top talent lining up against him. He is the gold standard at the cornerback position.

"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." -Renner
You Tell Us! Does Renner Have it Right?
Building the 2027 Defense

The 2027 defensive class is already showing players likely to define the next era of NFL stardom. While the offensive players might get the hype, these guys are the ones who will be dictating the pace on Sundays.

Join the Debate: Who is your #1?
- The Lockdown King: Is Leonard Moore an all-time cornerback prospect, or will the ACL recovery of Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa keep Notre Dame's defensive hype in check?
- The Edge Rushers: Between Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons, who has the higher ceiling as a pass rusher?
- The Defensive Interior: Does the rare explosiveness of A'Mauri Washington make him a better pro prospect than a statistical producer like David Stone?
- The Shutdown Stat: Is Kelley Jones' 11-catch season the most impressive metric in this entire rankings list?
Drop your take in the comments: Which of these defensive stars would you take in the Top 5? What do your Top 10 Rankings look like?
Top 10 Defensive Prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft
Evaluating the Blue-Chip Talent of 2027

The 2027 NFL Draft might feel like a distant light on the horizon, but for NFL front offices, the positional audit has already begun. This cycle features a ton of talent that, while lacking some of the flash of the offensive stars, boasts an elite tier for any pro roster. We are seeing a blend of freak athleticism on the edge and lockdown integrity in the secondary that suggests the top of next year's board will be a tough call for coordinators.

Based on the latest rankings from CBS Sports' Mike Renner, these are the ten defensive prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft.