Sports Illustrated Ranks Jeremiah Smith No. 1 in 2027 NFL Draft Top 50
Updated
Updated · Sports Illustrated · Aug 20
Sports Illustrated Ranks Jeremiah Smith No. 1 in 2027 NFL Draft Top 50
2 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Aug 20
Summary
Jeremiah Smith opened Sports Illustrated’s initial 2027 NFL draft board at No. 1, with the Ohio State receiver labeled the consensus top prospect entering the 2026 college season.
Smith earned that spot after posting 87 catches, 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, with SI projecting the 6-foot-3, 223-pound wideout as next year’s first non-quarterback drafted.
Quarterbacks still shape much of the early debate: Texas’ Arch Manning ranked No. 4, Oregon’s Dante Moore No. 5 and Miami’s Darian Mensah No. 11, while SI said the class is already drawing hype for its signal-callers.
The rest of the top 10 mixed premium positions, including South Carolina edge Dylan Stewart at No. 2, Notre Dame corner Leonard Moore at No. 3 and Texas tackle Trevor Goosby at No. 6.
The ranking serves as an early snapshot before the 2026 college season begins, with SI noting the board could shift significantly after more input from scouts, coaches and NFL executives.