This is a celebration that both NFL and college football are back, and there is no better indicator than finding one 2027 NFL Draft prospect from the AP Preseason Top 25 and manifesting them into the red and black next season. This is a long exercise, so we’re not going to waste any time; let’s get into it:
Ohio State – DT John Walker
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 324
It’s the first school, and I’ve already gone off the beaten path, but hear me out. If we’re in the running for Jeremiah Smith, Atlanta likely needs a quarterback more than a wide receiver. Julian Sayin and Austin Siereveld, who is probably best inside, are not one-to-one fits for their needs. So, let’s look to a potential day-two pick in defensive tackle/nose tackle John Walker. Powerful hands and is a fantastic asset at holding the point of attack against the run, a skill the Falcons desperately need on early downs. There are only so many exotic looks Jeff Ulbrich can throw at an offense; at some point, it’s going to have to be my best against your best in the run game, and Walker can be a good start in shoring that up for Atlanta.
Oregon – QB Dante Moore
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 206
New York Jets fans are still kicking at the fact that Moore returned to Oregon this year instead of becoming the second quarterback off the board last draft cycle. Moore has a beautiful, easily catchable ball that falls into your hands as a receiver. The hope for 2027 is that he is more consistent and handles pressure better than last season. If he does, and the Falcons’ quarterback position does end up horribly, Moore would be a perfect fit for Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees’ plans in Atlanta.
Georgia – CB Ellis Robinson IV
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 180
All the sites where you find his information are saying that he’s 6’0”, 180 pounds, but Ellis Robinson IV plays a lot bigger than that. A physical corner with some long arms, Robinson has the potential to be the second-best corner in this draft, behind the next player on this list. Robinson is only a one-year starter, but his ability to get his hands on the football and fight through the receiver to make a play while the ball is in the air is special. He’s also quite the willing run defender. Someone is going to really enjoy having Robinson on the boundary of their defense. With Hughes getting up there in age and Terrell not far behind, it may be time to look for new blood on the outside.
Notre Dame – CB Leonard Moore
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 197
A true lockdown corner. Leonard Moore will follow your number-one receiver to the ends of the earth, if he has to. Moore is an insanely talented cornerback whose large frame and elite athleticism make him a problem against the shiftier receivers, like Makai Lemon, and the bigger, more physical receivers. Him and safety Tae Johnson in the same secondary is honestly unfair, but it will be a ton of fun to watch.
Texas – OT Trevor Goosby
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 325
Jake Matthews has to ride off into the sunset at some point. To make it easier on him, the Falcons should take a good, hard look at a guy like Trevor Goosby. He won’t be there for the first few weeks of this season due to a non-contact knee injury, but by the end of September, you’ll be able to see why Goosby is rated as some people’s OT1 in this class. A massive human being with fleet feet and heavy hands, Goosby has the potential to be a game-changer as an offensive tackle. He does have warts in his game; he just turned 21 in May, but he’s going to be a solid tackle prospect that has fantastic upside in next year’s draft.
Indiana – DT Tyrique Tucker
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 298
On day two, you’re looking for guys that can contribute early and often for your defense, and a guy like Tyrique Tucker can do that. A bit smaller than the average NFL defensive tackle, but Tucker’s production far outweighs his size. 12 tackles for loss and 6 sacks in 2025, on the way to a national championship, are definitely a great way to get your name out there.
Miami – DT Ahmad Moten
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 311
Throughout Miami’s run to the national championship game, the talk was all about the two edges who went in the first round of last year’s draft: Rueben Bain and Ahkeem Mesidor. But my eyes couldn’t leave the middle of the defense as Ahmad Moten looked unblockable throughout the run. He has to learn to play the run better, but if he does, he could be this year’s DT1.
Texas A&M – EDGE Anto Saka
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 255
The losses of both Jalon Walker and James Pearce, Jr. showed just how important it is to have depth in your EDGE rotation. Saka is making the jump from Northwestern to Texas A&M this season to help Mike Elko fortify yet another intimidating defense. It will be interesting to see how Elko uses Saka’s explosiveness and where he ultimately falls in this year’s draft.
Ole Miss – DT Will Echoles
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 315
Will Echoles and Walter Nolen being on the same defensive line feels like a crime against humanity. But with Nolen gone, Echoles gets a chance to be the guy on that Ole Miss line and I doubt he’ll disappoint. Echoles is already potentially this class’ best run defender, but can he continue to take that step to become a true three-down threat and be a consistent problem in the pass rush department, as well?
Oklahoma – DT David Stone
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 312
312 pounds is not supposed to move this fluidly. David Stone is my personal DT1 in next year’s class, as he has a jaw-dropping mix of agility, quickness and strength at the point of attack. Stone has that ability to beat the interior offensive lineman with a quick inside move while also eating up a gap or two in the run game. Whatever you need from the interior, Stone can do it, and he would be a perfect addition to the Falcons’ defense.
