It's November, and the 2027 dynasty rookie rankings needed a refresh. Once we get more clarity on who is returning to school and who's declaring, the picture will become clearer. It's a huge signal when players with more eligibility declare for the draft. The biggest names to watch over the next two months and their declaration status:
- Arch Manning
- Austin Simmons
- LaNorris Sellers
- Drew Mestemaker
- Ahmad Hardy
- Ryan Coleman-Williams
Those are the names I'm most intrigued by, but there are plenty of underclassmen in the early portion of the 2027 dynasty rookie rankings. If Jeremiah Smith could have declared last year, he'd have been WR1 anyway, and Ahmad Hardy's 2025 tape was good enough that he's in the same boat. This week was promising for Hardy on his road to declaring for 2026, as he at least played, but his limited touches didn't do much to quell the noise that he's likely to return to school. If both Hardy and Drew Mestemaker return to school, it could cut some of the talent from the top of the class and extend the "next year's class is better" chatter for yet another season. Enough doom and gloom; here's the new 2027 dynasty rookie rankings.
The 2027 Dynasty Superflex Big Board
Biggest Movers in the 2027 Dynasty Rookie Rankings V5
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas: Over two months ago, Jeff Bell and I did a mock draft and highlighted some players we thought would do well and others that had something to prove. I expected Coleman to unlock Arch Manning and both to take a step forward (whoof, does that look bad), but I also noted that if Manning struggled, it would hold back Coleman and the Texas offense. At this point in the season, Coleman is the most likely player to be at the center of film versus stats debates through the draft.
Dylan Riley, RB, Boise State: Hand up, I hadn't dove into Boise State before last week. Riley packed on some weight over the offseason and went from a clear lightning in a thunder-lightning backfield to showing he can handle an every-down workload. There's a real argument to put him as high as RB4 in the class, and it wouldn't surprise me if he's a day-two pick in the spring.
Wyatt Young, WR, Oklahoma State: The spreadsheets love him, and watching his connection with Drew Mestemaker, it's easy to see why. He played quarterback, running back, and wide receiver in high school, and that diversity of experience shows up on film. Young's ability to find soft spots and be a quarterback's best friend will make him a reliable WR2 for an NFL offense, or one of the most reliable WR3s on a roster.
Hollywood Smothers, RB, Texas: Four rushes for negative six yards and another injury isn't exactly a great showing. One of the biggest knocks on Brown is his size and durability, and this season has shown so far that the concerns are real. If he's not showcasing his ability as a receiver and isn't able to run effectively between the tackles, then he's more Demond Claiborne than Bucky Irving.
Jamal Roberts, RB, Missouri: I like big running backs, and I cannot lie. Roberts is a wrecking ball at the collision point, has verified track speed, and better hands than he gets credit for. In last week's running back deep dive, I highlighted his propensity to fall forward. He somehow still left yards on the field after 158 scrimmage yards, but the leg churn and little dives forward give him over four yards after contact per attempt (he's currently tied with Bijan Robinson's college numbers). Good football player.
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State: It's only a small bump from four to three, but the big thing here is that the second tier in 2027 dynasty rookie rankings are becoming more solid. If Mestemaker declares, he's a top-five NFL draft pick, a projected franchise quarterback, and, with limited experience, has plenty of room to improve. In the most recent scout and executive poll, Mestemaker was ranked the number one quarterback. With the red flags around size, age, or decision-making among the expected top prospects, Mestemaker has the best combination of tools and polish at this point.
Austin Simmons, QB, Missouri: If I had to bet today, Simmons goes back to school. But on the off chance he does declare, he has prototypical size, arm talent, and mobility. With Missouri on a tear and Dante Moore's cautionary tale of what can go wrong if you go back to school, Simmons will have a tough decision to make. There's a shortage of quarterbacks in the NFL, and any underclassman who declares likely won't have to wait long on draft night.