Defensive Standouts To Monitor For The 2027 NFL Draft: Colin Simmons Headlines Projected First-Rounders

In a draft class rich with talent at QB, defensive players have started to go under the radar. But there's a group of standouts who can potentially give a hobbling defense the injection they need to help round back into form. Below is a breakdown of who to watch in the 2026-27 CFB season heading into the 2027 NFL Draft, including a pair of EDGEs who are projected to go in the top five and a CB who will play a major role in Notre Dame’s chances of making a run to the national championship.

Defensive Standouts to Watch in the 2026-27 CFB Season For The NFL Draft

Plenty of stalwart defensive players sit at the top of the draft boards in next year’s draft, giving teams a wide range of options to choose from to help accelerate their rebuild. Using my way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft, I highlighted a few of the top defensive players in next year’s class with a projection of where they may be drafted.

$tex.svg$ Colin Simmons - EDGE, Texas (Proj 1.04)

While the Texas Longhorns offense struggled to find its footing, the defense was able to keep them competitive, fielding a group that ranked above league average in success rate, havoc and explosiveness. Colin Simmons was critical in their success, generating 12 total sacks while pressuring the QB at a high rate.

Not only is Simmons a bull on the line, but he's just as productive in his efforts of stuffing the run, making him one of the more well-rounded EDGEs in the 2027 NFL draft class. With the likes of Cleveland and Tennessee potentially sitting at the top of the board, Simmons will have plenty of suitors to be the first defensive player selected in next year’s draft.

Dylan Stewart - EDGE, South Carolina (Proj 1.05)

In a down year for South Carolina, Dylan Stewart was one of their few consistent sources of production, generating 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 37 pressures. Stewart’s physicality in the backfield helped contain opposing offenses, contributing to a defense that ranked 27th in explosiveness.

His length and speed help him consistently break away from his blocker, making it easier to shift across the line once he anchors in the backfield and bottle up his assignment. If Stewart can build on his momentum after a successful 2025 campaign, then he will be able to rival Simons as the first defensive player selected in next year’s draft.

Leonard Moore - CB, Notre Dame (Proj 1.07)

Turning our sights towards the secondary, Leonard Moore is in a tier of his own, comfortably leading all CBs as a potential top-10 pick in next year’s draft. Moore sparked Notre Dame’s resurgence on defense last season, leading a group that finished near the top of the board in defensive pass PPA and in success rate.

More impressive yet, Moore is just as productive in man as he is in zone, making him one of the more well-rounded players at his position. While his lack of physicality against the run is worth monitoring, it’s hard to ignore his ability to shut down one side of the field, making Moore a valuable asset to any team who drafts him.

KJ Bolden - S, Georgia (Proj 1.11)

Unlike Moore, KJ Bolden thrives against the run, finishing his sophomore season with 75 total tackles while only whiffing on four tackle opportunities. Bolden’s physicality makes him interchangeable on the back end, allowing teams to place him in the slot, LB or at S.

If Bolden wants to sustain his high level of play at the next level, he will need to put on more weight, with his small frame leaving him vulnerable to bigger, more physical WRs and TEs. Combine his potential weight gain with his blistering speed, and Bolden will possess all the traits a team is looking for to fill their void on the back end.

David Stone - DT, Oklahoma (Proj 1.15)

An explosive mammoth of a man in the interior, David Stone possesses rare speed in the trenches that helps him get in the backfield and disrupt plays at a high rate. Stone’s dominance in the middle forces opposing offensive lines to shade a blocker towards him, freeing up more space for his teammates to exploit.

Stone’s speed also helps him match opposing ball carriers' lateral quickness in the backfield, leading to eight tackles for loss and 43 total tackles. Heading into 2026-27, expect positive regression to swing in Stone’s way regarding generating sacks, skyrocketing his name up the draft boards in the process.

Published Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 AM ET