NFL Draft Notebook: Five Jets targets and the top 5 WRs in the 2027 NFL Draft

The New York Jets enter the 2026 season in an enviable position. While the roster is still a work in progress, the organization owns three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, giving it the flexibility to accelerate its rebuild with elite talent at multiple premium positions. Whether it's finding a franchise quarterback, adding another dominant pass rusher, upgrading the secondary, or surrounding its offense with more weapons, New York has the draft capital to reshape the roster in a single offseason.

In this week's NFL Draft Notebook, we take a look at five prospects who make perfect sense for the Jets, rank the top five wide receivers in the 2027 NFL Draft, and break down several of the biggest storylines from around college football.

Five 2027 NFL Draft prospects the New York Jets should watch this season

1. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

With Geno Smith not viewed as the long-term answer at quarterback, expect the Jets to make the position their top priority in the 2027 NFL Draft. The player who could sit atop their board is Oregon's Dante Moore, a quarterback the organization showed significant interest in before he elected to return to school for another season.

Moore enters the year as the most polished passer in the draft class after completing 72 percent of his passes while leading the nation with a 98.5 PFF passing grade on deep throws. His accuracy, anticipation, and ability to attack all three levels of the field make him one of the safest quarterback prospects in recent years. If the Jets earn the No. 1 overall pick, Moore should be the favorite to become the face of the franchise.

2. Arch Manning, QB, Texas

If the Jets miss out on Moore, another quarterback worthy of a top-five selection is Texas star Arch Manning. Manning endured some expected growing pains early last season, but by the end of the year he looked every bit like the next elite quarterback from the Manning family. He posted a QBR of at least 92.0 in four of his final five games while showing steady improvement in every aspect of his game.

Manning offers one of the most complete skill sets in college football. He has the mobility to extend plays, the arm strength to challenge defenses vertically, and the poise and leadership NFL teams covet in a franchise quarterback. His biggest evaluation this season will come against elite defenses, particularly Ohio State. If he proves he can consistently dissect complex coverages, he'll have a legitimate chance to challenge Moore for the top spot on draft boards. Even then, I still believe the Jets would rank Moore slightly higher.

3. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

The Jets fielded one of the NFL's least productive secondaries last season, finishing the year without recording a single interception. They addressed the position by signing Nahshon Wright, who intercepted five passes with the Chicago Bears last season, and selecting D'Angelo Ponds in the second round of the draft. However, neither projects as a true lockdown outside corner.

Notre Dame's Leonard Moore does.

Widely considered the top cornerback prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft, Moore possesses the size, athleticism, instincts, and ball skills to eliminate an opponent's top receiver every week. With the Jets owning three first-round selections in 2027, using one of those picks on a true shutdown corner would make perfect sense and give New York the type of defensive centerpiece every championship contender needs.

4. Colin Simmons, OLB, Texas

The Jets invested the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on edge rusher David Bailey, but that shouldn't stop them from adding another elite pass rusher if the opportunity presents itself. With three first-round selections, New York has the flexibility to build one of the NFL's most dangerous young defenses, and Texas outside linebacker Colin Simmons would fit perfectly opposite Bailey.

Like Bailey, Simmons explodes off the snap with elite burst and has the flexibility to flatten around the edge and consistently pressure quarterbacks. Those traits helped him lead the SEC with 12 sacks last season while cementing himself as one of the nation's premier defensive prospects. Although he isn't an elite run defender, Simmons is more advanced in that area than both Bailey and projected starter Will McDonald, giving the Jets a more complete player on the edge while forming a potentially dominant pass-rushing tandem.

5. Duce Robinson, WR, Florida State

Garrett Wilson and Omar Cooper Jr. give the Jets two talented starting wide receivers, but with both standing 6-foot, the offense still lacks a true mismatch on the outside. Florida State's Duce Robinson could solve that problem.

At 6-foot-6 and 222 pounds, Robinson combines rare size with impressive athleticism and a massive catch radius, making him one of the toughest matchups in college football. He earned First-Team All-ACC honors after catching 56 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns while leading the conference in receiving yards per game at 103. Robinson also led the ACC with 17 receptions of at least 20 yards and 12 catches of 30 or more yards, proving he is much more than a possession receiver. While he still needs to expand his route tree, Robinson's ability to stretch the field would make him an outstanding complement to Wilson and Cooper, especially if the Jets pair him with a quarterback like Dante Moore, one of the premier deep-ball throwers in this draft class.

Top 5 wide receivers in the 2027 NFL Draft

1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State 

The best wide receiver prospect to come out of college football since Ja'Marr Chase is Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith. He possesses all the traits to become a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL, beginning with his rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism. At 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds, Smith consistently uses his physicality to box out defenders, win contested catches, and dominate at the catch point. What makes him even more special is his elite speed, as he has hauled in 11 receptions of 50 or more yards over the past two seasons, including a nation-leading six in 2024. Smith also has dependable hands, dropping just two passes last season. With his ability to overwhelm defenders physically while also stretching the field vertically, he enters the 2027 NFL Draft as one of the top overall prospects regardless of position.

2. Cam Coleman, Texas

The other wide receiver in this class with legitimate top-five potential is Cam Coleman. After transferring from Auburn to Texas this offseason, Coleman is expected to see his production soar with Arch Manning delivering him the football. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Coleman possesses an outstanding blend of size, athleticism, and body control. He consistently adjusts to off-target throws and makes difficult contested catches look routine. If he puts together the type of season many expect in Steve Sarkisian's offense, Coleman could cement himself as one of the premier playmakers in the 2027 NFL Draft. An intriguing NFL landing spot would be the Las Vegas Raiders, where he could reunite with quarterback Fernando Mendoza to give the franchise a dynamic young passing combination.

3. Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama

Ryan Coleman-Williams enters the 2027 season needing a bounce-back year after his production dipped significantly in 2025, as he finished with 49 receptions for 689 yards and four touchdowns. Compared to the previous season, his production fell by nearly 200 receiving yards, almost four yards per catch, and four touchdowns. The biggest concern for NFL scouts, however, is his inconsistency catching the football. Coleman-Williams has dropped 17 passes over the past two seasons, including 10 last year, and too often lets the ball get into his body instead of attacking it with his hands. Despite those issues, he still carries a late first-round grade on my board because of his explosive playmaking ability. He forced 16 missed tackles last season, averaged 6.8 yards after the catch, and has the speed and elusiveness to turn routine receptions into big gains. If he can clean up the drops, he has the talent to climb back into the top of the wide receiver class.

4. Nick Marsh, Indiana 

Nick Marsh is another wide receiver who excels with the ball in his hands and has the tools to be one of the top pass catchers in the 2027 NFL Draft. After transferring from Michigan State to Indiana, Marsh is coming off a season in which he caught 59 passes for 662 yards and six touchdowns while forcing 28 missed tackles, the third-most among FBS wide receivers. At 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, Marsh uses his strength and physicality to turn short completions into explosive plays, making him especially dangerous on slants and other quick-hitting routes. The biggest area for improvement is his ability to win in contested-catch situations, as he secured just 27% of his contested targets last season according to PFF. If Marsh becomes more reliable in traffic while maintaining his production after the catch, he has the upside to be a late first round pick.

5. Charlie Becker, Indiana 

New Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover has to be excited about throwing to two of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. While Nick Marsh checks in at No. 4 on my board, Charlie Becker rounds out the top five. At 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, Becker is a big, physical target who thrives as a vertical threat. He led the Big Ten by averaging 20.0 yards per reception last season and consistently won down the field by outmuscling defensive backs, hauling in 77% of his contested targets. Becker also brings value on special teams, tying for second in the Big Ten with seven special teams tackles. The biggest question surrounding his NFL projection, and the reason he carries a late second-round grade on my board, is whether he has the long speed and separation ability to consistently get open against NFL defensive backs.

News and notes

• With it looking like Brendan Sorsby will sit out this season and prepare for the 2027 NFL Draft, the question becomes where he stacks up in what appears to be a loaded quarterback class. Right now, I have a fourth-round grade on Sorsby because of his immense natural talent, highlighted by elite arm strength and the ability to consistently create explosive plays. However, his draft stock will largely depend on how he spends this year away from the field. If he continues getting help for his gambling addiction, stays committed to his development, and works with a private quarterback coach to refine his mechanics and decision-making, he has the physical tools to climb draft boards. The talent has never been the question. It is whether he can use this season to mature both on and off the field.

• Good news is coming out of South Carolina, as 2027 NFL Draft prospects defensive end Dylan Stewart and offensive guard Jacarrius Peak are both recovering from injuries that limited them during spring ball. Stewart battled a back injury late last season but still earned Second-Team All-SEC honors after recording 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. Meanwhile, Peak, who transferred from NC State this offseason, is recovering from a knee injury he suffered while playing basketball. Both players are expected to be key contributors for the Gamecocks and should be ready to make an impact this fall.

• One of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft is Ohio State's Austin Siereveld. In his first season as a full-time starter, he earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors and led the nation with an 83.5 PFF run-blocking grade. The film makes it easy to see why, as Siereveld consistently overwhelms defenders with his strength at the point of attack, creates movement in the run game, and finishes blocks with a physical, nasty edge. He is just as effective in pass protection, where his mobility, balance, and 6-foot-5 frame allow him to keep edge rushers under control. Siereveld did not allow a sack all season, showcasing the complete skill set NFL teams look for in a franchise tackle. If he performs at the same level this season, he has a strong chance to be a top-15 selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. 

• Georgia offensive tackle Earnest Greene III is a player who must stay healthy this season to maximize his chances of being selected in the 2027 NFL Draft. Greene has dealt with a lengthy injury history, including a back injury that limited him to nine games last season and also caused him to miss the entire 2022 season. He has also battled an ankle injury during his time with the Bulldogs. Now moving back to left tackle, Greene is looking to put together a healthy and productive campaign. When healthy, he is a physical, punishing blocker who plays through the whistle and brings a nasty demeanor to the offensive line. However, he still needs to show improvement as a run blocker and prove he has the athleticism to consistently operate in space at the next level.