NFL Draft Notebook: Why Trevor Goosby fits the Cowboys and ranking the top 5 QBs in 2027…

The NFL calendar may be entering its quietest stretch, but that does not mean there is a shortage of storylines to monitor. As teams wrap up minicamps and college players prepare for the upcoming season, now is the perfect time to take an early look at some of the prospects who could shape the 2027 NFL Draft.

In this week's NFL Draft Notebook, we break down why Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby could be a perfect fit for the Dallas Cowboys, rank the top five quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft, and examine several intriguing prospects who deserve more attention heading into the season. From a small-school running back NFL scouts are watching closely to a pass rusher returning from a major injury, there is no shortage of talent to keep an eye on this fall.

Why Trevor Goosby could be high on the Cowboys' radar

One of the more interesting position battles in Dallas Cowboys camp this season is at left tackle. The favorite to win the job is 2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton, but his first two seasons have been marked by injuries and inconsistent play. Guyton has missed 10 games over the past two years, including eight last season after landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Even when healthy, he has struggled at times, allowing 57 pressures and committing 25 penalties over the past two seasons.

Competing with Guyton is Nate Thomas, a seventh-round pick in 2024. Thomas performed admirably in his four starts last season, but he also has durability concerns after missing his entire rookie year with knee tendinitis. While Thomas may develop into a valuable depth piece, he does not possess the type of upside most teams look for in a long-term answer at left tackle.

That uncertainty could lead Dallas to target one of the top offensive tackles in the 2027 NFL Draft, with Texas standout Trevor Goosby emerging as a logical option. Goosby is coming off a breakout season in which he earned First-Team All-SEC honors while dramatically improving his PFF grade from 62.7 in 2024 to 83.3 in 2025.

The tools are there for Goosby to develop into a high-level NFL left tackle. He was named No. 17 on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List thanks to rare athletic traits that include a 1.44-second 10-yard split and a 365-pound bench press. On the field, he generates movement in the run game, consistently gets to the second level, and shows the mobility needed to mirror pass rushers in protection. His length is another major asset, allowing him to keep defenders away from his frame and recover when initially beaten.

There is also a realistic chance Goosby could be available when Dallas is on the clock. The Cowboys are currently projected to pick 21st overall in the 2027 NFL Draft according to Tankathon, and Goosby still has some areas of his game that could keep him from climbing into the top half of the first round. Footwork remains a work in progress, and he can get off balance too often, which has contributed to 11 penalties over the past two seasons.

While Goosby is not a finished product, his upside is significantly higher than either Guyton or Thomas. If Dallas is still searching for a long-term answer at left tackle next spring, do not be surprised if Goosby is one of the first names on the Cowboys' draft board.

Top five quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft

1. Dante Moore, Oregon

I am in the minority when it comes to my QB1, as most people have Texas quarterback Arch Manning in that spot. While I am a fan of Manning's game, Oregon's Dante Moore gets a slight edge on my board because he is currently the more polished passer and operates at a higher level from the pocket. Last season, Moore completed 72% of his passes for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns. His 30 big-time throws were tied for the most in the FBS, and he led the nation with a 98.5 passing grade on deep throws. When studying his film, several traits stand out, including his ability to throw from multiple platforms, make every throw required in an NFL offense, and consistently deliver accurate passes at all three levels of the field.

2. Arch Manning, Texas

While Arch Manning is not my top-ranked quarterback, he is still a prospect with a top-10 overall grade on my board. As a quarterback coach at Blair Quarterback Academy in The Woodlands, Texas, I see a passer who is only beginning to tap into his immense potential. The biggest improvement in Manning's game came late last season when he stopped trying to force plays and instead allowed the game to come to him. That change helped him post a QBR of 92 or higher in four of his final five games. He looked more comfortable settling his feet in the pocket, showed better judgment on when to extend plays with his legs, and emerged as the type of leader Texas could lean on in critical moments. If he continues to build on that progress, he has a strong chance to be one of the first two players selected in the 2027 NFL Draft should he declare.

3. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Another quarterback with immense upside is South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, though he remains more of a projection than the two quarterbacks ranked ahead of him. Last season, Sellers completed just 61% of his passes and threw eight interceptions compared to 13 touchdown passes, showing there is still plenty of room for growth as a passer. However, I expect him to take a significant step forward this season with Kendal Briles taking over as offensive coordinator. Where Sellers truly stands out is his rare athletic ability. He is a powerful runner who set a PFF record for a quarterback with 18 forced missed tackles against Clemson last season and has the type of arm strength that immediately catches the attention of NFL scouts. If his passing game begins to match his physical tools, he has the talent to work his way into the top half of the first round.

4. CJ Bailey, NC State

My sleeper in this year's quarterback class is NC State's CJ Bailey. As a passer, he shows impressive accuracy, completing 69% of his passes last season while consistently placing the ball where his receivers can maximize yards after the catch. In addition to his accuracy, the 6-foot-6 quarterback possesses the arm strength to attack deep down the field and fit throws into tight windows. He is also a good athlete for his size and does an excellent job buying extra time in the pocket when plays break down. The biggest area where I would like to see growth this season is his poise under pressure. At times, Bailey can speed up his process and rush throws when the pocket begins to collapse. If he becomes more comfortable operating through chaos, he has the tools to rise significantly up draft boards.

5. Darian Mensah, Miami 

Miami has done a terrific job developing transfer quarterbacks into NFL Draft picks, turning Cam Ward into the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and helping Carson Beck become the 65th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. This year, the Hurricanes are hoping for a similar result with Darian Mensah, who arrives after earning ACC Newcomer of the Year honors during his lone season at Duke. Mensah is a mobile pocket passer who led the ACC in passing touchdowns, passing yards, and passing yards per game last season. He does a good job extending plays while keeping his eyes downfield and has shown the arm talent to attack all areas of the field. If he can build on last season's success and continue to develop under Miami's coaching staff, he has a legitimate chance to work his way into the first-round conversation.

NFL news and notes

• While it is now official that Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby will be allowed to play this season, the ruling continues a trend of courts limiting the NCAA's ability to enforce eligibility rules. Regardless of where you stand on that debate, the decision is a major win for Sorsby's NFL future. Another season of college football will give him valuable time to refine his game, particularly when it comes to settling down in the pocket and consistently getting his feet into proper throwing position. Too often last season he relied solely on his arm talent rather than playing with a solid base. If he can clean up those mechanical issues and stay focused on football, he has the talent to work his way into late first-round consideration in the 2027 NFL Draft. 

• A team looking to add size at wide receiver will love what it sees from Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff, who checks in at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds. Duff consistently uses his frame to box out defensive backs, helping him lead the nation with 22 contested catches last season. Beyond his size, he possesses some of the strongest hands in the 2027 NFL Draft class and routinely comes down with difficult receptions in traffic. Another strength is his agility, which is impressive for a player of his stature, allowing him to adjust to off-target throws and make plays on the football. The biggest question he will need to answer leading up to the NFL Draft is whether he has the athleticism and route-running ability to consistently create separation against NFL-caliber defensive backs. 

• A small-school prospect to watch in the 2027 NFL Draft is Montana running back Eli Gillman, who has been a standout since his redshirt freshman season. After seeing limited action as a true freshman, Gillman broke out in 2023 by winning the Jerry Rice Award as the FCS Freshman of the Year and has continued to build on that success ever since. This past season, the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 1,540 yards while adding 33 receptions for 240 yards. As an NFL prospect, Gillman stands out for his patience, vision, and physical running style. He does a great job allowing blocks to develop and is not afraid to lower his shoulder to pick up tough yards. While playing at the FCS level may keep him out of the national spotlight, expect NFL teams to give him strong consideration in the later rounds of the 2027 NFL Draft. 

• One of the more intriguing pass rushers to watch in the 2027 NFL Draft is Michigan's John Henry Daley, who followed head coach Kyle Whittingham from Utah to Michigan this offseason. What makes Daley such an intriguing prospect is the elite production he posted before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in late November. Prior to the injury, he recorded 11.5 sacks, ranking second in the nation with 1.05 sacks per game, while also earning an outstanding 93.4 PFF pass-rush grade. Daley wins with an explosive first step, active hands, and a relentless motor that allows him to consistently pressure quarterbacks. If he can return to form and put together another dominant season, he has the talent to work his way into the late first-round conversation and could be an ideal fit for a team like the Chicago Bears.

"He's (John Henry Daley) as hard a worker as you'll find. What makes him so good is his get-off. That's the No. 1 factor in becoming a great edge rusher. He's got an exceptional get-off, great quickness, and he's relentless. He finds a way to get home and he'll just keep coming at you, snap after snap, and just wear you out."

Michigan HC Kyle Whittingham to ESPN

• A wide receiver who I believe is being overrated heading into the season is Texas's Ryan Wingo, who currently carries a consensus second-round draft grade. While the physical tools are intriguing, there are too many concerns in his game for me to rank him that highly, which is why he currently holds just a fourth-round grade on my board. The biggest issue is his inconsistency catching the football. Despite standing 6-foot-2, Wingo has smaller hands for the position and too often allows the ball to get into his body rather than consistently catching it away from his frame. Those issues contributed to a 12% drop rate last season. I also have concerns about his ability to consistently make contested catches and finish plays in traffic. On the positive side, Wingo possesses ideal size at 6-foot-2 and 214 pounds and is an outstanding athlete, as evidenced by his 10.55-second 100-meter time in high school. The upside is undeniable, but right now there is too much projection involved for him to warrant a second-round grade.