Charlie Campbell
The early part of the 2027 NFL Draft process started over the spring with the advance scouts putting together their preseason watchlist based on their film study and visiting colleges in their territory. The preseason watch lists are shared with the teams that are part of National Football Scouting or the Blesto scouting service. Looking at the 2026 preseason watch list, two tight ends graded out highly. LSU’s Trey’Dez Green graded out 10th overall, while Oregon’s Jamari Johnson came in at 32nd overall.
The 6-foot-6, 238-pound Green flashed dynamic receiving ability as a sophomore, hauling in 33 passes for 433 yards with seven touchdowns. Green has surprising speed and fluid athleticism for a big-bodied tight end. He could be a mismatch weapon in the NFL. As a freshman backing up Mason Taylor, Green caught four touchdowns with 101 yards on 13 catches. NFL advance scouts have Green’s 40-yard dash time projected to be 4.55 seconds, which is a fast time for a tight end with Green’s size.
While Kenyon Sadiq got the most attention, he wasn’t the only talented tight end on the Ducks, as Johnson flashed serious ability. Johnson (6-4, 245) has quality size and flashed athleticism and speed as a receiver. In 2025, he caught 32 passes for 510 yards and three touchdowns. With Sadiq in the NFL, Johnson could produce more in 2026.
The preseason grades are not set in stone, and scouts will forget them soon. In the 2018 preseason, Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray and Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams were not on the preseason watch list. Yet Murray became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and Williams went third a few months later. There have been other late-round projections, such as Joe Burrow, who ended up skyrocketing during the season. Other players had high preseason projections but were mid- or late-round picks months later. Thus, the value is more of a watch list than a reflection of players’ abilities. But entering the 2026 season, Green and Johnson are highly rated. Check out my latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft for projections based on NFL teams’ preseason watch list.
Walt
