Charlie Campbell
2027 NFL Draft Stock Up
Xavier Gilliam, DT, Tennessee
One player who is enjoying a breakout year in the SEC is Tennessee defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam. The former Penn State Nittany Lion has been superb for the Volunteers this season, and he is commanding attention from evaluators. In speaking with team sources, Gilliam is creating a huge buzz with NFL scouts. “This kid will go in the first if he comes out,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “He’s a stud. He was really good vs. Texas last Saturday. I also saw him at the Georgia Tech game in Week 2. He’s the real deal.”
Thus far, Gilliam has 15 tackles and four sacks with a forced fumble in only four games with Tennessee. Gilliam (6-2, 305) is in his first season as a full-time starter, and he could continue to rise as he gains experience. In my latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft, I have Gilliam going on the opening night of the draft and team sources feel he is on that track with a big buzz building about him with team sources.
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
In speaking with sources at multiple teams, they are projecting Mensah to have a starter grade and be a first-round pick next April. Sources at multiple teams said they liked Mensah’s accuracy and poise. Mensah is listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, and sometimes the listed numbers are inaccurate and inflated, but team sources who have seen Mensah in person say his size is fine and not a problem for the NFL. “He’s poised with good command and accuracy,” said an AFC national scout. “Don’t think the arm is high end but won and produced everywhere. Somewhat similar to Bryce Young and is bigger. Not quite the improviser or brain of Bryce, but similar.”
Sources say that if Mensah stays consistent, they think he could go high in the first round. However, it is still early in the process, as the college football season hasn't reached the halfway point. In my latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft, I have Mensah going off the board quickly, and team sources think Mensah will have a starter grade and be a first-round pick next April.
C.J. Carr, QB, Notre Dame
Carr was superb against North Carolina and gave pro evaluators another tape showing that he is a potential franchise quarterback. On a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Faison, Carr displayed his downfield accuracy and intelligence. He looked off the safety and moved him with his eyes, and then lofted in a perfect strike, leading Faison open in the middle of the end zone for the score. Carr’s next throw was a touchdown as well. After a Tar Heels’ interception. Carr had perfect ball placement in the front corner of the end zone, and Jadan Greathouse made a leaping grab for a touchdown. At the opening of the second quarter, Carr threw his third touchdown pass. Faison got wide open in busted coverage, and Carr led Faison a bit too much, but the talented receiver made a fabulous diving catch for a 39-yard touchdown.
The Fighting Irish defense and special teams allowed the Tar Heels back in the game. Midway through the third quarter on a fourth-and-goal, Carr drew North Carolina offsides with a hard count, and when the play broke down, Carr rolled out before darting upfield and diving into the end zone for a huge touchdown. On the next possession, Carr made a good read with a short touchdown pass to Nolan James Jr. Carr finished completing 21-of-29 passes for 234 yards with four touchdown passes and one rushing. Carr showed his excellent accuracy, decision-making, field vision, and ability to work through progressions. He also displayed a quality arm and functional mobility. This tape will help Carr to be a first-round pick next April.
Jordan Faison, WR, Notre Dame
Faison totaled 132 yards on eight catches with two touchdowns. This was a great tape for Faison. He showed excellent route-running to create separation with the speed to challenge defenses downfield. For the NFL, Faison could be a shifty slot receiver who also lines up outside to stretch the secondary. Along with being a good receiver, Faison is a weapon as a punt returner. He could be a nice third- or fourth-round pick who provides a good value for that selection.
Boubacar Traore, DE, Notre Dame
Traore was superb against North Carolina. Traore used a long arm to beat the right tackle and smashed Billy Edwards as he threw. Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa caught the wounded duck and returned it about 20 yards to the 12-yard line. On the next drive, Traore powered through a tight end to get into the backfield to make a tackle for a loss in run defense. In the second quarter, Traore went upfield against the right tackle, but he showed his effort to turn and chase and make a tackle five yards downfield to get a tackle on a wide receiver screen. Traore used a speed rush in the fourth quarter to come close to another sack and force a third-down incompletion. This was an excellent tape from Traore showing his ability to beat tackles with speed around the edge, power to go through him, toughness as a run defender, and a good motor to run to the ball. This tape will help Traore to be an early-round pick next April.
Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
Going against Miami speedster Malachi Toney, Hampton produced an excellent tape. In the second quarter, Hampton was matched up on Toney and was called for a holding. Toney was about to break free, but Hampton yanked on his shoulder pad to hold him back. Shortly later, Hampton stayed close enough to Toney on a crossing route to get a tackle along the sideline and force a third down. A few plays later, Hampton was close to Toney, and Hampton slapped the ball out of Toney’s hands for an incompletion. Early in the third quarter, Hampton had a great play to get his defense off the field on a fourth down. He was matched up against Toney, playing off man coverage. Toney ran at Hampton, then juked before slanting towards the middle of the field. Hampton triggered and broke downhill with impressive twitch for a big corner, and he used his length to slap the pass away. It was a phenomenal play in coverage from Hampton.
Overall, this was a great tape from Hampton. It showed that he has quality twitch, speed, and explosion to be able to match up against speed receivers. Hampton already has the size and length to handle big wideouts, but this tape answered any questions about whether he has enough speed. This tape will be huge for Hampton in months to come and could push him into the top half of the first round.
Bryant Wesco Jr., WR, Clemson
The Clemson offense has struggled all season, but one player who stepped up and provided some big plays against Miami was wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. Early in the game, Wesco showed a nice run after the catch after a short pass in the flat. Later in the first half, Wesco made a nice leaping grab in a crowd of defenders for a 21-yard gain on a third down. Wesco had some other short catches with nice runs to move the chains for the Tigers. In the fourth quarter, Wesco caught a pass along the sideline and broke a tackle before breaking down the sideline for a 55-yard gain. It was a rough night for Clemson and their offense, especially with Wesco being the lone bright spot as he caught nine passes for 152 yards. This was a good tape for Wesco that will help his draft grade. He showed quickness and good route-running to get open, with run-after-the-catch ability. Wesco might be a potential day-two pick if he were to enter the 2027 NFL Draft.
2027 NFL Draft Stock Down
Dylan Stewart, DE, South Carolina
Stewart has had a frustrating start to the 2026 season. After missing two games while recovering from injuries, Stewart has been quiet since returning to the field. He also had some dumb penalties against Alabama, showing a lack of composure. With Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons off to a great start, Stewart no longer looks like the favorite to be the first edge rusher drafted next April. Stewart needs to start stacking some good tape and produce in the pass rush to keep his high draft status intact.
Walt