These 4 defenders are rising fast on 2027 NFL Draft boards and could crash the top 50 conversation by spring
A handful of college defenders have popped on film over the last few weeks. Who could become the surprise darling of the 2027 NFL Draft cycle?
The 2027 NFL Draft conversation is starting to take shape, and a few defenders have made a jump over the last several weeks.
My co-host Joe DeLeone and I went through the latest film looking for risers who could push their way into the top 50. Four names stood out: Tennessee safety Dejuan Lane, Nebraska linebacker Owen Chambliss, Penn State cornerback Audavion Collins, and Indiana safety Amari Ferrell.
Some of these players were already on the radar. Others were barely mentioned before the season. All four have the tools to climb as draft season heats up.
Tennessee S Dejuan Lane
Lane is a 6-2, 215-pound junior safety who started his career at Penn State before landing with the Volunteers. He was everywhere against Alabama this past week.
Lane picked off a pass while playing the mid-hole and broke up a deep throw from the middle of the field. He also logged an early tackle for loss and was sharp with his fits in the run game.
What stands out most is the versatility. Tennessee plays him in the box, in the mid-hole, in two-high looks, and as a single-high safety. Lane now has three interceptions and a couple of sacks this fall, so the Vols are clearly finding ways to use him everywhere.
If you ask me, he has a Derwin James feel to his game from a size, length, and versatility perspective. Lane does have more eligibility after this year, but he is going to get drafted high, whether that is in 2027 or 2028.
Nebraska LB Owen Chambliss
Chambliss transferred from San Diego State to Nebraska, and he looks like a completely different player physically. At San Diego State, I saw him as a thinner space player who lined up at overhang a lot at around 6-3, 230 pounds. He is up to 240 pounds now with the Cornhuskers and playing much more in the box, while still holding up in space.
Here’s my comp: KJ Wright. Wright was one of the most unsung heroes on those great Seattle Seahawks defenses because he was uncommonly good in space for a bigger linebacker. Chambliss has that same trait. He is smooth athletically, has good range, and can legitimately cover big tight ends and big slot receivers.
He dealt with an injury to start the year, but Chambliss is coming off a 15-tackle performance with two tackles for loss in a loss to Oregon. He is only a true junior, and there is tremendous upside here.
Penn State CB Audavion Collins
This one came from me randomly texting Joe this week. Collins is a strange case. He is a redshirt senior who has been at Penn State for a while, and this is his first year breaking out for coach Matt Campbell.
He measured 5-11 and a quarter, 181 pounds on the National Football Scouting list, but carried a seventh-round grade entering the season. In other words, he was not really on the radar. That is changing in a hurry.
Between his track background and his testing profile, Collins looks like a player who will run in the 4.3s at the NFL Scouting Combine. He gave me some Trae Waynes vibes. Waynes was not a great NFL player, but he could fly. Collins needs to be more physical and better in the run game. That said, he can run with anybody.
Joe is convinced Collins will be the random darling everybody discovers in March. I think he is right. Collins is going to be the guy who runs a 4.32 and suddenly has people talking first round.
Indiana S Amari Ferrell
Ferrell is a player we have liked in the past, but his 2025 season felt stagnant. That is why his performance against Ohio State caught DeLeone’s attention. He forced multiple turnovers, flew all over the field, and spent most of the afternoon on Jeremiah Smith, which few teams have been able to handle.
Joe pointed to the frame, versatility, and instincts as the big selling points. He sees Ferrell as a second- or third-round defensive back, the type of smart, heady player a team like the Seahawks would use in multiple ways. Joe also would not be shocked if Ferrell made a Pro Bowl or two with the right defensive coordinator.
Situationally, Ferrell reminds me of Kamari Ramsey. Ramsey was a really good safety in last year’s class who slid to the fifth round after a banged-up season at USC. Now, folks around the Houston Texans are excited about his future on the back end in DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
I could see Ferrell going in the fourth or fifth round in what is already a loaded safety class. From the sound of it, he could end up as a mid-round steal for whichever team understands how to use him correctly.
