Mike Renner ranks the top 10 defensive prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft

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This year's defensive class may not have the household names we see on the other side of the ball -- check out my top 10 offensive prospects here -- but there's already some serious blue-chip talent at the top.

Don't be surprised if the top three players on this list factor heavily into the top five next spring. That's how impressive they've already been on tape.

With that in mind, here are my top 10 defensive prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft.

1. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

Watch the USC tape, and you'll understand why Leonard Moore takes the top spot. Not many sophomore corners in college football history can say they put a vice grip on Biletnikoff Award winners. Moore can. He demolished Makai Lemon in their matchup, essentially taking him out of the progression. The long, rangy corner has special press-man ability. We could easily be talking about him as an all-time caliber prospect next spring.

Leonard Moore is elite. Definition of a blue chip CB prospect pic.twitter.com/NuF1LwAOI8

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) April 27, 2026

2. Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina

Dylan Stewart has that know-it-when-you-see-it level of freakish athleticism. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder knifes into backfields like a slot cornerback. He's still more raw talent than polished pass rusher, but that raw talent is off the charts. It won't take more than one or two consistent moves for him to become a serious problem at the next level.

The Dylan Stewart tape is nuts pic.twitter.com/LJkG3Xmfbb

— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) April 29, 2026

3. Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas

Colin Simmons is a tuned-up edge rusher who is easily the best returning pass rusher in the country. He has the ideal body type for a modern edge defender, with long arms despite standing just 6-foot-3. It's hard to envision him falling outside the top 10 next spring.

Colin Simmons pic.twitter.com/bsw1iRE6gg

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) April 28, 2026

4. David Stone, DT, Oklahoma

David Stone has the kind of all-around game the NFL will love. He has the body type to line up anywhere along the defensive interior, where he can win with both strength and quickness. That currently shows up more against the run than as a pass rusher, but he can develop in the latter area. His 22 run stops last season were the third most among returning Power Four defensive tackles.

David Stone doesn’t turn 21 years old until November. The 6’3” 315 pound defensive tackle had 42 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2025. His 13.0% stop rate as a run defender was one of the highest in the country. He is effective on stunts and twists, and had 26 pressures on… pic.twitter.com/ndgcdVdwkw

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) May 2, 2026

5. A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

A'Mauri Washington is a tailor-made athlete for the modern nose tackle role. He has rare explosiveness at 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, which helps him live in opposing backfields. Washington was already a fringe first-rounder on tape last year after his first season as a full-time starter, but he chose to return because he has the tools to go much higher.

Wisconsin stood no chance vs. A'Mauri Washington (or Bear AlexanderO pic.twitter.com/xnHXGaLV3L

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 28, 2025

6. Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State

I'm not sure how a defense like Mississippi State's kept a talent like Kelley Jones under wraps for two seasons, but once he earned a starting role last year, he became a breakout star. Across 375 coverage snaps, the massive corner allowed just 11 catches. That's not a typo. His 28.9% completion rate allowed was the best in the nation. He's a true press corner who can stop receivers in their tracks at the line of scrimmage.

Mississippi State CB Kelley Jones (6-3/195) pic.twitter.com/svzarHJlHo

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) April 26, 2026

7. Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss

Will Echoles showed shades of Walter Nolen while stepping into a bigger role on Ole Miss' interior last season. He has 3-technique athleticism, and it showed against both the run and pass. His 28 run stops last year were tied for the most among returning Power Four defensive tackles. He's also one of the younger draft-eligible players in college football, as he won't even turn 20 until August.

Will Echoles (6’3 315) Ole Miss

✅ Powerful bull rush
✅ Iron man durability for his size, playing 765 snaps during 2025
✅ Ability to hold the point if attack against the run with an 83.2 run defense grade during 2025 season
✅ 39 pressures and 5 sacks in 2025
✅ Still just 19… pic.twitter.com/7TZy281yCD

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) May 2, 2026

8. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame

Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is a hybrid linebacker prospect who can line up on the edge or off-ball and still acquit himself well. He's an overtly physical player who excels at taking on blocks in the run game. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in November, so his status for 2026 remains uncertain.

I think Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (LB/EDGE) could be the guy in 2027 that isn’t getting discussed like the top rushers, but ends up in the top 10 like Arvell Reese is this year. pic.twitter.com/YwDyJ8lfDm

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) April 6, 2026

9. Zach Lutmer, DB, Iowa

Zach Lutmer took to the slot role in Iowa's defense last fall like a fish to water. He not only excelled in coverage, but also in finishing plays around the line of scrimmage. The rising junior is incredibly fluid moving between assignments in a way that could translate to either outside corner or safety at the next level.

Play of the Day No. 281: Iowa Hawkeyes nickel Zach Lutmer with one of my favorite plays from the 2025 season (Iowa vs. Michigan State, 2025). #POTD pic.twitter.com/hCrnvCDdq6

— Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) February 27, 2026

10. Ty Benefield, S, LSU

Ty Benefield was a three-year starter at Boise State before transferring to LSU this spring. He's a 6-foot-3, 205-pound safety with far more range than you'd expect for someone his size. His calling card, though, is his ability to thump downhill as one of the bigger hitters in college football.

Ty Benefield is a safety prospect that is transferring to LSU in 2026. He has great size at 6’3” 205 pounds, has been good in coverage with 66.5, 67.4, and 79.2 grades over the last 3 years. He also brings a ton of experience with over 2,100 snaps played entering 2026. I am not… pic.twitter.com/raRuDpFHqK

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) May 3, 2026