playMel Kiper Jr.CloseMel Kiper Jr.Football analystMel Kiper Jr. has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on “SportsCenter,” ESPN studio shows and ESPN Radio. He is the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes regularly for ESPN+. and Jordan ReidCloseJordan ReidNFL draft analystJordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio.
He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.Multiple AuthorsOct 11, 2026, 12:15 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsThe biggest storylines coming out of Week 6 of the 2026 college football season include Oklahoma topping Texas, Georgia edging Alabama, Kentucky taking down LSU, UCLA holding off Oregon, North Carolina beating Pitt and South Carolina rolling past Florida.What about the top 2027 NFL draft prospects? Who stood out? Yes, the draft is still about seven months away, but our analysts are always looking down the road, taking early notes on top players and starting to stack their rankings for an exciting class.With that in mind, Mel Kiper Jr. and Jordan Reid will size up college football action through a draft-centric lens on Sundays all season long. They are answering lingering questions on the best 2027 prospects, sharing insights from scouts, picking out risers to watch and pulling back the curtain on their evaluation process.
Here is what they saw and heard through Week 6.Jump to: Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 Week 3 | Week 2Oct. 11Is Arch Manning sliding a bit in the class? Is he still an early-Round 1 prospect?Reid: Manning has two or three plays per game that explain why some scouts still view him as a potential top-10 pick. But those plays are surrounded by too much inconsistency, which is why I have him graded as a Day 2 prospect right now on my QB Hot Board.Manning has a curious way of making routine throws look difficult … and difficult throws look routine. Against Oklahoma, he had a beautiful 41-yard touchdown pass to Cam Coleman in the first quarter, evading pressure and keeping his eyes downfield.
But then he had two egregious fourth-quarter interceptions, one a pick-six to help the Sooners take the lead. He ultimately went 19-for-31 for 260 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Manning has scattershot accuracy throughout games, which is a result of his footwork and mechanics being out of whack. The inconsistencies, turnovers and lack of accuracy is reminiscent of what he showed during the first half of the 2025 season.Could LaNorris Sellers get back into the early-round mix?Reid: Sellers entered this season as one of the most polarizing signal-callers in the class among NFL scouts and evaluators. But the past two weeks — a combined 505 passing yards and seven total touchdowns (six passing, one rushing) against Kentucky and Florida — have definitely been encouraging for him.
On Saturday against the Gators, Sellers went 23-of-35 for 279 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also added 20 rushing yards and a fifth score on 14 carries.After early-season struggles with field vision and chemistry with his perimeter playmakers, Sellers has been able to piece together exciting flashes with his A-level traits. At 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds, his arm power and mobility are two of his greatest assets. Scouts whom I’ve spoken with view Sellers as a middle-to-late-round option.
But if this current trend continues, yes, he certainly has the potential to climb back into the early-round picture. The NFL is a traits-driven league, and Sellers’ arm talent could push a team to take a swing as early as near the end of Day 2.What else are you hearing this week?Kiper: Charlie Becker is getting all the draft love in the Indiana wide receivers room, but don’t sleep on Nick Marsh. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound target has been red-hot the past two games, going 7-120-1 against Rutgers on Oct. 3 before rolling out six catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns against Nebraska on Saturday. The Michigan State transfer mixes physicality with athleticism — he has speed but also makes some tough tight-window catches and fights for the ball.
Marsh hauled in an off-target catch Saturday, showing his improved hands this season. Marsh (who is only 20 years old) is dynamic and could make his way into the first-round conversation.Reid: Missouri running back Jamal Roberts’ draft stock is soaring right now. Taking advantage of Ahmad Hardy’s absence, Roberts has made a claim as a top-five running back in this class. He finished with 222 rushing yards and two scores against Texas A&M, displaying his vision and tackle-breaking ability.
At 6-foot and 216 pounds, he is a tough, rugged and grind-it-out type of runner who is challenging for defenses to bring down over the course of a game. Roberts came into the season with early-to-mid-Day 3 grades, but I think he’s now a potential late-Day 2 selection.play1:06Jamal Roberts punches it in for a Mizzou TDKiper: If you watched Oregon safety Koi Perich on Saturday against UCLA, you’d think he’s a first-rounder. He’s probably going to be a Day 2 pick, but there’s a lot to like in his game. Perich posted 11 tackles and an interception (his second this season) against the Bruins.
He reads the quarterback well and displays good range in center field. And at 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, he’s also a physical enforcer who makes plays downhill against the run. Perich is just always around the ball — going back to his freshman year at Minnesota in 2024, when he had five INTs — using his instincts and speed to impact all phases.Reid: Kentucky center Coleton Price is another prospect whose stock has steadily improved over this season. In a center class that’s still sorting itself out, Price is among the most consistent in the country.
At 6-foot-3 and 308 pounds, he’s a savvy technician with excellent hand placement. On the Wildcats’ first play from scrimmage against LSU, Price paved a beautiful run lane for CJ Baxter (who turned it into a 77-yard run), showing off his powerful hands and ability to sustain at the point of attack. Price was seen as a late-round hopeful coming into the season. Now?
He has a case as one of the top three players at the position. I currently have a fourth-round grade on him, and it has continued to increase over the past month.Kiper: I think Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone could enter the Round 1 discussion. He’s a pure powerhouse, and he pushed the pocket against Texas. Centers can’t handle his strength at 6-foot-3 and 312 pounds.
Now, I’d like to see some more sacks on his résumé, but his on-paper stats simply don’t reflect his on-field impact. Stone is super-disruptive. So while the three career sacks (including 0.5 sacks in 2026) is concerning, scouts will be intrigued by his ceiling. And he did have eight tackles for loss last season.Staying with Oklahoma, I’ll also call out Kip Lewis, the Sooners’ 6-foot-1, 226-pound linebacker who is always around ball.
I love his instincts and the way he shows up every week ready to compete. Lewis is a good name to watch on Day 3.Reid: After being suspended one game following multiple incidents during the Alabama matchup on Sept. 26, South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart made his return against Florida. And he got his first sack of the season, showing why he’s still viewed as a potential top-10 pick. His combination of bend and closing speed are among the best in this class.
Stewart will still have to answer questions about what transpired prior to his suspension — including throwing a punch at an Alabama player and arguing with his coaches — but his talent and overall ceiling arguably tops all defenders in the 2027 class.Kiper: I loved watching Temple tight end Peter Clarke last season, and after a slow start to 2026, he had a big game Saturday aga
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