Early draft rankings can change quickly as the season brings tougher matchups and exposes areas that need improvement. One poor performance may not hurt a prospect's stock much, but repeated issues can make NFL scouts take a closer look at his weaknesses.

Here are five 2027 NFL Draft prospects whose stock could slip if their recent struggles continue.

5. Ty Benefield, S, LSU

Against Ole Miss, Ty Benefield's physical tools were not the problem. His tackling technique was.

According to Fox Sports, the LSU safety was caught lunging toward the ball several times instead of taking controlled angles and finishing the play. That can be costly at the next level, where ball carriers are quicker and mistakes in pursuit can turn into big gains.

Benefield stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 215 pounds, giving him the size and speed teams look for in a safety. He has enough athletic ability to make plays in space, but scouts will also want to see more consistency when he arrives at the ball.

4. Jyaire Hill, CB, Michigan

Four receptions allowed against Iowa, with each resulting in either a first down or a touchdown, made Jyaire Hill's latest outing difficult to overlook.

The Michigan cornerback's bigger issue, though, has been his tendency to guess on routes. When that happens, receivers can create separation before Hill has a chance to recover.

His size gives him an advantage, but that alone will not be enough against NFL receivers. Hill needs to show that he can stay patient, read routes better and remain attached in coverage.

3. Xavier Chaplin, OT, Florida State

At 6-foot-8 and 346 pounds, Xavier Chaplin has the kind of frame that immediately attracts attention. His performance against Alabama also showed the challenge that comes with moving that much size against quick pass rushers.

Chaplin surrendered multiple pressures and struggled when Alabama's edge defenders used speed and counters. His movement in those situations will be something scouts continue to watch, particularly as he faces more talented defensive fronts.

There is still plenty of time for him to change the conversation. Upcoming games against Louisville, Miami and Clemson will provide difficult tests and could play a major role in determining whether Chaplin stays in the first-round discussion.

2. Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville

The numbers from Isaac Brown's first two seasons at Louisville explain why expectations were so high entering 2026. He scored 18 touchdowns and averaged 7.73 yards per carry during that span.

His production has taken a step back this season, with his average falling to 4.1 yards per carry.

Brown also added weight, moving from 186 to 198 pounds. The extra size was meant to help him handle a bigger workload, but it has also coincided with less of the suddenness that previously made him such a dangerous runner.

1. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

For LaNorris Sellers, the concern goes beyond one difficult loss.

South Carolina's 49-18 defeat to Alabama featured several costly decisions from the quarterback, including a pick-six where he failed to account for the underneath defender. Those mistakes become harder to ignore when viewed alongside his recent turnover numbers.

Sellers went from an 18:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2024 to 13:8 in 2025. This season, he is at 6:4. His physical upside remains obvious, but NFL teams will need to know whether he can consistently make the right decisions with the ball.

He has already made 28 career starts, so the coming weeks will be important for showing more consistency. Continued turnovers could make it harder for him to hold his place among the top prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft class.

With the season still going, the next few games could tell us a lot about these prospects. A strong response could keep their names high on draft boards, while more mistakes may push them in the other direction.

Written by

Divyanshi Raj