.png){kind=small}
2027 NFL Draft TE Rankings: Jamari Johnson, Trey’Dez Green Lead Early Board
- Brandon Lundberg
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
The top tight end prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft entering summer scouting are led by Oregon’s Jamari Johnson, followed by LSU’s Trey’Dez Green, Texas Tech’s Terrance Carter Jr., Georgia’s Lawson Luckie, and Temple’s Peter Clarke. This early TE ranking separates complete TE1 candidates, move/F tight ends, big-slot weapons, and in-line Y profiles by grade tier, role projection, and 2026 development checkpoints.
For Football Scout 365, this ranking is an early checkpoint before the 2026 college football season. These grades are based on 2025 film, role projection, alignment versatility, receiving value, blocking profile, and translatable NFL traits.
Tight end is one of the most role-dependent positions in the draft. A move tight end, big-slot weapon, traditional Y, and complete TE1 candidate can all carry NFL value, but the projection depends heavily on how each player wins and whether the receiving and blocking profiles can hold up together.
How Football Scout 365 Grades 2027 NFL Draft Tight Ends
These early 2027 NFL Draft TE rankings are built from 2025 film, role projection, alignment versatility, receiving value, blocking profile, and translatable NFL traits. Tight end is one of the most role-dependent positions in the draft, so each player is evaluated by how he wins, where he aligns, and whether the receiving and blocking profiles can hold up together in an NFL offense.
Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Hub Preview
The 2027 NFL Draft Hub is an all-in-one tool built around the Big Board, team needs analysis, and an early predictive mock draft. The Big Board adds a deeper scouting layer, including player grades, in-depth player comparisons, film-room-style video analysis, video profiles, and scheme-fit projections for top 2027 NFL Draft prospects.
More Early 2027 NFL Draft Positional Rankings
The 2027 NFL Draft position rankings organize the class by position, grade tier, scheme fit, and NFL projection.
2027 NFL Draft OL Rankings
2027 NFL Draft DL Rankings
2027 NFL Draft EDGE Rankings
2027 NFL Draft LB Rankings
2027 NFL Draft CB Rankings
2027 NFL Draft Safety Rankings
2027 NFL Draft TE Rankings: Summer Scouting
High-End Starter Potential
Tier Definition: High-End Starter Potential tight ends project as starting-caliber NFL players with defined impact traits. For this position, that can mean a complete TE1 pathway, a high-end move/F receiving role, or a strong two-phase profile with enough receiving and blocking value to become a featured part of an NFL offense.
1). Jamari Johnson | TE | Oregon
Jamari Johnson is the top tight end on the summer board because his profile has the cleanest two-phase pathway. At 6’5”, 257 pounds, he has the size-adjusted athleticism to stretch the seam, create after the catch, and function as a legitimate passing-game mismatch while also bringing real blocking upside. His best fit is in a multiple or pro-spread offense that can align him attached, flexed, and off play action. The ceiling depends on whether his route detail and featured-target consistency match the traits in 2026.
2). Trey’Dez Green | TE | LSU
Trey’Dez Green has the rarest physical mismatch profile in this tight end group. At 6’7”, 240 pounds, he fits the move/F tight end archetype with elite catch radius, vertical receiving value, and red-zone dominance. He can flex into the slot, attack the seam, win through contact, and create basketball-style matchup problems against linebackers and safeties. The concern is whether his blocking strength, in-line technique, and route detail develop enough for him to become more than a high-end receiving specialist.
3). Terrance Carter Jr. | TE | Texas Tech
Terrance Carter Jr. is a move/F tight end with big-slot flexibility, strong receiving instincts, and legitimate YAC value. At 6’2”, 245 pounds, he wins with reliable hands, route feel, body control, and the ability to create after the catch, giving him a clear fit in spread, RPO, play-action, and motion-heavy NFL structures. His grade is built on production, alignment versatility, and passing-game utility. The key 2026 checkpoint is whether his blocking consistency, functional strength, and independent separation keep improving enough to support a larger three-down role.
Mid-Level Starter Potential
Tier Definition: Mid-Level Starter Potential tight ends have NFL starter traits, but the projection carries more role-specific limitations or developmental variables. These players can become quality TE2s, package starters, or eventual low-end TE1 options if the blocking, route detail, strength, or passing-game volume takes the next step.
4). Lawson Luckie | TE | Georgia
Lawson Luckie is a high-upside move tight end with receiving skill, route polish, vertical seam ability, and formation versatility. At 6’4”, 240 pounds, he can align in-line, flexed, or detached, giving offenses a useful matchup piece against linebackers and nickel defenders. His receiving profile gives him a clear NFL pathway in 12-personnel and play-action structures. The concern is whether his functional strength, hand placement, and pass-protection awareness improve enough for true three-down usage.
5). Peter Clarke | TE | Temple
Peter Clarke is the top traditional Y tight end in this early group. At 6’6”, 265 pounds, he brings an attached tight end frame with blocking ability, play strength, catch radius, and contested-catch value. His profile fits 12-personnel offenses that want a true in-line presence with enough seam and red-zone receiving upside to stay on the field. The starting pathway is there, but his 2026 tape needs to show expanded route detail, more separation, and passing-game production that can scale with a larger workload.
2027 NFL Draft TE Rankings: Key Questions
Who is the top tight end in the 2027 NFL Draft rankings?
Jamari Johnson is the No. 1 tight end in the early 2027 NFL Draft TE rankings entering summer scouting. His profile has the cleanest two-phase pathway due to his size-adjusted athleticism, seam-stretching ability, YAC value, receiving-mismatch potential, and legitimate blocking upside.
Who are the top tight ends in the 2027 NFL Draft?
The top tight ends in the 2027 NFL Draft rankings include Jamari Johnson, Trey’Dez Green, Terrance Carter Jr., Lawson Luckie, and Peter Clarke. The group includes complete TE1 candidates, move/F tight ends, big-slot weapons, and traditional in-line Y profiles.
Which 2027 NFL Draft tight ends have TE1 upside?
Jamari Johnson has the cleanest TE1 pathway because he offers both receiving value and blocking upside. Trey’Dez Green and Terrance Carter Jr. also have TE1 upside if their blocking, route detail, and three-down consistency improve in 2026.
How are the 2027 NFL Draft TE rankings built?
The 2027 NFL Draft TE rankings are built from 2025 film, role projection, alignment versatility, receiving value, blocking profile, route utility, hands, YAC ability, play strength, and NFL scheme fit.
Why is the tight end projection role-dependent?
Tight end projection is role-dependent because a move/F tight end, a big-slot weapon, a traditional Y, and a complete TE1 win in different ways. Receiving separation, blocking functionality, alignment versatility, and two-phase value determine how each player translates to an NFL offense.
When will the 2027 NFL Draft TE rankings be updated?
The 2027 NFL Draft TE rankings will update throughout the 2026 college football season as new film, production, injuries, role changes, blocking development, and receiving usage reshape the board.