Jeremiah Smith builds top-two case for 2027 NFL Draft
The Ohio State receiver’s production has positioned him among the leading prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft, although key parts of his evaluation remain unfinished.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is strengthening his case to become one of the first selections in the 2027 NFL Draft, with CBS Sports projecting him as the No. 2 overall pick and a possible candidate to go first.
Smith has recorded 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns across his first two seasons at Ohio State. He opened the current campaign against Ball State with eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
CBS Sports has provisionally awarded Smith a Profile Score of 10 out of 12, measuring his production, efficiency and versatility. The assessment places him among the most complete receiver prospects in the recent draft cycle, while noting that the score is not intended to predict NFL success.
Smith remains ineligible for the draft until after his junior season. His evaluation will also be affected by pre-draft athletic testing, which has not yet taken place. CBS Sports said the outstanding elements of his profile reflect the timing of the process rather than clearly identified weaknesses.
There are still details to monitor during the season. Smith’s yards after catch per reception fell from 6.5 as a freshman to 4.3 last season, while the analysis says he must continue showing that he can win in multiple ways against increased defensive attention.
Recent receivers offer competing precedents. Ja’Marr Chase received a perfect Profile Score and became an elite NFL receiver, while Marvin Harrison Jr., despite entering the league with a highly regarded profile, produced 885 receiving yards as a rookie and 608 in his second season. The comparisons underline that strong college evidence can clarify a prospect’s strengths without guaranteeing his professional outcome.
Smith’s junior season will therefore be less about establishing that he belongs in the top five and more about determining whether the risk of passing on him becomes greater than the risk of selecting him near the top of the draft.
