Cleveland Browns monitor 2027 NFL Draft prospects during college football opening week
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 1:54 PM
Last updated Sep 3, 2026

Cleveland Browns front office personnel are tracking specific college football prospects during the opening week of the season on September 3 and September 4. The organization is focusing scouting efforts on five positions: quarterback, edge rusher, defensive line, and cornerback. Notable players under review include Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons and Illinois cornerback Xavier Scott during Thursday's slate. Friday's schedule features evaluations of Oklahoma prospects including quarterback John Mateer, edge rushers Taylor Wein and Adepoju Adebawore, and defensive linemen David Stone and Jayden Jackson. The team is also monitoring talent at Miami (FL), such as quarterback Darian Mensah and defensive lineman Justin Scott. This scouting process will continue throughout the season as the team builds its draft board for the 2027 class, with emphasis on both high-round targets and secondary-round prospects.
- •Scouts are observing Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons and Illinois quarterback Katin Houser on Thursday.
- •Defensive prospects including Harris Smith and Thomas Collins are subject to scouting reviews.
- •Colorado cornerbacks Randon Fontenette and Boo Carter are highlights for Thursday's game.
- •Friday scouting focuses on Oklahoma and Miami (FL) rosters including John Mateer and Darian Mensah.
- •The evaluation process covers quarterbacks, edge rushers, defensive linemen, and cornerbacks.
- 1:54 PMYahoo Sports — 2027 NFL Draft Prospects for Browns fans to watch on Sept. 3 and 4
"Thursday and Friday ahead of Week 1 of the college football schedule is loaded with talent.
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