As we hit the midpoint of the 2026 season, the NFL Draft picture is coming into focus for some prospects. However, for others, the level of competition just hasn’t been there, so it’s been difficult to form strong opinions. Of the prospects in Week 7, Carter Smith is one such example, but it was a fun matchup, and well worth the wait.
2027 NFL Draft Watch: Evaluating Prospects in Week 7
Evaluating Prospects in Week 7: Carter Smith (Offensive Tackle, Indiana)
Smith is in his fourth year starting at left tackle for the Hoosiers. That experience and durability will appeal to NFL front offices and offensive line coaches alike.
He’s listed at 6’5″, 310 pounds, but the key concern for him is lack of arm length, which was on show in this one. Smith couldn’t reach someone like Kenyatta Jackson Jr., so he had to resort to bending at the waist just to get into Jackson. That left him off-balance, and there were times when Jackson got wins as he was able to swim or push-pull/shed Smith.
When not up against someone with long arms, Smith looked solid in pass protection. He has quick feet and sets up smoothly, showing the ability to slide back inside smoothly to stop any inside rushes. He battles away with his hands, and once he locks onto his man, he tends to win the rep.
Smith does need to develop his anchor, though. He got walked back into Josh Hoover on one rep and to lesser extents on other reps. At times, his feet get wide, and he tries to use that as his anchor rather than sitting and relying on his lower body anchor strength.
Smith is tough and gritty as a run blocker. He fits a zone-heavy scheme best, where his movement skills are solid.
Nice work from Indiana left tackle Carter Smith on this running play. Smith is tough and gritty – NFL offensive line coaches will really like him.#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/mmE878Wb9e
— Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) October 19, 2026
Overall, he’s the type of prospect that doesn’t always look clean on tape, but his toughness will appeal to NFL offensive line coaches when they get involved in the process. In that way, he’s similar to Clemson’s Blake Miller from the 2026 NFL Draft.
Evaluating Prospects in Week 7: Conner Weigman (Quarterback, Houston)
Conner Weigman, you may remember, was at Texas A&M, and in some early mock drafts in the summer of 2024, he had first-round grades, including from ESPN’s Matt Miller. He then struggled for A&M and lost his starting job. Courtesy of the transfer portal, he was able to move to Houston and has quietly gone about his business.
In a classic Big 12 shootout, Weigman was one of the standout prospects in Week 7, delivering a performance that was anything but quiet. The 6’3″, 210 pound signal caller was 24 from 33 for 343 yards, with five touchdowns and an interception (which was on a tipped pass). He also ran for 51 yards, including the run that iced the game.
Weigman has a compact delivery, but at times looks rather like he’s pushing the ball to his target. That said, his arm strength is above average, with the upside of more if he can consistently get his feet right before the throw to allow proper weight transfer.
Weigman showed the ability to work through progressions calmly in this one. He’s comfortable doing so on the move, and throws well rolling to his left, which is not easy for a right-handed quarterback.
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman works through his progressions on this play. Watch his eyes only. Encouraging signs for an NFL projection.#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/VXYULm9zTe
— Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) October 19, 2026
There’s a little hit-and-miss with Weigman’s accuracy, particularly on anticipatory throws. He’ll sometimes lead his man too far, and there were some misses in this despite the strong statistical line. Weigman will also force the ball at times, and was lucky not to be intercepted when he didn’t read a cornerback dropping under his receiver’s route.
Weigman is not afraid to stand in the pocket and take a hit. His number was also called as a runner, where he wasn’t afraid to run between the tackles.
This was an impressive outing, and it’s great to see someone who has largely been forgotten look good. There’s enough there to believe he’ll land in a postseason All-Star game. If he can impress there, given the vaunted 2027 quarterback class is suddenly looking shaky, he has a chance to move up boards.
Evaluating Prospects in Week 7: Austin Simmons (Quarterback, Missouri)
On his return to his former school, Austin Simmons wasn’t helped by a lack of separation from his receivers, drops, penalties and even a missed 27-yard field goal in the second quarter. Despite not getting great help from his receivers, Simmons still finished with 339 yards passing, completing 25 of his 44 passes. He threw his second interception of the season, but it was in garbage time and didn’t impact the game.
Simmons is listed at 6’4″, 220 pounds, but does look a little thin and looks to have a frame that can carry more weight. He’s a good athlete, which is evident in how quickly he gets depth post-snap, as well as when he has to run. His accuracy was tough to judge on a windy day in Oxford; both quarterbacks had issues in this area.
Simmons has a “plus” arm, but he’s not just a flamethrower. He throws with touch, and he has the ability to layer balls beautifully. When the time comes to make a tight window throw, he isn’t afraid to show off his arm strength.
Processing speed is something Simmons needs to improve. This is the key reason why it might be best for him to return to Missouri in 2027. At times in this one, he held the ball too long, and the pocket became muddy; he then struggled more.
Simmons’ accuracy wasn’t as impressive when he couldn’t step into his throws. His weight was on his heels, and his arm angle also dropped at times. He had three passes batted at the line, which is not something a 6’4″ quarterback should be experiencing.
Simmons’ release is elongated, unlike Weigman’s. The ball drops below his hip and is a big target for edge rushers who could knock the ball out. His arm speed is quick, however, and his release still looks quick on tape.
Overall, even in a heavy loss, Simmons’ talent was clear. He needs more experience to improve his processing before being ready for the NFL. Should he declare for the NFL, the lack of starts would be a concern, and he would need to sit for a year or two before being ready for the league.
Evaluating Prospects in Week 7: Justin Scott (Defensive Tackle, Miami)
Justin Scott plays a lot of snaps for Miami. He does get to rotate out for a few plays here and there, but he’s generally on the field, other than the rotation and obvious passing downs.
It used to be that if you showed little as a pass rusher at this position, your NFL Draft value would drop. However, with the NFL using more two-and three-tight end sets, defenses are countering with defensive linemen who can two-gap, or the hybrid gap-and-a-half technique, where a primary gap is attacked, but also have a secondary gap responsibility depending on the play.
This requires defensive linemen who can anchor and who are strong enough to work off blocks. At a listed 6’4″, 303 pounds, Scott looks and plays bigger than his size. He showed an ability to look into the backfield, control his play and shed to make plays; not an easy skill.
Miami defensive tackle Justin Scott (#5, lined up over the center) is an impressive run stuffer. He very much fits the NFL "gap and a half" trend at the position.#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/4f4U7aBboi
— Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) October 18, 2026
Scott didn’t show up that much as a pass rusher, and at times was too high. The number of snaps was partly responsible for this. He didn’t dominate the game, but he was hard to move and was able to get off blocks at times.
He needs greater awareness on screens, as he didn’t feel them well, including one that was a Florida State touchdown. However, on balance, he fits the modern NFL trend. This wasn’t the performance of an obvious first-round pick, but he’s still very much a solid day two prospect.
Evaluating Prospects in Week 7: Ahmad Moten Sr. (Defensive Tackle, Miami)
Moten starts next to Scott. He’s listed at 6’3″, 300 pounds, but looks a lot lighter than Scott. Moten also moves a little better.
The pair form a nice duo, with Scott working two gaps; Moten is free to attack one. There were flashes of his athletic ability in this one, but he didn’t have his best game. He did show how he can convert his athletic ability into a big hit, though.
Miami defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. (#99, over the right guard) with a big hit. He's a little lighter than Justin Scott, and moves a little better. They're a nice pairing.#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/3NNnTVfMYz
— Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) October 18, 2026
Moten struggled to get blockers off his chest. As with Scott, when he was tired, he played too upright. Of the two, Moten didn’t look quite as good, but he still has top 100 traits. He will need to improve his hand use, however.
Evaluating Prospects in Week 7: Lance Heard (Offensive Tackle, Kentucky)
Heard has been earning positive reviews so far this season. At 6’6″, 325 pounds, he’s a big man with long arms and a physical nature.
In pass protection against wide-speed rushers, he has what ex-National Football Post Director of College Scouting, Wes Bunting, would call “chicken wings”. His hands drop with each step he takes; ideally, his hands would remain high, ready to strike. Having said that, his arm length gets him out of trouble, and he knows how to use it to his advantage.
Kentucky left tackle Lance Heard's long arms are on show on this rep. They are very much his get out of jail card against speed rushers.#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/uO6NzAltEG
— Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) October 18, 2026
In the running game, Heard has a reputation for being a punishing blocker. He had one pancake block in the fourth quarter, but wasn’t as violent as his reputation suggested. He’s not the quickest twitch prospect, something that was most evident on combo blocks, where he was slow getting to the linebacker.
Overall, Heard’s size is going to get him a long look by NFL scouts. He’s not the slowest foot athlete, and coupled with his arm length, there’s enough there to suggest he can hold up at tackle in the NFL. He does have some technical things to clean up, but as a pass protector, once he latches onto his man, it’s game over, and there’s always a place for players like this in the league.
The Last Word
Smith was tested by Ohio State this week, in a matchup that was enjoyable to watch. His lack of length might suggest he’ll be better as an NFL guard, but he can be a good one. He doesn’t always look pretty, but he’s someone you want your team to draft.
Of the prospects in Week 7, Weigman is the most interesting. He’s a fascinating story, and someone who has rebounded after losing the starting job at Texas A&M. There is clearly talent there, and wouldn’t it be a fun story if he ends up starting in the NFL down the road?
Simmons is almost what Weigman was at Texas A&M right now. He’s inexperienced, but the talent is obvious. In a perfect world, he would return in 2027, but with this quarterback class not looking as good as expected, it may open up for him to take the plunge.
The two Miami defensive tackles are interesting prospects. Scott fits what the NFL is looking for at the moment best, but Ahmad Moten Sr. also has talent.
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Main Photo Courtesy of Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images