The 2026 college football season kicks off in a matter of weeks, which means it’s officially open season on preseason overreactions.
As programs lock in their starters for the season, NFL scouts and front offices are ramping up their own evaluations, work that runs straight through to the 2027 NFL Draft.
The draft may still be months away, but there’s no better time to get acquainted with the names at the top of the board. Using PFN’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator, let’s try to predict what may happen in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft.
1. New York Jets (via proposed trade with ARI)
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Kicking off this mock draft with some fun, no team in 2027 will have more draft capital to move up than the New York Jets. In fact, they can move up and still keep another first-round selection, which is what we did in this trade-up for Texas Longhorns gunslinger Arch Manning.
Missing out on Dante Moore and opting to revamp their defense in 2026, New York could go all in on finding a new franchise quarterback next draft, and who better than the current Heisman favorite?
Compiling 36 total touchdowns last season, Manning will look to strengthen his college football resume with a push to a national championship, but he will need to clean up some mechanics to be the clear-cut QB1 in 2027.
2. Miami Dolphins
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
It’d be a parade inside Miami Gardens if the Dolphins selected the hometown hero Jeremiah Smith in the 2027 NFL Draft, and it’s actually not too far-fetched of an idea when you consider Miami is heading for a legitimate rebuild year behind Malik Willis.
There’s no doubt Smith will be selected within the top five picks of the NFL Draft next year. At a current prospect score of 93.48, the Ohio State product has been considered a top pick since he came out of high school.
Now with just one more season to go before he is draft eligible, a team like Miami, whose receiver room has no weapon close to Smith’s caliber, could bring home one of Florida’s best talents in recent years.
3. Arizona Cardinals (via proposed trade with NYJ)
Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
Continuing the fun in this mock draft, let’s say Arizona and Carson Beck do work out, with the former Hurricane turning into the team’s starting QB. This now opens up a few possibilities for Arizona, including a shot at one of the top defensive prospects in the class.
Trading down with New York to collect another first-rounder and possibly more capital, the Cardinals will be able to land my preseason No. 1 EDGE: South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart.
Coming back fully recovered from a foot injury, the 6-foot-5 Stewart is expected to dominate for the Gamecocks this season, which could firmly place him in conversations as the best defensive prospect in the class.
4. Cleveland Browns
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Based on what’s being thrown around at the Cleveland Browns’ training camp, it does not seem like Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson will be the team’s franchise quarterback.
This now puts the Browns back in the hunt for a quarterback, and who better at this spot than the No. 1-ranked quarterback on the PFN Big Board, Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore?
Moore was pegged as an early first-rounder last season, but opted to return to school for another season, which could make or break his stock at QB. Still, following a 30-touchdown passing season, if Moore can display the same traits he did last year, the sky is the limit for his draft stock.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
New Longhorns receiver Cam Coleman was one of the biggest transfers of the offseason, and he now has the potential to go in the first round if he can put together a big season with Arch Manning in 2026.
He dealt with inconsistent quarterback play at Auburn for two seasons, but still showed flashes of a true X receiver on the outside with a well-built and athletic 6-foot-3 frame.
His body control and acceleration off the line are elite for his size, making Coleman a dynamic weapon to look out for this season, especially for a team like the Raiders, who (like the Dolphins) don’t have any receiver to rave about on paper.
6. Atlanta Falcons
Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
With Michael Penix Jr. coming back from injury and Bijan Robinson signing a massive extension this offseason, reaffirming the offensive line seems to be the smartest move for Atlanta in this mock.
At 6-foot-5, LSU’s Jordan Seaton has become a consensus OT1 for most draft analysts heading into the 2026 season, and honestly, for good reason.
He’s arguably the best pass protector in the draft, and he will have a real chance to prove it this season against SEC competition. Plus, the explosiveness, physicality, and twitch he brings in a lean 307-pound frame are going to entice any team looking for a new blindside blocker.
7. Tennessee Titans
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
The Tennessee Titans have set themselves up nicely to build off a young core on both sides. The only glaring defensive need seems to be a true lockdown corner on the outside, which they can address in 2027 by selecting Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore.
Coming off a year in which he ranked as the third-best cornerback in the nation in PFN’s CB Impact Score (with a grade 93.8), Moore is widely expected to be the best available cornerback in next year’s draft.
From his 6-foot-2 size and length that he boasts, to the quick-twitch teams covet in an NFL player, Moore brings plenty to the table as a potential CB1. Another lockdown year in South Bend will only solidify what scouts already know about Moore’s capabilities.
 8. Pittsburgh Steelers (via proposed trade with CAR)
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (FL)
Aaron Rodgers has already made it clear that this is going to be his final year in the NFL, which means the Pittsburgh Steelers need to think about the future and think fast. Yes, Drew Allar and Will Howard are both intriguing options, but with the QB talent in this loaded class, Pittsburgh has to take a swing at one.
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Enter Darian Mensah, the Miami transfer quarterback who’s found success at both Tulane and Duke en route to a potential first-round selection if he has a solid season with the Hurricanes.
Already with an ACC Championship under his belt, Mensah now looks to contend for a national championship in Miami and has all the weapons around him to do so. A big year at Miami would provide a huge boost to his already impressive draft profile.
9. New Orleans Saints
Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
The New Orleans Saints will be in the market for a few defensive needs following this season. Perhaps the most important is bolstering their pass rush, which New Orleans can do by drafting Texas EDGE Colin Simmons.
Per the PFN Big Board, Simmons currently ranks as the consensus No. 1 EDGE with an 89.82 prospect score. By every trait seen on film, he is certainly considered a blue-chip prospect for the upcoming season.
Coming off a 12-sack season accompanied by 3 forced fumbles, Simmons has proven to be a problem on the edge, almost demanding a double team from offenses if they don’t want their backfield disrupted. His motor and IQ at the position are elite, making him another prospect to watch this season.
10. New York Giants
David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
D.J. Reader will head into his age-33 season next year, so the New York Giants may be inclined to find a replacement once the veteran’s two-year deal comes to an end. Oklahoma’s David Stone could be a player that New York watches closely this season, as defensive prospects have been a heavy focus in their previous draft classes.
Stone’s 2025 season saw the defensive lineman log a PFN DT Impact Score of 85.9, which ranked No. 4 in the nation at his position. He also put together an impressive 5% tackle-for-loss percentage against the run, making him a headache for offensive coordinators to gameplan against.
Mixing up his looks from the 0-tech, 3-tech, and 4i, Stone’s versatility is a big reason scouts are going to love the 6-foot-3 defensive lineman.
11. Washington Commanders
Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
It’s always hard to predict when a safety will go in the draft because of the outlook on the position. Still, recent drafts have shown that the role is becoming much more coveted, putting Notre Dame’s Tae Johnson on several radars, including the Washington Commanders’.
While Nick Cross and Jeremy Reaves are likely to start this season, it’s hard to see the Commanders entrusting those two with the future of their last line of defense. Their secondary needs a ton of help, and what better way to address it than by adding a potential blue-chip safety?
12. Arizona Cardinals (via proposed trade with NYJ)
Omarion Miller, WR, Arizona State
Thanks to their newfound draft capital from their proposed trade with the Jets in this mock draft, Arizona can potentially find its next weapon. This time, they land an in-state receiver from ASU, where Omarion Miller is poised to have a big year following his transfer from Colorado.
A speedster who threatens to break off a big gain after any catch, Miller will have every opportunity to show off his capabilities as a WR1 in Kenny Dillingham’s offense. If Arizona is not happy with Marvin Harrison Jr.’s production after this season, perhaps it will be time to find a new No. 1 option.
13. Minnesota Vikings
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
For the sake of this pick, let’s say Kyler Murray has a revitalizing season and winds up as the Minnesota Vikings’ QB1 following his prove-it year. That could force the Vikings to consider reinforcing their offensive line and selecting one of the top offensive tackles in the class, like Texas’ Trevor Goosby.
At a massive 6-foot-7, Goosby’s 2025 PFN OL Impact Score of 89.1 placed him a spot in the top 25 in the nation, as he allowed just three sacks all season, proving to be a true enforcer on the Longhorns’ offensive line.
14. Carolina Panthers (via proposed trade with PIT)
A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
Trading down to add more draft capital and still landing one of the top defensive tackles in the draft, Carolina can select Oregon’s A’Mauri Washington to help bring in some explosiveness and youth to the defensive side of the trenches.
In his first season as a starter, Washington logged a commendable PFN DT Impact Score of 79, as Washington made his name known for the 2027 class.
With another season of refinement at Oregon in 2026, the 6-foot-3 DT could mold himself into one of the first defensive tackles off the board.
15. New York Jets
Austin Siereveld, OG, Ohio State
Taking the first guard off the board in Ohio State’s Austin Siereveld, New York lands arguably the best offensive guard in the class.
After selecting a first-round tackle in 2024 and 2025, the next step for the Jets in rebuilding their line is an inside talent like Siereveld, who can play both guard and center.
In 2025, he didn’t allow a single sack in pass protection, which helped put the linemen’s PFN OL Impact Score at 83.9, marking him as one of the top interior players in the entire country.
16. Chicago Bears
Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
After back-to-back seasons that saw Clemson’s Ashton Hampton log a minimum PFN CB Impact Score of 83.0, the 6-foot-2 corner is now contending for the CB1 spot in the 2027 NFL Draft. For the Chicago Bears, going with a cornerback makes a lot of sense after dealing with multiple secondary injuries and already investing in safety last year.
Allowing just a 73.1 QB rating in coverage for 2025, Hampton has proven to have all the makings of a lockdown corner on the outside. He’ll need to clean up his penalties, which have been a knock to his game among scouts, but with a solid year in 2026, he could be a sure-fire first-rounder.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
It’s time the Cincinnati Bengals stop ignoring the glaring need for a new safety and just pull the trigger on one in the 2027 NFL Draft. Georgia’s KJ Bolden would be an excellent grab for the Cincinnati defense, as he’d bring an array of playing and physicality they have not had in the secondary for quite some time.
Listed on PFN’s Big Board as the second-best safety available, Bolden will need another big year of SEC play to prove he’s worth that first-round selection, but coming off a PFN Safety Impact Score season of 91.6, it’s certainly possible for the Georgia product.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars
Carter Smith, OG, Indiana
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Trevor Lawrence to a massive five-year, $275 million contract extension in June 2024. Still, keeping your QB happy goes beyond paying him; you also must keep him protected. With that in mind, the Jaguars may be keen to look for another offensive tackle in next year’s draft.
Carter Smith has been an anchor for Indiana’s offensive line at the tackle position, allowing very few sacks in his time as a starter. Still, size and arm length would suggest that a move inside to guard at the NFL level is where Smith can get the most bang for his buck and potentially become an All-Pro-caliber player.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Justin Scott, DT, Miami (FL)
Vita Vea has requested a trade and he’s entering the final year of his contract, so the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will definitely need to think about the future of their defensive line. That could have them dip into the Miami (FL) factory once again, but this time for DT Justin Scott.
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Ranked as the No. 1 DT on PFN’s Big Board, Scott’s explosiveness off the line and alignment versatility will make him a prospect that teams will watch closely this season. For Tampa Bay, pairing Scott with his former teammate Rueben Bain Jr. could be a potent recipe for disrupting opposing offenses.
20. San Francisco 49ers (via proposed trade with DEN)
Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
No team gets bit by the injury bug quite like the 49ers, especially the team’s wide receiver room in recent seasons. This could put San Francisco in a position to be aggressive next year and go after one of the top WR prospects in the draft, like Indiana’s Nick Marsh.
At 6-foot-3, Marsh is a well-built pass catcher who dealt with some weak QB play at Michigan State, but after transferring to Indiana, he looks to firmly show scouts and college football fans that his elite play was not just flashes.
21. Houston Texans
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is an eye-popping talent when you watch his film from 2024 and 2025. His size and physicality immediately garner attention, but he’ll need a healthy year to be considered a contender for the No. 1 LB spot in the 2027 NFL Draft.
For a team like the Houston Texans, whose identity is based around their talented defense, adding an uber-athletic talent like Viliamu-Asa could be a no-brainer in the first round next year.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Kenyatta Jackson Jr., EDGE, Ohio State
For teams looking for size and power off the edge, Ohio State’s Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is going to have those scouts salivating. Playing in an NFL-style defense for Matt Patricia, Jackson flashes plenty of versatility between the 3-tech and 4i.
At 6-foot-6, his massive length only adds to the physical pressure he can bring to the table. For the Philadelphia Eagles, their pass-rush room is severely in need of some juice, which Jackson can provide.
23. Detroit Lions
Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
It’s kind of a no-brainer for the Detroit Lions to go after a cornerback in next year’s draft. From losing Terrion Arnold to having a lackluster CB room on paper, the Lions should be in the market for an NFL-ready corner who can make an impact immediately.
Insert Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, a true mirror cornerback who can give even the top receivers problems in one-on-one coverage. He’ll need to add more weight to his 6-foot frame, but he already checks off plenty of NFL-ready boxes scouts will like.
24. Los Angeles Chargers
Greg Johnson, OG, Minnesota
After Omarion Hampton’s injury impacted his rookie season, the Los Angeles Chargers could try to continue reinforcing the inside of their offensive line. If that means taking the best available lineman at the time of the draft, then so be it.
In this case, that puts Minnesota’s massive offensive guard Greg Johnson in a position to go late in the first round. Coming off a season where he allowed just a 2.9% dropback pressure rate, Johnson could contend for the title of best guard in the class depending on how his 2026 campaign goes.
25. New England Patriots
Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
Paying Milton Williams a massive extension and finding a gem with Christian Barmore, New England’s next box on defense to check off is the interior defensive line, which Ole Miss Rebels DT Will Echoles can help take care of.
He earned a first-team All-SEC nod following an impressive 2025 campaign that saw him log an 82.6 PFN DT Impact Score. Still under 21 years old, Echoles’ skill set is further along than his age would suggest and will only improve as he continues to develop.
26. Denver Broncos (via proposed trade with SF)
Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
By trading down, the Denver Broncos lock in more draft capital, but a big reason for this move is that Denver seems like the only team in play for a tight end in the first round. Oregon’s Jamari Johnson comes into 2026 as a top-20 prospect on PFN’s Big Board, making him the only tight end worthy of a first-round look right now.
For Denver, the Evan Engram addition was a huge miss. The combo of Adam Trautman and Justin Joly may show some flashes this season, but if they want an athletic weapon at tight end who can help Bo Nix stretch the field, then Johnson is the tight end to watch out for next year.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
Kelley Jones is one of the most intriguing prospects during this upcoming season, as the 6-foot-4 cornerback has begun to climb up draft boards thanks to his unparalleled size and length at the position.
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His fluidity and twitch at his size are uncanny, making him a potential CB1 in the NFL with the right development. After posting an 87.2 PFN CB Impact Score last season, a big year for Jones would likely make him a first-rounder.
28. Kansas City Chiefs
Melvin Siani, OT, Texas
There are a few ways the Kansas City Chiefs can go in the first round, but after adding Kenneth Walker III to the backfield, perhaps beefing up the offensive line with a player like Longhorns transfer Melvin Siani is the right way to go.
At Wake Forest in 2025, Siami impressively allowed no sacks, which the Longhorns hope will carry over into the 2026 season. He’ll need to clean up the penalties, which have been costly in yardage, but other than that, Siami has all the makings of an NFL lineman.
29. Baltimore Ravens
Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
One of the more physical corners in the class, Alabama’s Zabien Brown would be a great addition to the Ravens’ secondary. Baltimore is in need of some new corners, as players like Chidobe Awuzie and Marlon Humphrey are unlikely to be with the team after this season.
Listed at 6-foot, Brown’s combination of speed and physicality will be enticing to defensive scouts. His IQ at the position and ability to stay disciplined, though, are his bread and butter that will make him a first-rounder.
30. Seattle Seahawks
Quincy Rhodes Jr., EDGE, Arkansas
The Seattle Seahawks’ edge rushers aren’t getting any younger, and it’s clear they need to start thinking about the future of their defensive line alongside Byron Murphy II. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 273 pounds, Arkansas’ Quincy Rhodes Jr. is a behemoth of a pass rusher with plenty of NFL capabilities.
With versatility in the 7-tech, 5-tech, 4i, and 3-tech alignments, Rhodes’ explosiveness and bend will put him at the top of some draft boards, including a team like Seattle, which definitely needs to have Rhodes on its radar.
31. Buffalo Bills
Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
Adding DJ Moore is a big-time get for the Buffalo Bills, who haven’t had a premier wideout since Stefon Diggs was on the squad. Still, one receiver may not be enough to get Buffalo over the playoff hump and into Super Bowl territory, although anything is possible this season.
Still, drafting another weapon for Josh Allen makes the most sense for a team that wants to maximize one of the game’s best arms. Charlie Becker out of Indiana will be a part of a dynamic one-two punch with Nick Marsh, which could put the two firmly in first-round contention just like last year’s duo of Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt.
32. Cleveland Browns
Whit Weeks, LB, LSU
Expected to bounce back to 100% health following ankle surgery in January, LSU’s Whit Weeks could be one of the first linebackers off the board and a potential first-rounder if he returns to the dominant form he displayed before being sidelined.
Cleveland always seems to have a nose for solid defenders, and Weeks seems like a player who’s built perfectly for their scheme, which allows linebackers to flourish as athletes against the run and pass. If Weeks is healthy, he may even go higher than this as the LB1.
