NFL training camps are right around the corner, building excitement for what’s to come in the 2026 regular season. Though many are looking forward to the season kicking off, there’s also plenty to be excited about further down the line with the 2027 NFL Draft class.
A lot will change between now and next April when the selections get made. That said, next year’s draft seems to have the potential to be one of the better classes in recent memory. I don’t think it’s quite up to par with the star-studded 2024 group, but it certainly looks better than the 2025 and 2026 classes, particularly at the quarterback position.
Using the draft order in the free PFN NFL Mock Draft Simulator, here’s my latest first-round projections for the 2027 NFL Draft.
1) Arizona Cardinals
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Though the Arizona Cardinals drafted Carson Beck early in the third round, they’d take a quarterback if they end up with the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. They have no financial ties to Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew beyond this year, and a Round 3 selection isn’t enough to stop Arizona from selecting a potential franchise QB.
Projecting Arch Manning as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was incredibly unfair. It took him a while to get mentally acclimated as Texas’ new starting quarterback last year, but he found his groove down the stretch. He’s a well-built passer with a strong arm, impressive athletic ability, and a natural sense of timing down the field. With each game he plays and he continues to develop, his sky-high ceiling becomes more evident.
2) Miami Dolphins
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
The Miami Dolphins are hardly in shape to compete for a playoff spot in 2026, and a postseason berth feels unlikely in 2027, too. While they could take a quarterback here to push Malik Willis, they have him under contract through at least the end of the 2027 season. A quarterback remains a possibility here, but in this scenario, they stick with the best player available, regardless of position.
It was genuinely difficult to find a weakness in Jeremiah Smith’s game last year. He’s a giant receiver at 6’3″ and 223 pounds with expected physicality and the ball skills and catch radius to win above the rim. However, he’s also an elite athlete with great deep speed, solid stem work early in his route, and good explosiveness, shooting laterally out of his breaks. Smith also has great hands and adjusts his approach to get open vs. man or zone.
3) New York Jets
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
At 35 years old and coming off a season in which he ranked No. 35 out of 38 eligible quarterbacks in PFN’s QB Impact Scoring, Geno Smith is not the long-term answer for the New York Jets at quarterback. They didn’t get the chance to draft a QB early with such a thin class at the position in the 2026 draft, but that changes in this 2027 mock draft.
Dante Moore started living up to that five-star pedigree in his first year starting for Oregon. He has an elastic arm that gets good velocity behind his throws off-platform; he’s creative out of structure; he has ideal athleticism for the quarterback position, and he demonstrated really nice timing in his throws down the field. His post-snap processing was inconsistent in 2025, but with another year to fine-tune his game, he has No. 1 pick potential.
4) Cleveland Browns
Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
Similar to the Dolphins, I could see the Cleveland Browns abandoning their quarterback experiment if they pick this high next April. However, Moore and Manning are both off the board, and it would take a big jump this year from someone like Drew Mestemaker, Julian Sayin, or CJ Carr to pick another QB this early. Instead, they go with the best player available on the board, even if they already have solid talent at this position.
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Dylan Stewart is a lengthy edge rusher with elite athleticism off the edge and a well-built frame that carries his 245 pounds very well at 6’5″. His bend at the top of his arc is great, and he does a good job of sifting through blocks in the run game. He’s also a capable turnover creator, having forced six fumbles in his first two years at South Carolina.
5) Las Vegas Raiders
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
It’s clear that Fernando Mendoza is anticipated to be the Las Vegas Raiders’ franchise quarterback, and he has a smart offensive coach working with him in Klint Kubiak. However, his current group of wide receivers is lackluster, and you can only rely on Brock Bowers for so much. Getting Mendoza his WR1 should be a priority for the Raiders next offseason.
Cam Coleman was a standout at Auburn for two seasons and projects as Manning’s WR1 at Texas this year. He’s 6’3″ and 201 pounds with the physicality and ball skills needed to win on the 50/50 ball. He attacks the ball in the air like a power forward, he bends the stem well to exploit leverage points, and he has better deep speed than most receivers his size.
6) Atlanta Falcons
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Jake Matthews turns 35 years old next February, and Jawaan Taylor is hardly a long-term answer as a starting right tackle. The Atlanta Falcons are going to need to invest early draft capital at the offensive tackle position, regardless of who their starting quarterback of the future will be.
Had Trevor Goosby declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, there’s a good chance we could’ve seen eight offensive tackles picked in the first round. His inexperience as a first-year starter showed at times last year, but he’s an incredibly nimble pass protector with prototypical size and length. He also has the core strength needed to absorb power; he has all the physical tools of a long-term starting left tackle.
7) Tennessee Titans
Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
The Tennessee Titans traded back up into the first round to select Keldric Faulk in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they saw some intriguing flashes from Femi Oladejo as a rookie last year. However, with Jermaine Johnson II in the last year of his current contract, they could use some long-term stability off the edge. Luckily for them, there’s a blue-chip prospect who falls right into their laps.
In his first two seasons at Texas, Colin Simmons tallied 21.0 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss. He’s an elite athlete off the edge with ideal acceleration and flexibility to turn the corner and threaten on the outside speed rush. His pass-rushing arsenal runs deep, his motor is red hot, and he has good awareness against the run to offset his average size.
8) Carolina Panthers
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Many were surprised the Carolina Panthers made the playoffs in 2025, and they have a chance to repeat as NFC South champions this year. They upgraded their front seven by bringing in Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd this offseason, but an upgrade at cornerback alongside Jaycee Horn could be what really takes that defense to the next level.
A unanimous All-American in 2025, Leonard Moore built upon his freshman All-American year by tallying five interceptions last season. The 6’2″, 194-pounder is a smooth mover with fluid hips, quick feet in his backpedal, and very good deep speed defending vertical route concepts.
9) New Orleans Saints
Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
With additions like Jordyn Tyson, David Edwards, and Travis Etienne, the New Orleans Saints’ offense is going in the right direction after their young core showed plenty of promise in 2025. Now, it’s time to load up on defense.
With five interceptions as a redshirt freshman in 2025, Ellis Robinson IV has ball skills like a wide receiver. His body control, hands, and ball-tracking skills are all very impressive for a cornerback. Additionally, he’s an aggressive decision-maker in coverage who acts upon his reads decisively and shows willingness as a downhill tackler.
10) New York Giants
David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
With a defensive front featuring Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Arvell Reese, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the New York Giants might have the best pass rush in the NFL in 2026. However, Thibodeaux is a free agent next offseason, and after trading Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati, defensive tackle remains a massive need for the Giants.
Oklahoma had some talented defensive linemen last year in R Mason Thomas, Gracen Halton, Damonic Williams, and Taylor Wein. However, David Stone was easily the best of the bunch in 2025. He led the Power 4 with an 85.9 PFN DT Impact Score, dominating the interior with elite first-step acceleration, pro-ready pad level, and quick hands that can shed blocks in many different ways.
11) Washington Commanders
KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
The Washington Commanders aggressively attacked their front seven in free agency and the draft this offseason, which should pay off as they look to strengthen their defense. That said, they could use an upgrade at the other starting safety spot alongside new addition Nick Cross, and finding one could give them an extremely well-rounded unit.
KJ Bolden is a versatile defensive back who can line up all over the defensive backfield and make plays, which speaks to his quick mental trigger. His coverage instincts are really impressive, demonstrating fluid hips, good longitudinal agility, proper form as a tackler, and range as a single-high safety.
12) New York Jets (via Colts)
Ahmad Moten Sr., DT, Miami (FL)
After finding their quarterback with the first of their three picks in Round 1 of the 2027 NFL Draft, the Jets have a talented passer with a loaded, young offensive core that heavily consists of draft picks from 2026’s class. Now, they can focus on building up their defense, particularly along a defensive interior that was weak after they traded Quinnen Williams.
With a 25.4% win rate against true pass sets in 2025, Ahmad Moten Sr. is a defensive tackle who can get it done on all three downs. He’s quick off the snap, low to the ground, powerful in his lower half, and has a diverse arsenal of moves he can use to stack and shed blocks. If he can cut down on his missed tackles, he has top-10 potential in this class.
13) Minnesota Vikings
Kade Pieper, C, Iowa
It could make sense for the Minnesota Vikings to focus on the secondary here, seeing as though that was a big need heading into the 2026 NFL Draft and they didn’t do all that much to address it. However, with Ryan Kelly’s retirement, they’ll be starting Blake Brandel at center, who ranked a measly No. 37 among 39 qualified centers in PFN’s OL Impact Scoring last year.
Early in the 2027 NFL Draft process, Kade Pieper is my top center prospect by a mile. Before switching to center for Iowa this year, he dominated at guard with his elite athleticism, coordination, blocking on the move, and accurate strike placement at the initial point of contact. Whether it’s at center or guard, he should be a Day 1 starter in the pros.
14) Pittsburgh Steelers
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (FL)
Since the Kenny Pickett experiment failed, the Pittsburgh Steelers have rotated veteran reclamation projects at quarterback like Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Aaron Rodgers. None of them have been able to get them over the hump of winning a playoff game, which is something the Steelers haven’t done since 2016.
If the aforementioned top young quarterbacks like Mestemarker, Carr, and Sayin all stay in school, I could see Darian Mensah benefitting from those decisions. He’ll be a three-year collegiate starter by the end of 2026 and he’s gotten better each year. He’s an accurate passer with ideal pocket composure, good touch throwing on the move, and nice velocity behind his passes. He’s a skinny pocket passer at this stage, but one with NFL starting tools if he unlocks some more creativity out of structure.
15) New York Jets (via Cowboys)
Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
After taking a cornerback with the first-round pick they got from the Indianapolis Colts, I have the Jets doubling down on their secondary with this pick. Andre Cisco is a free agent after this season, and Minkah Fitzpatrick isn’t what he used to be. Having the chance to load up the secondary with young stars could be extremely enticing.
Considering the safety talent in the 2026 class, it’s even more remarkable that Tae Johnson led the nation in PFN Safety Impact Scoring by a considerable margin last year. He’s a tall, lengthy safety with a large catch radius, and that size helps him as a tackler to the tune of a 3.6% missed tackle rate in 2025. His versatility and ball skills will also entice NFL teams.
16) Chicago Bears
Justin Scott, DT, Miami (FL)
It’s safe to say the Chicago Bears’ defensive line will look much different in 2027 than it does this year, and that’s probably a good thing. Cutting ties with disappointing free agent signings Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett would save a combined $28.5 million in cap space, and Gervon Dexter Sr. will be a free agent. As flashy as his sack totals may be, he’s inconsistent in generating pressure and is a liability against the run.
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This would be a homecoming for Justin Scott, who was a five-star recruit who went to St. Ignatius in Chicago for high school. He has a freakish first step, good alignment versatility along the defensive line, and a strong grip to hold up blocks at the line of scrimmage in run support. Scott’s agility surpasses most defensive tackle prospects, and while the sack production hasn’t been there, he carries ample pass-rushing upside with his athleticism and ability to penetrate opposing backfields.
17) Cincinnati Bengals
Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
The Cincinnati Bengals’ porous defense is in much better shape on paper than it was last year, thanks to aggressive moves in free agency, the draft, and their trade for Dexter Lawrence. That’s not to say it’s a finished product yet, but their moves this offseason make it less dire for them to use their 2027 first-round pick on that side of the ball.
Much like Kenyon Sadiq before him, Jamari Johnson showed elite traits as Oregon’s second-string tight end last year. He was particularly productive in the playoffs with eight catches, 149 yards, and a touchdown in the Ducks’ two games. He’s a sure-handed pass-catcher with elite vertical speed, ball skills, and lateral quickness coming out of his breaks.
18) Jacksonville Jaguars
Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss
When Etienne left in free agency to join the Saints, the Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t make any major moves at running back to replace him this offseason. Bhayshul Tuten has potential to thrive in a bigger role, but this 2027 draft class is really talented at running back, which could make it too difficult for Jacksonville to pass on one here.
Kewan Lacy is an explosive running back with impressive creativity as a downhill runner, outside of the tackles, and out in the open field. His agility and full-field ball-carrier vision make him very tough to stop with the dynamic cuts he’s able to make. He’s also competitive as a pass blocker and tough to bring down with the ball in his hands.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
Long-time starting cornerback Jamel Dean is no longer on the roster, meaning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be relying on second-year cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish to step into bigger roles alongside Zyon McCollum in 2026. While Parrish showed flashes as a rookie, the early returns on Morrison were rough, as he failed to crack the top 100 in PFN’s CB Impact Scoring last season. If that continues this year, Tampa Bay could bring another cornerback into the mix.
With an allowed passer rating of 71.0 in his first two seasons at Alabama, Zabien Brown is a playmaker in coverage who took both of his interceptions back for touchdowns in 2025. He’s sticky in man coverage and can stay in a receiver’s hip pocket with good hip fluidity and route-recognition capabilities. If he improves his effectiveness in off coverage, a top-10 pick is possible.
20) Denver Broncos
Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
You could make a strong argument that the Denver Broncos have the best offensive line in the NFL right now. That said, both Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey are over 30 years old, with Bolles turning 35 next May. If the Broncos see tremendous offensive tackle value on the board like they have in this 2027 NFL mock draft, it might not be a bad idea to pick a successor to sit behind them for a year.
A former five-star recruit at Colorado, Jordan Seaton is in good hands transferring to LSU this offseason. He had some rough patches early in his collegiate career, but evened out down the stretch in 2025. He has prototypical size and length for an offensive tackle, showcasing ideal physicality and tremendous mobility for someone who was listed at 330 pounds.
21) Houston Texans
Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
The Houston Texans traded for David Montgomery this offseason, and Woody Marks showed some promise as a rookie in 2025. That said, the 2027 NFL Draft appears to be loaded at the running back position. There are three running backs I’d strongly argue deserve first-round consideration (with Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy being the other who just misses out), and two of them come off the board within four picks of each other in this mock draft.
At 6’1″ and 231 pounds, Jadan Baugh is a powerful running back with elite size and very good contact balance. Not only can he battle through tackle attempts, but he’s a tremendous athlete for his size. He changes direction better than most big running backs, and that shiftiness combined with his soft hands gives him plenty of pass-catching value. With another good year, Baugh should be firmly in first-round consideration.
22) Philadelphia Eagles
Carter Smith, G, Indiana
Tyler Steen proved to be a perfectly capable starting guard upon entering the Philadelphia Eagles’ lineup in 2025. However, he’s slated to hit free agency in 2027, and with impending extensions for Jalen Carter, Cooper DeJean, and Quinyon Mitchell on the horizon, the Eagles could let him walk and aim to find a cheaper replacement in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Though Carter Smith plays left tackle for Indiana, I have him projected as a guard because of his lack of length. He should be able to thrive on the interior, as he wins with consistent hand placement and proper weight distribution at the point of attack. He demonstrates good spatial awareness as a pass protector and as a zone-run blocker, and his sturdy anchor makes it tough for opponents to convert speed to power against him.
23) Detroit Lions
Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Detroit Lions have been looking for defensive line help alongside Aidan Hutchinson for quite some time. They selected Michigan’s Derrick Moore in Round 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, which should help them improve their defensive end position group. However, the Seahawks and Eagles have won the last two Super Bowls off of super deep defensive line groups, so Moore’s selection shouldn’t prevent them from doubling down.
Damon Wilson II always had the athletic tools to succeed, but once he transferred from Georgia to Missouri last year, he was able to put those tools to good use. He finished 2025 with 9.0 sacks, demonstrating impressive first-step quickness, flexibility, and pass-rush diversity off the edge. As he moves to Miami for 2026, improving against the run could solidify him as an easy first-round projection.
24) Los Angeles Chargers
Cayden Green, G, Missouri
It’s obvious to those who watched the Los Angeles Chargers last year that their interior offensive line was a major problem. Though they made moves to address it by adding Jake Slaughter and Tyler Biadasz this offseason, their projected right guard is Cole Strange, who hasn’t finished higher than No. 50 in PFN OL Impact Scoring among all qualified guards in a single season.
Cayden Green had to move outside to tackle due to Missouri’s need at the position, but I like him more as a guard at the next level. He’s a powerful lineman with heavy hands who can use his grip strength and stout anchor to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage. His short-area burst is good, and his strike placement allows him to win with leverage at the point of attack. Green could be a decent tackle, but I think he can be a great guard, so that’s where I think he should go in the NFL.
25) New England Patriots
Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
The New England Patriots pulled the trigger on their blockbuster trade for A.J. Brown, giving them the WR1 they desperately needed heading into 2026. Brown and Romeo Doubs form a solid long-term receiver tandem, but the Patriots have Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Mack Hollins all on expiring contracts. There could be hope that Kyle Williams breaks out as that third option, but with only 10 catches as a rookie, that’s a major projection.
Though it’s off a small sample size, Charlie Becker looked like a future NFL starter in the second half of the 2025 season for Indiana. With Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt both in the NFL, Becker will hope to use his 6’4″, 209-pound frame to excel above the rim. He has fantastic hands, very good ball skills, and he can work the stem to exploit leverage points against different coverage looks.
26) San Francisco 49ers
Austin Siereveld, G, Ohio State
Connor Colby is slated to start at left guard opposite Dominick Puni in the San Francisco 49ers’ interior offensive line going into 2026. It’s a bold move to rely on a seventh-round pick entering Year 2 of his NFL career with a starting role, especially since he was the lowest-grading lineman on the 49ers in PFN’s OL Impact Scoring last year. If Colby doesn’t take a big leap, San Francisco may want to select a guard early in next year’s NFL Draft.
A tackle for Ohio State, Austin Siereveld likely moves to guard in the NFL due to a lack of length and elite foot speed on an island. That said, he’s a technically sound offensive lineman who lands his jabs with accurate timing and placement, he brings good OL versatility to the table, he has a sturdy anchor, and he’s coordinated blocking on the move. All of those traits should see him fare well along the interior.
27) Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
The Dallas Cowboys spent a lot of money and used a lot of draft capital to ensure their defense takes a leap in 2026, and on paper, it’s a much better-looking unit than what they had last year. But their off-ball linebacker group still provides questions, and their trade for Logan Wilson at last year’s NFL trade deadline didn’t pay off. That could make the position a priority in the 2027 offseason.
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This is a major projection pick, as Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa hasn’t been a full-time starter for Notre Dame. That said, the 6’3″, 230-pound linebacker has allowed a targeted passer rating of just 55.0 in coverage and can blitz off the edge at a high level. He has ideal length and athleticism with intriguing flashes of pre-snap processing on tape. He’ll need more reps to sharpen his decision-making, but his flashes are the best I’ve seen of any linebacker in the 2027 NFL Draft.
28) Kansas City Chiefs
Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa
Protecting Patrick Mahomes will be especially paramount as he heads into his 10th season in the NFL. Jaylon Moore didn’t live up to his contract last year, and the early returns on 2025 first-round pick Josh Simmons weren’t all that great. Moore is a free agent after this season, and if he doesn’t improve his play this year, the Kansas City Chiefs would be smart to look for a long-term answer at offensive tackle early in the 2027 NFL Draft.
I don’t think the 2027 draft class has as many first-round offensive tackles as 2026 did, but my favorite one of the bunch outside of the consensus top two (Seaton and Goosby) is currently Trevor Lauck. He ranked fifth among all FBS offensive tackles with a 91.0 PFN OL Impact Score last year. He has a sturdy anchor to stand his ground against power rushes, and he has a nasty demeanor to drive defenders off the ball. Though Lauck’s arm length doesn’t seem to be elite, he masks it with how accurate his strikes are.
29) Baltimore Ravens
Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
Travis Jones is a high-quality starter at defensive tackle, and the Baltimore Ravens are paying him accordingly right now. That said, the rest of their interior defensive line is a concern. Both Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington Jr. missed most of 2025 due to injury, and they’ll be 29 and 30, respectively, by year’s end. The Ravens could use a long-term upgrade in the defensive trenches.
Having led all Power 4 defensive tackles with 39 pressures in 2025, Will Echoles heads into 2026 a proven commodity as a pass rusher. His pad level and body control are still a bit suboptimal, but he has impressive first-step quickness, closing speed as a defender in space, and the ability to stack and shed offensive linemen in the trenches.
30) Seattle Seahawks
Quincy Rhodes Jr., EDGE, Arkansas
Having lost Boye Mafe to Cincinnati in free agency, the Seattle Seahawks are down one key contributor from their loaded defensive line that helped lead them to a Super Bowl victory last season. Their pass rush should remain strong in 2026, but Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall will both be free agents in the 2027 NFL offseason. DeMarcus Lawrence is also 34, so the Seahawks will need multiple investments off the edge going forward.
Quincy Rhodes Jr. broke out for Arkansas with 8.0 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last year, and he decided to pass on the 2026 NFL Draft and stay in school another year. That could end up propelling him into Round 1 if he develops at the rate he did last year. He’s 6’6″ and 275 pounds with long arms, powerful hands, a quick first step, and the versatility to play in any alignment along the defensive line.
31) Buffalo Bills
Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson
With Matt Milano no longer on the team, the Buffalo Bills are sliding Dorian Williams into the starting linebacker spot alongside Terrel Bernard. With Williams netting an “F” grade through his 56.9 PFN LB Impact Score last year, though, that risk might not pay off. If he doesn’t make a major leap, the Bills will be in the market for a new linebacker in the 2027 NFL Draft.
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Sammy Brown is a reliable, physical tackler who has combined for 186 tackles, 10.0 sacks, and 25.0 tackles for a loss in his first two years at Clemson. He’s still developing his comfort levels in coverage, but his straight-line athleticism, combined with his tackling form, play strength, and instincts against the run, project him well in the NFL.
32) Cleveland Browns (via Rams)
A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
After the Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams on June 1, it was a big boost to their rebuild, even if it will make them worse in the short term. After an offensive-heavy approach in the 2026 NFL Draft, Cleveland could change course and prioritize the defense in 2027, especially if they aren’t in position to get a top quarterback prospect.
The 6’3″, 330-pound A’Mauri Washington is a squatty defensive tackle who has the frame of a nose tackle but the backfield penetration ability of a 3-technique. I’d like to see his spatial awareness in the run game improve, because if he can do that, he’ll add more polish to a game that already shows off impressive first-step quickness and raw physicality in the trenches.
