Way Too Early 2027 NFL Mock Draft

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 4/23/2026

Graphic by The Sporting News

1. Miami Dolphins

Jeremiah Smith - WR

Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith is the best wide receiver prospect I've ever seen and the best player in this class. Seeing as Malik Willis just got a contract before the 2026 season, the Dolphins should get him a #1 weapon rather than enter the Quarterback sweepstakes which means this pick will likely be traded for come next April for a team trying to get...

2. New York Jets

Arch Manning - QB

Texas

The 2027 QB class has the potential to be one of the best ever with Arch Manning expected to be the first of 5 QBs in this Mock Draft and with as many as 8 names being considered First Round worthy. If Manning can put it all together with his pre-play IQ, mobility and good arm he'll be right there with guys like Dante Moore and Julian Sayin for #1 pick next April.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Julian Sayin - QB

Ohio State

Arch Manning is the golden boy right? second year in a row he's projected to be the #1 pick but for those in the know, Julian Sayin is probably the better prospect. Manning may have the name and the pedigree but Sayin is one of the most accurate QBs we've seen in a long time. The weapons at Ohio State certainly help him but the talent is clearly there.

4. Cleveland Browns

Dante Moore - QB

Oregon

And the third and final QB I could see potentially going #1 is Dante Moore, who has the best size and arm of his class. Moore is the "Big Ben" type QB in this class and would have been the #2 pick this year had he not decided to go back to school.

5. Tennessee Titans

Collin Simmons - OLB

Texas

After 4 straight offensive players to start, Collin Simmons is the clear #1 defender of this class at this moment. Simmons is a freaky athletic edge rusher who is best as an OLB but can line up with his hands in the dirt. Along the lines of Will Anderson and Micah Parsons, Simmons is the best blend of speed and power coming off the edge in his class.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Ryan Williams - WR

Alabama

The Raiders have done a great job reshaping their offense for Fernando Mendoza but getting a receiver like Ryan Williams will put them over the edge. After taking Bowers, Jeanty, Mendoza then Williams, this is an offense that could be at the top of the league in 2028.

7. New Orleans Saints

Dylan Stewart - OLB

South Carolina

When predicting the 2027 class I believe the Top-3 Quarterback will separate themselves from the next 3. Still in play are Lagway, Mateer, Carr and Sellers who could very well be 1st rounders but may be too rich at pick #7. Then again if the Saints ar picking this high they could go QB to replace Tyler Shough but I think they won't be able to pass on Dylan Stewart. An elite 2025 season showed his top-end athleticism that could turn into their next Cam Jordan.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

John Mateer - QB

Oklahoma

I just spoke about how the QBs left may not be good enough to go Top-10 but I fully expect the Steelers to take a QB in this class especially if they're as high as #8. I also believe that Mateer will be the best of the rest and his precision and pre-snap adjustment ability will be very attractive to Mike McCarthy as an Aaron Rodgers-successor.

9. Carolina Panthers

Ahmad Hardy - RB

Missouri

The Panthers have built a solid team but I still don't believe they have the right weapons on offense for a guy like Bryce Young. Their success in 2025 centered around Rico Dowdle who has left town so why not get the best running back in next year's class who will either be Hardy or Frazier from Georgia.

10. Atlanta Falcons

DJ Lagway - QB

Baylor

If the Falcons finish Top-10 again I think Kevin Stefanski will be just fine with taking another QB and DJ Lagway seems like a Stefanski-guy. A huge man with a great arm but not always the best decision-maker, Lagway could be turned into a really great QB in the league under a QB friendly Head Coach.

11. New York Giants

Jordan Seaton - OT

LSU

The Giants are a really good football team coming into 2026 and one I really think will make the playoffs. There for, if they are picking #11 I have to assume Jaxson Dart got injured. Whether it be him learning when to slide or their O-line remaining shaky, get the best Tackle in the class Jordan Seaton, a pass protecting Wall of a Left Tackle and keep Mauigoa at Guard.

12. Minnesota Vikings

Leonard Moore - CB

Notre Dame

I don't know how the Vikings went the entire 2026 Draft without a DB but they wil certainly need to start focusing there from now on. Moore is the consensus CB1 of the class and his size, speed combo has island, man-corner written all over him.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Peal - CB

Syracuse

The Buccs defense now only has one major hole after the Rueben Bain pick and that's corner. Chris Peal is another big Corner in this class and one of the potential 3 men that could be CB2 of this class, with the other two not going too far behind him in this mock.

14. Washington Commanders

Cam Coleman - WR

Texas

The Commanders would have to be around 7-10 to finish with the #14 pick and the people of Washington won't be looking at Jayden Daniels the same after missing the playoffs two years in a row. To get the most out of him and in a move they probably should've done this year, get him another weapon across from Terry McLaurin. Cam Coleman is a tall and smart receiver that could take over as WR1 in Washington in a similar style as Scary Terry.

15. Indianapolis Colts

David Stone - DT

Oklahoma

The Colts would be lucky to grab a guy like Stone who's skill is Top-10 in his class but may fall to other players of need like QBs. The Colts will be moving on from DeForest Buckner soon and Stone would take over seemlessly in the middle of their defense.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars

Ellis Robinson IV - CB

Georgia

Another corner that could be in the run for 2nd of his group after Moore, the biggest question for Robinson will be if he can be physical enough at the next level at only 180 pounds, because his footwork, speed and man cover ability are not in question.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Zabien Brown - CB

Alabama

And the final CB I could see go after Moore would be Zabien Brown out of Alabama who is probably the fastest corner in the class while still having the 6'0, 190 pound size teams will love on the boundary. The Bengals may be one corner away from having a really good defense and Brown could be that guy.

18. Chicago Bears

Matayo Uiagalelei - ED

Oregon

The Bears went Safety with Thieneman in this year's draft and I love the pick but they still need a marquee Edge Rusher in my opinion, Uiagalelei is a very athletic 4-3 DE and may need some patience but should turn into a very good pass rusher when he sharpens his rushing moves over the next year or two.

19. New York Jets (via DAL)

Jordan Ross - ED

Tennessee

Another guy that could go much earlier than this depending on team needs, Ross can flat out beat offensive linemen wherever he lines up. His speed, size and versatility will give David Bailey an awesome pairing on the outside.

20. Houston Texans

Nate Frazier - RB

Georgia

Very similarly to the Panthers, just keep giving Stroud weapons. I could see a receiver like Craver out of Texas A&M with this pick but Frazier's upside is much higher. With Montgomery only owed $8 million through 2027, the Texans could easily take their RB for the next 5 years here and Frazier could be the home run hitter they've needed for years.

21. New York Jets (via GB)

Carter Smith - OT

Indiana

Carter Smith could easily become OT1 of the class and is a big and strong RT with very high intelligence. The Jets have built a pretty decent O-line but with Olu Fashanu still unsure on the outside, pop him into Guard and give Smith the LT position.

22. Denver Broncos

Terrance Carter Jr. - TE

Texas Tech

The Broncos narrowly missed out on drafting Frazier which would be ideal but they definitely still need a Tight End too. In what should be a slightly better TE class than 2026, Carter and Oregon's Jamari Johnson will be the options as TE1 but I much prefer Carter's receiving ability as an almost slot-option over Johnson who is also very talented, but is more of an inline, well-rounded but not elite Tight End.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

K.J. Bolden - SAF

Georgia

Another guy that falls due to positional value Bolden is around the same talent as Thieneman and to me the clear best option at Safety in this class. A great coverage Safety and a willing but undersized box Safety, Bolden would fit extremely well in Philly where they prioritize coverage anyway.

24. Detroit Lions

C.J. Carr - QB

Notre Dame

I think we could see the Lions take a QB to sit behind Goff in this class like we saw the Rams do in 2026. Carr is my favorite for Detroit as a pocket passer rather than Sellers or Maiava and extremely precise and only 20 years old. Sitting behind Goff for a year or two should give him plenty of time to be Detroit's QB of the future.

25. San Francisco 49ers

Cayden Green - OT/OG

Missouri

Green could legitimately go as high as Top-5 in this draft but his size and frame will be the biggest factor. The next Skoronski, Campbell and Fano, Green may be pigeon-holed to Guard by NFL scouts but his skill is more than good enough to be a First Rounder especially if he has 33.5+ inch arms.

26. Kansas City Chiefs

Trevor Lauck - OT

Iowa

Lauck is one of my guys I'm higher on in this class and is a solid pass blocking Tackle. He isn't the best athlete but instead is a powerful and intimidating presence on the outside that didn't allow a single sack in 2025/26.

27. New England Patriots

Payton Pierce - LB

Ohio State

I have Pierce at my ILB1 of the class as a big projection as the next top-OSU Linebacker. I really believe James Laurinaitis is the best LB coach in the nation and can make a 1st roudner out of Pierce who is already a fast and athletic, coverage backer which is exactly what the Pats will need when Christian Elliss likely leaves after this season.

28. Los Angles Chargers

Ryan Wingo - WR

Texas

If Quentin Johnston doesn't have another spectacular season for the Chargers and 3rd rounders Harris and Thompson don't step up, they could really use a solid WR2 behind McConkey moving forward. Ryan Wingo gives you that tall jump ball threat, who the Chargers could see a lot of similarities with Keenan Allen

29. Baltimore Ravens

Will Echoles - DT

Ole Miss

Echoles is a run-stuffing, big-bodied Defensive Tackle who is probably best at the 1-tech but can be moved to the 3. Pairing Echoles with Madubuike would be a dangerous duo that would play beautifully off each other in Baltimore.

30. Buffalo Bills

Nyck Harbor - WR

South Carolina

I know Harbor had a really bad showing in 2025 but his upside is still so great tyhat I believe he's a 1st rounder. A team like Buffalo who seems to forever be searching for a viable receiver could take a chance and bet on his upside especially when they have a guy like Josh Allen throwing to him.

31. Seattle Seahawks

Rasheem Biles - LB

Texas

The Seahawks will have some decisions moving forward with Tyrice Knight and Drake Thomas so I say go get a guy like Rasheem Biles out of Texas. Biles is very small at only 6'1" and 220 pounds but his coverage ability, speed and pre-snap ability will be crucial in keeping this defense toward the top of the league.

32. Los Angeles Rams

Trevor Goosby - OT

Texas

With Stafford not getting younger but likely sticking around for one more year, go get another Tackle to protect your QB now and your QB of the future you just spent the #13 pick on.