Zak Drapeau's 2027 Mock Draft 2.0
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 10/21/2026
* Draft order based on reverse Super Bowl odds via Caesar's Sportsbook as of 10/20
1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Miami Dolphins
Come April 29th, 2027, the #1 pick will likely be a Quarterback as has been in the last 4 drafts but if the Dolphins maintain the pick, Jeremiah Smith SHOULD be taken. The questuon will be how much a team is willing to give up to trade into the #1 pick and regardless of how many picks they get, the Dolphins will be better with Smith. The best overall prospect I've seen since Trevor Lawrence and maybe even better than him, Smith will make this offense great immediately no matter who's throwing him the ball.
2. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Tennessee Titans
Another non-Quarterback pick to start the draft, this pick should definitely be traded for the Titans acquire more draft capitol. The Titans might even be tempted to take a QB with how Cam Ward isn't progressing but he still has potential enough to warrant going else where. The Titans could take either Leonard Moore or Colin Simmons here but Moore is the better athlete and easily best Corner in this draft. The Titans have no Corners on their roster that have much of a future on the team and Moore will come into the NFL with a similar reputation and potential as Sauce Gardner and Devon Witherspoon.
3. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
New York Jets
The competition for first Quarterback taken in the 2027 draft is still ongoing and a battle between up to 5 different names. The consensus favorite right now is Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, who is a big and strong-armed Quarterback who is in his second straight season of being highly productive all over the field. The Jets should definitely take a QB with their first of 3-1st round picks this year and Mestemaker fits the mold of their new rebuilt offense with names like Wilson, Cooper, Hall and Sadiq surrounding him.
4. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Arizona Cardinals
Mensah is in the running for the #1 QB taken as well as the Heisman trophy this year. Mensah transferred to Miami from Duke where he had a good season last year and is now flat out balling, with the highest passer rating in the country and is tied for the highest TD-INT ratio with 18:1. Mensah might have the best anticipation and awareness as a passer in this class. He doesn't have the the fastest zip on the ball but can make all the throws you want and is elite in a good system.
5. Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are in a very weird spot at #5, a pick I definitely don't think they'll maintain as they rattle off a few wins by the end of the year. If they are here though, Jordan Seaton should be at the top of their board, not only because of his pedigree as a lineman but because of their terrible and often-injured O-line play. Seaton has the versatility to plug and play at Guard or Tackle if the Chargers can keep Rashawn Slater healthy moving forward, and is other wise a terrific zone blocker and pass blocker alike that could finally give Justin Herbert some time to throw.
6. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Cleveland Browns
I understand that Dante Moore's stock has dropped off after a concussion has kept him out for the last 3 weeks, but I definitely don't understand how some people don't even have him in the first round anymore. Moore is a veteran, big-bodied Quarterback with a great arm and a ton of experience against top competition. Once he comes back, he should easily play himself back into contention for the #1 Quarterback of the draft.
7. Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is a selection I don't actually forsee happening come April, but if Simmons is here the Buccs will race to the podium. The best pass rusher of his class, Simmons is a 3-4 Outside Linebacker with elite twitch and footwork as well as strong and productive hands that make it very easy for him to get past almost any Tackle. He could use some more mass and muscle on his frame for long-term NFL workload but for right now he is a scary pass rusher that easily deserves to be picked in the Top-5.
8. Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
Washington Commanders
Becker has had a very good start to the season at Indiana, but also has the benefit of many of the other top receivers of his class underwhelming so far this season. The Commanders need another receiver though and Becker fits the mold of a tall and fast X-receiver in the league, who has a knack for coming down with the ball in contested catches and find the end zone.
9. Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have probably been the best drafting team over the last 10 years and adding Dylan Stewart would absolutely follow that trend. Stewart's pedigree as a top end Pass Rusher has followed him since high school and has been highly productive since. Stewart's frame and movement is a rare combination but problems with his attitude and making dumb mistakes could have him fall in the draft but the Eagles are probably the team that would most likely take a chance on a great athlete with behavioral problems.
10. Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have spent a lot of time over the past few years rebuilding this offense for Kellen Moore so now it's time to focus on the defense. Will Echoles may be a bit of a reach at #10 at this point but he's absolutely a guy I think will rise by the end of the season and especially during the Combine thanks to his athleticism for his size.
11. Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
New York Jets (via IND)
Hampton was considered a 2nd or probably 3rd round pick before the season but has probably been the best Cornerback in the NCAA this season. At 6'2" and 205 pounds, Hampton is a smart and fast, zone corner with great anticipation and long arms that breakup most passes that come around him. The Jets need another true boundary corner to pair with D'Angelo Ponds and Hampton will probably grow to be their #1.
12. Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
New York Giants
The Giants don't really need much except for their players not to get hurt moving forward. When Jaxson Dart comes back, he would definitely be thrilled to have another receiving threat and Cam Coleman would be a perfect compliment to Nabers. Coleman is a physical athlete with good hands who has never gotten the chance or targets to shine in College but will still have the value and potential to be coveted, especially by a team like the Giants who don't have any larger needs.
13. Cayden Green, OT, Missouri
Las Vegas Raiders
Cayden Green's biggest value in the league is his versatility and the Raiders could fall in love with that. While they may need a RT replacement for DJ Glaze sooner than later but will be able to use him on their interior until then. Green is 6'5" and 324 pounds and a bully on the interior. Green will need some time to iron out his pass blocking but has the right frame to do so and could have the right opportunity as well in Vegas.
14. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Pittsburgh Steelers
Here it is, the pick we've all been waiting for and for some people, a pick they don't even think will happen this year. Some say Arch Manning won't even declare until the 2028 draft but as of now he's projected in this class and definitely still worth a top end, 1st round pick. Manning hasn't put together a strong full game yet this season but has the pedigree, the marketability, the arm talent and experience to make a franchise like the Steelers take a chance on him.
15. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons seemingly have their offense rebuilt with Penix, Bijan and London and a defense that ranks toward the top of the league. So this pick could be a luxury pick and Trevor Goosby is the best player still on my board. Goosby is a HUGE, strong Tackle who has 3 years of starting in the SEC. He could start at RT immediately in Atlanta and be their future Jake Matthews replacement.
16. A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers offense is rolling so far this season but their run defense has been among the worst in the league. Wahsington would not only be a good way to add a big body that can stop runners in their tracks from the Nose position but would be an excellent compliment to Derrick Brown. Brown has long been under the radar as a run defending 3-4 DE but can't do everything by himself; a guy like Washington would do work already but make Brown even better as well.
17. Greg Johnson, OG, Minnesota
New York Jets (via DAL)
This may be a reach at #17 but with the Jets having 2 great picks already, they have the luxury of taking their needs over best players at this point. Greg Johnson isn't flashy and he isn't going to set the world on fire at the Combine but he is a versatile, dependable and huge O-lineman who has started and excelled at every position on the line.
18. Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
The Cowboys need to do everything they can to finally fix their defense this offseason and adding Robinson to their Secondary would be a great start. Robinson is a fast and instinctive, man corner with real SEC experience and ball hawking production. Think about Trevon Diggs best year in Dallas but with much better man cover tendencies.
19. Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Houston Texans
There is no elite talent at Running Back in this class that should go Top-10 or anything but Jadan Baugh is efintiely the best and worthy of a 1st round pick. The Texans, (as well as the Broncos or Bengals) could be the team that pulls that trigger with player like Montgomery and even Woody Marks playing decent but not good enough to ignore the need. Baugh is a physical runner through the sticks that can carry the ball 20+ times per game and still break off huge chunks after breaking tackles.
20. Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals just miss out on the Running Back but get a cool consolation prize in Jones instead. Jones is a freak of a corner who is 6'4" with long and strong arms for press but has amazing man cover skills and a fierce attitude to break up passes. He can get too aggressive at times and give up big plays but has a real potential to be a shutdown corner in the league especially with the right Safety help behind him.
21. Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge, Oregon
Detroit Lions
The Lions are the best example of a great offense being let down by a horrible defense this season so their first pick has to be on that side of the ball. There's a few players that culd go here but Uiagalelei fits the mold of the Lions and does more than just rush the passer. He fits in the locker room, he stops the run and he has real experience to make an impact as soon as he gets there.
22. Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
New England Patriots
The Patriots could go a different route here in a Tigth End or receiver but I love the pairing of Chris Cole to their Linebacking crew. As of now, the Pats have gotten the absoluet most out of Spillane and Elliss so why not draft a Linebacker who actually has real All-Pro potential and doesn't just do well because of their scheme. Cole is a super-instinctive Tackler and great athlete in coverage and would instantly be the patriots best player and green dot in their Front-7.
23. Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
Denver Broncos
The Broncos could go for an offensive weapon here and if Baugh is gone, Jamari Johnson would be their next best option. A more natural Tight End than we've seen be first off the board in recent drafts, Johnson has as good of run blocking as he does route running and would be best used in an offense that prioritizes both run and pass like the Broncos.
24. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Minnesota Vikings
Without mocking trades, it's hard for me to draft any Quarterback after the Top-6 picks but Minnesota definitely works for me. Kyler Murray or Carson Wentz are fine fillers but this team could really be special with their defense. If they want to truly enter a Super Bowl window, they'll need the right man to lead their offense and Chambliss has all the tools to do so. A great runner, Chambliss has been putting Ole Miss on his back to win games and could be even better under Kevin O'Connell.
25. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
Seattle Seahawks
Now this pick... this is saying something. The Seahawks are obviously still in a Super Bowl window but even last year almost didn't get it done because Darnold is too turnover prone. Not to mention how good JSN COULD be if he had a great QB. If they drafted Carr, they'd have him sit behind Darnold for a year before giving him the reigns and starting another Super Bowl window for at least the next 3-4 years under a Quarterback who is much more precise and cerebral than their current.
26. Nate Frazier, RB, Georgia
Chicago Bears
The Bears' offense is sick and Caleb Williams is seemingly all that he was cracked up to be. He is making great receivers left and right but he could still use a running game like what Ben Johnson had in Detroit. Nate Frazier may not be RB2 on everyone's board right now but his versatility in receiving and rushing, durability, speed and lack of wear and tear could easily move him into the 2nd round similarly to how Josh Jacobs did in 2019.
27. Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
Jacksonville Jaguars
A true zone corner who's great at tackling and measured at blazing speed, Brown is kind of a do it all Corner except for some slow reactions in man coverage. Has been beaten too much over the top and a few penalties for being grabby, Brown is a high-risk, high-reward corner the Jaguars would take a liberty on based on already having Travis Hunter on one side of the ball.
28. Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
Cleveland Browns (via LAR)
Smith had a rough start to the season after giving up more than a few pressures but just had an elite game against Ohio State and showed that he could still be a great starting LT in the league. Strong, quick and most importantly smart, Smith may have some growing pains in the league initially but is the kind of player a team can build a line around.
29. David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens don't really need much in the grand scheme of things besides a healthy roster but with Jesse Minter ready for his first offseason in charge, my guess is a defensive pick. Stone hasn't had quite the year we thought he would at Oklahoma but he's a rare talent at 6'3" and 315 pounds with a feisty first step and very sure tackling.
30. Trey'Dez Green, TE, LSU
Kansas City Chiefs
It seems very repetitive to mock the Chiefs a top Tight End like I have over the past three years but at some point they have to right? Green is definitely a receiving threat more than a blocker but his 6'7"-frame and speed will make him a force in the middle of the field especially on an offense like Kansas City.
31. Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have been trying to find their answer at receiver since Stefon Diggs left like Keon Coleman and DJ Moore so why not take another crack at it with Nick Marsh. Another tall and physical receiver with great hands and footwork on the boundary, Marsh will give them a receiver-type they haven't had and another shot at giving Allen the receiver he deserves.
32. Clev Lubin, Edge, Lousiville
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers will get an opportunity to draft BPA at this spot and being that Nick Bosa has played 7 games over the past two seasons, they should take one of the next best pass rushers. Lubin would be my pick over guys like Yhonzae Pierre, Damon Wilson II and Boubacar Traore because of his fit in the 49ers 4-3 defense and his athleticism and burst. Lubin would be a great substitute for Bosa when he needs to come off the field and could learn from the best while his mechanics grow to the same level as his athelticism.
Players I Didn't Mock but Deserve to be in the Conversation
Brauntae Johnson, SAF, Notre Dame
Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa
Yhonzae Pierre, Edge, Alabama
Austin Simmons, QB, Missouri
Wyatt Young, WR, Oklahoma State
Kade Pieper, OG, Iowa
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
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