This is our first foray into projecting the 2027 NFL Draft class, and at first glance, it’s shaping up to be an exciting first round (and beyond), with some marquee talents — more than each of the past two classes, it appears — at premium positions.
There are also four first-round picks already traded, and with the QB crowd, the pick movement should be a major storyline come April. Five quarterbacks landed in this first projection. There could be more in the next edition if Notre Dame’s CJ Carr and Missouri’s Austin Simmons keep progressing at the rates they are.
I didn’t project any future trades here, and we’re using the current draft order (thanks, Tankathon), which could change dramatically. It looks a little funny right now, but that’s perfectly normal.
The goal here is to make as realistic of prospect pairings as possible now while also landing the players in the general range they might go. A lot will change between now and the draft, more than six months away, but this is how the early landscape is shaping up.
Smith is the best player in college football and might be the best prospect, regardless of position, in the past few draft cycles. I’ve been comparing him — mostly in terms of prospect rarity — to the likes of Andre Johnson and Julio Jones. Smith is a unicorn and should be a no-brainer top-five pick, even in a QB-heavy class. The Texans would be adding a Day 1 star.
Robert Saleh’s system is begging for a “Leo” rusher to make his defense more dangerous. Simmons, who had a 5.5-sack game against Tennessee, is a speed rusher with great get-off and bend. There’s room for him to improve his technique, especially when taking on bigger blockers, and Simmons is not massive (6-foot-3, 246 pounds). But there is room on this defense for another Simmons, along with Jeffery.
The Bucs have limited their flexibility with the Baker Mayfield extension and would have a hard time moving him next season without a significant salary cap hit, but landing this high in the draft would lead to some interesting QB conversations come draft time. If they’re less inclined to go that direction, drafting an elite corner such as Moore would be reasonable. He is one of the best CB prospects to come along since at least Sauce Gardner.
The Chargers are 0-4 and have several tough opponents remaining, so it’ll be fascinating to see how far this talented team falls. LA’s offense is a mess, but there are still defensive needs to consider. Almost all its pressures have come from the edge, and the Chargers really could use a difference maker such as Echoles inside.
Is he a top-five pick, though? I am not sure. Realistically, if the board fell like this, the Chargers would be entertaining trade-up calls for quarterbacks and trying to get a player such as Echoles farther down the line.
There’s a decent chance the Dolphins pass on a QB in 2027 and take an elite non-QB after investing in Malik Willis. If they finish in the top three picks, a trade down would be highly probable, especially if they could stay in range to draft someone such as the hometown hero Jeremiah Smith.
In this scenario they have to consider adding Manning and taking a similar approach to what the Raiders are doing this season with Fernando Mendoza. Manning has a pro-ready frame with quality traits and elite bloodlines, but the finished product isn’t there.
For context, the Jets have all the ammunition they need to move up to No. 1 and take the QB of their choosing. They’re better armed than any other team in terms of draft capital, and it will be fascinating to see how the eventual draft order shakes out and how many teams they might need to leapfrog.
Chambliss has already generated first-round buzz early in the college season despite some talent evaluators being more conservative on his projection over the summer. His age (24) and size (6-foot, 210 pounds) are limiting factors for some, but Chambliss’ game features poise and some real magic. But barring something unforeseen, he’s destined to go high. And I think Chambliss’ floor is high, too.
If Hampton runs well at the scouting combine, it would not be a stretch to see the 6-foot-2, 205-pound corner vault into this range of the draft. He’s off to a terrific start to the season in spite of Clemson’s struggles. Hampton really put the straps on Miami’s Malachi Toney, who’s arguably the best receiver in college football not named Jeremiah Smith. The Saints’ corners have been picked on this season, so the need is high.
Pierre is another potential high riser in this class, especially if the uncertainty surrounding South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart continues. The sacks haven’t been rolling in so far for Pierre this season, but the pressures have, and he looked quite spry on his pick 6 against East Carolina. Rookie Sonny Styles has been a hit, but the Commanders could use another playmaker up front.
We’ll have to see if Carson Beck can show enough this season to convince Arizona not to draft a quarterback. But if the Cardinals are picking in this range (or higher), it would be tough to pass up on an ascending talent such as Mestemaker. After a nightmare OSU debut at Tulsa, the North Texas transfer has wowed with his playmaking. He’s well-built (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), fearless and can make all the throws, but Mestemaker is also green and can be fooled. Given his talent, however, I am starting to think the top 10 is his eventual destination.
Bengals cornerbacks DJ Turner II and Dax Hill are currently slated to hit free agency next spring, so adding more talent there figures to be on the to-do list. Robinson doesn’t have tremendous size, but he reportedly has longer arms (33-inch range) for a 6-foot, 190-pound frame. UGA head coach Kirby Smart has said Robinson has added about 10 pounds from last season, and he has good feet, quality ball skills and scheme flexibility, perhaps even able to help in the slot some.
The Steelers can gamble on one of their young quarterbacks (Drew Allar, Will Howard) in a post-Aaron Rodgers world, addressing other needs and — if needed — waiting for what could be another strong QB class in 2028.
Or they could take college football’s accuracy leader in Mensah, who might be a terrific fit in Mike McCarthy’s system. Mensah throws with touch, timing and placement, and has excellent feel against pressure, even if his arm talent is a bit pedestrian.
Maybe it’s too early to move on from Olu Fashanu, but he had a nightmare game in Week 3 and seems to have regressed as a pass blocker. ESPN’s Rex Ryan, a former Jets head coach, tore into Fashanu after the Lions loss, and that carries extra weight considering his son Seth is the Jets’ passing-game coordinator. Awkward. Offensive tackles will be a premium again next draft, and Seaton appears to be the most natural pass blocker in the class. He’s similar to the Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw.
Three-for-three on offense? Maybe it won’t go that way because the Jets’ defense also remains undermanned in spots, but this would give Chambliss a stronger surrounding cast. Even with Garrett Wilson back, the Jets have limited reliable options at receiver, with injuries and inconsistency plaguing that position. Becker would add length and vertical prowess to the WR group, pairing up with his old IU running mate, Omar Cooper Jr.
Defense remains a huge worry, but they also could let George Pickens walk in free agency and fill his spot via the draft. Coleman hasn’t been quite as productive so far as some thought he might be, but he would give Dallas another long, acrobatic target in Brian Schottenheimer’s passing game.
Figuring out where Stewart fits in this class now — or whether he might stay in college — is trickier than it was a month ago. Stewart’s suspension has raised some character questions, although it appears he’s back on a track to return to playing. Stewart’s production has also been somewhat underwhelming considering his rare gifts. If he can find a way to display those skills, this might be too tempting for Detroit to pass on. The Lions badly need a rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.
For years the Eagles have boasted great talent, depth and experience on the offensive line. That advantage hasn’t been there this season. With Lane Johnson announcing his retirement, there’s an opening at right tackle.
Goosby has been the Longhorns’ left tackle the past two seasons and has right tackle experience from the 2024 season. He’s a long-framed technician with good hand placement and enough footwork to cut off rush paths.
With Jake Matthews turning 35 next offseason and Jawaan Taylor on a one-year deal, the Falcons have to bolster their OT depth. Lauck is a country-strong brawler who shines in the run game, although some scouts have questioned his lower-body power. Still, he’d be a force in a run-heavy attack in Atlanta and fill a need.
I thought about an offensive tackle here, with Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey into their 30s, but the secondary also has some possible holes that might need filling next year. Bolden is a leaner-framed safety (6-foot, 195 pounds), but his range and athleticism stand out. He appears scheme- and role-versatile, tackles and closes on the ball very well and has two-plus years of quality tape in the SEC.
Brown is a long, instinctive corner who has the skills to fit the Panthers’ zone-heavy scheme. He’s a willing tackler, although he’s been sloppy against the run. He would be a good pairing opposite Jaycee Horn. Carolina’s CB depth has been thinned considerably with Horn and Mike Jackson injured, so it’s a good bet they’ll be adding multiple corners next offseason.
The Patriots really could give Drake Maye another long, highly athletic target in the passing game. They’ve been especially poor in the red zone this season (outside of the Buffalo game) and could use someone such as the 6-foot-7 Green. You don’t find many tight ends who can hit 21+ mph and catch the ball like he does; Green has even taken direct snaps in the backfield. He’d pair well with Eli Raridon, who’s best suited in-line, with Hunter Henry in decline.
Moore is an accurate, anticipatory passer who thrives in structure and could be an excellent distributor in the Browns’ system with a balanced array of weapons. He needs to find more consistent solutions against pressure. He returned to practice Monday after suffering a concussion Sept. 26 against USC, but he’ll miss Saturday’s game against UCLA.
This spring, there was talk he could have gone No. 2 overall to the Jets had Moore declared early. So why is he sitting at No. 21? There are more physically blessed prospects, and it’s less about what Moore has done and more about how other QBs have generated more buzz recently in scouting circles. The Browns could afford to move up, if needed, for another quarterback, but I’d imagine this scenario would go over well there.
Here’s a fun projection, and perhaps it’s a reach now, but Okunlola has impressed early. Despite being a top-20 national high school recruit, he’s taken a longer road to a starting gig, rotating at left guard last season, yet he’s earned the Canes’ left tackle job this season and is thriving. I think everyone’s patience could end up paying off in him being a high pick next April if he keeps progressing. The Browns could stand to upgrade over right tackle Tytus Howard, but Okunlola also could project inside if needed.
Coleman-Williams is a hotly debated prospect whose slew of drops last season tainted his reputation after an eye-opening freshman season in 2024 at age 17. The talent is still sky high, and Williams has displayed better hands (after another bad drop in Week 1 vs. East Carolina) this season. He’s on pace for career-best numbers and profiles on the Jaylen Waddle/DeVonta Smith/Hollywood Brown spectrum. The Raiders must add as much explosive WR talent as possible to keep building up their offense.
The Seahawks somehow have gone three straight draft cycles without drafting a true edge rusher, and it might effectively be a rebuild of that unit next season if Derick Hall is not re-signed. Uiagalelei is a physical, edge-setting force at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds. He’s cut from a similar cloth as DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu.
I thought about a linebacker here, but the Jaguars don’t seem to be a strict-need team in the draft. General manager James Gladstone appears to favor talent and traits, and that leads us to Lopa, who is the FBS leader in interceptions (five), with a pick 6. At nearly 6-foot-5 and around 210 pounds, he’s a lean but unique talent who could enter the draft early.
Linebacker has been mostly a Day 2 or 3 position for the Bills under general manager Brandon Beane, so it’s no guarantee they’d take one in Round 1. Cole isn’t exactly a thumper in the run game, but he’s a fast closer and an excellent blitzer, and he’d potentially give the Bills a difference maker at this position, the kind they haven’t had since Tremaine Edunds and Matt Milano.
I thought about Oregon’s A’Mauri Washington here, too, but I think Stone’s versatility and upside make him a slightly more attractive fit right now. The Giants need to replenish some of their interior depth, and Stone could be a first-rounder if his knee checks out. He suffered a dislocated kneecap early in the season and has been able to play through it, but it appears to have slowed Stone down.
The Bears run man defense at a higher rate than most teams, and that’s Jones’ specialty. He’s a long corner with ball skills who could help offset what they lost with Nahshon Wright moving on. Cornerback figures to be a position with some new faces in Chicago in 2027, with the futures of Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon up in the air and Tyrique Stevenson’s deal ending this season.
It’s not a deep DT class right now, but Washington might still be the kind of player who slips to the end of Round 1 because of positional value. He also suffered an ankle injury against Oklahoma State and has been gritting through it the past few games, likely hurting his production. Washington has great mass at 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds, able to lift a unit’s run defense and quick enough off the ball to add pass-rush value. He’d easily fit in as a potential replacement for 40-year-old Calais Campbell.
I don’t know if the Vikings are prepared to use another first-round pick on a quarterback after quickly dumping J.J. McCarthy, but I could see them wanting to find answers at running back. Baugh is the lone back I currently see in the Round 1 picture, with his rare physicality, contact balance and three-down potential. He’s not there yet with pass-pro proficiency, but Baugh has lofty potential as an explosive, yards-after-contact runner and receiver.
The Niners are a trickier team to project in the draft, but they have some OL questions that could lead them to a hulking guard in the mold of Johnson. He’s a massive-framed blocker with surprising quickness in the run game and good anchor to hold up in pass protection inside.
Johnson is a strong middle-of-the-field target with natural hands and a wide catch radius. His route-running wins on tempo and spatial awareness, which could work well with Patrick Mahomes — during on- and off-schedule plays. Travis Kelce has said it’s his last season, and the Chiefs could use another higher-end talent at the position.
A defensive tackle also would make sense, and several good ones could leak into the early parts of Round 2, but here the Colts select a small-forward type of pass-catcher who’d fit in nicely in between Alec Pierce, Josh Downs and Tyler Warren.
The Packers tend to draft tackles and move them inside, if needed, but Siereveld already has experience at both OG and OT spots. The Packers’ OL issues have mounted this season, and they need as many promising solutions as possible.
The Rams could stand to add to the tackle talent pool. Heard has the length the Rams seem to favor, and even though his pass blocking remains a work in progress, he’s already one of the best finishers in the run game in college football.
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