Before any games are played, it's safe to say that the 2027 NFL Draft class is going to be the most anticipated in recent memory.
Teams adjusted their strategy for the 2026 NFL Draft based on the quality of prospects coming out of the college ranks next year, and the intrigue from NFL fan bases watching college football this year will be at an all-time high.
This upcoming draft class really has it all: Star power at the quarterback position, elite playmakers on both sides of the ball, blue-chip players in the trenches, and much more. As we get into the depths of the football offseason, we're going to fire up a brand-new 1st-round NFL mock draft prediction.
The order for this mock draft was generated by Tankathon, and every pick was made based on each team's strategy in 2026, future free agents, and implications of what it would mean to finish in these particular draft slots.
2027 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins land Arch Manning on top of brand new 1st-round predictions
1. Miami Dolphins: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
The Miami Dolphins obviously took a risk this offseason on free agent quarterback Malik Willis, who has ties to GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley from their time together in Green Bay. Time will tell if Willis is going to be able to make a good enough impression to be the Dolphins' quarterback beyond this year, but finishing with the #1 overall pick would give them clear direction here.
The Dolphins brought in a massive class of rookies to overhaul the roster and rebuild the way Sullivan and Hafley see fit. The centerpiece of any rebuild, however, is the quarterback position. Arch Manning once again has huge expectations to live up to, but if he plays the way we saw down the stretch last season, he'll be the unquestioned QB1 in an absolutely loaded class.
2. Arizona Cardinals: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The Arizona Cardinals cut Kyler Murray this offseason, and while they threw a dart at Carson Beck in the 3rd round of this year's draft, the long-term quarterback situation is still very much a question mark.
The Cardinals are now led by head coach Mike LaFleur, who is going to want someone to come in and be the guy he attaches his name to as the head coach of an NFL team. Right now, Dante Moore is considered by some to be the QB1 of this class, which you might hear about 6 or 7 different names at this point.
But as far as what each player showed last season, Moore might be the highest-graded NFL prospect at this point in time. He made some big-time throws under pressure, and would have easily been a top 3 pick if he had left school after last season.
3. New York Jets: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
The New York Jets -- let's just be honest about it -- would have to suffer a number of injuries and fail miserably to have this bad of a record in 2026. I look at the Jets as one of the more improved teams around the league on paper, but I didn't control the order of this mock draft.
Regardless of where the Jets end up picking, we all know they are going to be in the market for a quarterback. Unless Cade Klubnik can prove to be one of the top steals of the class, the Jets will have their eyes on quarterback prospects all year long, and likely already have some preliminary rankings for next year.
Drew Mestemaker is transferring along with head coach Eric Morris from North Texas to Oklahoma State, and is bringing big-time NFL expectations along with him.
4. Cleveland Browns: Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Once again, depending on who you ask right now, you might have a number of NFL people telling you that Darian Mensah is the QB1 of this year's class. Get used to hearing that about a lot of different guys, because beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Mensah was fantastic last year at Duke, throwing for nearly 284 yards per game, 34 touchdowns, and just six interceptions on a whopping 500 pass attempts. He's shown outstanding accuracy over his first two college seasons, completing 66.5 percent of his passes, but the pressure will be on now that he's transferred to Miami.
Mensah will replace Carson Beck this year, and could very easily join that QB1 conversation with some of his very talented peers in this year's class.
5. Tennessee Titans: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
The Titans watched a huge run on quarterbacks open up this class, leaving them with their pick of the non-QB litter.
This would be a brutal scenario, anyway, because choosing between players like Colin Simmons and Jeremiah Smith is not easy. It feels like one of those scenarios where you really can't go wrong either way.
The Titans went after Carnell Tate with their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, so they circle back to their need off the edge and get an elite pressure player here in the 1st round of the 2027 NFL Draft. There are not many players who can truly impact games like Colin Simmons, who dominated SEC competition last season.
He's got 21 sacks, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 6 forced fumbles in just his first two college seasons. He'd be a #1 pick candidate in "normal" years.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Speaking of players who would be top pick candidates in normal years, Jeremiah Smith feels like he has a legitimate chance of contending for the distinction of "best player overall" in this year's draft. When it comes to prospects checking every possible box, Jeremiah Smith fits the description.
Size, speed, hands, route running, playmaking ability, football IQ, production, reliability...It's all there for Smith, and it's been there ever since he stepped foot on campus at Ohio State.
The Raiders would probably love to get their hands on Smith to sort of complete their revamped offensive weaponry arsenal. Fernando Mendoza is the centerpiece of it all at the quarterback position, but the recent 1st-round picks of Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers already give the Raiders some enviable playmakers on paper. If they can add Jeremiah Smith, it could be the final piece of the puzzle.
7. Atlanta Falcons: CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
The Atlanta Falcons are entering the 2026 season with a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski, and an all too familiar predicament for Stefanski: The quarterback position is a question mark.
The hope is that the Falcons will be able to get the best out of Michael Penix Jr. And if they can't get the best out of him, then certainly former Dolphins franchise QB and 1st-round pick Tua Tagovailoa will be able to thrive in Stefanski's offense.
If neither of those guys works out, we might have to start having some uncomfortable questions about Stefanski, but at the same time, the reality of the Falcons finishing in this type of situation means quarterback has to be on the table. If the Falcons are this bad in 2026, quarterback will be a 1st-round option.
CJ Carr is one of those prospects expected to take a huge leap this coming season, and he's getting praise early on for how well he operates the Notre Dame offense.
8. New Orleans Saints: Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
The New Orleans Saints are one of my favorite breakout team picks for 2026, so I'm not anticipating them being in this favorable of a draft position again. However, the fact of the matter is, progression and development at the NFL are not always linear. A player like Tyler Shough might still struggle some in his second year, and the Saints could go from showing signs of life to struggling again in 2026.
If they get to this point, I love the idea of a pass rusher off the edge to help that defensive front. Chase Young was a really nice addition for them last year, and trade acquisition Tyree Wilson could be a fun reclamation project with positional flexibility.
Dylan Stewart is slightly undersized, but the pops from him really pop.
He's got 11 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss along with 6 forced fumbles in his first two years at South Carolina, and has shown outstanding burst off the line of scrimmage. His athleticism and length are problems for offensive tackles.
9. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
The Carolina Panthers know they have a special duo right now at the cornerback position with Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, but Jackson is 29 years old in 2026, and the future will be in mind -- at least a little bit -- at this point next year.
If the Panthers finish inside the top 10 picks overall, a couple of hard conversations will need to be had. The first will center around Bryce Young, of course, and there are quarterbacks they could consider here. But we're also getting into that territory where you're either talking yourself into a quarterback or taking a guy who is ranked a lot higher on your board.
Moore is the best cornerback prospect in this draft, and has those blue-chip traits at the position to help him project as an ideal CB1 at the next level.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
This year is the last ride for Aaron Rodgers with the Pittsburgh Steelers, or anyone else...
...we're 99 percent sure.
Rodgers said last year that the 2025 season would be his last, but that wasn't the case. Now, we're expecting -- once again -- that this year could be the last dance for Rodgers in the NFL, and the Steelers have to expect it. Certainly, if they fall this badly out of 1st place in the division, any and all rebuilding discussions will be on the table.
The Steelers didn't have a single losing season with Mike Tomlin as their head coach, and while Mike McCarthy has a good regular season track record, it wouldn't be shocking to see Pittsburgh backslide a bit. Getting a prospect like LaNorris Sellers, in combination with maybe an established veteran, could give the Steelers a chance to compete next year and plan for the future.
11. New York Giants: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
I was all but certain the New York Giants were going to use one of their 1st-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on the wide receiver position, especially given the latest injury updates surrounding Malik Nabers.
Nabers might not be ready for the start of the season, and the Giants already lost Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency to the Titans. There were a lot of rumors connecting the Giants to Jordyn Tyson in the days leading up to the NFL Draft, but it appears as though the availability of Arvell Reese shifted their strategy almost entirely.
There's now, inherently, a lot of pressure on 3rd-round pick Malachi Fields, and the Giants brought in a host of veteran receivers, including a reunion with Odell Beckham Jr. They still need another top-tier receiver in the mix, and Cam Coleman might be a WR1 in normal draft classes. He'd be a huge value in this pick slot.
12. Washington Commanders: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
The Washington Commanders had pretty limited NFL Draft capital available to them in 2026, but they made good use of the assets they had. Not only in the NFL Draft, but in NFL Free Agency. The Commanders had to revamp a defense that allowed more yards than any other defense in the league last year -- even the Dallas Cowboys.
They upgraded the trenches with Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson coming off the edge. They upgraded the second level with Leo Chenal and Sonny Styles as their top pick. The one area that might need some long-term attention is at the cornerback position.
Marshon Lattimore did not work out as expected when he was acquired in a trade, and the Commanders are still on the hunt for that missing piece.
13. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Everyone is going to be watching the Vikings this season and how they handle the quarterback position with JJ McCarthy looking more and more like a 1st-round bust, at least for them.
And that's a shame, because it feels like everything Kevin O'Connell touches turns to gold. Just not the guy he got in the draft.
The Vikings are hopeful that Kyler Murray can prove to be the franchise QB this year, and he's already made a strong first impression. If Murray works out, it would solve the biggest of this team's long-term issues. And if the Vikings discover that Murray can be their guy, they need to invest in the offensive line.
Jordan Seaton looked every bit the part of a 1st-round tackle at Colorado, and I expect he'll show that even more at LSU.
14. New York Jets (from Colts): David Stone, DL, Oklahoma
The New York Jets have a whopping three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, even after having three first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft (David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr.).
Two reasons why the Jets have extra picks in the first round: Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. They'll need to find long-term replacements for those guys yet, and David Stone could help this team ultimately replace Williams.
He has all of the traits to be a disruptive every-down player on the interior defensive line with a strong initial punch and great quickness off the snap. Especially playing in tandem with T'Vondre Sweat, David Bailey, and Will McDonald, he could be the missing piece.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
As of last season, only five quarterbacks in the league were sacked more than Trevor Lawrence, who was sacked 41 times. It was the highest sack percentage of Lawrence's career at 6.82 percent.
The Jaguars are going to have to invest in his protection with Cole Van Lanen slated to start at the left tackle position this season. And if Trevor Goosby is available to them in the 1st round, the Jaguars might actually fall in line with the conensus boards for a change.
He's got a great initial kick step and knows how to finish blocks when he gets his hands on pass rushers. I think at the next level, you can project him to either side of the line as well. The Jaguars need pass protection upgrades, and Goosby could be the best pass protector in the entire class.
16. New York Jets (from Cowboys): Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
Oh look, it's the New York Jets again.
The Jets started off their haul of 1st-round picks in this 2027 NFL mock draft scenario with quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who will obviously be the centerpiece of the class. But getting players like Oklahoma defensive lineman David Stone and Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown could also be critical for the foundation and long-term future of the team.
Even if it doesn't end up being those specific prospects, if you can find building blocks in the draft at the premium positions (QB, WR, OT, EDGE, DL, CB), you have the ability to compete quickly. The Jets need to find a franchise quarterback, but getting a replacement at the outside cornerback position after trading Sauce Gardner is also essential. He's already got a ton of tape out there against top receiver prospects, including Omar Cooper Jr., who the Jets took in the 1st round this year.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
It feels like the Cincinnati Bengals have tried a million different ways to find solutions at the tight end position, and nothing has proven to be an effective long-term solution. Mike Gesicki got a new contract and his production fell off a cliff. He also only played in 13 games.
At this point, we don't know what, if anything, Erick All is going to bring to the table. Drew Sample has been a model of consistency, but getting a true threat in the passing game with reliability would take this Bengals offense to another level.
Jamari Johnson might be a better overall prospect than Kenyon Sadiq, his teammate at Oregon. He averaged 15.9 yards per reception with three touchdown catches last year, and could end up being one of the most coveted offensive weapons in next year's draft.
18. Chicago Bears: Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
I'm a lot higher on the Bears this season than Tankathon apparently is. But I will admit, the one area the Bears failed to properly address this offseason was their pass rush. As excited as we all are for the continued progression of Madden 27 cover athlete Caleb Williams, and as excited as we all are to see Ben Johnson continue working with this talented core of players, that Chicago defense had some real stinkers last season.
This was a defense that lived and died by the takeaway defensively. They led the league in that category, which obviously led to a ton of team success. They were a net +2 weekly every week just by way of the defense forcing 33 turnovers.
But the pass rush needs help, and they didn't get it during the 2026 offseason. At least not yet. There is a reason why the Bears always popped up when there was trade speculation about guys like Maxx Crosby.
Getting Matayo Uiagalelei would be a great supplementary piece, but they probably need to swing even bigger for a veteran on top of a pick like this.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
Baker Mayfield is entering the final year of his contract with the Buccaneers. He set a deadline with the team of training camp before he wants to be done even potentially having negotiations this season, and Mayfield was pretty transparent about the fact that he and the Bucs are not close on a deal at this point in time.
It's not just trouble in paradise, either. If the Bucs finish this low, it could mean another early playoff exit or flirting with missing the playoffs again entirely. And if Mayfield is not someone they want to pay big money to, they can reset this offseason and go after a player on a rookie contract.
Julian Sayin is one of a number of quarterback prospects to consider in a spot like this, but he was outstanding last year at Ohio State and deserves some 1st-round discussion at this point.
It would be wild to see the Bucs move on from Mayfield, and even crazier to see what the fallout of that would be.
20. Houston Texans: Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss
The Houston Texans addressed their primary needs offensively in the 2026 offseason by continuing to revamp that offensive line and trading for David Montgomery at the running back position.
There are obviously long-term health concerns right now with veteran running back Joe Mixon, and nobody really knows when -- or if -- we're going to see him on the field for Houston again. Even if Montgomery is a multi-year investment for this team, getting a stud at the running back position in the 1st round of the NFL Draft is a luxury the Texans can afford.
Kewan Lacy had an absurd 24 rushing touchdowns last year at Ole Miss, and could be the perfect complement at the position to someone like Montgomery. He's on the smaller side, but the explosiveness and playmaking upside could make him a top-20 pick easily. Between Lacy and Ahmad Hardy (among others), this should be a really fun running back class to pick from.
21. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers): Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
The Dallas Cowboys franchise tagged George Pickens this offseason, giving him another chance to prove they should invest in him over the long haul. Say what you want about Pickens, but what he does on the field when he's on top of his game is top-10 at his position in the NFL.
The Cowboys know they have an elite talent on their hands, but Pickens the player is not all the Cowboys would be investing a ton of money in. They have to believe Pickens the person is going to be worth a contract that could reset the market, and having two years with him should help inform that decision plenty.
Either way, would it be surprising to see the Cowboys get some insurance at the receiver position in next year's draft? There were some rumors about them having interest in Jordyn Tyson this year, Carnell Tate if he became available...
Nick Marsh is a highly regarded transfer coming to Indiana from Michigan State. He has the potential to be the most dangerous after-the-catch target in this year's class.
22. Denver Broncos: Cayden Green, OL, Missouri
The Denver Broncos know that trench play is what helped them expedite a rebuilding process that many folks felt would take the entire duration of Sean Payton's head coaching career. Payton believes that line play permates the entire building, and the Broncos are getting older up front on offense.
This team has big-money starters everywhere on the line right now, and they won't be able to keep that up for long. They have to be forward-thinking on both the offensive and defensive lines, so neither position group would be a surprise here.
Cayden Green is a left tackle prospect who moves exceptionally well, he's physical in the run game, and he has tackle-guard flex. The Broncos like 4th-round pick Kage Casey as a future starter as well, so they will just keep loading up on the offensive line to protect Bo Nix.
23. Detroit Lions: Quincy Rhodes Jr., EDGE, Arkansas
It's actually funny to think about, but you could make the argument that every team in the NFC North failed to properly address their pass rush in 2026.
The Detroit Lions used a second-round pick on Michigan's Derrick Moore, but it's fair to say that none of the teams in this division has really moved the needle all that much this offseason, especially when they all had clear and obvious needs to upgrade off the edge.
The Lions are going on two years of having that need staring them right in the face. Aidan Hutchinson needs help off the edge, and this might be where the Lions get it for him. They could also go out and add a veteran at some point via trade or free agency, but just like the Bears, don't be shocked to see the Lions double up if the pass rush is a problem for them in 2026.
24. New England Patriots: Boubacar Traore, EDGE, Notre Dame
Speaking of pass rush being a bit of a problem, I present to you the New England Patriots. The Patriots had the worst sack differential in the AFC last season with 24 sacks as a defense and 51 sacks allowed as an offense.
They were the worst in the NFL if you include the postseason, where Drake Maye was seemingly fortunate to make it out alive.
That's why the Patriots used their top two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on Caleb Lomu out of Utah at the offensive tackle position, and Gabe Jacas out of Illinois off the edge. But they let K'Lavon Chaisson walk in free agency, which was a curious move because he was probably their best rusher, especially in the playoffs.
Boubacar Traore has been a playmaker at Notre Dame the past two seasons, but had a nice breakout year in 2025. He's on the 1st round radar after racking up 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: A'Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
The Philadelphia Eagles have seemingly been searching high and low for ways to trade Jalen Carter. Eventually, they're going to find one and make it happen.
We know general manager Howie Roseman has to be absolutely crawling in his own skin at the thought that he hasn't used a 1st-round pick on the trenches since he took Carter in the 1st round back in 2023. That's truly one of his favorite things to do.
All kidding aside, it's time for the Eagles to invest more draft capital in that defensive front, which was the calling card of the team when they won the Super Bowl two seasons ago. A'Mauri Washington probably would have been a 1st-round pick if he had left Oregon after the 2025 season, so teams will already look at him as having a high floor in 2027.
26. Los Angeles Chargers: Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
If there's one major critique we would have of the Los Angeles Chargers' offense on paper right now, it would have to be their wide receiver position.
Keenan Allen basically rolled out of bed and was the team's top target last season. Ladd McConkey had a bit of a regression year, and Quentin Johnston kind of just is what he is at this point. He's certainly not a bad player, and neither is McConkey, but the Chargers still need to find that missing piece of the passing attack.
Ryan Coleman-Williams was once considered right on par with the likes of Jeremiah Smith, but his stock has tumbled a bit. I'm anticipating a huge bounce-back year for him this year at Alabama, and the 1st-round hype will skyrocket as a result of it. He's an explosive playmaker at every level of the field, and fantastic with the ball in his hands.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa
The Iowa Hawkeyes had three offensive linemen drafted in 2026, and the highest-rated prospect on the offensive line might have returned to Iowa City for the 2026 season.
Trevor Lauck looks like the next in a long line of successful Hawkeye offensive linemen making his way to the professional ranks, and at the game's most premium position on top of it all. Lauck was the bookend tackle along with Gennings Dunker this past year at Iowa, and he was phenomenal.
The 49ers have to start thinking about life after Trent Williams. Williams has been something of an ageless wonder at the left tackle position, but at some point, he's going to stop playing. The 49ers need to be prepared when that happens, and this could be an ideal scenario for them.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
The Kansas City Chiefs probably know, at this point, that they are simply not going to get the best out of Rashee Rice on the field. Whether it's been because of injuries or off-field issues, Rice has simply not been available to the Chiefs, and it's time for them to move on.
Even though they also used 1st-round pick recently on Xavier Worthy, the Chiefs' offensive skill positions have not been good enough. Worthy is more of a gadget player, Travis Kelce is potentially playing in his last NFL season, and there are really only role players for Patrick Mahomes in the passing game.
Charlie Becker could be a nice value if the Chiefs are picking this late in the 1st round again. Go watch his game against Ohio State from last season, and you'll see a player ready for a major breakout year in 2026 after getting overshadowed by the likes of Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt.
29. Seattle Seahawks: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
It's been a fascinating offseason for the Seattle Seahawks in 2026 after the team hoisted the Lombardi Trophy back in February. Of course, you can't keep everybody in the NFL, but the Seahawks have almost not kept anybody when it comes to the guys who left this offseason and played such a key role last year.
Kenneth Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, is gone. Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen, and Coby Bryant are gone. The Seahawks are maybe doing some forward-thinking with their contract situations, but they've created some gaps, there's no doubt about it.
After letting Riq Woolen leave for the Eagles in free agency, maybe the Seahawks will look to Kelley Jones as his long-term replacement. Jones is another 6-foot-4 cornerback with ridiculous length to challenge receivers at the catch point.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Ahmad Moten Sr., DL, Miami
You can never have too many pass rushers, and the Baltimore Ravens have found that out the hard way over the past couple of years. Even though it's not like the Ravens ignore the defensive front in the NFL Draft, their pass rush was still rough last season.
They brought in veteran Calais Campbell to help supplement that in 2026, but how much longer is Campbell realistically going to play?
Ahmad Moten had a nice breakout year for Miami last year on their star-studded defensive front, and he could shine this year with the spotlight pointed his direction a little bit more. He finished last season with 9 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
31. Buffalo Bills: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
I won't try to prematurely bury the Bills' selection of Kaleb Elarms-Orr from the 2026 NFL Draft class, because he was one of my favorite non-1st-round players of the entire crop. But the Bills could load up at the off-ball linebacker position if they are able to get Notre Dame's Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa in the 1st round of next year's draft.
Buffalo doesn't have a ton of pressing needs right now, but how much are they going to feel the loss of a player like Matt Milano? Dorian Williams is also a projected 2027 free agent as of right now, so it would make some sense for them to load up here again.
Viliamu-Asa racked up 48 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks last season for Notre Dame. At 6-foot-3, 239 pounds, he's got the ideal size to play all three downs at the next level.
32. Cleveland Browns (from Rams): Damon Wilson, EDGE, Miami
Without Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain hunting quarterbacks off the edge, it's going to be fascinating to see how Missouri transfer Damon Wilson can quickly acclimate himself.
Working with Mario Cristobal and Jason Taylor off the edge, Wilson has a chance to shoot up draft boards quickly if he can combine his elite talent with consistent production. He showed a glimpse of that last year with 9 sacks and 9 tackles for loss at Missouri.
The Browns obviously need to solidify their pass rush for the future after trading away Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. They acquired Jared Verse to be the centerpiece of their pass rush group, but adding to that unit is always a wise move for NFL teams.
If Wilson has another big year, Cleveland probably won't be able to get him at 32 anyway.