17. New York Jets (from Colts): Will Echoles, DL, Ole Miss
The Jets are making back-to-back picks in the middle of this 2027 NFL mock draft scenario, and they'd be able to add a couple of really intriguing cornerstone pieces to their defense from a couple of SEC programs.
After getting Zabien Brown to potentially be their future CB1, they get Will Echoles, an interior defensive lineman who has huge upside in the pass rush department. He had 68 total tackles last year for the Rebels, including 11.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. He also added 5 passes batted at the line of scrimmage.
He was credited with more pressures than any other IDL in the Power Four conferences (39) all of last season. Put this guy next to 2026 top pick David Bailey and let those two feast.
18. Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
The Los Angeles Chargers left the 2025 season with offensive line concerns, and they're about to enter the 2026 season with offensive line concerns.
It was a little surprising that the Chargers approached the recovery of their offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (patellar tendon) and Joe Alt (high ankle fracture) with such optimism. Of course, the Chargers believe in those guys as cornerstone pieces, which they've proven to be (when healthy).
With the concerns over Slater still growing as we write this, the Chargers might be in for yet another season full of offensive line shuffling, and an offseason of attacking that need. They'd be pretty fortunate to still see Trevor Goosby on the board whenever they end up picking.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars: KJ Bolden, SAF, Georgia
If there is an edge rusher prospect that really emerges, that might be the direction the Jaguars go here. Maybe they are the first team to take an off-ball linebacker off the board.
Ultimately, we went with the best player available at a future area of need for this team, even though they have a couple of recent 3rd-round picks (Caleb Ransaw, Jacob Huskey) waiting in the wings. The Jaguars get one of the top playmakers in the defensive backfield from this class in KJ Bolden, who has 3 interceptions in his first two college seasons on top of 135 total tackles.
He's a former five-star prospect who flies around the field with elite athleticism and instincts.
20. Chicago Bears: A'Mauri Washington, DL, Oregon
Every season can tell a different story, but the Chicago Bears had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season. They ranked 27th in total rushing yards allowed as well as 29th in yards per carry allowed.
Enter A'Mauri Washington, an instant fix to that problem. Had Washington declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, he probably would have been an awesome 1st-round pick for the Bears this year. But as it stands, the NFL is going to have to wait while Washington dominates one more year at Oregon.
He led all FBS defensive linemen with 8 batted passes at the line of scrimmage last year, and is one of the strongest players -- regardless of position -- in the country.
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