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ESPN’s Jeremy Reid 2027 NFL Mock Draft with Predicted Trades

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say! Who Goes 1st in the 2027 NFL Draft?
Join the Mock Draft Debate: Who Goes Where?

ESPN's Jordan Reid has laid out his complete 2027 first-round projections, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE TRADE AT NO. 1: Did Cleveland make the right move trading up for Oregon's Dante Moore, or should Miami have stayed at No. 1 to take the QB themselves?
- THE WR CLASS: Between Jeremiah Smith (MIA), Cam Coleman (LV), Charlie Becker (WSH), and Nick Marsh (BUF), which wide receiver lands in the best NFL situation?
- JETS THREE-PACK: New York walked away with CJ Carr (QB), Ellis Robinson IV (CB), and David Stone (DT). Did Gang Green win the draft?
Drop your hot takes and mock draft reactions in the comments!
ESPN's 2027 NFL Mock Draft
ESPN’s Jordan Reid Projects the 2027 NFL First Round

Evaluating prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft is already in overdrive, and ESPN NFL draft insider Jordan Reid has updated his early first-round projections. Utilizing Football Power Index (FPI) draft order projections alongside scouting feedback, this 32-pick mock features a blockbuster trade at the very top for a franchise quarterback, followed by a run on game-changing pass catchers and trenches talent.

Here is how the first round shapes up in ESPN's projection.
32. Miami Dolphins (via LAR / CLE)
Will Heldt | Edge, Clemson

Closing out the first round with their second pick from the Cleveland trade we will explore further in this list, Miami adds a long, high-effort edge rusher. Will Heldt brings length, quick get-off, and pass-rushing effort to the Dolphins' front seven.

"Heldt is a long, linearly built player who understands how to use his length. Despite being a limited athlete, Heldt's get-off from a two-point stance is above average. He needs to add more mass to his frame, but he already has the effort and nuances to perform as an NFL pass rusher."
31. Buffalo Bills
Nick Marsh | WR, Indiana

Josh Allen gets a physical, chiseled wide receiver who excels in contested-catch situations and converts tough yards after contact. Nick Marsh gives Buffalo a competitive perimeter weapon to round out their receiving corps.

"Marsh is a physical wideout who is a chiseled 6-foot-3, 213 pounds. The Michigan State transfer is powerful on short-to-intermediate patterns and is not afraid to do the dirty work in the offense. He's competitive in gaining yards after the catch, which would be useful in Buffalo's offense."
30. Baltimore Ravens
Ahmad Moten Sr. | DT, Miami

Baltimore adds an explosive interior disruptor by selecting a quick-penetrating defensive tackle. Ahmad Moten Sr. brings first-step quickness and interior pass-rush talent to the Ravens.

"Moten is one of my favorite players in this draft and would fit in seamlessly in new Ravens coach Jesse Minter's defense. Moten is already first-round-worthy as an interior pass rusher, as his first-step quickness and penetration abilities are top-notch. He'll have to take a major step as a run defender to cement a place in Round 1, as he sometimes gets dislodged from his gaps."
29. Seattle Seahawks
Justin Scott | DT, Miami

The defending champions stay aggressive upfront by injecting elite youth into their interior defensive line rotation. Justin Scott brings a massive frame and high-upside interior pass-rushing ability to Seattle's defense.

"Scott would provide much-needed youth for Seattle. He needs to add moves to his pass-rush arsenal, but scouts I've talked to believe Scott has potential to be a top-20 pick if he builds on what he showed on tape last season."
28. San Francisco 49ers
Niki Prongos | OT, Stanford

San Francisco plans ahead for the future on their offensive line by grooming an athletic, high-ceiling tackle prospect. Niki Prongos brings rare foundational tools and huge upside to Kyle Shanahan's system.

"Prongos has been one of the more pleasant surprises in my summer film study, and I wanted to make sure he was in this mock. There's a bit of projection with this pick, as Prongos is still a work in progress. But the 6-foot-7, 315-pound former walk-on has good foundational tools, and I really like his upward trajectory."
27. Detroit Lions
Greg Johnson | G, Minnesota

Detroit stays true to its identity by drafting a rugged, physical interior lineman to keep its front line dominant. Greg Johnson brings blue-collar toughness and run-blocking power to Motor City.

"The Lions' front office has been consistent in its quest for tough, rugged and consistent players. Johnson easily checks all three boxes as arguably the top guard in this class. Johnson has experience at all five offensive line spots but projects as an interior blocker in the NFL."
26. Kansas City Chiefs
Trevor Lauck | OT, Iowa

Kansas City secures its offensive line future by landing a steady, consistent tackle who wins his assignments snap after snap. Trevor Lauck brings technique and reliable pass protection to protect Patrick Mahomes.

"Lauck is a steady tackle who simply finds ways to piece together wins in games. While he doesn't have the same physical traits or movement skills of other top tackles in this class, he's a consistent presence."
25. Los Angeles Chargers
Kade Pieper | C, Iowa

Adding tough, mobile interior offensive linemen is a staple for Los Angeles, and landing Iowa's top interior blocker fortifies the Chargers up front. Kade Pieper brings lateral mobility and positional flexibility to the line.

"Pieper is my top-rated interior lineman. While he has played guard exclusively in college, he's transitioning to center this season. That positional flexibility will boost his stock, and Pieper's excellent lateral movement makes him a picture-perfect fit in Mike McDaniel's scheme."
24. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
Chris Cole | LB, Georgia

Dallas continues adding speed and range to its linebacker room with a sideline-to-sideline tackler. Chris Cole brings ideal frame, pursuit speed, and physical run fits to the Cowboys' defense.

"Cole is set to be the next of the long line of quality linebackers that Georgia has produced under Kirby Smart. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, he has the size, range and physicality that teams covet. Cole needs to improve his take-on strength in the box and coverage awareness but would be a nice fit in Dallas."
23. Cincinnati Bengals
KJ Bolden | S, Georgia

Cincinnati re-tools its secondary by drafting a versatile safety capable of roaming the back end as a true get-to-everything type of player. KJ Bolden brings elite instincts and physical tackling to the Bengals' defense.

"Bolden is a jack-of-all-trades for Georgia, but his best NFL outlook is as a center-field safety who can roam the back end. He has a slight frame (6 feet, 180 pounds), but he is still a willing downhill player and physical tackler."
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Kelley Jones | CB, Mississippi State

Howie Roseman snags a towering cornerback with rare size and length to bolster Philadelphia's secondary depth. Kelley Jones brings a lockdown ceiling on the outside, giving the Eagles an athletic coverage asset.

"Jones allowed an FBS-low seven receptions last season but has feast-or-famine tendencies, with five of those catches going for 20 or more yards and two resulting in touchdowns. Eliminating big plays would cement Jones into Round 1."
21. New England Patriots
Yhonzae Pierre | Edge, Alabama

New England adds edge pressure to its front seven with a high-effort standup linebacker who plays with high effort. Yhonzae Pierre brings speed-to-power converts and relentless pursuit to Foxborough's pass rush.

"Pierre is an energetic and powerful pass rusher who primarily operates as a standup outside linebacker. He has average bend but plays with high effort. Pierre could be selected as future successor to join Gabe Jacas, New England's second-round pick in April. "
20. Houston Texans
Kewan Lacy | RB, Ole Miss

Houston provides C.J. Stroud with a home-run threat in the backfield to elevate their offensive attack. Kewan Lacy brings explosive long speed, open-field wiggle, and high-volume scoring ability to the Texans' ground game.

"Lacy is a long-striding slasher who easily makes defenders miss. He would provide quarterback C.J. Stroud with a potent threat in the backfield who can create yards on the ground or when involved in the passing game."
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ashton Hampton | CB, Clemson

Tampa Bay continues reloading its defense with younger talent, selecting a long, physical cornerback who excels in tight man coverage. Ashton Hampton brings boundary toughness and pressing size to the Buccaneers' secondary.

"He's a big, physical corner at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds who thrives in man coverage."
18. Denver Broncos
Jamari Johnson | TE, Oregon

Sean Payton finds a versatile offensive weapon for his tight end room, adding a physical pass catcher who can line up inline or in the slot. Jamari Johnson gives Denver reliable hands and tough run blocking to keep drives moving.

"Johnson has the alignment versatility to play inline or in the slot. He has solid hands and is a good-enough run blocker. Denver spent two Day 3 picks on tight ends in April, but that wouldn't stop them from taking Johnson here."
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
A'Mauri Washington | DT, Oregon

Jacksonville shores up its interior defense by grabbing a massive defensive tackle with game-disrupting power. A'Mauri Washington brings brute force and pocket-collapsing ability to Florida, providing a big-time anchor in the middle.

"He is a massive interior defender who has shown flashes of being a true disruptor at the first level. Washington does need to show a bit more consistency anchoring against the run, as he tends to lose ground against double-teams."
16. Chicago Bears
Jordan Seaton | OT, LSU

Keeping Caleb Williams protected is priority one in Chicago, and landing an athletic left tackle prospect solidifies the edge of their front line. Jordan Seaton brings smooth pass sets and natural balance to the Bears' offensive line.

"Seaton is an easy-moving pass protector who plays with excellent balance. He still needs to work on his hand placement, but his raw tools could eventually make him the top offensive tackle in next year's class if he performs well against an SEC schedule."
15. New York Jets (via DAL)
David Stone | DT, Oklahoma

Gang Green completes a massive three-pick first-round haul by fortifying the middle of their defensive front. David Stone is a powerful, scheme-versatile defensive tackle who sheds blockers with ease and collapses pockets from the inside.

"Stone is the best run defender in this stacked defensive tackle class, and his high-end play strength is coupled with excellent ability to shed blockers at the point of attack."
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tae Johnson | S, Notre Dame

Pittsburgh reinforces its secondary with an instinctive safety who plays with relentless downhill energy. Tae Johnson brings ball skills and physical, run-support tackling to the Steel City, fitting the traditional black-and-yellow defensive mold.

"Johnson is my highest-ranked safety entering the season despite being relatively inexperienced. His combination of instincts, ball skills and enthusiasm crashing downhill in run support makes him a high-upside prospect."
13. Minnesota Vikings
Trey'Dez Green | TE, LSU

Minnesota creates a major matchup issue for opposing defenses by drafting a supersized tight end with wideout movement skills. Trey'Dez Green gives the Vikings a dynamic red-zone weapon who can win single-coverage matchups down the seam.

"Built like an NBA small forward, the 6-foot-7, 237-pound Green is one of the most unique players in the class. He is a mismatch for defenders -- he's basically a supersized wide receiver -- and his production could explode in Lane Kiffin's uptempo offense. And he would be an eventual replacement for T.J. Hockenson."
12. New York Jets (via IND)
Ellis Robinson IV | CB, Georgia

New York adds much-needed playmaker talent to its secondary by picking an athletic cornerback with genuine ball-hawking instincts. Ellis Robinson IV brings high-end athletic traits and closing speed to the Jets' defense.

"Robinson is an excellent athlete who is capable of making plays on the ball, finishing with four interceptions in 2025. He still needs to sharpen his technique, but Robinson will be a top-15 pick if he's able to take the next step. "
11. Atlanta Falcons
Trevor Goosby | OT, Texas

Securing high-level pass protection remains job number one down in Atlanta, especially with turnover on the offensive line horizon. Trevor Goosby brings massive length, smooth footwork, and tackle versatility to keep the Falcons' pocket clean.

"The long and agile Goosby is capable of playing both tackle spots but could slide in right away at right tackle, which is important since the Falcons have two left-handed quarterbacks. Assuming his recent knee injury isn't serious, the 6-foot-7, 325-pounder could enter the top-10 discussion with another successful season."
10. Washington Commanders
Charlie Becker | WR, Indiana

Jayden Daniels gets another lethal downfield target as Washington adds a big-bodied receiver who specializes in winning contested catches. Charlie Becker's deep speed and elite ball-tracking make him a perfect perimeter complement in the Commanders' offense.

"Becker was the player I enjoyed studying the most this offseason. He exploded on the scene last November and was the X factor in Indiana's run to the national title. Becker combines deep speed with elite ball tracking and excellent hand-eye coordination. His skill set would perfectly complement Jayden Daniels' deep-ball proficiency. "
9. New York Giants
Will Echoles | DT, Ole Miss

Big Blue fills a massive hole on the interior defensive line by selecting an absolute powerhouse in the trenches. Will Echoles brings brute strength and gap-penetrating power to New York, giving the Giants a stout run defender who regularly resets the line of scrimmage.

"Echoles is the best of a deep defensive tackle crop, as his power and pass-rush push give him a well-rounded skill set. He is a stout run defender who is difficult to move off the spot, allowing him to maintain gap control and generate negative plays. He just turned 20 years old earlier this month, giving him tremendous room for growth."
8. New Orleans Saints
Colin Simmons | Edge, Texas

New Orleans injects pure pass-rushing energy into its front seven with the SEC's most productive edge defender. Colin Simmons brings an unpredictable mix of speed moves and leverage to the Saints, giving them a disruptive force up front.

"Simmons would be a major boost to New Orleans' defensive front as the most productive edge rusher in this class. His combination of power and upfield quickness has him in the argument with Dylan Stewart as the top edge in this draft."
7. Carolina Panthers
Leonard Moore | CB, Notre Dame

Carolina continues its defensive rebuilding project by adding a long, fluid cover corner to lock down the secondary. Leonard Moore brings elite ball skills and ideal length to Charlotte, giving the Panthers a shutdown defender opposite Jaycee Horn.

"Adding Moore would give Carolina a dynamic coverage duo, as Moore is one of the best corners I've scouted in some time. He has been exceptional at Notre Dame and his length (6-foot-2, 197 pounds) and fluidity give him potential to be a shutdown cover guy."
6. Tennessee Titans
Dylan Stewart | Edge, South Carolina

You can never have enough explosive edge rushers in today's league, and Tennessee nabs a defensive end with unbelievable athletic traits. Dylan Stewart's raw upfield acceleration and bend give the Titans a pass rusher with massive NFL upside.

"Few edge-rush prospects have ever possessed Stewart's blend of upfield acceleration, bend and closing speed. The production has yet to match the potential, as Stewart had only 4.5 sacks last season, but the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder has rare tools and already has teams giddy about what he could develop into at the NFL level."
5. Las Vegas Raiders
Cam Coleman | WR, Texas

After selecting their quarterback in the previous draft class, Las Vegas gets him a true WR1 on the outside. Cam Coleman brings an incredible catch radius and polished route-running to the desert, forming a terrifying young weapon trio alongside Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.

"Coleman is a sleek-built pass catcher who can make acrobatic receptions look routine with his outstanding catch radius. This upcoming season could see his production explode as Arch Manning's featured option."
4. Miami Dolphins (via projected trade with CLE)
Jeremiah Smith | WR, Ohio State

Trading back three picks and still landing the top overall player on the board is a dream scenario for Miami. Bringing South Florida's own Jeremiah Smith back home provides the Dolphins with a physically imposing, alpha wideout capable of dictating coverage on every snap.

"Smith grew up down the road from Hard Rock Stadium and would immediately become Miami's go-to receiver. Not only would he be a massive upgrade from Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert, but he would also allow Miami to correctly evaluate QB Malik Willis. "
3. New York Jets
CJ Carr | QB, Notre Dame

Gang Green has spent recent drafts assembling bookend tackles, elite perimeter wideouts, and a star backfield—now they grab the quarterback to conduct it all. CJ Carr's compact release, field vision, and big-game poise make him an ideal fit for New York's stacked offense.

"He's a capable passer who can distribute the ball and does a great job of syncing his feet, eyes and throwing motion. Notre Dame is a prime national title contender in 2026, and if Carr excels on that quest, it's easy to see him rise to this spot of the draft."
2. Arizona Cardinals
Arch Manning | QB, Texas

Arizona isn't letting short-term depth options prevent them from securing a potential star signal-caller. Pairing Arch Manning's pedigree and arm talent with an upgraded backfield gives the Cardinals an explosive young nucleus to build around in the NFC West.

"Manning recovered from a slow start to 2025, with his development taking a big leap in mid-October. If he can build on that momentum and improve his accuracy on underneath throws, he has the physical tools to be picked at this spot."
1. Cleveland Browns (via projected trade with MIA)
Dante Moore | QB, Oregon

Cleveland swinging for the fences with a blockbuster trade up to the top spot is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward power play. The Browns desperately need a true franchise catalyst under center, and grabbing Oregon's polished signal-caller gives them a mechanically sound passer who can elevate a young offensive core.

"Moore has squeaky-clean mechanics, and his accuracy shined in his first year as a starter. This would be a good situation for him, with young players he can grow alongside. If he brings his stellar college play to the NFL, the Browns could turn things around quickly."
Have Your Say! Who Goes 1st in the 2027 NFL Draft?
Join the Mock Draft Debate: Who Goes Where?

ESPN's Jordan Reid has laid out his complete 2027 first-round projections, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE TRADE AT NO. 1: Did Cleveland make the right move trading up for Oregon's Dante Moore, or should Miami have stayed at No. 1 to take the QB themselves?
- THE WR CLASS: Between Jeremiah Smith (MIA), Cam Coleman (LV), Charlie Becker (WSH), and Nick Marsh (BUF), which wide receiver lands in the best NFL situation?
- JETS THREE-PACK: New York walked away with CJ Carr (QB), Ellis Robinson IV (CB), and David Stone (DT). Did Gang Green win the draft?
Drop your hot takes and mock draft reactions in the comments!
ESPN's 2027 NFL Mock Draft
ESPN’s Jordan Reid Projects the 2027 NFL First Round

Evaluating prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft is already in overdrive, and ESPN NFL draft insider Jordan Reid has updated his early first-round projections. Utilizing Football Power Index (FPI) draft order projections alongside scouting feedback, this 32-pick mock features a blockbuster trade at the very top for a franchise quarterback, followed by a run on game-changing pass catchers and trenches talent.

Here is how the first round shapes up in ESPN's projection.