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The Sporting News 2027 NFL Mock Draft: Counting Down from 32 to No. 1

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say on the 2027 NFL Draft
2027 NFL Draft Debate

With the 2026 season edging closer, these 2027 projections show a heavy focus on quarterbacks and edge rushers.
- Which player on this list do you think has the best chance to be the No. 1 overall pick?
- Does Arch Manning to the Browns make the most sense for Cleveland’s future?
- Who is the best pick for your favorite team?
- What does your full 2027 NFL Mock Draft look like?
Join the conversation in the comments!
The Sporting News 2027 NFL Mock Draft
With the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror and the Seattle Seahawks still celebrating their victory in Super Bowl LX, it is time to turn the page to the next crop of elite talent. The 2027 class is already generating massive buzz, with high-profile legacy names and SEC powerhouses set to dominate the conversation leading up to the event in Washington, D.C.

We are breaking down the first-round projections from Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News, but doing things a little differently. Instead of starting with the drama at the top, we are beginning our countdown with the final predicted pick of the first round and working our way toward the top of the board. From Clemson edge rushers to the next generation of the Manning dynasty, here is how the first round is currently shaking out.
32. Seattle Seahawks
EDGE Will Heldt, Clemson

"[Will] Heldt... will be the ideal addition to the Seahawks' pass-rush rotation as a delayed replacement for Boye Mafe."

Heldt is a 6-6, 260-pound edge rusher who recorded a career-best 7.5 sacks last season. He provides the Seahawks with rotational depth and the size to set the edge in Mike Macdonald's defensive scheme.
31. Los Angeles Rams
WR Bryant Wesco Jr., Clemson

"...with Davante Adams under contract for one more year. [Bryant] Wesco can replace that big scoring ability with some field-stretching juice."

Wesco Jr. measures 6-2 and 185 pounds, and he serves as a vertical threat for the Rams' offense. Should LA part ways with Adams, Wesco would help with his field-stretching ability.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
DT A.J. Holmes Jr., Texas Tech

"The Chiefs went to work on their defensive line... but now they can go after Chris Jones' direct interior successor."

Holmes Jr. stands 6-3 and weighs 300 pounds, providing the interior twitch typical of Texas Tech disruptors. His first-step quickness and powerful bull rush helped Holmes reach a career-high 4.5 sacks in 2025.
29. Buffalo Bills
OT/G Cayden Green, Missouri

"[Cayden] Green looks like a strong candidate to move to be a big run-blocking asset inside after supporting [Ahmad] Hardy's production."

Green is a 6-5, 324-pound lineman who has allowed only three sacks in his three-year college career. His versatility allows the Bills to deploy him at either tackle or guard as they retool the offensive line.
28. Baltimore Ravens
CB Chris Peal, Syracuse

"The Ravens will find [Chris Peal] appealing with his size and strength in coverage and ability to support the defense well elsewhere."

Peal is a 6-1, 200-pound cornerback who transferred from Georgia to Syracuse. He provides the Ravens with the size and strength in coverage that fits their aggressive defensive identity. Baltimore's defense has also been pourous at times over the past two seasons.
27. New England Patriots
S Koi Perich, Oregon

"[Koi] Perich, a Minnesota transfer, might be this year's version of Dillon Thieneman as his big-time playmaking will get a much higher-profile."

Perich measures 6-1 and 200 pounds, and he recorded six interceptions in two years at Minnesota before transferring to Oregon. He is projected to join a Patriots team that has used first-round picks on DBs in the past, most recently in 2023, selecting Christian Gonzalez 17th overall.
26. Chicago Bears
RB Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss

"The Bears likely won't re-sign D'Andre Swift... and need to consider taking an explosive all-around back to support Kyle Monangai."

Lacy stands 5-11 and weighs 200 pounds, playing for an Ole Miss offense that was sixth in the SEC in rushing yards last year. His receiving ability fits the offensive scheme run by Ben Johnson in Chicago.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
CB Kelley Jones, Mississippi State

"The Eagles did take a shot on... Riq Woolen, but [Kelley] Jones should appeal to them more with steady coverage."

Jones is a 6-4, 195-pound cornerback from Mississippi State. His size and length would be assets in the NFC East, where the Eagles frequently match up against large-frame receivers.
24. San Francisco 49ers
S K.J. Bolden, Georgia

"The 49ers have some shaky safety play beyond Ji'Ayir Brown in coverage, so going for [K.J.] Bolden as the best at the position would follow."

Bolden is a 6-0, 185-pound safety who was widely considered the No. 1-ranked prospect at his position in 2024. He brings coverage range to a 49ers secondary that needs to stabilize the back end.
23. Los Angeles Chargers
EDGE Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss

"The Chargers need to keep going back to the pass rush, as both Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack are unsigned for 2027... [Suntarine] Perkins still has plenty of potential."

Perkins measures 6-1 and 210 pounds, having posted 4.5 sacks last year, which came following a 10.5-sack campaign in 2024. With the Chargers' veteran pass rushers facing uncertain futures, Perkins is a developmental edge prospect.
22. Denver Broncos
DT Will Echoles, Ole Miss

"[Will] Echoles has a good skill set with which to rise up boards during the season."

Echoles is a 6-3, 310-pound defensive tackle who recorded 5.0 sacks, 34 solo tackles and five PDs last season for Ole Miss. He fits the three-man front utilized by DC Vance Joseph, adding interior disruption to the Broncos' defensive line.
21. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
WR Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama

"[Ryan] Coleman-Williams would be a dynamic big-play threat to pair with CeeDee Lamb."

Coleman-Williams is a 6-0, 178-pound wideout from Alabama with 4.4 speed. This selection gives the Cowboys a second vertical threat if they choose not to extend George Pickens' contract.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

"The Jaguars should be in the market to give Josh Hines-Allen some extra pass-rush pop... and this [Matayo Uiagalelei] would provide plenty of it."

Uiagalelei stands 6-5 and weighs 272 pounds, recording 6.0 sacks last year after a 10.5-sack sophomore campaign. He provides the Jaguars with a power-based rusher to complement the speed of Josh Hines-Allen.
19. Detroit Lions
LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame

"The Lions have some free-agency issues... and getting the active [Kyngstonn] Villamu-Asa would boost their big plays through coverage and blitzing."

Viliamu-Asa is a 6-3, 230-pound linebacker who recorded 34 solo tackles during his first two years at Notre Dame, which includes a career-high 25 in 2025. His sideline-to-sideline range addresses the Lions' linebacker depth as several contracts expire.
18. Houston Texans
CB Zabien Brown, Alabama

"The Texans are loaded in the pass rush but could keep getting better to support Derek Stingley Jr... [Zabien] Brown would be the ideal target for No. 2 corner."

Brown is a 6-0, 192-pound cornerback from Alabama who started in Nick Saban's final recruiting class. He is projected to solidify a secondary that faced high passing volumes in 2025.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
EDGE Quincy Rhodes, Jr., Arkansas

"The Bengals... quest to replace Trey Hendrickson's pass-rush production... [Quincy] Rhodes would take it to another level with his power and quickness."

Rhodes stands 6-6 and weighs 276 pounds, offering the length and power typical of the Arkansas defensive front. He would join a Bengals team that utilized the 2026 draft to overhaul their pass-rushing rotation.
16. New York Giants
DT David Stone, Oklahoma

"The Giants shied away from trying to replace Dexter Lawrence right away, but they can do it well on delay with [David] Stone."

Stone is a 6-3, 210-pound defensive lineman known for interior penetration at Oklahoma. The Giants continue their trend of first-round trench investments, seeking to maintain the pressure levels established by Lawrence.
15. New York Jets (from Cowboys)
RB Ahmad Hardy, Missouri

"The Jets did bring back Breece Hall on the franchise tag, but they should be ready to move on next year. [Ahmad] Hardy stands out... with Hall-like receiving juice."

Hardy is a 5-10, 206-pound back from Missouri who provides a three-down skill set. As the Jets hold their third first-round pick in this mock, Hardy is identified as a cost-controlled replacement for Hall. New York will be picking here thanks to their 2025 NFL Trade Deadline deal with the Dallas Cowboys, where Quinnen Williams was shipped to Big D.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia

"The Steelers will be due for some cornerback help next year. [Ellis] Robinson, a classic ballhawk, would be a big boost to their secondary playmaking."

Robinson stands 6-0 and weighs 180 pounds, hailing from a Georgia program that has produced three first-round defensive backs in recent cycles. He is a ballhawk with the SEC experience required to start early in the Steelers' defense.
13. New York Jets (from Colts)
OT Trevor Goosby, Texas

"The Jets went to work with offensive weapons early in 2026, so now they can focus on getting better protection should they invest in [C.J.] Carr early in 2027."

Goosby is a 6-7, 312-pound tackle from Texas with the length to handle NFL speed rushers. This selection, acquired via the Colts for the Sauce Gardner trade, ensures the Jets' new rookie quarterback has a primary protector on the offensive line.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DT A'Mauri Washington, Oregon

"The Buccaneers are battling some free-agency issues... so [A'Mauri] Washington would make sense to reload Todd Bowles' defense."

Washington is a 6-3, 330-pound interior defender who specialized in run-stuffing at Oregon. As Vita Vea and others face free agency, Washington is the projected anchor to add from the 2027 NFL Draft.
11. Washington Commanders
WR Cam Coleman, Texas

"The Commanders got some help for their receiving corps... Next year they can go get another big big-play target for Jayden Daniels to support Terry McLaurin."

Coleman stands 6-3 and weighs 201 pounds, providing a physical perimeter presence to complement Terry McLaurin. This pick gives Jayden Daniels a high-point specialist who averaged 14 yards per catch through two years of college.
10. Minnesota Vikings
QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State

"He [Kyler Muray] is on a one-year deal as the team seems to be giving up on J.J. McCarthy. Here's saying it won't pan out... leading to the Vikings trying again with [Julian Sayin]."

Sayin is a 6-1, 208-pound quarterback who leads a high-efficiency Ohio State passing attack. His accuracy and anticipation are projected to fit Kevin O'Connell’s system as the Vikings look beyond the Kyler experiment.
9. Carolina Panthers
TE Jamari Johnson, Oregon

"The Panthers... should be targeting [Jamari Johnson] to help Bryce Young in 2027."

Johnson is a 6-5, 257-pound tight end playing for an Oregon offense that ranked just outside the top 10 for scoring and passing last year. He provides Bryce Young, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, with a large-frame target in the middle of the field.
8. New Orleans Saints
CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame

"The Saints will be in the market more for edge rush help, too, but it will be tough to pass up this big corner with shutdown potential."

Moore is a 6-2, 195-pound cornerback who has recorded seven interceptions over the last two seasons at Notre Dame, which includes a career-best five in 2025. He offers the Saints a physical press-man specialist who would improve their pass defense efficiency.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina

"The Raiders... can get a true starter for Rob Leonard's defense in this explosive Gamecock [Dylan Stewart]."

Stewart measures 6-5 and 245 pounds, and he has averaged 5.5 sacks per season over his first two campaigns with the Gamecocks. Pairing him with Maxx Crosby gives the Raiders a defensive front with two high-volume generators of backfield pressures.
6. Tennessee Titans
OT Jordan Seaton, LSU

"The Titans did address their offensive line to help Cam Ward... but here's their chance to land a lock of a pass blocker in the [LSU] transfer."

Jordan Seaton is a 6-5, 330-pound offensive tackle who logged 809 snaps as a true freshman in 2024 and 541 last season before transferring to the SEC. His presence in Nashville would provide the Titans with a blindside protector they could badly use.
5. New York Jets
QB C.J. Carr, Notre Dame

"[C.J.] Carr makes sense to take over the pocket passing after New York invested well in receiving weapons in 2026."

Carr stands 6-3 and weighs 210 pounds, having completed 66.6% of his passes during his freshman season at Notre Dame. The grandson of former Michigan Wolverines head coach Lloyd Carr is projected to take the reins of a Jets offense that has prioritized first-round skill talent in consecutive years.
4. Atlanta Falcons
EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas

"[Colin] Simmons is a very productive sack artist and won't have to wait long after fellow Longhorn Manning."

Simmons is a 6-3, 240-pound edge rusher who maintained a 21.5% pass-rush win rate as a sophomore at Texas. Atlanta uses this pick to secure a defender who recorded 12 sacks in the 2025 season.
3. Arizona Cardinals
QB Dante Moore, Oregon

"The Cardinals drafted Carson Beck, which will make their post-Kyler Murray QB mess even messier... [Dante] Moore's return to school will pay off with a high pick right behind Manning."

Moore measures 6-3 and 206 pounds, and his move to the Big Ten with Oregon has solidified his standing as a top-tier prospect. After a 2025 season where he finished 12th in the nation in passing yards (3,565), he represents a reset for a Cardinals room currently featuring multiple veterans.
2. Cleveland Browns
QB Arch Manning, Texas

"[Arch Manning] will finally make his much-anticipated leap to the NFL in what can be a Heisman-winning breakout for the Longhorns. He has a good chance of going from burnt orange to a similar shade of uniform."

Manning brings a 6-4, 225-pound frame and a 78.0 QBR into this season, after a much-improved second half. This is a Browns team in need of a long-term solution at quarterback. The Texas signal-caller accounted for 3,163 passing yards in 2025, and would provide Cleveland with a high-level processor from the Manning lineage.
1. Miami Dolphins
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

"The Dolphins... are bound to take major lumps in their rebuilding everywhere else to the point they land this pick. Smith would be the no-brainer to give [Malik Willis] a dominant No. 1."

Smith is a 6-3, 223-pound target who led the Big Ten in receiving yards (1,243) during the 2025 season. Adding a premier Ohio State wideout gives the Dolphins a vertical threat to pair with Malik Willis as they navigate this 2027 roster overhaul.
Have Your Say on the 2027 NFL Draft
2027 NFL Draft Debate

With the 2026 season edging closer, these 2027 projections show a heavy focus on quarterbacks and edge rushers.
- Which player on this list do you think has the best chance to be the No. 1 overall pick?
- Does Arch Manning to the Browns make the most sense for Cleveland’s future?
- Who is the best pick for your favorite team?
- What does your full 2027 NFL Mock Draft look like?
Join the conversation in the comments!
The Sporting News 2027 NFL Mock Draft
With the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror and the Seattle Seahawks still celebrating their victory in Super Bowl LX, it is time to turn the page to the next crop of elite talent. The 2027 class is already generating massive buzz, with high-profile legacy names and SEC powerhouses set to dominate the conversation leading up to the event in Washington, D.C.

We are breaking down the first-round projections from Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News, but doing things a little differently. Instead of starting with the drama at the top, we are beginning our countdown with the final predicted pick of the first round and working our way toward the top of the board. From Clemson edge rushers to the next generation of the Manning dynasty, here is how the first round is currently shaking out.