NFL · 1 hour ago

Way Too Early 2027 NFL Mock Draft (Sharp Football Analysis): Picks & Reaction

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

32. Los Angeles Rams
Mario Craver, WR, Texas A&M

"Everyone assumed the Rams would be going with a pass catcher with their first pick to go all in on the 2026 season as the Super Bowl favorites. However, they made the most shocking pick of the first round and selected quarterback Ty Simpson to start planning for life after Matthew Stafford. Whether it’s Stafford or Simpson under center for them in 2027, they should grab a pass catcher this time around."

My Take: Sean McVay definitely has a type, and Craver's elite route-running and ability to create immediate separation fit the Rams' offense like a glove.
1. Arizona Cardinals
Arch Manning, QB, Texas

"Even after a disappointing season in 2025, Manning is still the clear betting favorite to be the first overall pick in 2027."

My Take: No surprise here. The question I have is whether Arch pulls an Eli and tries to force his way to a bigger, more lucrative market.
2. Miami Dolphins
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

"The Dolphins essentially made a two-year commitment to newly signed quarterback Malik Willis with how they structured the deal... One way to help him would be to add the consensus best player in this draft."

My Take: Giving Malik Willis a true "X" receiver who draws Julio Jones comparisons is a no-brainer to me.
3. New York Jets
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

"The Jets had two chances to take a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 draft and decided to kick the can down the road to 2027, where they now have three chances at it. They don’t pass up the chance this year and take Moore."

My Take: I'm a huge fan of Moore's surgical pocket presence, but I'll be watching to see if he can improve his decision-making when the pocket collapses under pressure.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas

"With their franchise quarterback secured, the Raiders now need to start giving him more weapons to work with than they currently have."

My Take: Pairing Fernando Mendoza with Coleman's box-office vertical speed is exactly how you support a young QB.
5. Cleveland Browns
Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

"It’s time to stop playing quarterback carousel and make a serious attempt to find their franchise quarterback."

My Take: Hitting the reset button at quarterback feels inevitable for Cleveland given how the Deshaun Watson contract has aged.
6. Tennessee Titans
Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina

"Tennessee, and specifically new head coach Robert Saleh, surprised everyone on draft night by not going defense with their first pick. Well, don’t expect them to do that two years in a row."

Rare traits off the edge, like Stewart's, are never a bad investment.
7. Atlanta Falcons
Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU

"Jake Matthews will be 35 and has no guaranteed money after this season, so it’s time to find his replacement."

My Take: I like the logic, but I’d be tempted to ask whether Atlanta should be quarterback-shopping again if it’s picking this high.
8. Carolina Panthers
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State

"Even though the Panthers have exercised the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young, if they are picking in the top 10 next year, as they are predicted to do in the betting markets, it will probably be time to look for his replacement."

My Take:Moving on from Young for Mestemaker's elite arm talent is a high-variance swing I can definitely get behind.
9. New York Giants
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

"It’s rare that you have a top prospect at a premium position fall all the way to nine, but that is the case this year with Moore since there are so many teams drafting ahead of the Giants that potentially will need quarterbacks."

My Take: This is probably my favorite value/fit combo so far. Moore falling to No. 9 would be a gift for Big Blue.
10. New Orleans Saints
Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas

"Simmons falls down the board further than he probably should as well due to the same circumstances as Moore."

My Take:The Saints badly need new juice up front, and Simmons has top-five talent if he’s sitting there.
11. Washington Commanders
Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana

"They [Washington] need to support Jayden Daniels in this draft, especially if they are picking this early."

My Take:I like giving Daniels a bigger outside target, though I’d want to be sure Marsh is more than just a size profile.
12. New York Jets (From Indianapolis Colts)
Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama

"The Jets addressed their missing piece of the puzzle on offense with their first pick, so now they can focus on their defense, which was 32nd in passing defense EPA and did not have an interception in 2025."

My Take:After taking the quarterback, I’m fine with Gang Green pivoting to the secondary.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trey'Dez Green, TE, LSU

"GM Jason Licht is known to covet high relative athletic scores in the first round, and the athletic 6-foot-7 Green should fit that profile."

My Take:Using Green's basketball background to create red zone mismatches is something Baker Mayfield would love.
14. Minnesota Vikings
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

"2026 feels like a make-or-break year for both the quarterbacks currently on the Vikings roster. I don’t think head coach Kevin O’Connell will hesitate to move on from either or both if they miss the playoffs again in 2026."

My Take: I love the raw physical upside Sellers brings to the table, but he's going to require immense patience and serious mechanical refinement to thrive in Minnesota's system.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami

"As of this very moment, Pittsburgh is still playing the waiting game with Aaron Rodgers for the 2026 season. While it is widely assumed he will ultimately be back at some point, one would have to think this is the last year Pittsburgh wants to be forced to play this game."

My Take: The Steelers have been searching for long-term stability at the game's most important position for years, and Mensah's raw tools give them a legitimate developmental ceiling.
16. New York Jets (From Dallas Cowboys)
David Stone, DL, Oklahoma

"After addressing the edge position with David Bailey, the Jets fortify their defensive line early in the 2027 draft with the consensus top defensive tackle in the class to be the long-term replacement for Quinnen Williams."

My Take: Grabbing Stone with a third first-round pick feels like an embarrassment of riches to anchor the defensive interior.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
Will Echoles, DL, Ole Miss

"The Jaguars don’t have much depth at defensive tackle, especially with Arik Armstead in the final year of his contract, so it should be a priority early in the draft next year."

My Take: If Echoles proves his five sacks last year weren't a fluke, this pick is incredible two-way value.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson

"Cincinnati surprised everyone by making the big splash before the draft and trading their pick for Dexter Lawrence. They probably had a good idea they weren’t going to be able to land their preferred target in Sonny Styles, which they ended up being correct about, but they still haven’t really addressed their hole at linebacker."

My Take:Drafting an off-ball linebacker in the first round is usually tough for me to swallow, but Cincy's defense needs all the help it can get.
19. Chicago Bears
Jordan Ross, EDGE, LSU

"While the defensive line, specifically a pass rusher, was considered a priority for Chicago in the 2026 draft, they had to be surprised that Dillon Thieneman was still available when they were on the clock."

My Take: Chicago needs to keep building a defense that can win games without asking Caleb Williams to be perfect, so I'm on board with this.
20. Denver Broncos
Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon

"Head coach Sean Payton has let it be known he’s constantly on the lookout for a “joker” role in his offense, and Johnson, who was a former quarterback and running back before transitioning to a full time tight end, should be exactly what he is looking for and permanently fill that role."

Getting a dynamic "joker" piece for Sean Payton's offense, who can actually run-block, is a huge win.
21. Houston Texans
Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri

"With one of the best rosters in the league, this will also be a big season for C.J. Stroud. Their projected win total suggests they will be in the playoffs, so in the short term, they continue to build around him."

My Take: I’m not so sure about this one. With David Montgomery signed through 2027, Houston should probably invest elsewhere rather than spend first-round capital on a running back.
22. New England Patriots
Ellis Robinson, CB, Georgia

"As of right now, star cornerback Christian Gonzalez has not signed an extension. While it is widely expected that he will, adding another elite corner in Robinson should be in consideration either way."

My Take:This would not be my top priority for the Patriots, but pairing Robinson with Gonzalez would give New England arguably the best young cornerback tandem in the league.
23. Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Siereveld, OL, Ohio State

"The Chargers were absolutely decimated by injuries along the offensive line last year, and while both stud offensive tackles will be back this season, they could still use help on the interior."

My Take: I have zero issue with the Chargers throwing another premium pick at the offensive line, and neither will Justin Herbert.
24. Kansas City Chiefs
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas

"Jaylon Moore only has one year left under contract, and after releasing Jawaan Taylor, I think it’s safe to assume Kansas City will be looking for a long-term answer at offensive tackle next offseason."

My Take: I like the tackle investment more than another gadget weapon. Kansas City’s next great roster refresh has to start with keeping the pocket clean for Patrick Mahomes.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
Lance Heard, OT, Kentucky

"GM Howie Roseman did typical Howie Roseman things in this draft by not only trading up for a player that was falling farther than expected but also stealing him while he was on the phone with their in-state rival Steelers. However, they waited until the third round to address the offensive line, so this time they look for a possible Lane Johnson replacement a bit earlier with Heard."

My Take: Heard is an absolute mountain of a man who fits Philadelphia's identity of prioritizing dominant offensive line play above all else.
26. San Francisco 49ers
Carter Smith, OT, Indiana

"Trent Williams did recently sign a contract extension, but he will be turning 39 before the 2027 season."

My Take: Williams can't defy Father Time forever, so finding a developmental tackle with high-end athletic traits is essential for the Niners at this stage.
27. Dallas Cowboys (From Green Bay Packers)
Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama

"If he [Williams] can return to even close to his 2024 form, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys would run this pick to the podium, especially with the uncertainty around George Pickens‘ long-term future."

My Take: I don't think Jones has any intention of inking Pickens to a long-term deal. Adding an absolute speed demon like Williams opposite CeeDee Lamb would make the Cowboys' offense virtually impossible to gameplan against.
28. Detroit Lions
KJ Bolden, S, Georgia

"We heard a lot about the term positional value in the 2026 draft, and we will hear it again for Bolden next year. Bolden has the talent to go much earlier than this, but we just saw Caleb Downs not get drafted in the top 10, Dillon Thieneman fall to 25, and the next safety didn’t go until pick 58, even though many thought he could go in the first round. The NFL is sending a clear message of how they view the safety position."

My Take: Positional value aside, Bolden’s versatility and aggressive play style feel perfectly tailored to the gritty culture Dan Campbell has built in Detroit.
29. Buffalo Bills
Omarion Miller, WR, Arizona State

"Buffalo already seems ready to move on from Keon Coleman, and while they did add a possession receiver in Skyler Bell in the draft, they could still use an outside vertical threat, which Miller projects to be."

The Bills' brass should always be hunting for more ways to help Josh Allen.
30. Seattle Seahawks
Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State

"Some were surprised when the Seahawks took a running back in the first round, but you could argue it was their biggest need. However, a close second would have been cornerback, so they address it early in the 2027 draft with Jones."

My Take: Jones fits the classic Seahawks mold perfectly with his massive 6-foot-4 frame and suffocating length.
31. Baltimore Ravens
Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss

"Derrick Henry is defying all the odds of being able to continue playing the running back position at such a high level at his age, but he will be 33, turning 34 in the 2027 season. While he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down yet, it’s time for the Ravens to start looking for his long-term replacement, which Lacy would certainly be."

Drafting another bruising running back to take the reins from Henry eventually is exactly how Baltimore sustains its punishing offensive identity.
32. Los Angeles Rams
Mario Craver, WR, Texas A&M

"Everyone assumed the Rams would be going with a pass catcher with their first pick to go all in on the 2026 season as the Super Bowl favorites. However, they made the most shocking pick of the first round and selected quarterback Ty Simpson to start planning for life after Matthew Stafford. Whether it’s Stafford or Simpson under center for them in 2027, they should grab a pass catcher this time around."

My Take: Sean McVay definitely has a type, and Craver's elite route-running and ability to create immediate separation fit the Rams' offense like a glove.
1. Arizona Cardinals
Arch Manning, QB, Texas

"Even after a disappointing season in 2025, Manning is still the clear betting favorite to be the first overall pick in 2027."

My Take: No surprise here. The question I have is whether Arch pulls an Eli and tries to force his way to a bigger, more lucrative market.