2027 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins opt for a generational player while Jets, Browns, Cardinals, and Steelers find their QBs
Early 2027 NFL mock draft includes an early run on quarterbacks, multiple Midwest blue chip players, and an offensive line slide.
The 2027 NFL Draft conversation just got a lot more real.
After a summer of scouting and film work on the upcoming class, the Best Pod Available crew ran through the A to Z Sports mock draft simulator for a full first-round exercise. This time, the picks carry weight. Every player mocked has been evaluated with actual tape, not guesswork.
The result? Four quarterbacks off the board in round 1, offensive tackles falling further than anyone expected, and some defensive playmakers landing in primo spots.
Here is the full first-round mock draft, pick by pick, with analysis on every selection from Joe DeLeone and I.
No. 1: Arizona Cardinals — QB Arch Manning, Texas
Manning lands at the top despite Dante Moore’s strong case as the class’s most polished passer. The reality is that even if Moore’s evaluation process and film grade out better right now, the NFL is going to talk itself into Arch Manning at No. 1 overall. The Cardinals could also use the exposure that comes with drafting a Manning, and his talent warrants the selection regardless.
No. 2: Miami Dolphins — WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
The Dolphins committed aggressively to a long-term rebuild, and Malik Willis got the mid level deal to be their quarterback. He deserves the opportunity to prove he can lead this team over the next couple of years. Instead of forcing a quarterback, Miami should continue grabbing premier talent. Jeremiah Smith is a generational football player, and the difference between him and a quarterback who would typically be a top-15 signal caller in any given year makes this pick straightforward.
No. 3: New York Jets — QB Dante Moore, Oregon
The Jets need a quarterback. No debate necessary. The real question was which one, and Moore is the clear answer. There is a substantial drop from quarterback No. 2 to whoever quarterback No. 3 ends up being, whether that is CJ Carr, Darian Mensah, or Lenore Sellers. Moore spent a year avoiding the Jets in the 2026 draft cycle, but New York gets its guy anyway.
No. 4: Cleveland Browns — QB CJ Carr, Notre Dame
This pick sparked significant debate. The quarterback well has already dried up a bit at No. 4, and there is no perfect answer here. Drew Mestemaker (Oklahoma State) likely will not declare because he is too green at the position. LaNorris Sellers’ (South Carolina) tape was a mess, and he is closer to a Taylen Green comparison than a first-round selection right now. Carr gets the nod as the most justifiable option, and the Brady Quinn vibes are acknowledged. The last two Notre Dame quarterbacks drafted somewhat high have worked out great in Cleveland, so there is precedent (was said with sarcasm and in jest).
No. 5: Las Vegas Raiders — CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
Dylan Stewart (South Carolina) was in the conversation here, but concerning feedback about Stewart’s back situation is starting to worry some evaluators. Leonard Moore is the safe pick, and pairing him with Jermod McCoy (if McCoy returns to his pre-injury form) gives the Raiders a compelling cornerback duo for the future.
No. 6: Carolina Panthers — TE Trey’Dez Green, LSU
This pick gets wild. Rather than forcing a quarterback conversation around Bryce Young or reaching for an offensive tackle, Carolina goes with the player projected to be one of the biggest risers in this class. Green gives the Panthers a true difference-making tight end for the first time since Greg Olsen. This selection works whether something went catastrophically wrong with Young or the Panthers simply want to add elite talent around him.
No. 7: Tennessee Titans — EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
Stewart is more of a Robert Saleh type than Colin Simmons (Texas). Saleh loves wide-9, bendy, explosive pass rushers, and Stewart fits that mold. The back concerns are real and worth monitoring through the season, but if that noise quiets down, Stewart is an elite talent.
No. 8: New Orleans Saints — EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas
The Saints grab whoever the best pass rusher is after Stewart goes off the board. Cam Jordan is coming back for another year, but New Orleans does not have a young premier edge rusher who can be the next guy. Pairing Chase Young (who is reportedly starting to look like his old self) with Simmons would create a dangerous duo.
No. 9: Atlanta Falcons — QB Darian Mensah, Miami
If the Falcons are picking this high, they are taking a quarterback. Mensah is going to be a riser, similar to how the Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels class saw quarterbacks projected for the second round climb into the middle of round 1 because teams needed to figure out their signal caller situation. Mensah can have a Bo Nix type of impact.
No. 10: Washington Commanders — WR Cam Coleman, Texas
The Commanders need a true outside presence. Stefon Diggs paired with Terry McLaurin is a short-term fix. To maximize Jayden Daniels, Washington needs someone in the Brian Thomas Jr. mold who can work outside the numbers and unlock the offense. Coleman fits that profile.
No. 11: New York Giants — CB Ashton Hampton, Clemson
The Giants need a premium position player, and defensive tackle talent in this class is deep enough to address in round 2. Hampton is the pick over Kelley Jones (Mississippi State), though both have strong cases as physical, long corners.
No. 12: New York Jets (via IND) — WR Charlie Becker, Indiana
The Jets took Omar Cooper Jr. last year as more of a slot/Z type, and Garrett Wilson also operates in that role. Becker gives them a true boundary weapon to pair with those pieces.
No. 13: Pittsburgh Steelers — QB Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
Five minutes of all-time debate led to this pick. Mike McCarthy’s success has come with cerebral, quick-trigger, decisive quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott. Neither Mestemaker nor Sellers perfectly matches that profile, but Mestemaker gets the nod as the more McCarthy-type passer. The fit is imperfect, but at pick 13, the Steelers take their quarterback.
No. 14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — TE Jamari Johnson, Oregon
The Buccaneers need an impact tight end. They lack a true flex option at the position, and Johnson gives them another weapon in the passing game. Easy pick.
No. 15: Minnesota Vikings — OC Kade Pieper, Iowa
The first offensive lineman off the board is a center. Pieper received the highest grade of any offensive lineman in the class for DeLeone, and the Vikings desperately need to upgrade from Blake Brandel. Pieper is playing guard this year at Iowa, adding multi-positional value.
No. 16: Jacksonville Jaguars — OT Trevor Lauck, Iowa
Back-to-back Iowa offensive linemen. The Jaguars have Anton Harrison ascending at right tackle but need a left tackle upgrade. Lauck provides that.
No. 17: Chicago Bears — DT Will Echoles, Ole Miss
The Gervon Dexter situation points Chicago toward defensive tackle, and Echoles is the best available at the position.
No. 18: New York Jets (via DAL) — CB Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia
The Jets continue building their roster with a corner who has explosive upside. Robinson projects as the kind of dynamic defensive back the NFL gravitates toward in round 1.
No. 19: Dallas Cowboys (via GB) — LB Sammy Brown, Clemson
Brown is a known commodity at this stage compared to Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (Notre Dame). The Cowboys address linebacker, which is a legitimate need if they are picking this late in the round.
No. 20: Denver Broncos — DT Ahmad Moten, Miami
Denver lost John Franklin-Myers to the Titans and needs a penetrating interior rusher. Moten fits that role better than David Stone (Oklahoma) or Justin Scott (Miami). Garrett Bolles is 34 at left tackle, so the long-term future was discussed, but the Broncos opt for a more pressing need.
No. 21: Cincinnati Bengals — LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame
The Bengals did not upgrade linebacker this offseason, and KVA is a deployable weapon who can be the biggest riser in the linebacker class. He is a bit banged up to start the year, but the potential is enormous.
No. 22: Houston Texans — OT Trevor Goosby, Texas
No long-term commitment at tackle for Houston, and Braden Smith may have suffered an injury as well. Goosby projects as a high-floor starter.
No. 23: San Francisco 49ers — OT Jordan Seaton, LSU
There are reservations about Seaton, but putting him in a room with Trent Williams for a year to develop eases those concerns considerably.
No. 24: Philadelphia Eagles — OG Greg Johnson, Minnesota
This is the sleeper pick of the draft. Johnson plays exactly like Landon Dickerson, and if Dickerson leaves via retirement, which was speculated a lot this past offseason, Johnson slots right in. Anyone rolling their eyes at this selection should pay attention during the draft process. If Blake Miller can go in the first round, Greg Johnson can absolutely rise into the back half of round 1.
No. 25: Detroit Lions — S Brauntae Johnson, Notre Dame
The Lions’ safety room is thin, and Johnson profiles as a center fielder who can pair with Kerby Joseph. Joseph has been dealing with an injury that at some point was described as potentially career-altering, making safety depth critical.
No. 26: Kansas City Chiefs — WR Nick Marsh, Indiana
The Chiefs cannot come out of this draft without an early receiver pick. Marsh gives them a different flavor than what they have had, avoiding the redundancy of simply drafting the fastest player available every year.
No. 27: New England Patriots — EDGE Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
Harold Landry had a nice first season in New England, but the edge room needs a long-term investment. Pierre just feels like a New England Patriot.
No. 28: Los Angeles Chargers — DT David Stone, Oklahoma
The Chargers need help along the defensive line, and Stone fills a clear need at defensive tackle.
No. 29: Baltimore Ravens — DT Justin Scott, Miami
Wide receiver was considered, but the Ravens are the team that always gets mocked a receiver and never takes one. The Rashod Bateman situation could push them toward drafting a pass catcher again, but with Mario Craver (Texas A&M) feeling redundant alongside Zay Flowers, Baltimore addresses the defensive interior instead.
No. 30: Seattle Seahawks — OL Austin Siereveld, Ohio State
Seattle’s secondary is loaded with Devon Witherspoon, Julian Love, and Nick Emmanwori. Edge was discussed, but the right guard spot remains rough despite drafting Beau Stevens. Siereveld profiles as a better guard than Carter Smith (Indiana) and fills a legitimate need.
No. 31: Buffalo Bills — S Jelani McDonald, Texas
CJ Gardner-Johnson is already banged up, and Cole Bishop needs a long-term partner at safety. McDonald makes a ton of sense in Buffalo’s secondary.
No. 32: Cleveland Browns (via LAR) — OT Elijah Paige, USC
Paige sliding to 32 is a gift. Cleveland pairs him at right tackle with Tytus Howard moving inside to guard in this hypothetical, dramatically upgrading an offensive line that was among the worst in football. The fact that an offensive tackle this talented lasted the entire first round speaks to how uniquely this class is constructed.
