2027 NFL Mock Draft: Arch Manning suffers a massive fall, a new QB pecking order, and several risers crash the party
The latest first-round 2027 NFL mock draft from Best Pod Available is here. Where does every top quarterback prospect come off the board?
The 2027 NFL Draft is still months away, but the first round picture is starting to take shape. On the latest Mock Draft Wednesday edition of Best Pod Available, my co-host Joe DeLeone and I took turns projecting all 32 picks.
The biggest question was simple: where do the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class land?
Four passers found homes in the first round. Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith still went first, a pair of Georgia defenders came off the board early, and the Philadelphia Eagles made a pick that would raise some eyebrows. Here is how everything played out.
Top 10 of the 2027 NFL mock draft
1. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
I kept this one chalk. Miami likely needs a long-term quarterback, but I think this class will be more understood over the next few weeks with big matchups on the horizon, like CJ Carr against Miami. Smith is a potential organizational changer for the long term.
2. Tennessee Titans: Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
Joe refuses to project a quarterback here until it is clear Tennessee is moving on from its second-year passer. He pointed to the Panthers giving Bryce Young time to grow. Simmons was balling out against Florida before getting banged up, and he is the best pass rusher in this class.
3. Los Angeles Chargers: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
I contemplated an edge rusher, and the Chargers really need interior offensive linemen. There is just no interior lineman you can convince me to take at No. 3. Moore is a bulletproof target.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Arizona has competed better than expected, but you are not building around Jacoby Brissett. Mestemaker made some nutty throws against Houston, and his arm strength looks a lot better this year after some physical maturation.
5. New York Jets: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
I reported at A to Z Sports that if a decision were made today, Missouri QB Austin Simmons probably returns for another year. That can change. I left the call to Joe between Simmons and Chambliss, and he went with Chambliss. I’m still not fully there on him in the top 10 because of size and age, but he has that clutch gene you can’t quantify.
6. Cleveland Browns: Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (FL)
Mensah made big clutch plays against Florida State. He doesn’t have a juiced-up arm, but Joe likes him as the Browns’ savior.
7. New York Giants: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
He has been vastly improved this season. It feels like a Giants pick.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
Instead of another tight end, the Bucs land a big-framed boundary receiver who can divert attention from Emeka Egbuka.
9. New York Jets: Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
When we talked to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, he called Cole a likely top-12 pick in this class. The Jets passed on Arvell Reese for David Bailey last cycle, so this is a mulligan. Cole is a space linebacker whose instincts have improved.
10. Washington Commanders: Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
The lineman class isn’t very good, and it’s too early for a running back. Washington takes the swing on talent.
The Eagles’ off-the-wall pick
11. Philadelphia Eagles: Zereoue Williams, OT, Utah
Brugler brought him up to us on the show. Williams is a sixth-year senior who waited his turn behind Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano, and he is a better true offensive tackle prospect than both of them, in my opinion. He is verified at 6-7 plus. He’s listed at 305 pounds, Brugler had him at 315, and Utah offensive line coach Jordan Gross had him at 331 before the season.
My comp is Jon Runyan, the longtime right tackle for the Titans and Eagles. His core strength is bananas. Philadelphia gets its right tackle of the future.
Picks 12–32 of the 2027 NFL mock draft
12. New Orleans Saints: Xavier Gilliam, DT, Tennessee
New Orleans adds a defensive tackle who can help reinforce the interior of its defensive line. Gilliam gives the Saints another option to build around up front.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
The Raiders continue to add talent in the trenches with Echoles. Improving the defensive front is a logical investment as Las Vegas looks to build a more complete roster.
14. Atlanta Falcons: Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa
Atlanta adds an offensive tackle to strengthen its offensive line. Protecting the quarterback and establishing consistency up front are important priorities for the Falcons.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
The Sellers pick at No. 15 is either going to age really well or very poorly depending on how he plays against Tennessee. Florida’s secondary isn’t great, but he looked as good as he ever has in that game. If he stacks a couple of performances, people will go bananas for his talent.
16. Carolina Panthers: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
Carolina invests in its defense with Viliamu-Asa, a Notre Dame linebacker who could help strengthen the second level. The Panthers continue to look for pieces who can give their defense more speed and versatility.
17. New York Jets: Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
The Jets add another defensive back with Hampton. After taking Chris Cole earlier in the first round, New York continues to invest in its defense with a cornerback who could help improve its coverage options.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
Dallas adds a cornerback to its secondary with Jones. The Cowboys need dependable coverage talent, and this selection gives them another potential building block in the defensive backfield.
19. Houston Texans: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Houston addresses its offensive line with Seaton. Keeping the quarterback protected and creating a more consistent foundation up front are key considerations for the Texans.
20. Detroit Lions: KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
Detroit adds a safety with Bolden, continuing its effort to keep the defense competitive across all three levels. His selection gives the Lions another option in the back end of their secondary.
21. New England Patriots: Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
Pierre also feels like the most New England Patriots EDGE of all time. He is a stand-up, physical, explosive rusher who can do multiple things for a defense.
22. Cincinnati Bengals: Ahmad Moten, DT, Miami (FL)
Cincinnati adds interior defensive line help with Moten. The Bengals need to keep investing in the defensive front, and Moten gives them another potential contributor against the run and as an interior disruptor.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Kingston Lopa, S, California
Minnesota selects Lopa to bolster its secondary. The California safety gives the Vikings another option in the defensive backfield as they look to improve their coverage and overall defensive flexibility.
24. Denver Broncos: Trey’Dez Green, TE, LSU
Denver adds a tight end with Green. The selection gives the Broncos another potential weapon in the passing game and an opportunity to add versatility to their offensive personnel.
25. Chicago Bears: Devan Thompkins, DT, Alabama
Chicago reinforces its defensive front with Thompkins. Adding talent along the interior can help the Bears generate pressure and improve their ability to control the line of scrimmage.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Jacksonville adds Baugh to its backfield. The Florida running back gives the Jaguars another potential weapon on the ground and a chance to add depth and explosiveness to their offensive attack.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Clev Lubin, EDGE, Louisville
Seattle selects Lubin to strengthen its pass rush. The Louisville edge defender gives the Seahawks another potential source of pressure off the edge as they continue building their defensive front.
28. Cleveland Browns: Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Cleveland doubles down on its offensive line needs by selecting Goosby. With a potential franchise quarterback already projected earlier in the round, investing in his protection makes plenty of sense.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Greg Johnson, IOL, Minnesota
Baltimore adds Johnson to its interior offensive line. The Ravens have traditionally valued physicality in the trenches, and this selection gives them another potential piece to help maintain their identity up front.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Kansas City adds a wide receiver with Coleman. The Chiefs can always use another playmaker who can threaten defenses downfield and give their passing game another dimension.
31. Buffalo Bills: Brauntae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
Additionally, Notre Dame fans should keep an eye on Brauntae Johnson. People will remember how good he is once he returns healthy.
32. San Francisco 49ers: Kade Pieper, IOL, Iowa
San Francisco closes out the first round by adding Pieper to its offensive line. The Iowa interior lineman gives the 49ers another option to reinforce the trenches and maintain depth along the offensive front.
With so much football left to play, this quarterback class will look very different by April.
