2027 "Way Too Early" Mock Draft

Pick: Kelley Jones (CB, Mississippi State)

After losing Jamal Dean, and Benjamin Morrison not impressing as a rookie, the Buccaneers will let their CB room prove their worth in 2026. If they underperform, they could be serious candidate. Kelley could have been a top-50 pick had he declared in a weak 2026 class, but was wise to go back to school as he's raw. However, he has elite measurables and could catapult up boards with a strong 2027 season, as this class doesn't look anywhere near as talented at corner.

The Lions go back to back Clemson in Round 1. According to Charlie Campbell, some teams preferred Heldt to TJ Parker, who went 35th overall in this past draft class. Heldt is another huge edge rusher who profiles well for 4-3 schemes, whereas the 2026 class was filled with smaller 3-4 type edge rushers.

David Montgomery was a nice trade pickup for Houston, but they could really do with a true RB1. Hardy isn't a Love, Jeanty or Robinson calibre prospect, but he does have 3,000 yards in just 2 seasons. Another strong year could see him as a top-10 pick, but I have a late 1st round grade on him presently either way.

Moten Sr. played better than Rueben Bain Jr. at times in 2025, and could be one of the first interior defensive linemen taken in the upcoming draft class. He projects as a quality 3-tech in a draft class filled more with A-gap, run stuffing type NT's.

Pick: Jamari Johnson (TE, Oregon)

Hunter Henry will be a free agent after the upcoming season, and I have two TE's - Jamari Johnson and Trey'Dez Green - quite high on my way too early top-50. Jamari Johnson at times outplayed Kenyon Sadiq, and could be another early-round TE to come out of Oregon, who are beginning to challenge Iowa as Tight End University.

The Chargers opted to pad their pass rush over their interior defensive line in the 2026 draft, but their current front-3 is aging and rather mediocre. I wasn't as enthused about Washington as I was with other prospects, and think he made the right call returning. As a big nose tackle, a 22% missed tackle rate is unacceptable. The 1st round traits are there, hence his placement in this mock, but I think he could be more an early-to-mid 2nd rounder like Lee Hunter if he doesn't develop as an interior pass rushing threat.

Williams had a terrible 2025 season, but he has top-10 upside. It'll be very interesting to see how he plays as a Junior at Alabama. Puka Nacua is becoming Antonio Brown 2.0 as an off-field problem, and Davante adams could retire after the expiration of his contract this season.

Pick: Cayden Green (G, Missouri Tigers)

Despite winning the Super Bowl, the Seahawks interior offensive line is very much a work in progress outside of Grey Zabel. Cayden Green has played well at tackle for Missouri, but projects better to guard for the pros. If he moves inside he could be a really solid NFL guard.

Pick: Trey'Dez Green (TE, LSU)

Trey'Dez Green is raw as a former basketball recruit, but he has otherworldly size at 6-7, 240 and is an insane athlete. He could remind Sean Payton of Jimmy Graham, and Tight End is a need for them.

Passing on Dillon Thieneman for the chronically injured Caleb Banks in Round 1 was a suprising move, and the Vikings' need at safety could be even more egregious in 2027. Bolden is a good prospect I have at 15th on my early top-50, but every single draft good safeties fall - even Caleb Downs, arguably the best safety prospect since Eric Berry, couldn't crack the top-10. The Vikings wouldn't complain.

Pick: Carter Smith (OT, Indiana)

As a 49ers fan, I can attest to the fact the the 49ers just do not value offensive lineman very highly and prefer scheme-fitting lineman later in the draft (Puni, McKivitz, Burford). However, I think this could Trent Williams' last season, leaving a lateral replacement-type move quite plausable. Carter Smith has played a lot of Football and was really good blocking in space, save for the National Championship game where he got abused by Rueben Bain Jr.

The Bills traded for DJ Moore, but he alone won't cure their ailing passing attack. Becker was, at times, Indiana's best receiver in 2025. He was just a special teamer as a freshman but was a mismatch nightmare for the Hoosiers last season, and will front a two man reeciving duo with...

...Nick Marsh. The Spartan transfer needs to clean up his concentration drops, but he has quality upside to develop into a big-bodied possession demon. Becker and Marsh is an unfair duo to have to scheme around for college defenses next season.

Travis Etienne had an up and down tenure in Jacksonville, but their rushing attack figures to take a huge step back next season. Baugh is in a clustered group of potential top-50 running backs, and arguably has the most upside of his tier, but will need to impress as the true feature back for Florida next season.

Wiggins is developing into a nice starting cornerback, but Marlon Humphries appears washed. Brown is in the CB 3-5 conversation entering the season, but he goes to a college with a knack of developing quality defensive backs.

I don't for a moment think the Eagles would be the team to take Sellers, but wanted to talk about him in his mock. Sellers has a quality makeup and good skill-set, but wasn't very good for South Carolina lat year. Sellers has the tools to be a top-5 calibre player, but this will be a make or break season for him.