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The intersection of college football kicking off and the 2026 NFL season coming soon means the 2027 NFL Draft is officially on the clock. From now until next April 29, when the first round is conducted in Washington, D.C., much will change on which prospects should be drafted among the top 32 picks.
Some top players on campus already have high stock. Some have the upside to be first-rounders but need to show more consistency. Others might be high on the board now but may disappoint later.
Here's Sporting News' second edition of '27 projections, with the top quarterback selection speculation once again taking the spotlight:
MORE: Big board of top 100 NFL Draft prospects for 2027
NFL Mock Draft 2027
1. Cleveland Browns
Arch Manning, QB, Texas (6-4, 225 pounds)
The result of the uninspiring battle between Dehsaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders will be the Browns realizing they need to reboot with a high pick at the position again. Manning will give them a can't-miss feeling they haven't had in a long time.
2. Miami Dolphins
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 223 pounds)
The Dolphins may be satisfied for a while by new starting QB Malik Willis and just gave running back De'Von Achane a big extension. They have a glaring void for big playmakers at wideout minus Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, which Smith can fill in the ideal way.
3. Atlanta Falcons
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon (6-3, 206 pounds)
The Falcons have seen former Tua Tagovailoa fall flat and won't know what to expect from Michael Penix Jr. after his major knee injury, which can prompt Kevin Stefanski and Matt Ryan to lean on getting a classic natural pocket passer.
4. New York Jets
C.J. Carr, QB, Notre Dame (6-3, 210 pounds)
Carr has the big arm to take advantage of 2026 first-round weapons Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq and also lift Garrett Wilson in the downfield passing game. After Geno Smith gets pounded, the Jets will be grounded to drive toward Carr.
5. Arizona Cardinals
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame (6-2, 195 pounds)
Moore is a terrific potential shutdown corner with the size to engulf wide receivers and can be dominant, making big plays on the ball. He fills a key need for Arizona as the best player available with three QBs gone.
6. Carolina Panthers
- Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas (6-3, 240 pounds)
The Panthers signed Jaelan Phillips to boost their pass rush under Ejiro Evero but shouldn't mind adding more such impact. Simmons can help plenty with his speed and quickness.
7. Tennessee Titans
Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina (6-5, 245 pounds)
The Titans could use a physical pass-rusher in Year 2 of Robert Saleh's defense and Stewart can help him star as a 4-3 end in the head coach's scheme.
8. Las Vegas Raiders
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas (6-3, 201 pounds)
The Raiders need to get Fernando Mendoza a first-round wide receiver to pair with tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. Coleman, an Auburn transfer, has all the makings of a great NFL No. 1.
MORE: Sporting News' expert picks for College Football Playoff, Heisman, more
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9. New York Jets (from Colts)
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas (6-7, 325 pounds)
The Jets can also get in on the Longhorns fun run with this massive pass protector for either Carr or a different new franchise QB.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
David Stone, DT, Oklahoma (6-3, 312 pounds)
The Buccaneers paid Vita Vea to remain their prime run stuffer so they could get someone with more inside quickness to disrupt the passing game like Stone can.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU (6-5, 330 pounds)
The Vikings extended tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill, so they would be looking at how Seaton's rare power and athleticism can boost them at guard.
12. Washington Commanders
Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame (6-2, 209 pounds)
The Commanders need a more reliable lead safety and Johnson fits the bill with his coverage versatility and linebacker-like mentality.
13. New York Giants
Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss (6-3, 310 pounds)
The Giants traded Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals so they would be in the market for an active, well-rounded tackle with pass-rush upside.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State (6-4, 195 pounds)
The Steelers haven't done well to hit on cornerbacks with Joey Porter Jr. disappointing so they will try again with Jones, a different kind of big coverage presence.
15. New York Jets (from Cowboys)
Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia (6-0, 180 pounds)
The Jets, after going quarterback and offensive tackle in his mock, can work on trying to find their next Sauce Gardner with this tough, big cover man.
16. Detroit Lions
- Carter Smith, OT, Indiana (6-5, 313 pounds)
The Lions will look at also kicking a tackle inside for the NFL with natural footwork and hands to dominate at guard.
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17. Cincinnati Bengals
KJ Bolden, S, Georgia (6-0, 195 pounds)
The Bengals have missed a rangy, quick playmaker post Jessie Bates III and Bolden can restore plenty of that and add some game-changing intangibles.
18. Houston Texans
- Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana (6-4, 207 pounds)
The Texans have had bad injury luck with wide receivers to complement Nico Collins well, including Tank Dell and Jayden Higgins. That can prompt them to go after this classic size-speed threat who has sure hands making plays through the red zone.
19. New Orleans Saints
Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon (6-5, 272 pounds)
The Saints have their biggest need in the pass rush as the transition begins away from Cameron Jordan soon. Uiagalelei packs great power in his massive frame with untapped athletic upside.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Justin Scott, DT, Miami (6-4, 203 pounds)
The Jaguars will be in the market to further bolster their defense with a interior pass-rushing force and watch for Scott to have a huge Hurricanes season.
22. Denver Broncos
A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon (6-3, 330 pounds)
The Broncos' backbone lies on defense but they will be needing to beef it up more with his size and athletic upside.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
Trey'Dez Green, TE, LSU (6-7, 237 pounds)
The Cowboys need to think beyond Jake Ferguson and Jerry Jones should be willing to take a shot on this dynamic physical specimen should Green put it all together this season.
23. Los Angeles Chargers
Kade Pieper, G, Iowa (6-3, 298 pounds)
The Chargers will hope that tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt can hold up and shake off their tough recent pass with injuries so they can focus on getting this powerful, nimble run blocker.
24. New England Patriots
Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss (5-11, 205 pounds)
The Patriots have done well with the committee of Rhamondre Stevenson and explosive TreVeyon Henderson, but there are some durability and consistency issues there from down to down, game- to game. Don't be shocked if New England wants to go with one more complete power back.
MORE: Who could be college football's next Fernando Mendoza?
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25. San Francisco 49ers
Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa (6-5, 310 pounds)
The 49ers also will keep an eye on the inside but won't mind going tackle to get Lauck, a powerful potential long-term successor to Trent Williams.
26. Philadelphia Eagles
Greg Johnson, G, Minnesota (6-6, 325 pounds)
The Eagles have had some tackle buzz behind Lane Johnson, but they still should think about the offensive line early. Johnson has the size, strengths and smarts ideal for them.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Cayden Green, OT, Missouri (6-5, 324 pounds)
The Ravens need to give themselves options to upgrade their offensive line, too, and Green's size can make him thrive as a moving blocker inside or outside.
28. Seattle Seahawks
Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama (6-3, 253 pounds)
Pierre already should be on the radar for defensive-minded Mike McDonald and GM John Schneider with his nasty run-stopping, but he can really rise up boards by rolling out more pass-rush pop for the Tide.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana (6-3, 213 pounds)
The Chiefs can't seem to figure it all out with wide receiver as issues with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy keep lingering. With Travis Kelce nearing retirement, they can reinvent their offense more as a dangerous 11 personnel attack with Marsh, who stretches the field and also works after the catch well for his size.
30. Chicago Bears
Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida (6-1, 225 pounds)
The Bears have made it work in the running game with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, but Ben Johnson will be tantalized by the running and receiving explosiveness of Baugh in the Jahmyr Gibbs vein.
31. Buffalo Bills
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame (6-3, 230 pounds)
There are a variety of good linebacker values should the Bills pick in the late first round, but they should be most intrigued by this versatile flat-out playmaker.
32. Cleveland Browns (from Rams)
Will Heldt, EDGE, Clemson (6-6, 260 pounds)
The Browns, after getting their franchise passer to open this mock, can go after their choice of upside pass rusher with the last pick to help replace the replaceable Myles Garrett. Heldt gets the nod for his natural high ceiling in that capacity, with the room to grow a lot vs. the run.
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