Our long wait is over, as both the 2026 NFL and college football seasons are upon us. What better way to celebrate than with a fresh mock draft. Much will change between now and April 29, 2027, so take this forecast as it is intended — a projection of the current top prospects at the college level coupled with the anticipated needs of NFL teams.
As always, it will be fun to monitor how both change over the course of the season. Of course, among the many things that will certainly change in the coming months is the selection order. For the purposes of this mock, we’re taking the inverse order of DraftKings' latest Super Bowl odds.
With a subpar roster (including at quarterback) and forced to compete against three legitimate Super Bowl contenders within their division, the Cardinals have the easiest route to the No. 1 selection. Manning isn’t without his flaws, but there are plenty of signs that he could be the sort of franchise-changer the Cardinals need to become relevant again.
I’m more bullish on Malik Willis as a starting quarterback in the NFL than the folks at DraftKings seem to be, but like the aforementioned Cardinals, it seems unlikely that Miami is going to jump in the standings given its own limitations as well as its schedule. I would love to match Willis with Ohio State’s phenomenal receiver Jeremiah Smith here, but the opportunity to land a blue-chip quarterback doesn’t come often, and Moore is certainly that. He is currently a more instinctive and accurate passer than Manning and looks like a lock at this point to be among the first two players selected next spring — even if it requires another team trading up to get him.
I like the veteran additions made by the Jets (on both sides of the ball) and expect the club’s native first-round pick to be much lower than No. 3 overall. That said, with two other first-round picks added via trades, the Jets have the firepower to do whatever they want.
With all due respect to the quarterbacks, Smith is arguably the best player in this class, with a frame, speed and star power similar to a young Julio Jones. The 2027 first-round selection the Browns received from the Rams in the Myles Garrett trade won’t come until much later on Day 1, but with the top quarterbacks off the board and several blue-chip defensive prospects available, Cleveland should be satisfied with reloading on that side of the ball with this pick. Stewart’s blend of burst, bend and length are the building blocks of a future All-Pro.
Adding him to a defensive line already featuring Jared Verse and Mason Graham would be exciting. Based on the investment made this past spring in No. 1 overall selection Fernando Mendoza and veteran Kirk Cousins, new head coach Klint Kubiak may very well push for a wide receiver (Cam Coleman?) with the Raiders’ top choice.
But it would be hard to pass up a talent like Moore here. He's right with Derek Stingley and Patrick Surtain II as one of the cleanest cornerback prospects I’ve evaluated over the past decade. Moore combines size, agility, instincts and ball skills to project as a future NFL star.
Perhaps the Falcons will be feeling better about their edge group a year from now, but with James Pearce Jr. out for half the season (suspension) and Jalon Walker out for the entire season (torn ACL), the club has little choice but to have contingency plans. A former linebacker turned edge rusher following a similar path as Arvell Reese and Micah Parsons, Simmons is a one-man wrecking crew who could fix what currently ails Atlanta’s pass rush. The Titans invested a lot of money ($82 million over four years) in left tackle Dan Moore Jr., and the results last year were typical of what he’d shown earlier in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers — he surrendered eight sacks over 16 regular-season games.
If picking this high, the Titans could see Goosby as an upgrade as Cam Ward’s blindside protector. Goosby put a scare into the Longhorns (and scouts) by going down with a knee injury in August, but he reportedly suffered a bone bruise that should take just weeks, not months, to heal. Goosby was fantastic last season, but it was his first as a starter.
If he can build upon it, he has the talent to be the first offensive lineman drafted this spring. Four Longhorns among the first eight selections of the 2027 NFL draft? It could happen, which is a big reason why Texas is my pick to win the national title this year.
An acrobatic one-handed grab shared on social media from camp this summer had fans gushing, but scouts have been tracking Coleman since he flashed at Auburn. A springy athlete with excellent size and tracking skills, Coleman reminds me a lot of another star wideout playing in Texas: Cowboys star George Pickens. Pairing Coleman with reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan would give the Panthers the opportunity to better evaluate Bryce Young in what will be the last year of his rookie contract.
I like the Saints’ young nucleus in the secondary, but GM Mickey Loomis has been doing this too long to think he wouldn’t consider adding another premier cover corner, if available. Robinson isn’t as big or as physical as the aforementioned Leonard Moore, but he possesses elite agility, acceleration and ball skills. Trading away Dexter Lawrence left a massive hole in the middle of John Harbaugh’s defense, and I think he’ll prioritize replacing him in the draft.
Washington may not have the statistics (33 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks in 2026) one normally associates with a first-round selection, but had he entered the 2026 draft, I believe he would’ve joined Caleb Banks (Minnesota) and Peter Woods (Kansas City) as a Day 1 pick. Football is a big man’s game, and Washington has rare quickness for his 6-foot-3, 330-pound frame. We are all eager to see Jayden Daniels back on the field, but unless the Commanders surround him with more dynamic pass-catchers, Daniels might remain largely a one-man show on offense.
Call Green a wide receiver or a tight end, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound target is a matchup nightmare. It would be fascinating if the Jets use the selection gained in the Sauce Gardner trade on a cornerback, but replacing defensive lineman Quinnen Williams on the inside should be an even higher priority. Echoles isn’t as stout at the point of attack as Williams, but he’s cat-quick and passionate, playing with the high-revving motor Aaron Glenn would appreciate.
The Bucs showed clear vision back in 2020 with the selection of Tristan Wirfs out of Iowa and could return to the deepest well for offensive linemen in college football with Lauck, whose lack of ideal length and foot speed could push him inside to guard in the NFL. Big, powerful and technically-sound, Lauck is arguably the "safest" of this year’s offensive line prospects. A big contract will certainly be the most important factor in bringing Baker Mayfield back, but boosting the offensive line wouldn’t hurt.
The Vikings surprised some during the 2026 draft with the gamble on uber-talented but inconsistent defensive tackle Caleb Banks. I could see defensive coordinator Brian Flores pushing for a similarly unique prospect in Jones at cornerback. The 6-foot-4, 196-pound Jones allowed a total of 11 receptions last season, corralling receivers with his long arms and shockingly light feet.
New general manager Nolan Teasley saw a lot of success in Seattle with oversized cornerbacks and might also be willing to bet big on Jones’ potential. Patrick Queen is entering the final season of a three-year, $41 million contract. Brown — an All-ACC honoree after each of his first two seasons at Clemson — plays with similar speed at a much lower salary.
The Jaguars saw Devin Lloyd leave for Carolina (and $45 million) in free agency and could be targeting a cheaper (and more versatile) replacement in the 2027 draft. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Cole has been moved all over Georgia’s defense the past two seasons, so he doesn’t have the stats to suggest he’ll be a first-round pick. But his raw athleticism has scouts projecting him as one of this year’s breakout stars.
Few teams bet on traits like the Bears, and Seaton is as gifted as there is. The biggest question about the former five-star recruit concerns the level of competition he faced at Colorado the past two seasons. The 6-foot-5, 307-pound Seaton boasts rare quickness and agility.
If he passes the SEC test, he has a chance to be the first blocker taken next year, and long off the board by this point. Armed with three first-round picks in a class widely expected to boast a rich quarterback crop, Jets general manager Darren Mougey probably would get run out of town if he didn’t invest a single Day 1 pick on the game’s most important position. Carr is an intriguing fit for New York because he showed exciting awareness and accuracy as a first-year starter last year for Notre Dame and is perhaps better prepared for the mental rigors of playing in the Big Apple — given the scrutiny he’s endured with the Irish along with being the grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr.
The Bengals traditionally use their first-round selections on big, fast athletes with high ceilings, but they might make an exception with Bolden. Officially listed by Georgia at 6-0, 195 pounds, Bolden is slighter than most teams want at safety but his instincts, physicality and closing speed pop off the tape. The Broncos boast one of the NFL’s most well-rounded rosters, and I think they’ll be picking later than DraftKings’ current projection.
Even after investing a couple of Day 3 picks on tight ends in 2026, the position remains one of the few that I think Denver could use reinforcement. Remember, veterans Evan Engram and Lucas Krull are impending free agents. Johnson was overshadowed by Kenyon Sadiq at Oregon last year, but he's one of my favorite breakout candidates this season.
Catastrophic injuries to Tank Dell and now Jayden Higgins are compromising the Texans' passing attack and stunting the development of young quarterback C.J. Stroud. Rather than banking on a return to health from the undeniably talented pass-catchers already on the roster, GM Nick Caserio may opt to add to the room.
A Texas native who inherited his parents’ track-star speed, Wesco could be a perfect fit for Houston. With expected starting center Cade Maye fracturing his wrist in training camp, Detroit GM Brad Holmes might wish that he could invest his club’s 2027 first-round pick on Pieper right now. It isn’t often that teams are willing to select centers in the first round, but if Pieper’s transition to center (from right guard) this season goes as expected, he’ll earn it.
He's the most intriguing interior offensive lineman of this class. Recruited by Jim Harbaugh to Michigan, Hill could be traveling west to rejoin his former head coach. The 6-foot-2, 189-pound Hill doesn’t have the gaudy statistics one normally associates with first-round cornerbacks (two career interceptions), but his length and physicality project well to the next level and I think he’ll flourish under Kyle Whittingham in Ann Arbor this fall.
Everyone knows that Nick Bosa is one of the NFL’s elite edge rushers, but he’s missed a lot of action over his career and is coming off a third torn ACL. Whether it be to complement Bosa or plan for the future, the 49ers must invest in more pass-rushers, and Pierre has both the twitch and toughness that would fit well with their current bunch. There have been more flashes than consistency from top Kansas City receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy since they entered the NFL in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Perhaps it all comes together for one (or both) this year. If not, Becker is a polished route-runner and hands-catcher whose dependability could be especially coveted by the Chiefs. I’m a believer in Javonte Williams and head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, but I think the Cowboys will consider adding more juice to their backfield in the near future.
It isn’t often that NFL teams are willing to invest a first-round pick on a running back who weighs less than 200 pounds, but Lacy led the SEC with 306 touches and 24 rushing touchdowns a year ago. Some scouts believe he is the second coming of De’Von Achane. As one might expect of the defending AFC champs, the Patriots boast one of the league’s most complete rosters.
Depth at safety is a question, however, especially with veterans Kevin Byard and Mike Brown approaching free agency. Johnson has size (6-foot-2, 195 pounds), speed and ball-hawking skills. Yes, the Eagles boast reigning All-Pros Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean at cornerback, but both will be seeking a big payday soon enough, while fellow projected starter Riq Woolen is on a one-year deal.
The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Hampton looks the part of a future NFL star and has flashy tape, but his technique is inconsistent. Given all the talent in Philly, this defense could be the perfect spot for him to blossom. Siereveld was the Buckeyes’ starting left tackle a year ago and plays with surprising balance at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds.
I think he might be even better inside at guard or center due to his broad, powerful frame. A fearsome "Darkside" defense powered the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run, but reinforcements are needed on the edge. DeMarcus Lawrence has already announced that this will be his final season in the NFL, while Uchenna Nwosu (who turns 30 in December) is in the final year of his deal.
Enter the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Uiagalelei? He wins against the pass and the run with his length, power and pro-ready technique. Ed Oliver was limited to just three games a season ago due to injury and is grieving the tragic drowning of his 2-year-old son.
Buffalo is another situation where the general manager might wish he could use his 2027 first-round pick on a more immediate contributor at a specific position. Should the Bills wait until the draft, adding Moten would make a lot of sense. While he needs to prove that last year’s breakout was not merely the byproduct of opponents focusing heavily on 2026 first-round edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. (Bucs) and Akheem Mesidor (Chargers), Moten has all the traits to earn first-round consideration.
For decades, Browns fans have wished their beloved team would earn the final first-round pick of a given NFL draft. Well, having acquired the Rams' first-rounder in the Myles Garrett trade might finally provide the opportunity. In the interest of securing the No.
32 pick via winning the Super Bowl, Cleveland will almost certainly target a quarterback on Day 1 of the 2027 draft. One intriguing option is Leavitt, who flashed at Arizona State and I believe will flourish at LSU with Lane Kiffin.
