Finally, football is about to return.<\/p>\n
With the college football season officially kicking off during Saturday\u2019s Week 0 slate<\/a>, we can start to look deeper at where the top 2027 NFL Draft prospects sit. This class, as you might have heard, could be loaded \u2014 most notably, at quarterback.<\/p>\n So, here\u2019s a preseason first-round mock draft. The draft order below is based on Austin Mock\u2019s projected 2026 win totals for the AFC<\/a> and NFC<\/a>.<\/p>\n Who belongs in the second tier of QBs behind Arch Manning and Dante Moore?<\/p>\n Dane Brugler<\/p>\n 1. Arizona Cardinals (4.4 projected wins): Arch Manning, QB, Texas<\/p>\n Something to remember: Both Manning and Dante Moore will have college eligibility left beyond the coming season, so they do not have to declare for the 2027 draft. Manning gets the early nod at No. 1, though, based on his ideal blend of size, arm talent and athleticism. But it\u2019s very close between those two quarterbacks.<\/p>\n Also keep in mind that the Jets currently hold three first-round selections in the \u201927 class, so they\u2019d be an obvious trade-up candidate.<\/p>\n 2. Miami Dolphins (4.5 projected wins): Dante Moore, QB, Oregon<\/p>\n If Moore can channel the calm he showed during a few of Oregon\u2019s road wins last year (notably, at Penn State), then maybe he\u2019ll elevate to QB1. Both Moore and Manning have similar issues to work on this season, consistent processing being among them.<\/p>\n 3. Cleveland Browns (5.3 projected wins): Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State<\/p>\n The Browns will be somewhere in line for a quarterback next spring, but if the best player in college football \u2014 and the best wide receiver prospect we\u2019ve seen since Julio Jones \u2014 falls to you, then you drop whatever you\u2019re doing and turn in his name.<\/p>\n 4. New York Jets (5.6 projected wins): Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame<\/p>\n Moore is a tremendous prospect. Size, speed, bend, ball skills and coverage IQ just ooze from the Notre Dame star, who can remind you a lot of Pat Surtain Jr. He\u2019d be a great replacement in New York\u2019s secondary for Sauce Gardner, whom the Jets traded away last November.<\/p>\n 5. Tennessee Titans (5.8 projected wins): Dylan Stewart, edge, South Carolina<\/p>\n The freakiest pass rusher in this year\u2019s class, Stewart (6 feet, 5 inches tall and 245 pounds) not only has unique hybrid ability, but he moves like a receiver \u2014 or maybe a small forward. A stunning athlete at just 20 years old, Stewart is more prospect than polished product, but his ceiling is very high.<\/p>\n 6. Las Vegas Raiders (6.2 projected wins): Cam Coleman, WR, Texas<\/p>\n Every time Coleman had a jaw-dropping catch last season at Auburn, someone wondered out loud how good he could be if he had a quality quarterback and played in a great offense. Now that he\u2019ll have both of those at Texas, the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder could be the most impactful transfer in America.<\/p>\n 7. Carolina Panthers (6.7 projected wins): Colin Simmons, edge, Texas<\/p>\n He\u2019s less of a pure freak than Stewart, but Simmons (6-3, 255) might be the 2027 class\u2019 most polished pass rusher. With a great first step and counters for everything, Simmons is 14 sacks away from the SEC\u2019s career record \u2014 and he\u2019s only a junior.<\/p>\n 8. Atlanta Falcons (7.1 projected wins): Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas<\/p>\n Four Longhorns in the top 10? I have no idea who spent the most money on a college roster this year, but I\u2019d bet your car Texas was near the top of the list.<\/p>\n Goosby can be a frustrating watch at times, but the 6-foot-7, 315-pounder has tremendous potential at left or right tackle.<\/p>\n 9. New York Giants (7.1 projected wins): Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana<\/p>\n One of my favorite players to scout in this class, Becker is a team-first, do-everything receiver who is big enough to be an X, quick enough to work the slot and durable enough to block. He still hasn\u2019t dropped a pass during his college career.<\/p>\n 10. Washington Commanders (7.6 projected wins): Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana<\/p>\n I\u2019m quite a bit higher on Marsh right now than where he landed on Dane Brugler\u2019s preseason board (No. 34), although I understand the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Michigan State transfer still has much to prove. But, like Coleman, he thrived in a pretty pedestrian offense. He could explode with Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers.<\/p>\n 11. New Orleans Saints (7.8 projected wins): Yhonzae Pierre, edge, Alabama<\/p>\n Pierre is 244 pounds of dynamite and gasoline off the edge. A relentless, twitched-up pass rusher who is physical enough to be a factor versus the run, Pierre plays with great bend and explosion through his whole body. He\u2019s a three-down energy giver.<\/p>\n 12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8 projected wins): Trey\u2019Dez Green, TE, LSU<\/p>\n The 2027 draft\u2019s top tight end entering the season, Green (6-6, 240) is basically a gigantic receiver, with very good speed and an absurd catch radius. He posted 12 contested catches as a sophomore and will be a unique piece for Lane Kiffin.<\/p>\n 13. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts, 8.3 projected wins): Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson<\/p>\n One of the fastest defenders in the class, Brown (6-2, 235) \u2014 who has 4.41-second speed in the 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical \u2014 is a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker. The former standout wrestler is also a sure tackler and can rush off the edge.<\/p>\n 14. Pittsburgh Steelers (8.4 projected wins): CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame<\/p>\n One of the youngest prospects eligible to join the 2027 class, Carr is nowhere near a slam dunk to declare for the upcoming draft, as he\u2019s just a third-year sophomore. Still, he\u2019s a very confident athlete with terrific instinct for the position.<\/p>\n His dad (Jason Carr) and grandfather (former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr) played QB in college; his other grandfather, Tom Curtis, is a College Football Hall of Fame defensive back.<\/p>\n 15. Minnesota Vikings (8.7 projected wins): Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson<\/p>\n The size here is just tantalizing \u2014 Hampton stands a legit 6-3, 204, with great explosion. His ability to disrupt passing lanes and receivers using his length is a bit reminiscent of Steelers corner Joey Porter Jr.<\/p>\n 16. Jacksonville Jaguars (9.1 projected wins): Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss<\/p>\n A versatile interior defender who could work out of the A, B or C gap, Echoles (6-2, 309) has great hands and contact balance up front. He\u2019s disruptive against the run, and he added five sacks with 33 QB pressures last year.<\/p>\n 17. Denver Broncos (9.1 projected wins): Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon<\/p>\n Johnson (6-4, 242) could be a serious riser, depending on how he produces this season. A loose and explosive athlete with strong inline blocking ability, Johnson averaged 9.1 yards after catch last year. We\u2019ll see how high he flies now that he\u2019s no longer Kenyon Sadiq\u2019s understudy.<\/p>\n 18. New York Jets (from Dallas Cowboys, 9.2 projected wins): Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State<\/p>\n Mestemaker is in the same bucket as Carr right now \u2014 he\u2019s very young, so there should be no rush. But his talent, both in terms of his arm and athleticism, at 6-4, 211, has the attention of every NFL scout.<\/p>\n If he shatters records again this year, while playing against tougher competition after a transfer from North Texas, he\u2019ll be impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n 19. Houston Texans (9.3 projected wins): Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss<\/p>\n This honestly might be too late in Round 1 for Lacy, who is a complete three-down weapon. He forced nearly 90 missed tackles as a sophomore last year, showing off good open-field vision, great balance and lethal cutback ability.<\/p>\n 20. Los Angeles Chargers (9.4 projected wins): Kade Pieper, iOL, Iowa<\/p>\n My favorite interior offensive lineman this year, and one of my favorite players overall in the class, Pieper will move from guard to center this season and could wind up being Iowa\u2019s best inside presence since Tyler Linderbaum. In fact, he\u2019s talented enough to be the best center prospect, regardless of college, since Linderbaum was a first-round pick in 2022.<\/p>\n 21. Chicago Bears (9.6 projected wins): Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa<\/p>\n If Lauck has a big year, he won\u2019t be available in the 20s come draft weekend. The 6-5, 314-pounder was incredibly smooth at left tackle opposite Gennings Dunker last year. He can be a right or left tackle, offering terrific run-blocking potential at either spot.<\/p>\n 22. Kansas City Chiefs (9.6 projected wins): Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU<\/p>\n Seaton has tremendous pass-protection potential \u2014 he\u2019s an ultra-quick big man who dropped a bunch of weight this offseason after transferring from Colorado. If he can clean up some technical stuff, he\u2019s another prospect who will be much higher on this list come January.<\/p>\n 23. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers, 9.7 projected wins): Chris Cole, LB, Georgia<\/p>\n Cole (6-3, 235) has some serious mutant-like traits, including freakish athletic potential. Though he\u2019s still young with a lot to prove, it\u2019s impossible to ignore him on tape.<\/p>\n 24. San Francisco 49ers (10.2 projected wins): Greg Johnson, iOL, Minnesota<\/p>\n A jumbo-sized guard, Johnson (6-6, 327) has also played some left tackle. He\u2019s a very powerful blocker in both pass pro and the run game, and he plays with a great anchor, feet and IQ. He could also probably be a center if a team needed him to be.<\/p>\n 25. Detroit Lions (10.2 projected wins): Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia<\/p>\n A long, explosive junior, Robinson is an effortless mover in space who posted four picks, four pass breakups and forced four incompletions as a sophomore. He needs to get stronger, but his coverage potential easily warrants a first-round grade.<\/p>\n 26. New England Patriots (10.3 projected wins): Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame<\/p>\n Another of my favorites to watch in this year\u2019s class, Johnson (6-2, 197) is a do-everything safety who has good eyes in zone coverage and great speed for his size. He offers big-time hybrid potential \u2014 but also big-time potential as a pure safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n 27. Cincinnati Bengals (10.3 projected wins): Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida<\/p>\n A throwback in terms of size for his position, the 6-1, 230-pound Baugh can be hell on wheels for linebackers and safeties. He is extremely hard to tackle in space because he\u2019s a patient runner with great hands and power everywhere. He also made more than 30 catches as a sophomore.<\/p>\n 28. Philadelphia Eagles (10.4 projected wins): KJ Bolden, S, Georgia<\/p>\n Another do-everything safety, albeit with a bit less size than Johnson, Bolden (6-0, 190) is a fearless downhill defender who was able to earn Kirby Smart\u2019s trust as a freshman. He\u2019s a very smart player who always seems to be at his best when it\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n 29. Buffalo Bills (10.8 projected wins): Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama<\/p>\n If he can cut down his focus drops and squeeze a bit more power out of his 6-foot, 175-pound body, Coleman-Williams could be electric in the NFL. He\u2019s an acrobat in a football helmet and a very skilled route runner whose game is a bit reminiscent of DeVonta Smith.\u00a0<\/p>\n 30. Seattle Seahawks (10.8 projected wins): A\u2019Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon<\/p>\n A big, long interior presence, Washington (6-3, 319) plays with a great first step and has the tools to be a three-down interior tackle, either at three-tech or nose. He could climb the board quite a bit with a productive season.<\/p>\n 31. Baltimore Ravens (11 projected wins): Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri<\/p>\n Hardy (5-10, 206) has a gas pedal that goes from zero to \u201cwhoa\u201d in a hiccup. He forced 97 missed tackles last year and is like watching a great punt returner when he has open grass. He\u2019s an explosive football player and an ascending talent.<\/p>\n 32. Cleveland Browns (from L.A. Rams, 11.6 projected wins): LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina<\/p>\n Physically and mentally, Sellers is a dream come true. A 6-3, 245-pounder with wheels, a huge arm and high-level intelligence, he checks so many boxes on paper. His tape can be more inconsistent. That\u2019s partly because his team hasn\u2019t been very good, but also because he needs to be more consistent in the pocket.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Finally, football is about to return. With the college football season officially kicking off during Saturday\u2019s Week 0…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":873274,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[436],"tags":[49,48,514,82],"class_list":["post-873273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=873273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873273\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/873274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=873273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=873273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=873273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}