The 2026-27 NFL season has been electric so far. As we approach the midway point of the season, some of the top contenders have begun to separate themselves from the rest of the pack, while the pretenders are starting to reveal themselves as teams who should look forward to the 2027 NFL Draft more than any potential playoff run.
There’s naturally been a lot of movement in prospect rankings since the start of the college football season, so let’s dig into which players project best as first-round draft picks. Using PFN’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator, given the draft order as of Oct. 24, here are my updated predictions.
1) Los Angeles Chargers
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
If the Los Angeles Chargers end up with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, I anticipate they’ll probably trade down from the selection, assuming they trust Justin Herbert to bounce back next year. In a scenario where they stay put, however, they would go with the best player available. In this case, the answer is pretty clear.
It’s genuinely difficult to find a weakness in Jeremiah Smith’s game. He’s a giant receiver at 6’3″ and 223 pounds with expected physicality and the ball skills and catch radius to win above the rim. He’s also an elite athlete with great deep speed, good explosiveness, the ability to shoot laterally out of his breaks, and good stem work early in his route. In addition to those traits, Smith has great hands and adjusts his approach to get open versus man or zone.
2) Miami Dolphins
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
If the Miami Dolphins finish with a top-two pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, the questions will naturally swirl around whether they should take a quarterback to replace Malik Willis. Though they’re pretty tied to Willis contractually in 2027, that doesn’t mean they can’t draft his eventual replacement in this upcoming class.
After a tough start to the season against Tulsa, Drew Mestemaker has made a lot of money with how he’s performed in 2026. He’s a gutsy, strong-armed quarterback with impressive poise under pressure and natural timing behind his passes. He’s a gifted passer with a very high ceiling at the next level, which has placed him firmly in QB1 conversations.
3) Tennessee Titans
Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
On track to have a top-five pick yet again in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans haven’t gotten encouraging returns out of Cam Ward so far in his second season in the NFL. Drafting a quarterback could be enticing here, but this is an incredibly flawed roster that just needs talent. If they draft a new quarterback to replace Ward, he would just inherit the same shoddy roster that Ward currently has.
In his first two seasons at Texas, Colin Simmons tallied 21.0 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss. He’s an elite athlete off the edge with ideal acceleration and flexibility to turn the corner and threaten on the outside speed rush. His pass-rushing arsenal runs deep, his motor is red hot, and he has good awareness against the run to offset his average size.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Charlie Becker, WR, Texas
It’s possible the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just eat the sunken cost on Baker Mayfield’s extension and draft a quarterback in Round 1, but I doubt that will be the case. With the No. 4 pick in this instance, it could be helpful for their woeful offense to bring in a potential superstar at wide receiver.
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Off a small sample size, Charlie Becker looked like a future NFL starter in the second half of the 2025 season for Indiana. He’s carried that over to 2026, where he’s currently thriving as Indiana’s WR1. Becker uses his 6’4″, 209-pound frame to excel above the rim. He has fantastic hands, very good ball skills, impressive deep speed, and he can work the stem to exploit leverage points against different coverage looks.
5) Washington Commanders
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
It’s hard to believe that the Washington Commanders were in the NFC Championship Game just two years ago, but things change quickly in the NFL. Though their offense has regressed since Jayden Daniels’ rookie season, their defense remains a major issue, particularly in the secondary.
A unanimous All-American in 2025, Leonard Moore built upon his freshman All-American year by tallying five interceptions last season. The 6’2″, 194-pounder is a smooth mover with fluid hips, quick feet in his backpedal, and very good deep speed defending vertical route concepts. He’s as well-rounded as you can get for a cornerback prospect.
6) New York Jets (via Cowboys)
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Though Geno Smith has exceeded expectations so far in 2026, it’s clear that he’s only a stopgap option at quarterback for the New York Jets. They have three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, and at this juncture, it feels likely that they’ll use one of those selections on their future franchise quarterback.
Trinidad Chambliss has significantly boosted his stock for the 2027 NFL Draft class this year. He’s led Ole Miss to two key wins over Louisville and LSU, thriving in the spotlight with his elastic arm, dynamic athleticism, and impressive touch. Though he’s undersized and older for a draft prospect, his tape has been super fun to watch this year.
7) Houston Texans
Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Though the Houston Texans have bounced back on offense after a slow start to the season, their offensive line is still one of the worst in the NFL. If they get the opportunity to take the top offensive lineman on their board in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft, it would be a massive boost to that unit.
A former five-star recruit at Colorado, Jordan Seaton is in good hands after transferring to LSU this offseason. He had some rough patches early in his collegiate career, but his play evened out down the stretch in 2025, and he’s off to a fantastic start in 2026. He has prototypical size and length for an offensive tackle, showcasing ideal physicality and tremendous mobility for someone who was listed at 330 pounds.
8) Philadelphia Eagles
Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
Where do you start if you’re the Philadelphia Eagles? This season has been a major disappointment, and going forward, it feels like they’re heading towards a rebuild. If they have a top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, they could pursue an offensive lineman, but in this case, the value off the edge is superior.
Dylan Stewart is a lengthy pass rusher with elite athleticism off the edge and a well-built frame that carries his 245 pounds very well at 6’5″. His bend at the top of his arc is great, and he does a good job of sifting through blocks in the run game. He’s also a capable turnover creator, having forced six fumbles in his first two years at South Carolina. His character concerns loom large here, but on the field, he’s a phenomenal player.
9) New York Jets (via Colts)
Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss
The 2027 NFL Draft has a very good group of interior defensive linemen, and the Jets need some more long-term clarity up the middle alongside T’Vondre Sweat. After taking their quarterback of the future earlier, they follow up on defense here.
Having led all Power 4 defensive tackles with 39 pressures in 2025, Will Echoles headed into 2026 as a proven commodity as a pass rusher, and he’s lived up to the hype to start the year. His pad level and body control are still a bit suboptimal, but he has impressive first-step quickness, closing speed as a defender in space, and the ability to stack and shed offensive linemen in the trenches.
10) Arizona Cardinals
Austin Simmons, QB, Missouri
The Arizona Cardinals would be wise to draft a quarterback early in the 2027 NFL Draft, but sliding down to the No. 10 overall pick would make it slightly tougher. They have no financial ties to Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew beyond this year, and using a Round 3 selection on Carson Beck isn’t enough to prevent the Cardinals from investing in their franchise quarterback of the future.
Austin Simmons is off to a phenomenal start to 2026 with Missouri after starting 2025 as Ole Miss’ starter before an injury and the emergence of Trinidad Chambliss took him out of the starting lineup. Simmons has a fantastic arm with impressive velocity and elasticity displayed on tape. He’s a good athlete who can throw on the move, and though he’s inexperienced, he demonstrates tremendous touch down the field.
11) Cleveland Browns (via Rams)
CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
If the Cleveland Browns can acquire their quarterback of the future with the 2027 first-round pick they got from the Los Angeles Rams in the Myles Garrett trade, it would be a massive win for them. Deshaun Watson has surpassed expectations this season, but he’s still a flawed quarterback whose contract expires this coming offseason.
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There’s no guarantee that he declares for the 2027 NFL Draft as a redshirt sophomore, but CJ Carr looks ahead of the developmental curve this year. He showed he can make full-field reads, identify the checkdown option, and execute hi-lo concepts efficiently. He throws with a natural sense of touch down the field, and even if his arm isn’t out of this world, he’s capable of delivering throws off platform with nice elasticity.
12) New Orleans Saints
Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
So far this season, the New Orleans Saints have seen some intriguing flashes out of their young offense, even without 2026 first-round pick Jordyn Tyson as an option at wide receiver. But their defense has been a weakness this season, which should prompt them to address that side of the ball early in the 2027 NFL Draft.
With five interceptions as a redshirt freshman in 2025, Ellis Robinson IV has ball skills like a wide receiver. His body control, hands, and ball-tracking skills are all very impressive for a cornerback. Additionally, he’s an aggressive decision-maker in coverage who acts upon his reads decisively and shows willingness as a downhill tackler.
13) New York Jets
Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
After a strong 2025 season, Ashton Hampton has arguably looked even better to begin 2026. He’s 6’2″ and 200 pounds, using his prototypical build to jam receivers near the line of scrimmage and compete at the catch point.
Hampton is a reliable form tackler who can hit hard as a downhill defender, and his mental trigger shows up well covering underneath.
14) Atlanta Falcons
Lance Heard, OT, Kentucky
After the retirement of Kaleb McGary, the Atlanta Falcons pivoted to sign Jawaan Taylor as their new starting right tackle. However, he’s had a rocky NFL career, and left tackle Jake Matthews will be 35 years old in February. The Falcons will eventually need to invest in a long-term option at one of their starting tackle spots.
An argument can be made that Lance Heard is the nastiest offensive lineman in the 2027 NFL Draft. I liked his tape at Tennessee, where you could see his elite play strength and physicality on display. This year at Kentucky, though, he’s shown much improved body control and weight distribution. The more I watch him, the more sold I am on him as a first-round prospect.
15) Las Vegas Raiders
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Though the Las Vegas Raiders have arguably the best tight-end tandem in the NFL, they could definitely use an upgrade at the wide receiver position. Once Fernando Mendoza takes over as their starting quarterback, they’ll need to invest in a true WR1 for him going forward.
Cam Coleman was a standout at Auburn for two seasons, and now he’s Arch Manning’s WR1 at Texas. He’s 6’3″ and 201 pounds with the physicality and ball skills needed to win the 50/50 ball. He attacks the ball in the air like a power forward, he bends the stem well to exploit leverage points, and he has better deep speed than most receivers his size.
16) Seattle Seahawks
Greg Johnson, OG, Minnesota
Through the first few weeks of the season, the Seattle Seahawks’ running game hasn’t been nearly as good as anticipated. Part of that comes down to injuries at the running back position, but their interior offensive line hasn’t been tremendous, either.
Greg Johnson has taken snaps at all five offensive line positions, and he’s a beast of a man at 6’6″ and 325 pounds. He has a powerful anchor that helps him absorb power in pass protection, and his pad level is typically better than you’d expect for a taller interior offensive lineman. In my opinion, he’s been the top-performing interior offensive lineman in college football to start the season.
17) New England Patriots
Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
All told, the New England Patriots have a pretty solid offense as things currently stand. That said, their linebacker tandem leaves a lot to be desired, and after making some investments in their defensive line in the 2026 offseason, upgrading at the second level could be beneficial.
I loved Chris Cole’s tape as a rotational linebacker for Georgia in 2025, and he’s carried that over into a full-time starting role in 2026. The former five-star recruit is a well-built, elite athlete at the position with fluid hips, quick feet, and route-recognition abilities that reflect his previous life as a safety. His ceiling at the linebacker position is tremendous.
18) Cincinnati Bengals
Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Chase Brown’s efficiency on the ground hasn’t been as good as the Cincinnati Bengals have likely hoped, and he’s in the last year of his rookie contract. If they let him walk in free agency, they’ll be in the market for a new starting running back this offseason, and the 2027 NFL Draft looks strong at the position.
At 6’1″ and 231 pounds, Jadan Baugh is a powerful running back with elite size and very good contact balance. Not only can he battle through tackle attempts, but he’s a tremendous athlete for his size. He changes direction better than most big running backs, and that shiftiness combined with his soft hands gives him plenty of pass-catching value. He feels like a safe bet to go in Round 1.
19) New York Giants
Xavier Gilliam, DT, Tennessee
Somehow, some way, the New York Giants are leading the NFC East to begin the season without Jaxson Dart. Their group of edge rushers is incredibly talented when Brian Burns is healthy, but their interior defensive line remains an issue after trading Dexter Lawrence. Luckily for them, the 2027 NFL Draft is deep at the defensive tackle position.
A top performer in the first half of 2026, Xavier Gilliam was a rotational defender at Penn State but has broken out this year as a three-down phenom at Tennessee. He’s an explosive, agile defender who can stress offensive linemen out with quickness off the snap, and he has a refined plan as a pass rusher.
20) Carolina Panthers
Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
Bryce Young has improved significantly in 2026, and he has two great weapons at wide receiver in Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. But the Carolina Panthers have a questionable group at tight end, and if the best player at the position in the 2027 NFL Draft class is available for them in Round 1, they could look to take advantage.
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Much like Kenyon Sadiq before him, Jamari Johnson showed elite traits as Oregon’s second-string tight end last year. He was particularly productive in the playoffs with eight catches, 149 yards, and a touchdown in the Ducks’ two games. He’s a sure-handed pass catcher with elite vertical speed, ball skills, and lateral quickness coming out of his breaks.
21) Detroit Lions
KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
Through the first few weeks of the season, the Detroit Lions’ secondary has been a major issue. Though they can rely on Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph to return at safety eventually, the future for the latter looks particularly murky, and the former will likely be utilized more in the slot upon his return.
KJ Bolden is a versatile defensive back who can line up all over the defensive backfield and make plays, which speaks to his quick mental trigger. His coverage instincts are really impressive, demonstrating fluid hips, good longitudinal agility, proper form as a tackler, and range as a single-high safety.
22) Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Liam Coen has proven he can fashion the Jacksonville Jaguars as one of the more explosive offenses in the NFL. That said, their offensive tackle situation remains questionable, and though they have money tied into Cole Van Lanen and Walker Little, neither has played at a high level this year.
Had Trevor Goosby declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, there’s a good chance we could’ve seen eight offensive tackles picked in the first round. His inexperience as a first-year starter showed sometimes last year, but he’s an explosive pass protector with prototypical size and length. He also has the core strength to absorb power and all the physical tools of a long-term starting left tackle.
23) Baltimore Ravens
Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
The Baltimore Ravens have an incredibly talented roster, but they could use some additional investments along their defensive line. Adding another explosive force off the edge to pair with Trey Hendrickson could make sense, as many NFL teams have grown to prefer a deeper group of defensive linemen.
With eight sacks in 2025, Yhonzae Pierre was a breakout contributor for Alabama as a redshirt sophomore. His physicality and tackling form can improve, but he’s a lengthy, twitchy edge rusher with an explosive first step, ideal flexibility turning the corner, and the gap awareness to stack and shed blocks and make stops in the run game.
24) Cleveland Browns
Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
After taking a quarterback with the first of their two first-round selections in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Browns could use their other pick to focus on the defensive side of the ball. In particular, their secondary looks like an area that could use some additional investments.
Listed at 6’4″ and 195 pounds, Kelley Jones is a tall, lanky cornerback with elite height and length for his position. That physical advantage gives him a large catch radius, which he maximizes with good ball-tracking skills and a competitive edge at the catch point. He shows good foot speed in his backpedal and good tackling skills for someone with a high center of gravity and skinny frame.
25) Pittsburgh Steelers
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (FL)
Aaron Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, but in what will be the final year of his NFL career, he’s certainly past his prime. The Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need a reinvigoration at the quarterback position.
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If you’re looking for a high-level contributor who can work well within structure, Darian Mensah is your guy. He falls a little because his physical attributes aren’t elite, but he’s one of the most accurate passers in college football and consistently makes the right decision with the football.
26) Denver Broncos
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame
With Dre Greenlaw gone, the Denver Broncos were hoping that Justin Strnad would step in and provide quality starting play opposite Alex Singleton. However, in his previous five seasons with the team, Strnad started only 21 games, and the tandem hasn’t looked phenomenal to kick off 2026.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa might have the highest ceiling of any linebacker in the 2027 NFL Draft. He has prototypical size and length for his position, and his lateral quickness and closing speed are impressive. His physicality at the point of attack allows him to take blocks head-on, too.
27) Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
Audavion Collins, CB, Penn State
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense has remained a major issue so far this season. They traded a second-round pick for Joey Porter Jr., which should eventually turn into improved play at the cornerback position, but that will hardly be enough to give them a great secondary.
One of the best cornerbacks in college football this year, Audavion Collins is in the midst of a breakout season. What he lacks in elite size, he more than makes up for with his quick route processing capabilities, click-and-close speed, fluidity coming out of his breaks, and scrappy demeanor at the catch point.
28) Chicago Bears
David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
The Chicago Bears’ group of edge rushers has been surprisingly solid in 2026, and their defense has exceeded expectations to begin the season. However, their defensive interior remains a massive issue, and with Grady Jarrett projecting as a cap casualty next offseason, they’ll likely have to spend major capital at defensive tackle in the 2027 NFL Draft.
David Stone led the Power 4 in 2025 with an 85.9 PFN DT Impact Score, dominating the interior with elite first-step acceleration, pro-ready pad level, and quick hands that can shed blocks in many different ways. His pass-rushing production has dipped slightly in 2026, but he’s remained an absolute force against the run.
29) Buffalo Bills
Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
The Buffalo Bills remain one of the top teams in the NFL, but that’s thanks largely in part to the play of their offense. Their defense remains a major work in progress, so if the secondary value is right in the first round, it could make sense to draft a defensive back on Day 1 next April.
Considering the safety talent in last year’s 2026 NFL Draft, it’s even more remarkable that Tae Johnson led the nation in PFN’s Safety Impact Score by a considerable margin last season. He’s a tall, lengthy safety with a large catch radius, and that size helps him as a tackler, to the tune of a 3.6% missed tackle rate in 2025. His versatility and ball skills will also entice NFL teams.
30) San Francisco 49ers
Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
The injury bug keeps biting the San Francisco 49ers in 2026, and they’ve especially seen major injuries at the wide receiver position. De’Zhaun Stribling is expected to miss most of the season after undergoing ankle surgery, and Ricky Pearsall hasn’t been able to stay healthy in the NFL. Mike Evans has played well, but he’s also banged up and is just a short-term option given his age.
Even though he isn’t the WR1 in Indiana’s offense, Nick Marsh would be the runaway top wide receiver on nearly every other college football team. He’s a big-bodied weapon who can win above the rim and offers tremendous speed and agility for his size.
31) Kansas City Chiefs
Zereoue Williams, OT, Utah
Kahlil Benson has been a revelation for the Kansas City Chiefs this year, as the undrafted rookie has been more than serviceable at left tackle to begin 2026. That said, Jaylon Moore is off to a shaky start after a brutal 2025 campaign, and Josh Simmons’ availability issues have to be tightening his leash around the organization.
There are profile concerns around Zereoue Williams as a sixth-year draft prospect and a first-year starter. However, the former backup to Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu has been phenomenal in 2026. Williams has elite size, tremendous agility for a bigger offensive tackle, and a strong anchor that allows him to absorb power rushes in pass protection.
32) Minnesota Vikings
Kingston Lopa, S, California
Undefeated heading into Week 7 of the 2026-27 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings have one of the best defensive minds in the NFL in Brian Flores and a phenomenal defensive front that can really rush the passer. If they can find a star to add to their secondary, there’s no telling what that unit could achieve going forward.
One of the biggest risers in the 2027 NFL Draft class through the first few weeks of the season, Kingston Lopa already has five interceptions this year. He’s a gigantic safety at 6’5″ and 210 pounds, moves incredibly well for his size in coverage, and his underneath instincts in coverage allow him to sniff out route concepts and make plays on the ball.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.