Early 2027 NFL Mock Draft: The race for Arch ... again

While the hype for this year's NFL draft may be a bit lacking, that won't be the case when the 2027 event rolls around.

This draft class has the potential to be an all-timer, featuring top-end talents at the glamour positions of quarterback, wide receiver, and edge rusher. We've once again tabbed Manning to be the top pick after he decided to return to school instead of entering the 2026 draft.

The order for the theScore's way-too-early 2027 mock draft was set using Super Bowl odds from theScore Bet while balancing the number of clubs from each conference picking 19th to 32nd - the 14 spots reserved for playoff teams. We also made slight adjustments based on how the 2026 NFL Draft broke down.

Arch Manning, QB, Texas

Manning earns the prestigious honor of being the first player listed at No. 1 in this early mock draft two years in a row. A rough start to his junior season gave way to an electric finish as Manning showed why scouts have been all over him since high school. Can he be the quarterback to finally get the stink off the Jets and return them to relevance in the AFC?

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Should you draft a wide receiver second overall in today's NFL? Probably not. However, Smith isn't a regular pass-catcher, and he's without question the best player in this draft. He was ready for the pros after his first season at Ohio State and will head home to South Florida to help a team in drastic need of a top wideout.

Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Moore could have challenged Fernando Mendoza to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft but opted to return to Oregon for another season. A national title will be top of mind, but from an NFL perspective, Moore's previous playoff struggles give him even more to gain by returning to school and showing pro teams he can handle high-pressure moments.

LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

No. 4 is a tough spot for the Cardinals in a draft that features two clear top passing options while they desperately need a quarterback. Sellers is one of the most electric players in college football, but his down-to-down consistency needs to improve for him to thrive in the pros. However, elite 6-foot-3, 240-pound athletes don't grow on trees, so Arizona is willing to bet on the upside here.

Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina

Stewart's athleticism pops off the screen, with the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder regularly flying off the edge. Improvement on a down-to-down basis will solidify his draft stock, but edge-rushers with this much ability are worth a swing in the top 10.

Cam Coleman, WR, Texas

If Coleman is WR2 in a draft, that's an outrageously talented crop of pass-catchers. In virtually any other year, Coleman would be the first wide receiver off the board. The 6-foot-3, 201-pounder has a catch radius that needs its own area code and should thrive this season after moving from quarterback-challenged Auburn to Texas.

Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas

Few players in the this class have garnered the kind of praise Simmons has received. Micah Parsons is often the pro comparison for the Texas edge rusher. Simmons exploded in his sophomore season with 12 sacks and 15 tackles for loss and now gets to feast in Will Muschamp's pressure-happy defense.

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Mike McCarthy's offense requires a very accurate passer in order to click, and Sayin's as good as it gets in that aspect of the game. The Ohio State star narrowly missed breaking the season-long FBS record for completion percentage in his first year as a starter and should light up the scoreboard once again with Smith as his No. 1 option.

Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

The top shutdown corner in this draft class, Moore recorded five interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2025. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder possesses great size at the position for the NFL and is exactly what the Giants need to bolster their defense.

Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU

Seaton was one of the lone bright spots for Deion Sanders and Colorado in 2025, going the entire season without giving up a sack as an elite left tackle. He's now off to join Lane Kiffin at LSU. The lights will be brighter, but the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder should have no problem with the jump to the SEC.

Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas

As long as the Falcons are sending immobile left-handed quarterbacks out there, the team cannot stockpile enough offensive linemen. Goosby possesses great size and athleticism and should make his case for OT1 in this draft with a strong season at Texas.

Yhonzae Pierre, DE, Alabama

Washington drafts its seventh Alabama player since 2017, taking the next elite pass-rusher off the Tuscaloosa assembly line. Pierre flexed his potential in his first season as a starter, leading Alabama with eight sacks and posting 45 total pressures with three forced fumbles.

KJ Bolden, S, Georgia

An absolute burner with an elite track background, Bolden is a game-changer for Georgia's defense. He's as fluid as they come in sideline-to-sideline coverage, but he'll need to add more physicality to his game to land inside the top 15 next year.

John Henry Daley, EDGE, Michigan

The Bucs ranked in the bottom half of the league in sacks last year, drifting further away from the defensive identity that powered their Super Bowl run five years ago. Daley followed coach Kyle Whittingham to Michigan in the offseason after leading the nation in sacks and tackles for loss at Utah.

Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia

The Jets should grab every cornerback they can after going the entire 2025 season without an interception. Robinson should help massively in that area, as the ball-hawking safety is a turnover threat anytime the opposing quarterback launches.

A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

We just mentioned the Jets' turnover-challenged defense, and Washington's freak athleticism should help their anemic pass-rush. The 330-pound Oregon standout owns an absurd 36-inch vertical.

Brandon Baker, OL, Texas

Keeping Joe Burrow upright seems to be an annual issue for the Bengals, and they opt for versatility on the line with Baker out of Texas. He played right tackle in 2025 but projects to slot in at guard for the 2026 campaign. Baker's ability to successfully fill either role makes him a valuable asset at No. 17.

David Stone, DT, Oklahoma

Stone may be a raw prospect, but you can't teach his otherworldly combo of size, athleticism, and physicality. Despite playing in a defensive line rotation in 2025, Stone still led all SEC tackles in pressures during conference games. Look for his numbers to soar in Brent Venables' defense in 2026.

Ty Benefield, S, LSU

Benefield likely would have been picked in the third or fourth round this year, but he opted to transfer from Boise State to LSU. Expect him to pop off the screen in Blake Baker's aggressive defense and fly up draft boards as a result.

Damon Wilson II, EDGE, Miami

After two years at Georgia and one at Missouri, Wilson's latest move to Miami should elevate his draft stock even further. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor both became elite defensive line prospects with the Hurricanes, and Wilson is next up. He finished third in the SEC in sacks last year and should bolster a Bears pass rush that ranked 22nd in the NFL in 2025 in that statistic.

Boubacar Traore, EDGE, Notre Dame

Like the Bears, the Patriots need pass-rush help, and Traore could be a star if he reaches his potential. He has an elite first step and uses his 80-inch wingspan to great benefit in thwarting offensive linemen. Traore is very raw, but his rare skill set makes this a no-brainer at No. 21.

Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama

Brown isn't just a threat to take the ball away, but he's also likely to end up in your end zone if he gets his hands on the football. The Alabama standout had two pick-6s last season, including one that went 99 yards to the house. That type of big-play ability on defense should fit well in San Francisco.

Trey'Dez Green, TE, LSU

A tip for fantasy managers: Buy stock in Green as early as possible. The 6-foot-7, 240-pounder is a cheat code in the red zone, hauling in anything that comes remotely close to his catch radius.

Does that sound like something that could help Bo Nix in Denver?

Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State

If you're in a division with Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, and whatever quarterback is throwing to Justin Jefferson, you need all the cornerback help you can get. The 6-foot-4 Jones is the definition of a lockdown corner who can put the clamps on his side of the field at any level.

Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana

Becker was a menace during Indiana's title run, catching 14 balls for 290 yards and two touchdowns in the Big Ten championship game and three playoff contests. He's a home-run threat in every sense of the word, having averaged 20.7 yards per catch over that span. Expect him to become a mainstay on draft boards with an expanded role in 2026.

Bryant Wesco Jr., WR, Clemson

With A.J. Brown's days in Philadelphia likely over, the Eagles call Wesco's name at No. 26. He's a burner who can take the top off the defense with electric after-the-catch potential. Wesco needs to add some bulk to his frame, but he could become a very dangerous weapon at the professional level.

Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon

Although Travis Kelce is back, the future Hall of Famer's days are numbered in Kansas City. Johnson was an exceptional second option to Kenyon Sadiq at tight end for Oregon in 2025 and should put up some gaudy stats with Dante Moore back in the fold and Sadiq in the NFL.

Nico Iamaleava, QB, UCLA

The Cowboys can get out of Dak Prescott's contract after the 2027 season, so they begin planning for the future by selecting Iamaleava at No. 28. The UCLA passer can put the Tennessee drama behind him and focus on football with new Bruins coach Bob Chesney. While this slot may seem a little high given Iamaleava's struggles last season, he's got first-round potential.

Quincy Rhodes Jr., EDGE, Arkansas

The 6-foot-6 Rhodes expertly uses his frame to put tons of pressure on the opposing offensive line. He may not have the explosive first step we've seen from other defensive line prospects in this class, but Rhodes' strong technique helps him make an impact on a play-to-play basis.

Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama

Yes, he drops the ball too much and didn't exactly have the most consistent 2025 season, but Coleman-Williams is as electric as wide receivers come. Expect him to have a more productive junior year with the Crimson Tide to solidify his spot in the first round.

Ryan Wingo, WR, Texas

With top-level speed at 215 lbs, Wingo is a rare find in the collegiate ranks. He needs to improve his overall route-running and hands at the catch point, but Wingo's game-breaking ability makes him a surefire first-round pick.

Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana

The Rams were chastised by some for drafting Ty Simpson rather than building out Matthew Stafford's arsenal. Regardless of whether Stafford or Simpson is under center in 2027, Sean McVay and Les Snead should turn their attention to replenishing their wideout corps and finding a long-term successor to Davante Adams. Marsh caught 100 passes for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns across two seasons as a starter at Michigan State before transferring to Indiana.