NCAAF · 9 hours ago

NBC Sports 2027 NFL Mock Draft: Arch Manning & Jeremiah Smith Top Board

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say! What Does the Top 10 Look Like?
Debate the NBC Sports Mock Draft

We’ve officially laid down NBC Sports' 32-player first-round blueprint for the 2027 class, but now it's your turn to step up to the whiteboard and judge the selections!

The QB Debate: Is Arch Manning going No. 1 overall to Arizona a lock, or would you take Oregon's Dante Moore or Notre Dame's CJ Carr over the Texas star?

The Jets' 3-Pick Haul: Did New York score the ultimate draft grade by grabbing Carr (#3), Zabien Brown (#12), and Jordan Seaton (#16) in a single night?

The Late-Round Steals: Which late first-round weapon, like Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson (#25) or Indiana boundary monster Charlie Becker (#31), will have the biggest rookie impact?

Sound off in the comments with your favorite picks and early draft sleepers! Give us your mini-mock top 10 picks!
NBC Sports 2027 NFL Mock Draft
Future Blue-Chips: NBC Sports 2027 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

While the 2026 draft class earned a reputation for being somewhat light on top-end depth, the 2027 NFL Draft class is loaded with star power. From franchise-altering quarterbacks like Arch Manning to generational perimeter weapons like Jeremiah Smith, next spring's prospect pool is brimming with game-changers. The defensive side of the board is equally stacked; edge disruptors Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons, along with lockdown cornerback Leonard Moore, bring elite traits that would have placed them right at the very top of the previous draft cycle.

Eric Froton of NBC Sports used the PFSN mock draft simulator to establish their initial draft order and mapped out how all 32 picks could land on Day 1. Keep in mind that a couple of blockbuster trades have altered the board: the Green Bay Packers shipped their first-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys in the Micah Parsons deal, while the Indianapolis Colts sent their first-round capital to the New York Jets to acquire Sauce Gardner in 2025.

Here is how NBC Sports sees the opening round of the 2027 NFL Draft unfolding with their mock.
32. Los Angeles Rams: Bryant Wesco Jr.
Wide Receiver | Clemson

Closing out the first round, the Rams add another fast, high-upside perimeter playmaker to Sean McVay's passing scheme. Wesco brings quick-twitch acceleration and run-after-catch agility, giving Los Angeles a dynamic weapon to finish Day 1.
31. Buffalo Bills: Charlie Becker
Wide Receiver | Indiana

Becker is a boundary monster who routinely out-alphas smaller cornerbacks in high-leverage 1-on-1 situations. He combines elite catch radius, body control, and ball-tracking skills to win at the catch point. Dropping Becker into Buffalo's offense gives Josh Allen a dominant outside threat in must-have situations.
30. Seattle Seahawks: Princewill Umanmielen
Edge Rusher | Ole Miss

Seattle adds more pass-rushing depth to their front seven with Umanmielen. He features a quick first step, flexible bend around the arc, and a relentless motor that keeps pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Kewan Lacy
Running Back | Ole Miss

Baltimore's run-heavy offensive identity gets even more lethal with the addition of Lacy. He blends patient vision behind his blocks with breakaway speed in the secondary, making him a home-run threat every time he touches the football.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Marsh
Wide Receiver | Indiana

Patrick Mahomes gets a big-bodied wideout who excels at winning in tight coverage windows down the field. Marsh brings size, strong hands, and great awareness against zone looks, giving Kansas City another dependable target on key third downs.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Brice Pollock
Cornerback | Texas Tech

Acquiring this pick from Green Bay in the Micah Parsons trade, the Cowboys address their secondary depth. Pollock is an aggressive boundary corner who plays with tight coverage technique and excellent ball skills when passes come his way.
26. San Francisco 49ers: Carter Smith
Offensive Tackle | Indiana

Kyle Shanahan’s blocking scheme requires mobile tackles who can pull in space and execute reach blocks effortlessly. Smith is a quick-footed blocker who plays with great leverage, making him a clean fit for San Francisco's front line.
25. New England Patriots: Jamari Johnson
Tight End | Oregon

Johnson emerged as Oregon's primary seam-stretching target, hauling in multiple long postseason touchdowns from Dante Moore while operating as a downfield weapon. Pairing a dynamic 6'5" mismatch option like Johnson with Drake Maye gives New England an explosive target in the intermediate passing game.
24. Los Angeles Chargers: Bear Alexander
Defensive Tackle | Oregon

Jim Harbaugh loves adding interior muscle, and Alexander brings explosive first-step quickness to the interior defensive line. He penetrates gaps and disrupts backfield timing, giving the Chargers a quick-twitch interior tackle.
23. Detroit Lions: Sammy Brown
Linebacker | Clemson

Dan Campbell gets an ideal, high-intensity linebacker to anchor the middle of his defense. Brown plays with diagnostic speed, sifting through trash at the line of scrimmage to rack up tackles for loss while bringing a fiery presence to the front seven.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Koi Perich
Safety | Oregon

Howie Roseman continues to inject speed and instincts into the secondary by landing Perich. He is a range-heavy safety who reads quarterback eyes, flies downhill against the run, and turns pass breakups into takeaway opportunities.
21. Houston Texans: Ahmad Hardy
Running Back | Missouri

Hardy is a well-fortified workhorse back who routinely drags defenders for 3-5 extra yards per carry. He absorbs contact easily, blasts through weak arm tackles, and brings a physical identity to the backfield. Pairing Hardy with David Montgomery gives C.J. Stroud a punishing ground game to keep pressure off the passing attack.
20. Denver Broncos: Anthonie Knapp
Offensive Tackle | Notre Dame

Denver fortifies their front line with a technically sound, dependable tackle. Knapp plays with a wide base, strong hand placement, and great balance, sustaining blocks through the whistle to keep the passing pocket clean.
19. Chicago Bears: Matayo Uiagalelei
Edge Rusher | Oregon

Uiagalelei plays with a physical, non-stop motor off the edge, combining heavy hands with great pursuit speed from the backside. The Bears grab a relentless edge defender who sets a firm boundary against the run while collapsing pockets on third down.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars: A’Mauri Washington
Defensive Tackle | Oregon

Washington is a stout interior force who eats up double-teams against the run while generating organic push against the pass. Jacksonville adds a heavy-hitting defensive lineman to fortify their front seven against physical divisional ground attacks.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Kelley Jones
Cornerback | Mississippi State

Standing tall with rare height and length for the cornerback position, Jones gives secondary coaches a unique cover weapon. He uses his long reach to disrupt timing routes at the line of scrimmage and close down throwing lanes on back-shoulder passes. Cincinnati adds a long, athletic defender to its secondary rotation.
16. New York Jets: Jordan Seaton
Offensive Tackle | LSU

With their third selection in the first round, the Jets turn their focus to the offensive line. Seaton is a wide-bodied, powerful tackle who moves with remarkable agility in pass sets and clears massive rushing lanes. New York completes a successful opening-round haul by securing a cornerstone pass blocker.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ahmad Moten
Defensive Tackle | Miami (FL)

Interior disruptors who play with heavy hands and natural leverage command serious attention on draft boards. Moten penetrates interior gaps, stops run plays before they develop, and collapses passing pockets from the inside out. Tampa Bay adds muscle to the center of their defensive line.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Mestemaker
Quarterback | Oklahoma State

Mestemaker’s journey from a former walk-on at North Texas, where he won a tight depth-chart battle, to Oklahoma State starter is remarkable. Playing in the mold of Baker Mayfield, he brings a gritty, high-IQ, air-raid-compatible skill set that scouts appreciate. Pittsburgh lands a tough, self-made leader who throws with anticipation and confidence.
13. Minnesota Vikings: Julian Sayin
Quarterback | Ohio State

Sayin offers pure pocket poise, pinpoint ball placement, and surgical processing against complex zone coverages. Minnesota snags a sharp, quick-releasing passer who can step into their scheme and distribute the football cleanly to high-end playmakers.
12. New York Jets: Zabien Brown
Cornerback | Alabama

Using their second pick of the opening round, the Jets continue to stack their secondary with blue-chip talent. Brown brings technical discipline, fluid transition mechanics, and fierce competitive toughness to press coverage. New York builds out a secondary that can match up with any wideout unit in the AFC.
11. Washington Commanders: Ryan Coleman-Williams
Wide Receiver | Alabama

Betting on talent pays off here, as Coleman-Williams possesses field-tilting athleticism. After reclassifying as a 17-year-old freshman and displaying gravity-defying catch mechanics, he has plenty of developmental ceiling left to tap into. Washington gives Jayden Daniels a twitchy, high-upside threat who can win at every level of the field.
10. New York Giants: Ellis Robinson IV
Cornerback | Georgia

Big Blue reinforces its pass defense by snatching up one of the most technically refined cover men in the college ranks. Robinson plays with textbook footwork, fluid hips, and the competitive drive to battle physical wideouts along the boundary. The Giants grab an instant starter to lock down half the field.
9. New Orleans Saints: Colin Simmons
Edge Rusher | Texas

Simmons brings unhinged speed-to-power pass-rushing juice to the Saints' defensive line. He explodes off the snap, bends tightly around the corner, and closes on quarterbacks in the blink of an eye. New Orleans adds an instinctual edge defender who can disrupt passing games on third down.
8. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Moore
Cornerback | Notre Dame

Cornerbacks who combine long reach with fluid, hips-and-eyes cover skills are pure gold on draft night. Moore has been a lockdown boundary defender in South Bend, erasing primary receivers and generating takeaways at a high clip. Carolina gets a true island corner to lead their secondary.
7. Tennessee Titans: Dylan Stewart
Edge Rusher | South Carolina

Ever since he announced his presence in the SEC as a true freshman in 2024, Stewart has looked like a future top-10 lock. He possesses elite first-step explosion, bend, and closing speed off the edge. After investing heavily in their offense over the last two draft cycles, Tennessee snags a game-wrecking pass rusher to anchor their front seven.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Trevor Goosby
Offensive Tackle | Texas

Protecting the edge is a mandatory requirement for long-term offensive success, and Goosby offers premium left-tackle traits. He combines massive length with quick, light feet to neutralize high-speed pass rushers in single coverage. Atlanta locks down a franchise edge protector to keep their backfield safe.
5. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Coleman
Wide Receiver | Texas

Las Vegas continues to build out an explosive aerial attack by adding a true alpha perimeter weapon. Coleman is a tall, smooth-striding receiver who stretches safety help vertically and wins 50/50 balls with ease. Giving their offense a big-bodied target on the boundary makes the Raiders' passing game deeply dangerous.
4. Cleveland Browns: Dante Moore
Quarterback | Oregon

Dante Moore’s decision to stay in Eugene and refine his game has paid massive dividends. He operates with effortless arm talent, clean footwork under pressure, and elite off-script playmaking skills. Cleveland jumps at the opportunity to drop a high-ceiling signal-caller into their offensive system.
3. New York Jets: CJ Carr
Quarterback | Notre Dame

Armed with extra first-round picks from the Colts trade, Gang Green addresses the most important position on the field. Carr brings smooth pocket mechanics, rapid processing skills, and intermediate throw accuracy to the table. Securing a poised passer to lead their young core gives New York a long-term offensive identity.
2. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Smith
Wide Receiver | Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith is widely regarded as the most projectable wide receiver prospect to enter the draft pipeline since Julio Jones. He dominates physical matchups at the catch point, runs crisp routes, and possesses game-breaking speed. Sitting high on the odds board to go No. 1 overall, Smith represents a value line that won't last as the draft cycle unfolds.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Arch Manning
Quarterback | Texas

Tool-wise, Arch Manning is the real deal. He boasts a prototypical frame, dynamic mobility that far surpasses his famous uncles Peyton and Eli, and a storybook NFL bloodline that scouts dream about. Current betting lines favor Arch to be the first player off the board, and if Arizona holds the keys to the top spot, passing on a signal-caller with this athletic profile would be surprising.
Have Your Say! What Does the Top 10 Look Like?
Debate the NBC Sports Mock Draft

We’ve officially laid down NBC Sports' 32-player first-round blueprint for the 2027 class, but now it's your turn to step up to the whiteboard and judge the selections!

The QB Debate: Is Arch Manning going No. 1 overall to Arizona a lock, or would you take Oregon's Dante Moore or Notre Dame's CJ Carr over the Texas star?

The Jets' 3-Pick Haul: Did New York score the ultimate draft grade by grabbing Carr (#3), Zabien Brown (#12), and Jordan Seaton (#16) in a single night?

The Late-Round Steals: Which late first-round weapon, like Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson (#25) or Indiana boundary monster Charlie Becker (#31), will have the biggest rookie impact?

Sound off in the comments with your favorite picks and early draft sleepers! Give us your mini-mock top 10 picks!
NBC Sports 2027 NFL Mock Draft
Future Blue-Chips: NBC Sports 2027 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

While the 2026 draft class earned a reputation for being somewhat light on top-end depth, the 2027 NFL Draft class is loaded with star power. From franchise-altering quarterbacks like Arch Manning to generational perimeter weapons like Jeremiah Smith, next spring's prospect pool is brimming with game-changers. The defensive side of the board is equally stacked; edge disruptors Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons, along with lockdown cornerback Leonard Moore, bring elite traits that would have placed them right at the very top of the previous draft cycle.

Eric Froton of NBC Sports used the PFSN mock draft simulator to establish their initial draft order and mapped out how all 32 picks could land on Day 1. Keep in mind that a couple of blockbuster trades have altered the board: the Green Bay Packers shipped their first-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys in the Micah Parsons deal, while the Indianapolis Colts sent their first-round capital to the New York Jets to acquire Sauce Gardner in 2025.

Here is how NBC Sports sees the opening round of the 2027 NFL Draft unfolding with their mock.