It’s that time of year, folks. With college football’s Week 0 just five short days away, football is finally in the air. Get your grilling and pool time in now, because fall is almost upon us.

And as the leaves begin to change, what better time to take a look forward and discuss the 2027 draft class? We’re about to see these guys suit up and dominate college football, so let’s do another mock draft. I’ve watched many more prospects over the last few months and have a more complete view of the class, as one gets with more time. Obviously, these players have a full season to improve and put out more tape, so a lot can change between now and April. But this is still a fun exercise and a good primer both on the class and on the players to watch this season in college football.

As usual, it’s difficult to get too specific with prospect-to-team fits. Outside of quarterback, I tried not to do too much projecting when it comes to team needs. This is more about the prospects themselves than their landing spots.

Draft order set via Tankathon’s projections.

1 — Arizona Cardinals: Texas QB Arch Manning

Another year, another mock draft projecting Manning to go No. 1 overall. He finished last season on an absolute tear, and the physical tools and upside were never in question. Manning needs to demonstrate increased comfort running the Longhorns’ offense and consistency over the course of a full season, or else he risks losing ground in what could be a loaded quarterback class. Even a B season from him will see him projected as a top-10 pick, though.

2 — Miami Dolphins: Miami QB Darian Mensah

It’s no secret that Mensah is my favorite quarterback in this class. I thought he put out first-round tape at Duke last season, and now he’s in a better system with improved weapons around him. With a smooth throwing motion, comfort creating outside of structure and easy accuracy to all three levels of the field, Mensah has the easiest tape to watch in the class.

3 — New York Jets: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith

With two more first-round picks, the Jets can afford to wait on a quarterback and instead select a generational wide receiver. Smith is ludicrously explosive and agile at his size, a bully at the catch point, and elusive after the catch. There’s little to criticize about his game, and even after selecting Omar Cooper Jr. in the first round a few months ago, that’s not stopping the Jets from taking Smith.

4 — Cleveland Browns: Oregon QB Dante Moore

It’ll be interesting to see how this quarterback class shakes out over the season. Moore would’ve been a first-round pick — likely the second quarterback off the board — had he declared for the 2026 class. Now while he has the opportunity to raise his stock even higher, he also has to fend off a much deeper group of passers. With his frame and arm talent, though, it won’t take much of a jump from him to solidify his status as a top-five pick.

5 — Tennessee Titans: Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore

Moore is my highest-graded player in this class coming out of summer scouting, above even Smith. He’s everything you could want in a premier cornerback prospect: long, fluid, explosive and with the short-area burst to lock down the catch point. The best teams in the NFL are devoting more resources to the cornerback position, and this might be Moore’s floor if he has the season we all expect.

6 — Las Vegas Raiders: South Carolina ED Dylan Stewart

There are two elite edge rusher prospects in this class, and I’d give Stewart the slight edge between them. He’s massive and ridiculously fast at his size, bulldozing offensive tackles in his pursuit of the quarterback. Against the run, Stewart displays physicality and discipline, but it’s his pass rushing chops that will get him drafted this high. One of the youngest prospects in this class, Stewart can continue to rise even higher.

7 — Atlanta Falcons: Texas ED Colin Simmons

A year ago, the Falcons spent two first-round picks on pass rushers. Jalon Walker tore his ACL in camp and will miss the 2026 season, while James Pearce Jr. got himself suspended for eight games after a domestic violence incident (and ran with the third-team defense in camp). Atlanta could still use an elite pass-rushing force, and that’s what Simmons is. Despite his lack of ideal size, there isn’t a better speed rusher in this class. He has unreal bend around the edge and a first step that gives him immediate advantages on every rep.

8 — New Orleans Saints: Miami DT Justin Scott

A former standout high school basketball player, Scott was one of my last watches of the summer. But man, he impressed me so much. A premier athlete, he stands out on film with the way he moves compared to those around him. Quickness and strength both jump off the screen with him — Scott’s long arms and smooth feet give him immense upside. Scott is an ascending player, one of the best athletes in the class and he got better and more refined as the 2025 season went on. That’s a great sign for his trajectory.

9 — Pittsburgh Steelers: USC QB Jayden Maiava

At some point, the Steelers need to address the quarterback position long-term. Maiava is the most underrated player in this quarterback class, and I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves after what he did last season. The best touch passer in the class, Maiava has a ton of different types of throws he can pull out from all sorts of platforms and arm angles. That versatility, combined with his accuracy and ability to create on the move, gives him a high floor.

10 — Carolina Panthers: Texas OT Trevor Goosby

Another young player with nearly unlimited upside, Goosby got some first-round buzz for this past class but ultimately chose to return to school. A non-contact knee injury in fall camp was a scary sight, but it sounds like he’ll be good to go for the season. The tape he put out last year makes him the best tackle prospect on my board going into the year, and it’s not particularly close. His fluidity and coordinated hands and feet are impressive for such an inexperienced player.

11 — New York Giants: Georgia CB Ellis Robinson IV

Smooth. That’s the word that comes to mind when watching Robinson’s tape. He effortlessly mirrors receivers through their breaks and stays sticky at the catch point. A true junior with only one season of starting experience, Robinson can get a lot better with time. Given how good he already is, that’s exciting to think about.

12 — Washington Commanders: Texas WR Cam Coleman

Coleman is in line for a monster season. A transfer from Auburn, the box score numbers won’t jump off the page, but when you turn on the tape you see a guy who’s just different. With the size of a true X-receiver and the speed of the shiftiest of slot-only guys, Coleman’s traits put him in rare company. I’d like to see him get more versatile as a route runner, but he already flashes good feel and instincts at the catch point.

13 — New York Jets (via IND): Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker

Mestemaker’s story is truly remarkable. He walked on at North Texas, taking a redshirt year before exploding as a redshirt freshman in 2025, producing at an insane rate and dominating the Sun Belt. Now on a bigger stage in the Big 12, he has the chance to prove himself worthy of this draft projection. A gunslinger’s gunslinger, Mestemaker trusts his arm too much at times and attempts throws he probably shouldn’t. He cleans that up, however, and the sky really is the limit.

14 — Minnesota Vikings: Texas A&M WR Mario Craver

Craver might test the NFL’s willingness to draft small receivers early. He’s tiny, but don’t let that fool you: he plays bigger than his listed 5-9 and 165-pound size and isn’t afraid to mix it up at the catch point or as a blocker. In the open field, he’s a nightmare for opposing defenses, impossible to catch and so fluid in space. That also translates to his route running, where Craver creates immediate and consistent separation to all three levels of the field.

15 — Jacksonville Jaguars: Oregon DT A’Mauri Washington

Washington’s highlight reel might be the best of anyone in this class. He’s a mammoth in the middle of the Ducks’ defensive front with simply ludicrous movement abilities at that size (6-3 and around 330 pounds). So far in his collegiate career, Washington’s failed to make a consistent impact down to down. But that doesn’t take anything away from his potential. If he can learn to translate his talent into production more frequently, this could end up being a low projection for him.

16 — New York Jets (via DAL): Miami DT Ahmad Moten Sr.

Moten is the floor play in this defensive tackle class. An older prospect with a lot of college experience, he’ll be drafted for his ability to impact the game in both phases. Moten shines as a pass rusher, with some wiggle in his game and a penetrating mentality that sees him in the backfield consistently. As a run defender, Moten uses his size well to eat up space and make plays, also knifing his way into the backfield when called upon.

17 — Cincinnati Bengals: Missouri G Cayden Green

Although he’s coming off a fantastic season as an offensive tackle, Green’s home in the NFL is probably at guard. That versatility is still a boon, and it’ll make him even more appealing to NFL scouts. Green’s power is remarkable — he just moves people, both in the run game and as a pass protector. I like how he uses his hands, too, keeping them active and protecting his chest from defenders who want to neutralize his strength.

18 — Dallas Cowboys (via GBP): Indiana OT Carter Smith

Smith fits the mold of what the Cowboys usually like in their offensive linemen. He’s gigantic, plays with overwhelming power, and ultimately might be better as a guard. Smith’s mirroring ability on the edge can be a bit hit or miss, but it usually doesn’t matter. Once he gets his hands on a pass rusher, the rep is over. And as a run blocker, he paves entire highways behind him.

19 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Syracuse CB Chris Peal

The more I watch Peal’s tape, the more I like it. An elite zone corner, he plays with discipline in his assignments, keeping plays in front of him until it’s time to make his move. Once he puts his foot in the ground, he can close distance in a flash, crashing down on receivers to cut off passing lanes and congest the catch point. I like Peal’s length and athleticism to play man coverage, too. Syracuse just didn’t ask him to do much of it.

20 — Chicago Bears: Miami ED Damon Wilson II

It’s crazy how loaded Miami’s defensive front still is. A transfer from Missouri, Wilson isn’t the most refined player in this class, but his potential is off the charts. A twitchy, rocked-up pass rusher, he comes screaming off the edge on every snap, stressing the offensive tackle across from him just trying to keep up. Though he has a few go-to moves, Wilson doesn’t have many counters yet, and he’s still developing as a run defender. I’m excited to see what he can do with another year of development.

21 — Houston Texans: Florida RB Jadan Baugh

Baugh is almost 230 pounds, and he plays like it. He’ll put your face in the dirt, break bones when breaking tackles, and make defenders regret coming near him. But at the same time, he moves like he weighs 30 pounds less. Baugh’s receiving production is wild for a back his size, and there’s no other way to say it: he’s shifty. How many 230-pound running backs get described as elusive in the open field? Baugh’s combination of explosiveness, power and agility makes him such a unique prospect.

22 — Denver Broncos: Oregon TE Jamari Johnson

If you were building a versatile NFL tight end in a lab, you’d end up with someone a lot like Johnson. He can split out wide and run routes from the receiver positions, but he’s equally as comfortable in-line, sticking his nose in there as a blocker and giving it his all. I’m impressed with his skills as a route runner and his ability to make would-be tacklers miss in space. There isn’t a lot Johnson can’t do.

23 — New England Patriots: Oklahoma DT David Stone

You won’t find many prospects with Stone’s potential as a game-wrecking interior pass rusher. The quickness he displays is off the charts, and he combines it with well-timed hands and a developing set of moves to get after the quarterback. Stone isn’t a one-trick pony, either, as he’s a capable interior run defender.

24 — San Francisco 49ers: Georgia S KJ Bolden

Bolden’s range on the back end is impressive. He can play in two-high or single-high schemes with equal effectiveness, rotate down into the slot and play some man coverage, or even crash down into the box and play with more physicality. Bolden’s versatility and production at a variety of positions give him a unique prospect profile.

25 — Detroit Lions: Houston CB Jalen Mayo

A former Division II star, Mayo played at Stephen F. Austin last season and put some phenomenal tape out there. An electric athlete, Mayo shines in man coverage, using his smooth hips to blanket receivers throughout their routes. With great instincts in zone coverage, too, he’s both a versatile and experienced cornerback. This season is all about putting that on tape again at a power conference level. Mayo was one of my favorite watches all summer.

26 — Los Angeles Chargers: Ohio State G Austin Siereveld

Siereveld plays both tackle and guard for Ohio State, but he’s a guard’s guard in the NFL. Slow foot speed and middling agility at tackle become explosive movements and quick recovery speed on the interior, where his athleticism really pops. As a run blocker, he gets downhill and blocks in space well, carving a path for the running back and playing multiple assignments effectively.

27 — Kansas City Chiefs: Rutgers WR KJ Duff

The team that drafts Duff will know who they’re getting. He’s a tall, physical X-receiver ideally suited to playing on the outside and winning against man coverage. A true red zone weapon, he has great body control at the catch point and the kind of wingspan that makes him a quarterback’s best friend. What sets Duff apart, though, is his speed — he’s a weapon as a deep threat and routinely makes plays downfield.

28 — Seattle Seahawks: Mississippi State CB Kelley Jones

If you want a corner who can line up and erase the opponent’s best receiver snap after snap, Jones is your guy. With his frame and quickness, he’s ideally suited to playing press-man coverage. Don’t ask him to do things he’s not good at. Send him out there to be physical and blanket his assignment, and he’ll do that consistently.

29 — Philadelphia Eagles: South Carolina OT Jacarrius Peak

Sometimes you just need to bet on an athlete. Peak’s tape was fairly up and down, but guys his size aren’t supposed to move the way he does. His insane athleticism shows up on some reps where he does otherworldly things, shutting down opposing pass rushers or executing a reach block with impressive speed and strength. With another year of experience, it’s not hard to envision Peak ascending rapidly in this class.

30 — Baltimore Ravens: LSU TE Trey’Dez Green

Some prospects are such gifted athletes that it’s a little hard to believe, even as you’re watching the tape. That’s Green, someone built like an NBA player who’s out there trucking defenders and juking them out of their cleats. College football’s most dangerous red zone weapon, Green isn’t just limited to catching jump balls in the end zone. He’s an every-down receiver and had consistent production last season.

31 — Buffalo Bills: Ole Miss DT Will Echoles

Echoles had a lot of clean-up sacks last year, but he’s still a developing pass rusher. While he works on those skills, he’s also the best interior run stuffer in the class right now. Over the course of last season, teams stopped testing Echoles in the run game and they would devote two linemen to him on almost every snap. The kinds of players who require that much attention in the run game are rare, and the Bills need all the run defense help they can get.

32 — Cleveland Browns (via LAR): LSU OT Jordan Seaton

A transfer from Colorado, Seaton was one of the top pass protectors in college football last season. Though he lags behind as a run blocker, his fluidity in his pass sets makes him an appealing prospect. He’s just an eraser on the edge, keeping his hands active and his feet moving to ward off the speediest and most powerful pass rushers.