Complete First Round
Rob RangNFL Writer— Fox Sports
We aren’t quite halfway through the 2026 NFL season yet some fans and their beloved teams are already looking ahead to the 2027 draft.
We’ve been examining the quarterback class for months. And while it has not quite lived up to expectations through the first two months of the college football season, there is still a healthy supply of options. Just as importantly, there remains great demand across the NFL. At least eight of the 32 teams do not have their starting QB in place for 2027. That alone might prompt a Day 1 run on QBs in the upcoming draft.
As with any mock this far out, it’s important to note that some of the players listed below — including quarterbacks — will inevitably return to school rather than make the NFL jump, especially because of NIL opportunities. But if the draft were held today — and all of the best eligible prospects were available — here is how I think the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft would go.
*Draft order set by current standings
1. Los Angeles Chargers: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
(Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NFL Player Comp: Julio Jones (retired)
The Chargers have scored a total of nine touchdowns in seven games this season. The quickest and best fix for the most anemic offense in the league is Jeremiah Smith, a physically dominant pass-catcher who’s more than worthy of being the first wide receiver taken No. 1 overall since Keyshawn Johnson in 1996.
2. Tennessee Titans: Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
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NFL Player Comp: Micah Parsons, Packers
Could it be as simple as just replacing one Simmons with another? Not really, but with All-Pro Jeffery Simmons now playing in Chicago, the Titans must add difference-makers on defense if Robert Saleh has any chance at success. Colin Simmons is the most explosive edge rusher of this class. Pairing him with Jermaine Johnson on the outside would be a great start to the Titans’ defensive rebuild.
3. Miami Dolphins: Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NFL Player Comp: Josh Allen, Bills
It isn’t fair to pin all the blame for the Dolphins’ struggles this season on costly free-agent quarterback Malik Willis. But with just five touchdowns (against six interceptions) thrown through the first two months, he hasn’t provided much spark. One could argue that no QB would be successful given the supporting cast Willis has, but that may not matter come draft day. Drew Mestemaker’s perceived upside could have teams bidding against each other, and the Dolphins are currently in good position to land this year’s biggest fish.
4. New York Jets (from Colts): Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
(Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
NFL Player Comp: Christian Gonzalez, Patriots
The Jets could wind up with three selections in the top 10, giving general manager Darren Mougey all the resources necessary to move up if desired. But with the likelihood of there being a handful of first-round QB prospects, letting the board fall to him makes a lot of sense. The first bite at the proverbial apple might be best used on blue-chip cornerback Leonard Moore.
5. Philadelphia Eagles: Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NFL Player Comp: Brian Burns, Giants
It seems much longer than two seasons ago that the Eagles were Super Bowl champions. A roster rebuild may be looming, and if so, Philadelphia might first look to a defensive line that is big on names but low in production, generating just 10 sacks over the first eight games of the season (second fewest in the NFL). For GM Howie Roseman, Dylan Stewart may be the perfect blend of immediate impact potential and long-term upside.
6. New York Jets: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
(Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NFL Player Comp: Russell Wilson (retired)
Geno Smith has played well this season, but at 36 years old, he is likely no more than a one-year stopgap for the Jets. Succeeding amid all the scrutiny of New York is going to take a signal-caller with rare poise. Trinidad Chambliss won’t be a fit for everyone, but I could see a lot of coaches being a fan of his competitiveness and dual-threat talents.
7. Houston Texans: Elijah Paige, OT, USC
(Photo by Ben Liebenberg/Getty Images)
NFL Player Comp: Ronnie Stanley, Ravens
Regardless of whether the Texans can can right the ship this season, they are in need of upgrades at various positions. That includes left tackle, where second-year pro Aireontae Ersery has surrendered 25 pressures (and four sacks) so far this season. Elijah Page pairs light feet and balance with power and nastiness in the running game to be this year’s top offensive line prospect.
8. New Orleans Saints: Chris Cole, LB, Georgia
(Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NFL Player Comp: Fred Warner, 49ers
Only the division rival Panthers (12) have surrendered more rushing touchdowns so far this season than the Saints (11). With a blend of size and speed similar to last year’s top-five pick Sonny Styles, Chris Cole would fill a need and offer excellent value at this point in the draft.
9. Washington Commanders: Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
(Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NFL Player Comp: Larry Fitzgerald (retired)
I love Charlie Becker’s potential fit with the Commanders. His blend of size, body control and exceptional hands would be exactly the type of reliable pass-catcher that would help QB Jayden Daniels to reemerge as one of the NFL’s brightest young stars.
10. New York Jets (from Cowboys): Xavier Gilliam, DT, Tennessee
