The 2026 NFL season is about to get underway, but it's never too early too look ahead to next year's NFL Draft, and the 2027 class should be loaded with high-profile talent.
From a promising quarterback class that could give us multiple worthy candidates for the No. 1 overall pick, to elite talents at other premium positions, the 2027 draft has a chance to be one of the best classes in recent memory across the board.
As we get ready for preseason action, here's an early look at how the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft could turn out:
1. Arizona Cardinals
Arch Manning | QB | Texas
I'm not sure why the Cards spent an early third-round pick on Carson Beck, given the fact they could easily land this pick with a rebuild-level roster and being buried at the bottom of one of the league's toughest divisions. If they do end up in this spot, and Manning has the season we all expect, Arizona could land a true franchise passer with the talent and potential to eventually turn the team's fortunes around.
2. New York Jets
Dante Moore | QB | Oregon
Had Moore declared for the 2026 draft, he likely would've landed in this exact spot, with the same team. He's back for some unfinished business with the Ducks, and another year of starting experience won't hurt his development as he gains even more polish before making the jump to the next level. Armed with a ton of young talent (and three first-round picks in this draft), Moore could land with a promising roster with tons of upside.
3. New York Giants
Jeremiah Smith | WR | Ohio State
Even if Malik Nabers is back to full strength, his presence wouldn't keep the Giants from spending this pick on the best overall player in the entire draft. A complete receiver who was an instant superstar as a freshman in Columbus, Smith has all the physical and mental traits to make a huge impact right away, especially if he lands on a team that forces opposing defenses to choose between him and Nabers when rolling coverages.
4. Cleveland Browns
Leonard Moore | CB | Notre Dame
There's plenty of time for a third QB worthy of this spot to emerge, but I'm not sold on the rest of the class just yet. The Browns shouldn't reach for the next-best one just because, instead prioritizing pure talent and value. Moore is the best player in this class outside of Smith; a true shutdown corner with ideal size and length, as well as the technique, athleticism and smarts to handle NFL competition from Day 1.
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5. Las Vegas Raiders
Colin Simmons | Edge | Texas
After spending this year's top pick on Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders can now shift their focus to building a strong supporting cast around their new franchise quarterback. In this scenario, the best value would be on the other side of the ball, where Simmons would give them the next generation of elite edge rusher to learn from Maxx Crosby before eventually taking the torch for himself.
6. Miami Dolphins
Cam Coleman | WR | Texas
The Dolphins just drafted three wide receivers back in April, but barring a huge splash from any of them as rookies, that development shouldn't keep them from targeting a true No. 1 receiver in this spot. Coleman's skill set was obvious at Auburn, but better QB play in Austin should unlock his true potential this season, showing off an elite playmaker who could be a huge addition for Malik Willis and company next offseason.
7. New Orleans Saints
Dylan Stewart | Edge | South Carolina
Cam Jordan is back for another year, but the Saints need to invest in the future of their pass rush at the top of next year's draft. Stewart's rare explosiveness along could easily him in the top five, but if he happens to slip to their pick, the Saints would be thrilled to land an edge defender with this kind of athleticism, upside, and big-play ability.
8. Tennessee Titans
Trevor Goosby | OT | Texas
The sky's the limit for Cam Ward, but only if the offensive line holds up. They need a franchise left tackle of the future, and that's what Goosby is capable of being. He's got rare physical traits and impressive athleticism for his size, along with the power to be a dominant force if he can polish his technique this season.
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9. Atlanta Falcons
Jordan Seaton | OT | LSU
It's time for the Falcons to find a successor for Jake Matthews at left tackle, and this would be the ideal opportunity. A highly touted recruit coming out of high school, Seaton has a chance to prove his mettle against SEC competition after transferring from Colorado. All the physical tools are there for Seaton to develop into a franchise player, but he's still more upside than proven commodity right now.
10. New York Jets (from IND)
David Stone | DL | Oklahoma
After landing their new franchise quarterback, the Jets continue reloading their roster with young talent, this time on the other side of the ball. Every successful rebuild has to invest in the trenches, and Stone has the combination of size, power and explosiveness to be a disruptive force at the next level.
11. Washington Commanders
Ellis Robinson IV | CB | Georgia
This roster has a few big needs, but none more glaring than at cornerback, where they lack a proven outside presence who can match up with the league's top receivers. Robinson will know what it's like to face blue-chip talent with his experience in the SEC, and he checks all the boxes from a physical standpoint when it comes to projecting shutdown corners.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Trevor Lauck | OT | Iowa
With the way the J.J. McCarthy situation is playing out, I wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings preferred to keep going the veteran route at quarterback rather than spending a first-round pick on another developmental prospect. Instead, they could bolster the future of the offensive line with Lauck, the latest in a long line of studs to come from this program. If Christian Darrisaw can't stay healthy, Minnesota will need a reliable left tackle across from the recently extended Brian O'Neill.
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13. Pittsburgh Steelers
LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina
This is the first spot where I could see a QB-desperate team taking a swing on the next-best prospect in this class. Barring any of the redshirt sophomores declaring, Sellers is the one I'm banking on with his athletic traits and upside. If he lives up to his full potential, Sellers could be a superstar if he fine-tunes his mechanics and becomes more consistent as a pocket passer.
14. Carolina Panthers
Will Echoles | DL | Ole Miss
You can never go wrong building through the trenches, and the 2027 class is loaded with potential first-round talents along the interior of the defensive line. Echoles is a powerful force at the point of attack, with surprising movement skills for his size, and the kind of potential that could be maximized in a big way lining up next to Derrick Moore in Carolina.
15. Detroit Lions
Kelley Jones | CB | Mississippi State
After moving on from recent first-rounder Terrion Arnold, the Lions need to find another high-end corner with the potential to be their top cover man sooner than later. Jones brings rare physical traits to the table, with impressive size and length for the position, and the ball skills to create a ton of splash plays when the ball comes his way.
16. Cincinnati Bengals
Justin Scott | DL | Miami (FL)
Adding Dexter Lawrence was a huge win for this defense, but that shouldn't stop the Bengals from continuing to load up the trenches with as much talent as possible. Scott is a stout interior defender who can control blockers with power and shed them with active hands, freeing himself up to make plays in the backfield. He'd be a scary running mate alongside Scott.
17. Kansas City Chiefs
Jamari Johnson | TE | Oregon
The sun is setting on Travis Kelce's Hall of Fame career, and it's time for the Chiefs to find his successor. Johnson is a big, athletic target with tons of upside as a downfield playmaker, making him the ideal replacement for what Kelce brought to the offense over the years. Patrick Mahomes needs another weapon like Johnson to help the passing game operate at full tilt.
18. San Francisco 49ers
Jacarrius Peak | OT | South Carolina
Speaking of future Hall of Famers, Trent Williams is in the twilight of his own legendary run, and the 49ers need to invest in their future at left tackle. A transfer from North Carolina State, Peak has first-round potential with all the physical traits to eventually develop into a reliable blindside protector for Brock Purdy.
19. Dallas Cowboys (from GB)
Charlie Becker | WR | Indiana
I doubt the Cowboys will be willing to pay top dollar to keep George Pickens on a long-term contract to be their No. 2 receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb, so they could be in the market for his replacement next offseason. Becker was a big-play machine for the national champs last year who made his best plays in clutch moments. His size, athleticism, physicality and reliable hands would make him an ideal WR2 in Dallas.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Siereveld | OL | Ohio State
After last season, there's no such thing as too much investment in the offensive line for the Chargers. Even if the tackles both stay healthy moving forward, continuing to load up on interior help would be ideal. Siereveld has experience at both guard and tackle, but his best projection at the next level might be inside. That versatility and experience at multiple positions should be valuable if injuries continue to pop up.
21. New York Jets (from DAL)
Ashton Hampton | CB | Clemson
After trading away Sauce Gardner last year, the Jets could use another outside corner with some size, making Hampton an ideal candidate with his huge frame and impressive length. Hampton's physical traits should allow him to hang with the league's bigger, more physical pass-catchers. If he lives up to his potential in 2026, he could easily be a top-25 pick.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
KJ Bolden | S | Georgia
There aren't many glaring holes on this roster, but adding another versatile playmaker for the secondary wouldn't hurt. Bolden is an undersized by dynamic defender who can lineup over the top or in the slot, with the smarts, quickness, toughness and ball skills to make agreessive plays on the ball and take it away.
23. Buffalo Bills
Ryan Coleman-Williams | WR | Alabama
Trading for DJ Moore should be a huge help for Josh Allen, but his arrival shouldn't keep the Bills from pursuing another high-upside pass-catcher early in this draft. Last year, Coleman-Williams struggled to live up to the hype he created for himself as a freshman, but all of that talent is still there. If he bounces back like he's capable of in 2026, he could still land in the first round with tons of potential at the next level.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A'Mauri Washington | DL | Oregon
I don't expect the Bucs to honor Vita Vea's trade request, but their star nose tackle is 31 years old, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them draft his replacement next April. Washington could've been a fairly early pick in the 2026 draft, but after another year of experience and polish, he'll be even more prepared to make an instant impact at the heart of Tampa Bay's defensive front.
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25. Houston Texans
Kewan Lacy | RB | Ole Miss
David Montgomery and Woody Marks should be a solid 1-2 punch for the Houston backfield this season, but Montgomery will be 30 next June, and Marks is may be better suited for a change-of-pace role. Lacy is an explosive runner with home-run ability and the pass-catching skills to be a true featured back on all three downs.
26. Philadelphia Eagles
Carter Smith | OL | Indiana
The best teams in the league stay good by continuing to invest in their offensive line, and the Eagles should be no different. Smith has a ton of experience at left tackle, but he could end up kicking inside at the next level. Wherever he lines up, Smith has proven he can play at a championship level.
27. New England Patriots
Trey'Dez Green | TE | LSU
This offense should take things to another level after trading for AJ Brown, but the Pats could also use a young tight end to develop for the future. Green's size and athleticism give him a ton of potential, and if he continues his current trend of development, he could prove to be another valuable weapon for Drake Maye in New England.
28. Seattle Seahawks
Cayden Green | OL | Missouri
If there's a weakness in the defending Super Bowl champs' roster, it's along the interior of the offensive line, where they could still use a long-term upgrade at guard opposite Grey Zabel. Green has put together some impressive film at tackle for the Tigers, but he could be even more dominant at the next level if he slides inside.
29. Chicago Bears
Matayo Uiagalelei | Edge | Oregon
You can never have too many talented edge rushers, and the Bears would be wise to invest in another one as a long-term running mate for Montez Sweat. Uiagalelei was a borderline first-round talent in the 2026 class before deciding to return for another year, and he's likely to solidify himself in that range with another strong season in 2026.
30. Denver Broncos
Sammy Brown | LB | Clemson
There aren't many holes in this roster, but the Broncos could benefit from investing an early pick in a high-end playmaker for the second level of their defense. Brown is the early favorite to be the first off-ball linebacker off the board, with the blend of size, smarts, and physical traits to be a long-term starter for one of the league's best defenses.
31. Cleveland Browns (from LAR)
Quincy Rhodes Jr. | Edge | Arkansas
Jared Verse is no Myles Garrett, but he's still a stud edge defender with a bright future. That said, the Browns could still use another high-end talent on the other side of the defensive front. Rhodes is another prospect who could have been a potential first-rounder in 2026, but returned for another year at the college level. He'll be more experienced and pro-ready in 2027.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Kade Pieper | OL | Iowa
The loss of Tyler Linderbaum will no doubt be felt by the Ravens' offense, but they could end up with a chance to replace him with another stellar center prospect from the same program. Pieper would have big shoes to fill for a second time, but the film we've seen up to this point says he's up to the task.
