2027 NFL Mock Draft: Darian Mensah, Trinidad Chambliss Join Dante Moore, Arch Manning in Round 1

The college football season is entering Week 2 and the NFL season is just getting started, which means 2027 NFL mock drafts are also in full effect.

Early in the college football season, several players have put their names on the NFL Draft radar, and they have the rest of 2026 to prove why they should be selected on Day 1.

Now, in Week 1 of the NFL season, let's use PFN's Mock Draft Simulator to project how the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft currently stacks up.

In my last mock draft , we had some fun as the New York Jets acquired the No. 1 overall pick in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals. However, in this go-around, we'll get straight to business, leading the Cardinals to draft a new franchise quarterback in Dante Moore.

Arizona recently extended Michael Wilson , and Marvin Harrison Jr. will be looking for an extension of his own next offseason. It's crucial for Arizona to find its gunslinger of the future.

As for Moore, he is the No. 1-ranked quarterback on PFN's 2027 NFL Draft Big Board . With this season of development, there is a legitimate chance the Oregon product will be ready to start on Sundays as a rookie.

A no-brainer decision for the Miami Dolphins, bringing home Jeremiah Smith not only gives them the best receiver in the draft but also gives the fans a reason to show up and show out in the midst of a rebuild.

Considered a perennial top-five selection since his first snap at Ohio State, Smith already began the year with an electric performance, as he put up 151 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half against Ball State. Smith is picking up right where he left off and proving to scouts that he's still the best receiver in college football.

As of now, Arch Manning is still the only other quarterback who could claim the QB1 slot in the 2027 NFL Draft. Still, with Dante Moore going No. 1 overall, this gives the New York Jets a chance to build around the 6-foot-4, mobile Manning, with several talented pieces already around their quarterback of the future.

It's clear that Geno Smith is nothing more than a bridge quarterback for the 2026 season, so the Jets will likely be all-in on finding a face of the franchise after this year. Manning is expected to lead Texas through a competitive SEC, so perhaps a CFP run and Heisman trophy push would make him a lock to be one of the top two quarterbacks in 2027.

There just doesn't seem to be a light at either end of the tunnel when it comes to the Cleveland Browns' quarterback options this season. Whether it's Shedeur Sanders , Deshaun Watson , or even Dillon Gabriel , none of these quarterbacks should be starting for Cleveland in 2027.

This takes us to Miami's Darian Mensah, another rising talent in next year's draft class who not only has a strong resume but also the skill set to back it up. He started his 2026 campaign with a 400-yard, 5-touchdown outing, putting him in early Heisman conversations.

A run at the Heisman trophy and a CFP push for the Hurricanes just may be the bump Mensah needs to become a legitimate first-round candidate.

This is almost a no-brainer selection when you look at the Las Vegas Raiders' depth chart, as drafting Texas WR Cam Coleman will instantly provide the offense with a legitimate WR1 candidate and also help relieve some pressure from the team's leading pass catcher, tight end Brock Bowers .

After selecting Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, giving him a legitimate weapon on the outside has to be priority No. 1 for Las Vegas. Given that the franchise has already heavily invested in the offense over the past few years, a new wide receiver in the first round could be on schedule for the Raiders.

The Atlanta Falcons are a tricky team to project in mock drafts due to the lingering questions surrounding the quarterback position. After investing the No. 8 overall pick in Michael Penix Jr. in 2024, perhaps Atlanta holds off on taking another early-round arm and instead reinforces its offensive line to not only keep Penix upright, but also keep Bijan Robinson happy, too.

BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN's Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator

Jake Matthews has been a steady presence for over a decade, but he's in the later stages of his career, and the Falcons need a young tackle ready to take the baton. Jordan Seaton was starting in a Power Four conference from the moment he stepped on campus, and he's only gotten more polished since.

Taking Seaton here gives Atlanta a cornerstone blocker who can protect its young passer, open lanes for its star back, and keep the offense on track for the next decade.

The Tennessee Titans spent the last few drafts rebuilding their offense, and now it's time to give the defense a real closer off the edge. With Jermaine Johnson II heading into the final year of his rookie deal, the Titans can't afford to wait on finding their next long-term pass rusher if an extension isn't on the horizon.

Colin Simmons brings the kind of first-step burst that makes tackles panic before the snap, and he's already making his presence felt this fall with a fumble recovery in the opener. He's the type of player who changes games in the fourth quarter, and pairing him with Jeffery Simmons up front would give Tennessee a disruptive duo to build the defense around.

The Carolina Panthers have their lockdown corner on one side with Jaycee Horn , but the spot opposite him is still a question mark. Leonard Moore has been battle-tested since he was a freshman and is now regarded as the best cornerback in the class.

His length and patience in press coverage make him a natural fit for a secondary that wants to play aggressive man coverage, and he allows the Panthers to form a young corner tandem that could hold up against anyone in the division.

The New Orleans Saints' pass rush has leaned on veterans for years, and that window is closing. Quincy Rhodes Jr. out of Arkansas offers a massive frame with long arms that let him win the leverage battle before blockers can get their hands on him.

He's still ascending, which is exactly what a rebuilding defense should want at this spot. New Orleans gets a high-ceiling rusher who can set the edge against the run on Day 1 while his pass-rush game keeps developing.

The New York Giants have always believed games are won in the trenches, and David Stone fits that identity perfectly. He's a former blue-chip recruit with rare power for his size and he's capable of collapsing the pocket from the interior, where quarterbacks feel the most pressure.

Adding him to a defensive front that already has talent on the edges would make it nearly impossible for offenses to slide protection to one side without paying for it elsewhere.

The Washington Commanders need more youth and range on the back end, and Tae Johnson brings a smart, instinctive presence to the secondary.

Notre Dame's defense asks its safeties to handle a lot mentally, and he's comfortable rotating late, disguising coverages, and coming downhill to make tackles in space.

He'd give the Commanders a versatile chess piece who can play deep, drop into the box, or match up with tight ends in an NFC East loaded with weapons.

After moving on from Sauce Gardner , the Jets continue to have a hole at the premium position in their secondary, and Ellis Robinson IV is the perfect candidate to fill it.

Georgia's defense produces pro-ready corners year after year, and he's cut from that same cloth with fluid hips, sticky coverage, and the confidence to challenge receivers at the catch point. New York rebuilds its cornerback room with a player who can grow into a true CB1.

As the backfield ages, the offense needs a young runner to carry the load for the Minnesota Vikings. Miami's Jadan Baugh runs with a downhill style that wears defenses down as the game goes on, but he also has enough burst to turn a simple inside run into a chunk play.

In an offense that thrives on play-action, having a back that defenses actually fear makes everything else easier, especially for a young quarterback still finding his footing.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been searching for their long-term answer at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired, and Trinidad Chambliss might be the most intriguing option in this class. His journey from Division II to leading an SEC offense shows toughness and a chip on his shoulder that fits the Steelers' culture.

He extends plays with his legs, throws with confidence off-platform, and has a knack for rising in big moments. Pittsburgh finally takes its swing at the position instead of patching it with veterans.

With their second pick in the first round, the Jets give their offense another weapon. Garrett Wilson needs a running mate who can take attention away from him and let rookie wideout Omar Cooper Jr. thrive as well.

The Jets decide to dip back into the Indiana factory once again, selecting Charlie Becker, who has shown he can stretch the field and win in contested situations. His ability to create explosive plays makes him an ideal complement, giving whoever is under center in New York a much bigger margin for error.

The Chicago Bears' defense still needs another pass rusher to go with Montez Sweat . Dylan Stewart is one of the most explosive edge players in the country, with the twitch and bend to flatten around the corner in a flash.

Stewart plays with a relentless motor that shows up on every down for his team. He did fall in this week's mock draft simply because he missed Week 1 with a back injury, which may also keep him out of Week 2's contest, raising some concern about his medicals.

The Cincinnati Bengals have invested heavily in keeping franchise quarterback Joe Burrow upright, but both starting guards are on a limited time, and the line needs a long-term piece in the middle.

PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN's Free NFL Playoff Predictor

Austin Siereveld fits that need perfectly. He's a physical, heavy-handed blocker with experience lining up at multiple spots, giving the Bengals flexibility if injuries hit.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have talent coming off the edges, but the interior needs someone who can command double teams and free up those rushers. Scott is a thick, powerful tackle who plays with surprising quickness off the snap, and he has a habit of living in the backfield before guards can get set.

Putting him in the middle of the Jaguars' front gives their edge players more one-on-one chances and makes the defense far tougher to run on.

Mississippi State's Kelley Jones brings a long, rangy frame that lets him disrupt receivers at the line, a profile that has become the prototype in today's NFL. Tampa Bay's defense requires corners who can hold up on an island, and Jones can do just that.

He's a natural competitor at the catch point, and he gives the Bucs a young cornerback who can match up with the big-bodied receivers they face in the NFC South.

Denver's defense has become one of the most feared units in the league, thanks in part to its pass rush, and the smart move is keeping that pipeline full. Yhonzae Pierre is a rusher who wins with speed and a nonstop motor, the kind of player who offensive coordinators have to account for on every snap.

Adding him to an already deep rotation would keep the Broncos' pressure relentless for all four quarters and set them up for the future as contracts come due.

The Houston Texans have built a young, confident defense, and KJ Bolden would slide right into that identity. Coming out of Georgia's system, he's used to handling a heavy mental load, and he has the range to cover ground from the deep middle while still showing up as a physical tackler near the line of scrimmage.

He's a former top recruit who plays like it, and he gives the Texans a secondary with the speed and versatility to keep up with any offense in the league.

With Lane Johnson in the later stages of his career, Texas offensive lineman Trevor Goosby is the perfect succession plan. He's a long, athletic tackle with the footwork to mirror speed rushers and the frame to keep adding strength.

The Philadelphia Eagles can develop him behind their veterans and hand him the keys when the time comes, keeping one of the NFL's best lines rolling and one of the top backfields protected.

Detroit's aggressive defensive style puts a lot of pressure on its cornerbacks, and adding another young, competitive corner makes sense, especially given Terrion Arnold 's departure in the offseason.

Ashton Hampton fits the Lions' gritty mentality and gives them a secondary that can hold up against the high-powered passing attacks they'll see deep into January.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh wants a defense that plays fast and physical, and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa checks both boxes.

He's an instinctive linebacker who flies sideline to sideline, fills running lanes with bad intentions, and has the athleticism to hang with backs and tight ends in coverage. He'd give Los Angeles a three-down linebacker who can be the heartbeat of the defense for years to come.

Protecting Drake Maye is New England 's top priority, and Carter Smith keeps that mission going. He's a steady, technically sound tackle who helped anchor one of the most impressive offenses in college football.

Smith plays with patience and balance in pass protection and has the toughness to finish blocks in the run game. Pairing him with the Patriots' existing young linemen gives them a foundation up front that could last a long time.

The San Francisco 49ers and Kyle Shanahan's offense depend on its line executing a zone-heavy run scheme with precision, and Minnesota's Greg Johnson has the mobility and awareness to thrive in it.

He gets to the second level quickly, seals off linebackers, and keeps his feet moving through contact. With the 49ers needing to get younger and cheaper on the interior, Johnson is a plug-and-play option who fits the system from Day 1.

If George Pickens walks in free agency, Dallas can't leave CeeDee Lamb without a legit running mate. ASU's Omarion Miller is a dynamic playmaker who can line up outside and take the top off a defense, but he's also dangerous after the catch on quick throws.

The Sun Devil would give the Cowboys a young, explosive target to keep defenses from rolling coverage toward Lamb and ensure the passing game doesn't miss a beat.

Kansas City 's championship formula starts with keeping Patrick Mahomes comfortable, and the tackle spots have been a recurring concern. Melvin Siani is a physical blocker with the size to handle bull rushers and the grit to hold up in big moments.

Adding him gives the Chiefs a young bookend who can grow into a starter and give their star quarterback the time he needs to create magic.

Baltimore always values smart, physical defensive backs, and Miami's OJ Frederique Jr. is just the player this describes. He earned playing time early in his college career and has only gotten better, showing strong instincts, quick recovery speed, and a willingness to come up and tackle.

Giving the Ravens another young corner to go alongside their talented secondary helps them stay ahead in a division full of explosive receivers.

A'Mauri Washington is a massive, powerful interior lineman who eats up blockers and makes it hard for offenses to run between the tackles.

His ability to push the pocket from the inside creates chances for everyone else on the front, and he gives the Seahawks a cornerstone in the middle of their defense for years to come.

DJ Moore was a great addition to provide Josh Allen a legit WR1 on the outside, but other than Khalil Shakir , the Bills really don't have much firepower at the receiver position. Granted, Skyler Bell is still set to kick off his rookie season as the WR3/4 for Buffalo, so that remains to be seen.

Still, the Bills should be all in on finding a young, dynamic weapon for their offense, given that the Keon Coleman experiment has failed. Indiana's Nick Marsh would give the receiving room a significant boost and a legitimate trio of playmakers at wideout.

With Myles Garrett gone, Cleveland has a massive void to fill on the edge, and there's no replacing a player like that with a stopgap. The Browns need a young rusher who can solidify the defensive front alongside Jared Verse and Mason Graham . Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei has the tools to grow into that role.

Uiagalelei may not be asked to carry the pass rush on Day 1, but he has the size, motor, and upside to become the new tone-setter for a defense searching for its next identity.