The 2027 NFL draft is six months away, but it's never too early to project what's going to happen! Plus, we have six weeks of NFL play and two months of college football games to fuel our educated guesses for prospect landing spots.
But ... since there's plenty of football still ahead, I'm only going through the top 10 picks, with the order based on the inverse of the standings through Week 6 of the NFL season. But there's plenty of intrigue in these limited selections, including two picks for the Jets that they acquired via trades. And there will be plenty of quarterbacks coming off the board early.
As we say before every mock draft, it's important to remember that some prospects could decide to head back to school and others could surprisingly declare early. And every NFL team's needs will change amid injuries, breakouts, trades, free agency moves and coaching changes before the draft starts April 29.
Here are my early projections for the top 10 picks in 2027, starting with the reeling Chargers.
1. Los Angeles Chargers (0-6)
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
A pathetic season so far for the Chargers can be traced to several factors, one of which is that the team has no difference-makers among its pass catchers. The Chargers don't have a single receiver in the top 50 for receiving yards per game, and they're 29th in yards after the catch.
Smith is the most decorated wideout in Ohio State's rich history, and he could be the Big Ten's all-time leader in receiving yards and receiving TDs as soon as Halloween against USC. He has 984 yards and 12 touchdowns this season alone. His combination of size (6-foot-4, 222 pounds), speed and force should immediately translate to the NFL. It has been 30 years since a wide receiver was taken No. 1 (Keyshawn Johnson in 1996). That is very much in play in 2027.
2. Miami Dolphins (0-5)
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
Miami has needs everywhere, but its modest investment in Malik Willis (whose three-year, $67.5 million contract has no guaranteed money beyond 2027) puts quarterback in play. The 20-year-old Mestemaker oozes upside, as the 6-3 215-pounder is a legitimate dual-threat player with exceptional creativity inside and outside of the pocket. I'm giving him the early lead as the top QB in the class, which aligns with Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board and Jordan Reid's QB rankings.
Despite not starting at quarterback in high school, Mestemaker has shown enough in just two college seasons -- one at North Texas -- to contend for the No. 1 pick. He is a fearless playmaker who can impact nearly every blade of grass on the field with his mobility and off-platform throwing skills.
3. Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
In this scenario, the Titans have to consider a question on defensive philosophy: Do you build from the front to the back, or just take a surefire cornerback?
Ultimately, I landed on Moore over someone like Texas' Colin Simmons at this early point of the process, as he is off to another exceptional start with just six receptions allowed on 153 coverage snaps. Moore has size (6-2, 197 pounds), a fierce mentality to covet tough matchups, excellent ball skills and solid overall anticipation. He is a true shutdown cornerback, which warrants a selection this high. But the Titans also need young edge rushers, so Simmons was nearly my pick here.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)
Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
Tampa Bay is looking for more impact pass rushers -- a way too familiar spot for the team. The Bucs selected Rueben Bain Jr. in April and are getting strong play from 2025 draftee David Walker, but 11 total sacks through six games just won't cut it.
Simmons is a hyper-charged playmaker who is a massive mismatch for offensive tackles because of his acceleration and overall twitchiness. Though he is listed at just 246 pounds, somewhat light for an NFL edge rusher, his production is off the charts. He's up to 31.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles since the start of the 2024 season.
5. Washington Commanders (1-5)
Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
The Commanders spent big in free agency to land edge rusher Odafe Oweh, but they are still struggling to impact opposing quarterbacks. So far in 2026, they're 25th in sacks per dropback (4.5%) and 20th in pass rush win rate (48.2%).
The best version of Stewart has a case for the top pass rusher in the class, as he's incredibly explosive, powerful, long and hell on wheels to try to block. But teams will have some questions about a recent one-game suspension for punching an Alabama player in the helmet and arguing with coaches on the sideline.
Stewart is immensely talented, but he must harness that skill and find a way for those physical traits to translate into straight production. He has one sack this season and 12 over the past three years.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)
Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana
This Eagles season has not completely gone by the wayside because of the overall NFC East struggles, but it's clear this team has a lot of roster work to do in the offseason. After filling out their slot position with rookie first-round pick Makai Lemon, adding another dynamic perimeter playmaker opposite DeVonta Smith would be a big boost for the offense.
Becker has flourished into a megastar in his first season as a full-time starter, ranking 11th nationally in receiving yards per game (99.1). He's 6-4 and 208 pounds with exceptional speed, terrific hands and a unique ability to beat man coverage on the outside.
7. New York Jets (via 2-4 DAL)
CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
The early returns suggest the Jets went 3-for-3 with their trio of first-rounders in 2026 (edge rusher David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq and receiver Omar Cooper Jr.), allowing those players to take a massive step forward in 2027. Carr would be their attempt to solve the biggest long-term problem, which is finding a solution under center -- 36-year-old Geno Smith is currently on a one-year deal.
In two seasons at Notre Dame, Carr has shown a strong ability to handle pre-snap duties and process quickly, while also being a mechanically sound and talented thrower. He's at his best operating from the pocket, but he's dangerous enough with his legs to keep a defense honest (six rushing touchdowns since the start of last season).
8. Houston Texans (2-4)
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
It's important to say that I am bullish on the Texans picking much later than this, as they're coming off back-to-back wins against AFC South opponents. But you are what your record says you are, and this is how it presently shakes out.
Houston's offensive line has been a multiyear project to get right, which included selecting LT Aireontae Ersery and LG Keylan Rutledge early in the past two drafts. Goosby and LSU's Jordan Seaton are among the top offensive tackles in this class. But I'm giving Goosby a narrow edge in this scenario for his standout run blocking and overall power.
9. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
The Cardinals made enough of an investment in Carson Beck this April (65th overall) to suggest he could be the long-term starter, but I'm not sold on that being the case. Enter the dynamic Chambliss, who makes up for below-average size (6-foot, 205 pounds) with playmaking, clutch production, experience and craftiness.
No quarterback in this class has played better in big games than Chambliss, who averaged 307 passing yards and accounted for six touchdowns in three College Football Playoff games last season. He has led Ole Miss to three wins over AP Top 25 teams in 2026.
10. New York Jets (via 2-4 IND)
Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
This is the second of the two first-round selections the Jets got in the Sauce Gardner trade (the first of which was in 2026), which they could use to bolster their cornerbacks room. Hampton has excellent size (6-2, 205 pounds), is extremely fluid and is confident as a man cover corner. He also makes plays on the ball, with nine passes defensed and an interception this season.
Obviously, this would be an ideal scenario for the Jets, who get to capitalize on the Cowboys' and Colts' misfortunes with two top-10 picks. Oh yeah, and they'd also have the 11th pick if the season ended today. Maybe they go with Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles there, which would allow them to fortify the position of another premium player that they dealt (DT Quinnen Williams) to land these prized picks.