The 2027 NFL Draft is just ten and a half months away! But without the context of the 2026 NFL or college football seasons, how should we fill out our mock drafts?
By also previewing next year's free agency approximately nine months early, of course!
So here is a list of the biggest needs for all AFC North teams in the 2027 NFL Draft, based on their top free agents next spring.
The biggest 2027 NFL Draft needs in the AFC North based on upcoming free agents
All free agents mentioned are veterans entering free agency off of contracts of roughly $5 million per year or greater, or key players coming off of rookie contracts/playing on their fifth-year options.
Baltimore Ravens
Veteran free agents for the Ravens next year include Marlon Humphrey, Chidobe Awuzie, Calais Campbell, and Broderick Washington. Zay Flowers is under the fifth-year option for 2027, but I also expect him to get a contract extension this summer.
With two defensive linemen set to hit free agency, plus the questionable future for star Nnamdi Madubike, I'd lean towards defensive tackle. But a cornerback could also be considered.
Need: Defensive Tackle/Cornerback
Cincinnati Bengals
The big money free agents are Tedarrell Slaton, Joe Flacco, and Ted Karras. But Dax Hill is playing on his 5th-year option in 2026, and DJ Turner is in the last year of his rookie deal.
Even if I expect Turner to get a new contract, the Bengals obviously added Dexter Lawrence to their defensive line and drafted Connor Lew to be their center of the future just last April. That leaves cornerback as their biggest need.
Need: Cornerback
Cleveland Browns
It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that quarterback will be the focus for Cleveland in the 2027 draft.
But still, the big money free agents are Deshaun Watson, Grant Delpit, and Maliek Collins. Cedric Tillman highlights the 2023 draft class and will be entering free agency.
Having just drafted a safety and two wide receivers in the first two rounds of the 2026 class, defensive tackle would be the next need. And after the Myles Garrett trade, they have two picks to work with in the first round of next year's draft.
Need: Quarterback, Defensive Tackle
Pittsburgh Steelers
The big money free agents for Pittsburgh are Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Queen. So far, there have been multiple contract extensions for members of the 2023 draft class, but Joey Porter Jr and Keeanu Benton are still waiting for theirs.
2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones had his fifth-year option declined. He's still working back from a serious neck injury, and after drafting an offensive tackle in the first round of the 2026 draft, it seems unlikely he'll be returning.
It seems improbable that Pittsburgh can extend four key members from the 2023 class, and Porter feels like a lock. So if Benton is the odd man out, defensive tackle is a big need as Cam Heyward continues to age.
Pittsburgh brass likes Drew Allar and Will Howard, but if they're is drafting high enough, I expect them to look at quarterback. But if things go as they usually do and they draft in the back half of the first round, linebacker or defensive line are probably most likely.
Need: Defensive Tackle/Linebacker
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