With the 2026 NFL and College Football seasons yet to take place, we don't have the necessary context for our 2027 mock drafts - or do we?
What if we did our draft coverage based solely on the upcoming free agent class for teams? Who are the big-money veteran free agents? Which players are set to come off of rookie contracts, or have extension conversations looming?
If just these questions were all we had to consider, what would the team needs look like for the 2027 NFL Draft?
The biggest 2027 NFL Draft needs in the NFC South based on upcoming free agents
Atlanta Falcons
Jessie Bates and Kyle Pitts are the top veteran free agents for the Falcons next spring. Along with them, offensive linemen Jawaan Taylor and Ryan Neuzil are not only free agents, but also will be 29-years-old at this time next year.
With Drake London getting his contract extension, and Bijan Robinson likely to follow with his 5th-year option picked up, Matthew Bergeron is the final rookie contract player worth considering signing to an extension.
With Kevin Stefanski coming in in 2026, he's going to want to focus on true franchise-building blocks in his next few drafts. With multiple questions on the offensive line, that's where I lean.
Need: Offensive Line
Carolina Panthers
Patrick Jones and Michael Jackson are the big-money free agents, and Ikem Ekwonu is on the 5th-year option for the 2026 season. Then there’s the question of Bryce Young, who had his 5th-year option picked up for 2027.
Ekwonu could miss a large portion of this season, but Carolina just took Monroe Freeling in the first round of the 2026 draft. And they've invested a lot in edge rusher over the last two years via the draft and free agency.
With this quarterback-heavy draft, if there's one available to Carolina, I'd lean toward that as the top need. But with Young under contract for one more year, and potentially playing his way toward another deal, I'll lean corner with the aging Jackson entering free agency next spring.
Need: Cornerback, Quarterback
New Orleans Saints
The big-money free agents are Alvin Kamara, Tyree Wilson, Davon Godchaux, and Nathan Shepherd. Chris Olave is on the 5th-year option in 2026, and Bryan Bresee is up for an extension this offseason.
With Travis Etienne being signed in free agency this year, and Jordyn Tyson and Christen Miller coming in the draft, those positions are taken care of.
New Orleans tried to acquire some edge rush help this offseason and ended up making a small deal for Wilson. With Cam Jordan's departure, Wilson's upcoming free agency, and the decision to make on Bresee, either a pass-rushing defensive end or edge rusher is the best move.
Need: Defensive End/EDGE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Big-money free agents are Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin, Vita Vea, and A’Shawn Robinson. Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch, and YaYa Diaby are also extension-eligible.
A lot of this will be determined by how the year goes. If it’s a good season, you probably bring the offensive pieces back and reinvest mostly in defense via draft. If it’s a tough year, you probably let Mayfield and Godwin walk and start rebuilding the offense.
Until Mayfield gets an extension, it's hard to say quarterback isn't the biggest need on the board for Tampa Bay. After that, I'd lean defensive tackle with the sheer number of names set to hit free agency from that room. If Tampa Bay loses the NFC South for a second straight year, it might be all Jason Licht needs to reset at the top of the pyramid.
Need: Quarterback, Defensive Tackle
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