2027 NFL Draft Notebook: Dolphins make shocking QB pick at No. 2 overall

The 2027 NFL Draft is still months away, but it is never too early to look ahead at how the first round could unfold. In my first top-five mock draft of the season, the Los Angeles Chargers land the top player on my board, while the Miami Dolphins make a surprising quarterback selection at No. 2 overall.

This week’s NFL Draft Notebook also highlights Nebraska cornerback Andrew Marshall as my Sleeper of the Week. Plus, I examine why the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers should be keeping an eye on intriguing receiving prospects ahead of the 2027 NFL Draft.

Top-five 2027 NFL mock draft

1. Los Angeles Chargers: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

I have a hard time seeing the Los Angeles Chargers moving on from Justin Herbert. Instead, they will look to replace Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator, taking quarterback off the table. That makes Jeremiah Smith the easy choice at No. 1 overall. He would give the Chargers a premier receiving talent to build around and provide Herbert with another dynamic weapon in the passing game.

2. Miami Dolphins: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss

It may surprise some to see Trinidad Chambliss come off the board as the first quarterback selected, but he is the right choice for the Dolphins. Chambliss is a more polished passer than Malik Willis and offers the potential to become a franchise quarterback. Miami needs a long-term answer at the position, and Chambliss gives the organization a young quarterback it can build around. With several high-profile quarterbacks competing to be the first selected, Chambliss going No. 2 overall would be one of the biggest surprises of the first round.

3. Tennessee Titans: Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas

The Tennessee Titans have recorded 16 sacks this season, but they rank 31st in the NFL with a 59.1 PFF pass-rushing grade. Texas' Colin Simmons is the top pass rusher in the 2027 NFL Draft, thanks to his elite burst and explosiveness off the edge. His 10.5 sacks this season are 2.5 more than any other FBS player, making him a difference-maker who could give the Titans' defense the dynamic pass rusher it needs.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

Things have not gone the way Tampa Bay hoped this season, and the Buccaneers could be headed for a major roster overhaul this offseason. A good place to start is with Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, the second-best defender in the 2027 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-2, Moore combines excellent size with impressive movement skills, allowing him to stay with receivers in coverage. He has allowed just eight receptions this season, showcasing his ability to limit opposing passing attacks. Moore would give Tampa Bay a potential lockdown corner to build its secondary around.

5. Washington Commanders: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas

I am much higher on Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman than most draft analysts, ranking him as my No. 2 wide receiver in the 2027 NFL Draft. Coleman offers tremendous upside, combining elite body control with the quickness to beat defenders deep and the route-running ability to consistently create separation in the intermediate passing game. Pairing Coleman with Terry McLaurin would give Washington a dynamic receiving duo, providing Jayden Daniels with another reliable weapon and adding another dimension to the Commanders' passing attack.

Sleeper of the Week: Nebraska cornerback Andrew Marshall

One of the most underrated cornerbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft is Nebraska’s Andrew Marshall. This season, Marshall has allowed completions on just 29.6 percent of the passes thrown his way while recording four pass breakups, making him a risky target for opposing quarterbacks.

He has also held his own against some of the Big Ten’s top receiving talent, including Indiana wide receivers Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker, two players who rank among the top five wide receiver prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. For his production and upside, Marshall earns this week’s Sleeper of the Week recognition.

When evaluating Marshall, his physicality immediately stands out. He uses his strength to challenge receivers at the catch point and is equally willing to come downhill against the run and make tackles. His ball skills are another positive, as he has recorded 16 pass breakups over his four-year college career. Marshall also offers value as a return specialist. During his two seasons at Idaho, he averaged 10.7 yards on 14 punt returns and an impressive 41.4 yards on nine kickoff returns, taking one back for a touchdown.

I currently have a fifth-round grade on Marshall, and I believe he could compete for a starting role in the right defensive scheme. My biggest concern is his solid rather than exceptional game speed, which could limit his ability to consistently stay with receivers in man coverage. His 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine will be an important opportunity to address those concerns.

One team that could be an excellent fit for Marshall is the Las Vegas Raiders, who could use help in the secondary. Their preference for zone coverage could allow Marshall to capitalize on his physicality and ball skills without consistently having to match receivers in man coverage. The Raiders' struggles in pass coverage also make cornerback an area worth addressing, giving Marshall a potential opportunity to compete for playing time early in his NFL career.

NFL Draft news and notes

Cardinals scouting Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse

The Arizona Cardinals sent three scouts to Notre Dame’s matchup against BYU this weekend, and one player who likely caught their attention was Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse.

Greathouse turned in his best performance of the season, hauling in eight passes for 125 yards. He also appeared poised to catch a game-ending touchdown, but a potential pass interference penalty went uncalled. Greathouse could be a fit for an Arizona team looking to address its wide receiver needs after trading Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans last week. His skill set would bring reliable hands and the ability to make contested catches in traffic, giving the Cardinals another option in the passing game.

Underrated linebacker: BYU's Cade Uluave

One of the more underrated linebackers in the 2027 NFL Draft is BYU’s Cade Uluave, one of the most athletic middle linebackers in the class. Against Notre Dame, Uluave recorded a season-high nine tackles while generating five pressures. He has also demonstrated the ability to excel in multiple defensive schemes, earning first-team All-ACC honors at California last season. However, one area he needs to improve is his tackling consistency. Uluave has missed 24 percent of his tackle attempts this season, with his aggressiveness sometimes causing him to overrun plays. Despite that concern, his speed, athleticism, and tenacity give him the potential to compete for a starting role on defense while also providing value on special teams at the NFL level.

Indiana safety Amare Ferrell sees his NFL Draft stock improve

 Despite Indiana suffering a heartbreaking loss to Ohio State last weekend, one Hoosier who saw his NFL Draft stock improve was free safety Amare Ferrell. His biggest highlight was intercepting two passes, giving him six interceptions over the past year and a half. He also allowed just one completion on the five passes thrown his way. The 2025 second-team All-Big Ten selection is a versatile defensive back who has seen significant playing time at free safety, strong safety, and nickel for Indiana. One potential fit is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who could use an upgrade at free safety and had scouts in attendance for Indiana's matchup against Ohio State.

Panthers could find a receiving threat in Houston’s Patrick Overmyer

One of the biggest games in college football on Saturday features a matchup between two top-15 teams, Utah and Houston. One player NFL scouts will likely be watching closely is Houston tight end Patrick Overmyer, who is putting together a standout season for the Cougars. He leads the FBS with seven touchdown receptions, including four in a game against Kansas State two weeks ago, and ranks second nationally with 431 receiving yards. One team that would be wise to pay close attention to Overmyer is the Carolina Panthers. He does a good job of creating separation in the passing game and securing catches with his hands, making him an intriguing option for Carolina. With Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans providing strong blocking ability at tight end, Overmyer could complement them as a receiving threat and give the Panthers another dimension in their passing attack.

Syracuse wide receiver Umari Hatcher emerging as a late-round prospect

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Syracuse wide receiver Umari Hatcher, whose stock has risen from off the radar at the start of the season to a legitimate draftable prospect. Hatcher continued to make his case in Syracuse’s latest game against Louisville, leading the FBS with 224 receiving yards, 42 more than any other receiver this week, while hauling in a career-high 13 receptions. From an NFL Draft perspective, scouts should be intrigued by Hatcher’s agility for a 6-foot-3 receiver and his ability to adjust to the football. He has also demonstrated reliable hands, recording just one drop this season, which could help him carve out a role at the next level.

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