2027 NFL Mock Draft: Jets complete their first-round haul as Darian Mensah slides
No. 9 Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
The Falcons aren't off the hook for a need at quarterback. Atlanta Falcons fans should expect them to select one in the next two rounds. Aside from a potential need at QB, the Falcons have needs at tackle, wide receiver and cornerback. At this position in the draft, they make Jordan Seaton the first tackle off the board. They need an eventual successor to Jake Matthews and a replacement for right tackle Jawaan Taylor. With both veterans facing roster decisions beyond 2026, the Falcons get ahead of that and select a player in Seaton who can step in immediately if Matthews retires or Taylor heads somewhere else in free agency.
No. 10 Houston Texans: Xavier Gilliam, DL, Tennessee
The Texans look like they are starting to roll this season, at least offensively. They still have a need along the offensive line, which can be addressed on Day 2. This high in the draft, they select Xavier Gilliam to help anchor the middle of the defensive line. The Texans are still lethal off the edge, leading the league with 29 sacks, but adding an enforcer like Gilliam to the interior line catapults the overall defense back toward being one of the top units in the NFL.
No. 11 New Orleans Saints: Will Echoles, DL, Ole Miss
The Saints are facing a massive overhaul along the defensive line following the 2026 NFL season. With Cameron Jordan on the brink of retirement and three of their interior defensive linemen on expiring contracts, the Saints will be in a state of transition. Selecting the explosive Will Echoles stabilizes the interior of the line along with a healthy Bryan Bresee and 2026 draft pick Christen Miller.
No. 12 Washington Commanders: Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
The ideal pick for the Commanders would be Charlie Becker. With him off the board, the Commanders select Cam Coleman as an eventual successor to Terry McLaurin, who is on the other side of 30. His 6-foot-3, 204-pound frame also gives Jayden Daniels a true outside X receiver in the offense. Pairing him with Antonio Williams, McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey should give the Commanders an interesting offensive attack in 2027.
No. 13 New York Jets (via Dallas): Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
NFL Mocks will debut a team-focused mock draft series titled The War Room. The Jets will be the first team featured, and a debate will be whether they should trade one of their first-round picks to either move up or gain more draft capital. With the need at cornerback being high, they stand pat in this mock draft and select Clemson star Ashton Hampton, whom many regard as CB2 in this draft. He will instantly be CB1 on a Jets team also hungry for a dominant shutdown corner.
No. 14 Baltimore Ravens: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
If the Ravens continue to struggle, a dream pick will be Leonard Moore, whom our own John Blair explored as the perfect solution to Baltimore's secondary needs. As it stands right now, the Ravens are selecting at No. 14, and Georgia's Ellis Robinson IV is not too shabby of a pick for a team whose fans are calling for it to move on from veteran Marlon Humphrey.
No. 15 Las Vegas Raiders: Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza has taken over at quarterback, and he'll have a half-season to adjust to the NFL. While Nick Marsh is not the Indiana wide receiver most Raiders fans want to reunite with Mendoza, he offers an upgrade at the wide receiver position. We see you, Tre Tucker, but the Raiders need more at wide receiver, and Marsh gives them another threat outside Tucker and the two-tight-end duo of Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.
No. 16 Cleveland Browns (via Los Angeles Rams): Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (FL)
The Cleveland Browns don't let Darian Mensah slide too far down in the draft, selecting him with the No. 16 overall pick. I think this is a great fit for the quarterback and the team given the young weapons the Browns have. While arm velocity and deep-ball strength are considered limitations, his poise, accuracy and intermediate passing precision and touch will give playmakers such as KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. opportunities to make plays after the catch. That's exactly how Mensah is thriving as the Hurricanes' signal-caller.
Add us as a preferred source on Google